Hello RLRC Members,

We are about to commence our summer season of events for 2010, and I would like to update you on events that took place earlier in the year, and bring your attention to our forthcoming team events, training sessions that are available to you, and include our schedule for the year ahead.

Charity Show on November 29th 2009 in aid of Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and Animal Care In Egypt

Our Derby Day indoor show jumping event produced a profit of £300, which was split between the two charities. Our Treasurer Keren Lewin works for Barclays Bank, and secured their support to match monies raised, on behalf of one of the charities. The Air Ambulance was chosen to receive this additional donation from Barclays Bank, who matched the £150, therefore realising a total of £300.

Our thanks go to all the competitors who came to support the event, and hopefully as long as the Icelandic Volcano stops erupting shortly - I will be flying out to Egypt in July to take the £150 donation personally to the Animal Care in Egypt centre in Luxor.

Area 16 Winter Dressage Qualifier - Hargate Arena January 24th 2010

This event was hosted and organised by Rearsby Lodge Riding Club, under the direction of Liz and Claire Atkins. After the very difficult weather conditions during December there was a real worry that this event would take place, but to the delight of all competitors within our region it did.

Many thanks must go to the 18 people that helped on the day to make the qualifier such a success - Becky and Diane Littlefield, Lyn McKeown, Liz McFarlane, Penny Standen, Julie Brand, Carol Stanton, Jenny Pegg, Tina Lester, Annette Gibson, Judy Andrews, Ian Myers, Annette Gillingham, Felicity Schofield, Jules Johnson, Claire and Liz Atkins, plus I helped a bit too!

I attach with this newsletter, team report from our very enthusiastic team manager - Mrs Annette Gibson.

Winter Dressage Challenge 2009 - 2010

Liz Atkins in collaboration with Annette Gibson provided our dressage competitors with 4 competitions throughout the winter months, with dates in October, November, February and cumulating in March. This provided much welcome practice and selection for the afore mentioned Winter Dressage Qualifier. Many thanks to Liz and daughter Claire for assisting her in taking entries and scheduling the times, always bearing in mind competitors special requests!

New Purchases for 2010

During the winter months we have purchased further new show jumps from Jump for Joy and Countryside Showjumps. They were used for the first time at our Easter Indoor Show on April 4th, and will be adorning the club field this year to provide more variety to our selection of jumps.

We have additionally purchased further wings and safety cups to FEI standard. (This standard is advised for all spread fences at riding club level, and is mandatory if jumping at BSJA standard). These safety cups are designed to collapse if a horse falls heavily on a jump, and I can testify that at the Easter Show there were a couple of occasions when this did occur, and secured the safety of the horses involved. (i.e. the poles quickly fell to the ground).

We have also purchased a new game for the gymkhana ring, which will be testing the skill of the competitors this year!

Training

Becky Littlefield has secured the services of John Steels at Midland Equestrian for a further show jumping clinic on May 1st. A previous clinic was held on March 6th which proved very popular, and with all our clinics we advise early booking, and a cheque to secure your place.

Jo Shields based at Field Farm, Wymeswold is providing Combined Training on Saturday 22nd May, and XC Training on 12th June. For further information see attached flyers and our contact is Becky Littlefield on 07789 265184.

Annette Gibson has been liaising with Jayne Peberdy and Jane Carruthers to provide a number of dates and venues during April and May with training for RLRC members, to improve their dressage and dressage to music. Further details can be found on our website - Rearsbylodge.com

We update our website on a regular basis, and all new training dates are promoted on there first. So please check regularly for new training sessions throughout the year.

Team Events

The Area 16 qualifiers for dressage, show jumping and horse trials will soon be upon us. Hopefully you will have been brave enough to tick the box on your membership form to say you may be interested! We initially send you a letter to let you know the date of the qualifier, tests to be ridden, or height of jumps if you are a showjumper, and the date when we need your cheque and form in by.

Again, we try to provide as much information as we can on our website regarding team events, and we do like to encourage as many of you as we can to take part, as it is such great fun, competing against other clubs in our area - and on occasions beating them and qualifying for the Championships!

We do not just send one 'best team' to these qualifiers, we like to promote competing against other clubs, and at other venues, as it provides not only the horses, but riders with valuable experience.

Team Managers are listed on our website, so if you have any queries, no matter how small, give them a ring. They are a friendly bunch and are always on the look out for fresh team mates.

RLRC Personalised Clothing

We will be promoting Rearsby Lodge Riding Club Clothing throughout the coming months at our shows. These items are very competitively priced, please see Carl, who has designed the samples on display, but can personalise items to your individual request.

Festival of the Hunter - Aston le Walls 5th and 6th June

Direct entry showing classes (i.e. you do not need to qualify) are available at the above championships. Classes include - Working Hunter Pony, M & M Working Hunter, Novice and Open Working Hunter Horse, Working Cob, Ridden Novice and Open Hunter, Ridden Cob, Ridden Coloured (native and non native), ridden Mountain and Moorland, Show Hunter Pony, Riding Horse and Riding Club Horse and Pony.  There is also a class for retrained racehorses which will be judged on general condition as a thoroughbred and adaptability to their new career, along with turnout and manners.

Entry fees are £16 per class, and of course your flu vaccination certificate must be up to date, as it will be checked. The entry form for this can be found on the British Horse Society website - click on Riding at top of page.

If you require further details or have any queries, please contact Ann Spencer on 01509 880104. Deadline for entries to BRC is 14th MAY.

Style Equestrian - Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

Style Equestrian based in Melton Mowbray is offering RLRC members a 10% Discount on items purchased. Please provide your current up to date membership card to obtain your discount.

Summer Schedule for 2010

Please find enclosed our Summer Schedule for the coming season. We have included one new class in our Working Hunter ring which is Nursery Stakes.

For our younger competitors who have not competed in a working hunter ring before, this class requires you to jump a simple round of natural fences, followed by a show to include walk, trot and canter on both reins, and to finish - halting by the judge. We will be looking for a smooth jumping round, and ponies with good manners. We hope this class provides to be popular for our younger members.

I therefore welcome you to our summer programme of events and look forward to seeing members old and new throughout the year.

Happy competing

Regards,
Ann Spencer