Go on - Give it a Try!!

We did, it was great fun, well worth all the work.

I have visited our Regional Dressage competition as a spectator several times, and thought "wouldn't it be fun to bring some of my riders?", but was always put off because the majority of the competitors come from Groups which have their own horses and ponies and their own riding facilities. However, just like most of you out there, my Group ride at a local riding school and hire the horses and ponies. Too many obstacles to overcome? Don't you believe it!!

I have to admit that I would be lost without the help and understanding of the proprietor, Michelle Matthews, and staff of Middle Farm Equestrian Riding Centre in Norfolk, who kindly allowed us to hire Breeze, one of the horses we use in our weekly riding sessions.

Some helpers set to and prepared the horse and all her tack, other helpers got together to beg or borrow some suitable riding clothes for the chosen three riders. As it turned out we could only get our hands on one jacket which fitted all three riders, so the whole day was a series of quick changes, swapping the jacket from the rider who had just dismounted to the one whose turn was next.

The day started wet and miserable, but by the time we arrived a Wimpole Hall the sun was out and we were raring to go. Each rider took part in the dressage competition, the horse / pony and rider competition, the tack and turn out and the stable management quiz. Quite a busy day for them, even busier for the helpers and Breeze running from one arena to the other.

The riders all rode superbly and deserved all the rosettes they won and Breeze behaved beautifully (at least while the riders were on board, she was a bit naughty about loading though), so all in all it was a very successful day. My favourite memory of the day? Trevor competing in the horse and rider competition when he had to jump a small fence - he just couldn't contain the whoop of excitement as Breeze took off!

Will we be going back next year? - you bet we will. It's a lot of work, but well worth the effort, so go on - why don't you give it a try too?

Lynne Kemp

Group Instructor, Buckenham House Group, Norfolk.

WELCOME ABOUT US NEWS DIARY RIDING DRIVING CONTACTS LINKS RDA NATIONAL