 |
||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
Welcome to Blog Number 12. Yes, it’s the first Anniversary! Difficult to comprehend that it has been a full twelve months since the first Blog went into print. However, no Champagne corks popping or partying to celebrate, just another day. The Herd have welcomed yet another addition who goes by the name of “Parys”. She is a TB Cross C. Bay, 15.3 Hands High, Dark Bay Mare, 23 years old. Parys tells me she already has some RDA working experience so is familiar with the training process; she is also liking the open fields now having been used to an enclosed environment at her previous stables. The Regional Qualifying Dressage & Working Pony & Rider Competitions were held on Sunday 09th May at Oakland College, St Albans with the Shelley Centre being represented by four Riders entering the Qualifying Dressage Tests. Our four competitors were: Zoe Talbot, a Paraplegic, rode side-saddle on Shannon: Ruth Snowling, having suffered from Polio, also rode Shannon: Sarah Mitchell, with Rheumatoid Arthritis, rode Rocky: Jackie Gosling, with Multiple Sclerosis, also rode Rocky. Everyone was competing for a place at the National Competitions to be held at Hartpury College on Saturday and Sunday, 10th/11th July. However, our taking part in such events does not just happen. From my room I see and hear all and can tell you a lot of hard work is involved by everyone working as a team to get our Riders ready for the Competition and don’t forget Lyn, our Stable Manager, is the only full time employee at the Centre, everyone else is a volunteer. Not forgetting the logistics of moving horses, Riders, Helpers and Carers, arranging accommodation, stabling etc. much work goes into preparation such as grooming of horses, cleaning and polishing of Tack, the selection of appropriate riding habits to ensure good presentation on the day. Perhaps, though, the biggest effort of all is for the horses, Riders and their instructors to drill and practice for weeks in advance of the day; they were working hard even during the Easter break, whilst most Riders were resting, and had to work around our laying of the new surface too but, this did not deter them from the task in hand. To enter these competitions requires great commitment and professionalism from our Riders as well as everyone at the Centre who is involved. The standards set for these competitions are no less than for able bodied riders who train as professionals so you can imagine the sense of pride and achievement felt by Rider and Helper alike when they enter the arena; my circuits come over all warm at the thought and I wish I could have been there to witness it all. The costs are not in just time and effort either. It costs us over £2000 to enter these competitions and this is where a welcome Sponsor wouldn’t come amiss, so if you would like to help our Riders please do come forward. On the day it was very cold, windy and wet although everyone was in high spirits. Ruth and Sarah started early in a Class of 16 Riders with Ruth scoring 63% and coming 5th , and Sarah scoring 60% and coming 6th. Unfortunately, due to the high number of entries in their Class neither qualified for Hartpury in that only the first three go forward. However, neither Rider should be downhearted because they still achieved personal bests having greatly improved their riding skills. Jackie and Zoe rode after lunch and were in a Class of 10 (Zoe, who is now 16 years old, rode in the adult Class for the first time). I’m delighted to say that both qualified for Hartpury and will be riding in the National Competitions during the RDA 40th Anniversary finals which will be a memorable event for both of them. The scores on the doors were, Jackie 72.9% giving her 2nd place, with Zoe 72.3% coming 3rd; what a great finish! Perhaps, having whetted your appetite, you may like an opportunity to see for yourself the Centre in action. If you are interested in learning more about what we do at the Centre (And, of course, coming to met two great celebrities, yes, me and Strikey, who else?), The Shelley Centre will be holding an Open Day on Sunday, 13th June starting at 2 p.m. We do have a restriction on numbers as well as having to plan our catering so please telephone us at the Centre so that we can confirm your attendance. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a seat. During the afternoon you will see many of our Riders, aided by their Helpers and Carers, demonstrating their skills in a serious and fun way too. Whilst I’m biased, I think you will be very much impressed and informed from the day. Thinking back at the expense of entering competitions, Looey Durling, one of our Helpers has entered into the London 10K Sponsored Run which takes place on Sunday, 11th July. If you would like to help the Centre by supporting Looey please contact us on the usual number. Your support will be very welcome, and I might even let you have a canter on me……is that an incentive……perhaps, perhaps not?
Further editions of my blog will be uploaded shortly - make sure you come back soon! Meanwhile, if you want to catch up, ‘back-issues’ can be viewed by clicking HERE.
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
Ebony
