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Horse and Pony Care

HORSE AND PONY CARE RALLIES

These are dismounted rallies, covering all aspects of horse care.  Although they are structured to cover the knowledge required by the Pony Club ‘D+’, ‘C’ and ‘C+’ Tests, they are open to all ages, whether you are planning on taking a test or not. These rallies take place in the stable environment and usually involve handling horses, so please dress appropriately – hats, jods and jod boots.  (No trainers, wellies or fashion jeans).

Area Competition, Easter 2009.

The Old Berks has a tradition of sending teams to this competition, holding the trophies for both the Junior & Senior competitions several times in the recent years. Team preparation is taken seriously, but it is a lot of fun as well. Through the next six months, I shall be looking out for members who would be interested in joining the Junior and Senior teams for the Area Competition next Spring. The Standard for the Juniors is C test or better, for the Seniors, it is B test or better. Juniors are aged 13 years and under on 1st Jan, and Seniors are aged 21 under on 1st Jan. Teams are made up of 3 members; the competition is wholly practical, involving all aspects of horse care and stable management. If you think you would like to be considered for a team, come along to the dismounted rallies being organised over the next few months and learn as much as you can.

Fiona Jack 01235 868361

thedarkhorse@btopenworld.com

 


 

 

RIBBONS ALL ROUND AT THE AREA 9 HORSE & PONY CARE COMPETITION!

Four teams went to the Area Competition on Saturday 12 April, hosted this year by the Cotswold at their kennels near Andoversford. The weather was wintery, but spirits were high as the two Junior teams went into the morning competition. Chloe Webster, Camille Saget and Sophie Oakland ('The Greys') and John Church, Jasmine Humphrey and Pauline Breakspear ('The Bays'), emerged after two and a half hours of questions and tasks on every aspect of horse care, looking a lot more cheerful than when they started. Their optimism was well placed: Chloe's team won, reclaiming the Area 9 Trophy for the third time in four years and qualifying for the Championships in August and, only a few marks behind, John's team came a well-deserved fourth.
In the afternoon, fortified by a mass picnic including hot soup and drizzle cake (well done, Chief Picnic Co-ordinator Katie Finch!) Johanna Marsden, Zoe Lloyd-Williams and Ottilie Macpherson ('The Fillies') and Verenique Beviere, Gorgia Lisi and Axie Finch ('The Foals') went off to do battle in the Senior Competition. Johanna's team were just pipped into 2nd place by the Ledbury and, hot on their heels, Verenique's team took 4th place.

Our senior teams deserve a special mention, especially Axie and Ottilie (both 14); they were the youngest of all the Seniors, competing against much older teams of 18, 19 and 20 year olds, all with B tests or higher. To be well placed amongst such experienced teams is a real achievement.

These are really great results! The standard in this competition gets a little higher each year and, with a place at the Championships at stake, it is very hotly contested. Ribbons are not easy to come by; all four teams trained hard through the winter and it was good to see their efforts so well rewarded.

Well done everyone,
Fiona Jack