The Bridleways B lletin July 2014 WIN £100 to Spend in From The Chair Half way through the year already — does anyone Frosburys! else feel that time is going by at double speed?! I'm thrilled to say that for me, the first half of 2014 has The popular Members' Merit Scheme is off been successful, with a win at Royal Windsor, and a and running for 2014. new puppy joining the Mosby household. We would love to hear about your equine successes and Members who organise, participate or help out achievements, either by email or our Facebook at a WDBA-run event or join in bridleway clean- page. Perhaps we might feature a few in our next up parties can earn points toward a grand prize, newsletter. to be handed out at the Members' Meeting and AGM in November. The WDBA has had a successful 6 months, too. Our Fit or Fat Ride in April was 50% over subscribed, as We're excited to announce that this year's was the Alison Craig Lunging and Long-reining grand prize has been kindly donated by Clinic in June. Our next Pleasure Ride takes place Frosburys — a £100 gift certificate for its shop. on in October, and there are plans for another lunging clinic in September, just before our So we hope to see lots of you at upcoming Dressage competition later that month. It's going to events and work parties...it's a fierce be another busy 6 months! Remember — one competition! advantage of being a member is priority booking at our open events, which are often oversubscribed. Points are awarded as follows: • Participating at event = 5 points Behind the scenes, the WDBA is working with • Helping at or organising event = 8 points County Council, the Surrey Heathland • Participating in track clearance = 10 points Project, the and Natural England promoting and campaigning for equestrian access in and around Worplesdon.

The WDBA's bank balance is healthy, and we'll be using the money to improve our local bridleways and permissive routes. There's always plenty to do and we have projects in progress. If you have any suggestions for bridleway improvements, please let us know.

Enjoy the better weather, enjoy your horse and I look forward to meeting some of you at the Members' Meeting and AGM in November. Improved and increased off-road access for horse riders and Pamela Mosby

carriage drivers is something that most equestrians feel

passionately about, so do get involved and make the equestrian voice heard!

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 1 Member's Newsletter WDBA Projects for 2014-2015

Creating a Permissive Ride on Sheets , Brookwood Funding the resurfacing and drainage of 100 metres of track from the end of BW413 to the equestrian gate onto Sheets Heath Common. This new permissive horse ride will link Bisley and Brookwood with and the Ranges, and will be completed using WDBA funds or a LEADER grant.

Resurfacing BW423, Funding the resurfacing of the section of BW423 by Whitmoor Hatch.

The WDBA will be working with to resurface this section of BW423, using WDBA funds or a LEADER grant.

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 2 Member's Newsletter Take up the Challenge of the Ash Ranges Pleasure Ride Our popular pleasure ride on Ash Ranges returns!

This is a unique opportunity to ride on the beautiful Ash Ranges, by kind permission of the MoD.

The WDBA's 10-mile pleasure ride on 26 October takes place over challenging terrain with far-reaching and breath-taking views towards , the Hogs Back, the North Downs, and Farnborough.

We anticipate this event will be oversubscribed. Of course, as members, your entry will get priority. However, as we're strictly limited on spaces, please enter early to avoid disappointment.

Due to the testing terrain, this ride is suitable for experienced riders and fit horses only.

Entry forms will be emailed and available on the website by August. For more information, email [email protected] Calling all Dressage Divas! The WDBA's fun and friendly dressage competition at Merrist Wood on 28 September, has a mix of classes — Walk and Trot, Prelim, Novice and Elementary.

If you'd like to try dressage, then this is the perfect opportunity.

Schedules and entry forms will be emailed to you and available from our website in August. For more information, email [email protected]

2014 Diary Dates February Track Clearance Sun Apr 6 Fit or Fat Ride Sun June 1 Fitness Clinic news on bridleways and events Sat Jun 7 Lunging and Long-reining Demo and Clinic visit www.wdba.org.uk Sat Sept 6 Lunging and Long-reining Demo and Clinic Sun Sept 28 Open Unaffiliated Dressage, Merrist Wood Sun Oct 26 Ash Ranges Pleasure Ride October* Track Clearance Mon Nov 17 Members' Meeting and AGM

See www.wdba.org.uk/events for dates and entry forms. * Date to be confirmed

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 3 Member's Newsletter Click here to report a rights of way problem to Access News Surrey County Council using its interactive map.

Normandy – Linda Pike Pirbright – Judy Williams (01483 811891) ([email protected])

The Normandy bridleways have Project to extend BW413 on born up well through the storms Sheets Heath moves forward. and floods, and there are no reported problems. Working with the Surrey Heathland Project and SCC, If you have a riding permit for Ash Ranges, you will we shall soon be inviting quotes from groundwork have noticed the flags have been down at weekends companies, and Woking Borough Council is seeking and alternate Fridays. Cattle are back planning permission for the extension of BW413. Ranges, and are remarkably placid and move quietly Before we can go ahead, Natural England will need away if you ride towards them. to approve the final plans. NE is happy for vegetation

clearance to take place from September, and we Our Pleasure Ride on 26 October, is a 10-mile ride may be seeking volunteers for this. across Ash Ranges, an area of outstanding natural

beauty. The ride offers a wonderful opportunity to Bridleways 393b and 144 on Stafford Lake experience an area not normally open to the public. Common. The water main work is completed, but

the damaged surface has yet to be repaired due to Ash and Pirbright Ranges: Horse riders require a bad weather. permit to ride on the Ranges. Contact Landmarc

Support Services Ltd, HQ ATE, Longmoor Camp, Military activity, including shooting, continues on Liss, Hants, GU33 6EL. the unrestricted Army land at the end of Mill Lane. As Whitmoor – Caroline Diliberto this is a community matter, we have sent a report to (07799 826938) Pirbright Parish Council for discussion at its meeting at the end of July. WDBA plans to resurface another section of BW423. Wood Street – Lisa Wright (07776 301845) SWT to resurface Summer Ride. We continue to monitor the Whitmoor Common is feeling the effects of our wet University of Surrey's winter with some paths still waterlogged. proposals to develop its land on the Hogs Back. BW423 (by Whitmoor Hatch), which is usually only boggy during the winter, has taken an extra We're in communication with the University and it's battering due to vehicles using it as an access keen to have our input on equestrian access as route while clearing nearby fallen . We will be part of any development, and will invite us to approaching SCC to discuss resurfacing this participate in a future design workshop. Any section of BW423, using WDBA funds or a housing development on the Hogs Back may affect LEADER grant. BW447 and the PHR alongside the railway.

The Summer Ride remains on SWTs' to-do list. The PHR at Applegarth Avenue is very wet and Meanwhile, WDBA members have cleared the dangerous, especially under the bridge and around overgrown PHR leading to it from the Jolly Farmer the corner. pub. BW447 south of the railway line, has low- Remember to report blocked paths via our website hanging vegetation, which we've reported to SCC. or email!

• To report an incident visit: www.horseaccidents.org.uk. • Read "Look at it from my point of view" — dogs and horses leaflet provided by the BHS in conjunction with The Association of Chief Police Officers and the Blue Cross.

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 4 Member's Newsletter Success for WDBA Junior Members, Emily Baigent and Olivia Moriano

Emily Baigent won the Junior Open Dressage to Music class at the 2013 British Riding Clubs National Dressage to Music Championships. Emily has had great successes with the 18-year-old Haflinger Rocco, including being placed 4th at Royal Windsor. Their music featured Harry Potter and Puff the Magic Dragon.

Emily has recently qualified for the Dressage to Music Nationals in 2014 with her new horse, Some Bunny Famous in a routine inspired by this year's rain!

Olivia Moriano has been selected to represent the Italian Equestrian federation at pony FEI level this year. She competes at medium and FEI class level with her 14hh Dutch Warmblood gelding, Rikki. For the last six years, she's represented the southern region in national competition and was recently selected to receive National Pony Training with British Dressage trainers.

Congratulations Emily and Olivia, and good luck in 2014!

Olivia and Rikki

Emily and Rocco

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 5 Member's Newsletter Fit or Fat Ride Raises £1,400

Over 90 horse riders braved chill winds and rain to take part in the WDBA's 10-mile ride across Common.

The Ride on 6th April attracted riders and horses from as far afield as Kent, Essex and Hampshire. Starting at Langshot Equestrian Centre, the route took participants on a glorious route over the National Nature Reserve. This year saw a change of venue for the annual event, which in the past has taken place at Puttenham.

Maggie taking a horse's heart rate Riders were able to judge their horses' fitness, thanks to help from Maggie Pattinson of On The Hoof Distance Training who took each horse's heart rate at the start of the ride, and at the finish.

The ride was sponsored by Chobham Rider, Victoria Farm Stables, and On The Hoof Distance Training.

We raised £1,400 from the ride, which will go towards extending BW413 on Sheets Heath in Brookwood, and resurfacing BW423 on Whitmoor Common. Riders on the course

Photos by: ALM-Picture

Fabienne Makes the Most of Fitness Clinic Fabienne Macey and her young horse Muddle took advantage of the WDBA member-exclusive Fitness Clinic run by fellow WDBA member, Maggie Pattinson of On The Hoof Distance Training.

Maggie got to know Muddle and discussed with Fabienne what direction they're heading in, given Muddle's age.

The session established that Muddle had a good base level of fitness for his age. However, fitness is about more than the cardiovascular, so Maggie recommended exercises to help build up his muscles. Maggie also gave Fabienne advice about Fabienne and Muddle enjoying schooling and using hill work during hacking to help improve themselves! his fitness.

Fabienne found the clinic useful, and thoroughly enjoyed her gallop around the all-weather track!

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 6 Member's Newsletter Lunging Clinic With Alison Craig BHSI UKCC3 Is a Sell Out! Thankfully the morning's rain disappeared in time for Alison Craig BHSI UKCC3 to spend a sunny afternoon with WDBA members Caroline Amond, Lucinda Woods, Alessia Mestrone, Claire Walker, Abbi Norris, and Gina Rossdale-Smith, teaching them how to lunge and long-rein their horses.

Alison's reputation as an instructor experienced in and passionate about working horses from the ground proved enticing, and the clinic, a members-only event, sold out within four days.

Spectators and participants saw how Alison's methods improved the horses way of going and encouraged suppleness and roundness. Alison working Lucinda's cob, Murphy in-hand We'll be holding another clinic with Alison on 6 September. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Alison setting up the equipment

Abbi and Cassie enjoying the suppleness achieved when working with long-reins

AGM or ABM? It should be Annual General Meeting, but lots of us think of these as Awfully Boring Meetings!

AGMs can be incredibly dull, but we promise that the WDBA's Members' Meeting and AGM will be anything but boring. There will be a guest equine speaker, food and drink (always good), and it'll be a great opportunity to meet people and have a say in how the WDBA is run.

We all lead very busy lives and it's easy to forget things. So, put it in your diary — Monday 17 November. Please try and get involved, after all the WDBA is your association — you pay your subscription and attend the events; it would be great to see you at this, too!

The winner of the 2014 Members' Merit Scheme will be announced, and there may even be a surprise raffle, obviously with a great prize…

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 7 Member's Newsletter Membership Update We're two months into a new WDBA year, and so far we have over 90 members, of which 83 are renewals. Great to see so many returning members and also welcome to our 11 new members!

We rely on members' support to be able to carry out our mission to protect and promote bridleways and permissive horse rides in the Worplesdon area, so we would appreciate it if you could help spread the word.

Membership forms available from: If you have friends, family or stablemates who would be interested in joining the WDBA, please encourage them to sign up. www.wdba.org.uk/join_us.html [email protected] If they need a "carrot", let them know that WDBA membership benefits include the ability to participate in exclusive events such Membership Secretary, as the Alison Craig lunging clinic, discounts at local shops and 16 Helmsdale, Woking, Surrey services, and discounted entry fees at WDBA-run events, such as GU21 3HT the pleasure ride or the dressage show.

Member

Discounts 10% discount 5% discount

10% discount 5% discount 10% discount

Your Committee

Chairman: Pamela Mosby 07973 165479 Executive Members: Sarah Ainley, Wendy Ford, Jo Haward, Treasurer: Jane Martin 07917 802124 Tracey Smale, Philippa Wright Secretary: Marian Sage 01483 811778 Membership Secretary: Stephanie Good (07717 532682) Area Representatives: Normandy Linda Pike 01483 811891 Pirbright Judy Williams [email protected] Wood Street Lisa Wright 07776 301845 Whitmoor Caroline Diliberto 07799 826938 Contact your Committee on [email protected] or use the phone numbers listed above

Committee Meeting Dates 2014

Members are very welcome to attend any committee meeting - contact the Secretary on [email protected]. The remaining meetings for 2014 are: Monday 4 August, Friday 3 October, and Thursday 4 December (dates subject to change).

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 8 Member's Newsletter Hot off the Press!

The Amazing New Dressage Test Bluebells Bloom 1. A Enter at ordinary serpentine. X Sprawl. Salute. on BW413 2. C Stop dead. Stare in horror at judge and shy to left. Continue at working gallop. 3. E Stagger left 20 or 15 or 22 metres in diameter circle or pearshape or five- pointed star. Avoid excessive crossings of legs. 4. K Begin to halt. Z Keep trying. F You can do it. B Pull rein. Give up. Continue at ordinary trot. Last October, WDBA members 5. H Regain right stirrup. Continue at ordinary planted 600 bluebell bulbs along the trot. edge of the newly resurfaced BW413 Bouncing. on Sheets Heath. We're delighted to 6. MKT Change rein. Free walk on loose rein. report that all the bulbs survived the Remove horse from judge's luncheon wet winter, and the bridleway looked table. Ask judge for leg up. Jump back very pretty in the spring sunshine. into ring. 7. Z Turn down centre line. Who knows, in a few years' time, there Halt. Grin. Scratch. Burst into tears. may be a bluebell wood for future Leave at free walk on a long rein with WDBA members to enjoy! loose language.

July 2014 Worplesdon & District Bridleways Association (WDBA) 9 Member's Newsletter