Hoofprint Gaddesden Place RDA Newsletter Autumn 2016 Enquiries Tel: 01442 246924

Hoofprint Gaddesden Place RDA Newsletter Autumn 2016 www.gaddesdenplacerda.org.uk Enquiries Tel: 01442 246924

Published by Gaddesden Place RDA Centre - Briden's Camp, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 6EX A Private Limited Company Registered in England and Wales No: 7512961 Registered Charity No: 1140330

What News? It was the best of times it was the worst of times….” to paraphrase Charles Dickens. Since our June issue Gaddesden Place RDA Centre has hit some highs and lows. Our dear friend and Trustee, Jackie Boulter passed away after a short spell in hospital which was a great shock to us all. Sadly, we have also lost some other supporters and members of the team. You can read the tributes to them later in this issue. Jackie was the instigator of our fundraising Golf Day and was very involved in making it such a success. It was held just a few days after her funeral but I’m sure she would have been delighted that it went off so well after all her hard work. There is more about The Rider Cup later in this issue. September saw the worst flood we can remember which turned the whole Indoor school into a 40mx20m lake! You can see the photos below. However due to some quick thinking staff, fantastic teamwork from our Volunteers and three days of hard graft we only had to cancel two riding sessions and the Indoor school was ready for business by Tuesday morning.

Our Wednesday after school Vaulting sessions are now up and

running. Ages range from 5 to 13 so far and there are three places

still available. Call Louise on 01442 246924 if you are interested in

participating.

Much to the delight of our riders, and volunteers the Sensory Garden Ride is now open. As you will see, some of the the art installations by the students from West Herts College are very striking but the stoical Gaddesden ponies have taken it in their stride and some have even tried to drink from the wishing well water feature!

Our Sensory Woodland Walk now has some extra surprises thanks to the art students at West Herts College. As part of their course the students worked to a brief and developed ideas for the Woodland Walk which were installed over the summer including wildlife figures, a totem pole, birdbath, dream catcher and sculptures. We would like to thank the students for taking time to visit us and helping to make the Woodland Walk an ever changing sensory environment for our riders. Chris Grant, a volunteer and trainee coach has also built us a beautiful Wishing Well with running water spilling out of the bucket. We are still working on ideas and look forward to some new installations next year. Meanwhile, our “Secret Garden” which is a short detour off our regular Woodland hack is already a quiet and magical place for our riders and volunteers to enjoy.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Term Dates

th Sat 10 December Last day of term inclusive

Sun 11 th December to Christmas Holidays

th Fri 6 January 2017 Inclusive

Sat 7th January 2017 First day of Spring Term Inclusive

Other Dates for your Diary!

Thurs 8 th December Volunteer Christmas Party – Details at yard

Wed 21 st December Sainsbury’s Christmas Collection at Sainsburys in Apsley Details at yard. Volunteers required. Please sign up for a slot if you can spare an hour – you see some amazing Christmas jumpers worn by the shoppers.

March 2017 Barn Dance

Photo caption competition

£1 per entry and a bottle of wine to the person who thinks up the best caption. Put your £1 in an envelope with your caption, name, telephone number and email address. Winner will be announced in the next issue.

The Eastern Region RDA Championships ….. were held on Sunday 22 nd May at Oaklands College in St Albans. It was a gorgeous sunny day and six groups participated from around the region. There were Dressage tests and a Countryside Challenge obstacle course which qualified the top contestants for the RDA National Competition and the “Have a go” East Region dressage for those just starting to compete. Gaddesden Place RDA hopes to take some riders to compete at the Regionals next year! If you would be interested in learning a dressage test, please ask your coach for more information. There are tests for every level from led walk tests to independent canter tests. You can test your skill level before venturing out in public by entering a Dressage Anywhere RDA competition. You have your test filmed in your usual RDA session and then uploaded to the Dressage Anywhere website for judging. You can print out your score sheet and rosette! See www.dressageanywhere.com for more information.

William the

Conqueror Returns

Gaddesden Place RDA volunteers Val Le Neve Foster, Francoise Culverhouse and Christina Grieve met up at the unveiling of a magnificent new bust of William the Codey’s Summer Bootcamp! Conqueror at Berkhamsted In July after the end of term, Codey our black cob was Castle. Francoise’s husband sent for training with Julie Newell in Warwickshire with Jonathan (on the left below) commissioned the bust to the British Equestrian Vaulting Juniors at their summer commemorate the 950 th camp. Codey had to learn to keep trotting rhythmically on anniversary of William the lunge line while the juniors performed their accepting the crown when the English earls came from gymnastic routines on his back. Please note that BEV vaulters do not wear hats but RDA vaulters do! We are London to swear fealty to him at the Castle. It is hoped pleased to say that Codey passed his Vaulting assessment William will find a with flying colours and is now a RDA Group Vaulting permanent home in the Horse! town where he can be admired by those interested in local history.

Competition to Name the Basil is proving very useful and not just for Wooden Barrel Horse- practicing vaulting moves. It is much lighter than Results! the bigger metal barrel horse so can easily be Our beautiful vaulting barrel made for us by moved to the electric ramp and hoist to enable Pete Batson our farrier has now been given nervous riders to get used to the sensation of being a name…….following a fundraising game higher than everyone else and sitting astride before at the yard. The winning name was chosen introducing them to the real thing. It is also the by Ella Denton, a Saturday volunteer and the barrel is now called ideal size to strap on either a flat vaulting pad, a sheepskin therapeutic riding pad or a leather Basil !!!! saddle to get anxious riders used to the different shapes and textures before sitting on them. As you can see, Boudica, who belongs to Juliet (our yard manager) did not want to miss out on the vaulting fun!

THE RIDER CUP 2016 returns to Beautiful Stocks! Gaddesden Place held the second Rider Cup Charity Golf Day returning to the wonderful Chiltern setting of Stocks Golf Club on the 7th October. The outstanding golf and a very closely contested leader board made it a truly memorable day. It was also memorable for the incredible total raised - just over £9,500 which came not only from fees but also from the raffle and especially the auction. We would like to thank our 72 golfers who were very generous on the day and also our sponsors and donators of some exceptional auction items which made a huge difference to our fundraising total.

Our volunteers enjoyed their day too although Libet Wilkie had to do a risk assessment before she got in the buggy after she heard about Janet's Manythanksto driving skills. . NewCenturydoors

We have booked our next Golf Day for foroursmartnewdoor

5th October 2018.

New County Chairman

Many thanks to Antonia McKinley who was our County Chairman for many years. Antonia has now handed over to Suzanne Brown, who has

been busy visiting all the groups in the County. If you spot her on the yard please introduce yourself! At the last County meeting, Antonia, who had visited Gaddesden Place RDA many times, was presented with a pair of Thelwell prints by Suzanne on behalf of the groups in Hertfordshire.

Antonia presenting Suzanne Brown Jack Eldridge with the Kiwi Cup in 2014 New County Chairman

Kiwi cup

The winner of the Kiwi Cup 2016 was Sebastian

Clewlow from Weatherfield School. The Kiwi Cup is awarded for the most improved rider over the course of the year. Sebastian had overcome his anxiety at the mounting block and managed to achieve Grade 1 and Grade 2 Riding Proficiency Certificates. Cathy Bolshaw, our Chairman was invited to attend the last full school assembly on 22 nd July to present him with the Kiwi Cup. His parents managed to keep it a secret that they would be attending too so it was a great surprise!

Nominations for most improved rider over the year included: Adam Fendrick (Wed), Richard Donnelly (Fri),

Natalie Allport (Wed), Luke Kingsman (Sat),

Gabby Dabbagh (Sat)

Grade 2 Proficiency

Tests achieved by Weatherfield School

Left to Right: Daniel Bates , Tania - their teacher,

Athena Janes , Miles Crawford , Karen Dicks - assistant, Sebastian Clewlow , Alfie McGrath

th Sadly we lost our lovely grey horse Breeze on 20 June. He had only been with us for a couple of years and had really settled into life at Gaddesden Place RDA. Unfortunately he had a fatal case of colic and whilst everything possible was done for him it was kinder to say goodbye.

We have a new horse on loan, also a grey, called George. He is 21 years old, a Connemara x TB

and he was born on the Ashridge estate. Trevor Mills remembers going to see him when he had

just been born. Trina Hall, our founder, backed him in the Indoor school at Gaddesden Place RDA and he was her daughter Charlie’s pony. George has impeccable manners, has settled well into

our routine and of course feels quite at home. We now refer to him as Gorgeous George!

StMary’sVolunteerDay On24 th August ,StMary’schurchinRedbourn broughtalongaverydedicatedand supportiveteamfromtheircongregation. Itwasthehottestdayoftheyearbut undauntedtheykindlytreatedourbarn withwoodpreserver,washedand hooveredallthestables,cleanedtack,and sweptthegallery.TheVaultingteamare particularlygratefultowhoeverscrapedoff alltheoldcarpetunderlayandgluefrom themetalbarrelhorsewhichenabledusto recoveritwithsomenewcarpetintime forourvaultingassessment.

Obituary for Jackie Boulter ( March 1951 - September 2016)

Jackie Boulter was a stalwart trustee and friend to Gaddesden Place RDA for over 20 years. After the founder of the Group, Trina Hall, died in 2002 she was one of a small group which included Trevor Mills, Sheila Finnie, and Lizzy Roberts who promised they would keep the RDA Group going. At the time Jackie made her promise, Gaddesden was in a dire position financially which was then compounded by the effects of Foot and Mouth disease. The whole estate was quarantined which meant the group was unable to operate riding sessions for more than nine months. Since then Jackie had assisted the treasurers with the financial side of operations and even recruited our current treasurer Rob Jennings who had been a work colleague at Lloyds Bank. As a regular Friday volunteer she was the instigator of the Alford Arms Friday lunch club and was also one of the organisers of our 3 popular Ashridge Dog Walks which have raised over £24,000. Jackie was passionate about Gaddesden Place and the work that we do. She put in a great deal of time and energy supporting us and bringing her warmth and sense of humour into everything she touched. An RDA coach who had recently moved back into the area recalls visiting the yard for the first time. Jackie was the first person she bumped into. After asking Jackie if they needed any more volunteers and then adding she was a qualified RDA coach, Jackie flung her arms around her and said “Christmas has come early!”. The coach decided to stay and that was twelve years ago. For many years Jackie wanted to set up a Charity Golf Day fundraiser. With her friend Janet Proudfoot they put together an excellent team to set up The Rider Cup (sic) at Stocks Golf Club which has become our biggest regular fundraiser. Jackie was a great support to her fellow trustees. Her smile, generosity of spirit and keen sense of humour will never be forgotten. As a devoted fan of The Archers on Radio 4, I am sure she appreciated the smiles at her funeral as we walked out into the sunshine to the strains of the Archers theme tune.

We also received a donation in June of £300 in memory of Sarah Lee.

Obituary for Toni Methven Obituary for Goff Hare Sadly Toni Methven, who bought Goff Hare was the grandfather of Callum McBride who used to Angus the Highland pony for us ride with us. Goff grew up around horses in Ireland and they were in 2013 has also passed away. his life. He owned many over the years, drove carriages and had a particular interest in Irish Drafts. Alison McBride, his daughter, Toni was a keen artist and used said “When Callum rode at Gaddesden, Dad used to pay for his to come up to Gaddesden Place lessons. We are sure he would have loved for any donations in RDA to paint our ponies. She was lieu of funeral flowers to be made to Gaddesden Place RDA a volunteer with Chiltern RDA Centre. We are not sure how much it will raise but even if it is just Group which merged with us a few bales of hay, it all helps!” some years ago. Thank you Alison-Donations in memory of Goff Hare raised £487.43 which paid for the last hay delivery. Congratulations to Louise Volunteer Thank you BBQ Lumsden our Centre On Sunday 24 th July we held a Volunteer BBQ at Manager on attaining her Margaret’s house in Edelsborough which was just a few days before she was due to move house! We RDA Group Coach badge made the most of the sunny day and the gorgeous and certificate as well as view. This was a great opportunity for everyone to becoming a relax and socialise away from the yard where we Level 1 RDA are always busy. Many thanks Margaret for your hospitality at such a busy time and we wish you Vaulting Coach.” every happiness in your new home in Eaton Bray.

The Barn Dance was a great success and the band commented they had never seen such enthusiastic dancing. Usually they have to coax people onto the dancefloor. We could have told them that RDA volunteers are known for cracking on!

Dancers were also fueled by a delicious Hog Roast delivered by Pete Batson (our farrier) and his wife and a medley of salads produced by Margaret Keith and her team.

RDA National Campionships at Hartpury College by Judith Taylor Grade1V Para rider, Independent participant at Gaddesden Place RDA and Rider Rep on RDA Holidays Committee

“ I went to the RDA Nationals for the first time this year. Sadly not to compete but to help on the RDA Holidays stand. It was a wonderful experience! I was there for three days and as a volunteer was given accommodation in the rooms normally used by the college students during term time. I was glad I had taken a dressing gown with me as on the first night the fire alarm went off, not once but twice and we had to stand outside until the “all clear” was given! As well as helping on the stand I was able to walk around the showground and watch some of the competitions. There were horses there of all shapes, sizes and colours and lots of piebald cobs! I was thrilled to meet up with a horse called Ben that I had ridden on an RDA holiday in Leeds when I did my Gold Award and even more thrilled when he got two firsts and a third over the weekend. I’m sure he remembered me. I think my favourite competition was the Freestyle Dressage done in fancy dress which had to tell a story. There were some amazing performances. The winner riding to music from Mary Poppins was absolutely beautiful to watch. As well as the competitions there were various stands to visit. There was a RDA stall , where I spent a fortune, and a WI stall selling plants, crafts and produce. British Dressage and NAF also had displays. There was also a vaulting barrel which people could have a go on. I had to try it out so Christina Grieve gave me a coaching session and had me in all sorts of strange poses. It’s a good job I do Pilates! For people like myself who have difficulty walking, there were buggies that would get you where you needed to be around the showground or back to the accommodation blocks at the end of the day. On one evening there was a display of how to do a showing class and on another evening staff from RDA National Office put on a display of Vaulting. They were all very good! I really enjoyed the show and hope I will be able to go again. I even came home with a rosette as the Horse Care competition was open to any RDA rider and I managed to remember most of it! (the RDA Nationals ran over three days from Friday 15 th to Sunday 17 th July. It is the largest disabled equestrian competition in the world by number of participants including the Equestrian Paralympics!)

Many thanks to Consort Medical for their generous donation .

This has allowed us to bring forward the renovation programme for our Indoor School. We are currently researching modern waxed surfaces, which are dust free and could provide a cleaner and more pleasant working environment for our riders, ponies and volunteers. STABLE AND HORSE CARE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

Sponsored 21 mile Swim to Raise money for STOP PRESS!! A very weary Claire finished her Gaddesden Place RDA marathon swim of 21 miles (1352 s st on 31 October to 1 November lengths) just before we went to print. Claire Gibbs, mother of two girls and a local primary school teacher A remarkable achievement - I think in Luton is married to Will, the Vicar of St Mary’s Church in she never wants to see another Redbourn. She has always been a keen swimmer and dreamed of swimming pool again! She was helped by a man in the next swimming the Channel. Now she has her chance. Without the lane to swim the last 10 lengths and uncertainties of tides and the dangers of shipping she will swim got out to cheers and applause from the equivalent distance in her local pool where she swims and all around her. trains daily She has raised well over £4,000 Many thanks Claire! Over the course of two days Claire will aim to swim the equivalent of the English Channel - 21 miles or 33.8 kms or 1352 lengths of the pool. https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/clairegibbs1%20

All money raised will go Gaddesden Place RDA as part of the year of fundraising activities that St Marys Church in Redbourn are doing for us.

St Mary’s Church will be doing a presentation to us in the church on Sunday 11 th December at 9.30am. All welcome.