and Warden Hill Hunt Branch

July 2017 Newsletter

“As a member of the Pony Club, I stand for the best in sportsmanship as well as horsemanship. I shall compete for the enjoyment of the game well played and take winning or losing in my stride, remembering that without good manners and good temper, sport loses its cause for being. I shall endeavour to treat my horse with consideration”. ------In this Newsletter…

• New Rally Dates: Mounted Games, Mini and Younger Juniors Fun Day, XC Rally (50 cm+) – during the summer hols. • Friday Night Rallies – The last one (Minis – 7 July, Junior/Senior 14 July) is coming up – these are pre-Camp rallies but open to non-Camp members too. Book online. • Show Jumping Rally – 9 August. • Pony Racing Rally – Helen Day is planning one for the end of August. Info to follow. • Tetrathlon Rally - 16 July, Grange Farm Godington • Hunting – hound exercise, Kennels Pony Show and fun ride dates added for July and August. • Rider of the Month is Georgie Lewis. • Olympia Coach Trip – 18 December. Parking/coach at Horwell Farm, Baynards Green. Book now online as tickets are limited. Something to look forward to! • B Test, C+, D+ and C Test – important info at the end of ‘Forthcoming Rallies’. Please read. • Reports – Area Show Jumping, Area Dressage, Show, ODE • Links to Pony Club Rules for each discipline – you need to know them if you’re competing at PC competitions. • Area Eventing at Offchurch Bury. Good luck to all our competitors on 16 July. We hear the horse flies are like demons there so take plenty of fly spray and a fly rug if it’s a sunny day! • Kirtlington Sponsored Ride – Sunday 10 September. Always fun! http://kirtlington- sponsoredride.co.uk/ • Tet Swimming Training, Stowe School – more dates added ------DAN AND DANDI Dan Fortt and his beautiful Spanish horse From the wonderful Giffords Circus Performing at Junior / Senior Camp on 1 August, Stud 5 pm All welcome to come and watch (parents, siblings, grannies, friends!) Ice cream van coming so bring some pennies. RALLIES AND ACTIVITIES 2017 To book a rally: 1. Scroll down this newsletter to ‘Forthcoming Rallies’ (after News and Reports) where you will find information about venue, time, cost and full details about the rally. If you’re booking a rally put this info in your diary for future reference! 2. Then book on line http://branches.pcuk.org/bicesterwardenhill/online-events-system/ 3. A few days before the rally look on the Branch website under ‘Rally Times’ http://branches.pcuk.org/bicesterwardenhill/rally-times-2/ to see which ride you are in.

Date Event Venue Organiser

Thu 6 Jul Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Fri 7 July C+ Dismounted Training Fox Covert Farm Bridget Evans

Fri 7 July Mini Pre-Camp Rally Horwell Farm Theresa Harper

Sat 8 Jul B Test Ridden Training Fox Covert Farm Wendy Kerr

8 + 9 Jul Area Tetrathlon Ettington

Thu 13 Jul Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Fri 14 July Juniors/Seniors Pre-Camp Rally TBC Camp Organisers/Sarah Lloyd

Sun 16 Jul Area Eventing Offchurch Bury

Sun 16 Jul Tetrathlon Rally Grange Fm, Godington Deborah Gregory

Wed 19 Jul B Test Ridden Training TBC Wendy Kerr

Thu 20 Jul Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Fri 21 Jul C+ Ridden Training Fox Covert Farm Bridget Evans

25 – 27 Jul Mini Camp Horwell Farm Theresa Harper

Fri 28 Jul C+ Dismounted Training Fox Covert Farm Bridget Evans

31 Jul – 4 Aug Junior Camp Quainton Stud Helen Day

31 Jul – 4 Aug Senior Camp Quainton Stud Sue Leach

Wed 2 Aug B Test Ridden Training TBC Wendy Kerr

Wed 9 Aug Show Jumping Rally 9 Fox Covert Farm Heidi Smith

Fri 11 Aug Mounted Games Rally Kirtlington Claire Minett

Tue 15 Aug D+ and C Test (Out of Camp) Fox Covert Farm Wendy Kerr

Wed 16 Aug B Test Ridden Training TBC Wendy Kerr

Wed 23 Aug XC Rally – 50 cm+ Plum Park Deborah Gregory/Heidi Smith Wed 30 Aug B Test Ridden Training TBC Wendy Kerr

Mon 4 Sep Mini and Younger Juniors Fun Day Manor Theresa Harper

Thu 7 Sep Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Sun 10 Sep B Test Swalcliffe Park Wendy Kerr

Wed 13 Sep B Test Ridden Training TBC Wendy Kerr

Thu 14 Sep Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Thu 21 Sep Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Wed 27 Sep B Test Ridden Training TBC Wendy Kerr

Thu 28 Sep Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Thu 5 Oct Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Thu 12 Oct Tetrathlon Swim Training Stowe School Deborah Gregory

Sat 14 Oct C+ Test Bridget Evans

Mon 18 Dec Olympia Coach Trip Olympia Hayleigh Ash

Sun 18 Mar 2018 SJ and Dressage Show Addington Kirtsie Wakelin Volunteers Volunteering is a prerequisite of membership and the more members who can help, the lighter the load for those members past and present who always do volunteer and the more events we can offer our members. There will be at least four events in 2018 which we will need your help with. You need to volunteer for either a full day or two half days. Bridget Evans (our Volunteers Co-ordinator) will be in touch nearer the time ([email protected]). Helping at Camp does not count towards your volunteering quota (sorry!). Most of our Committee members work full time and four of them don’t even have a child in Pony Club so please do what you can to help and don’t always leave it to others.

Thank you to all those who have volunteered in 2017. Addington Show Jumping and Dressage, Bignell Hunter Trials, Marsh Gibbon Pony Show and Gawcott ODE have all been really successful this year, bringing in funds for our Branch with which we are subsidising Camps (to the tune of £3K) and rallies to make Pony Club more affordable for all. We couldn’t do it without our band of volunteers.

Advice from Chief Instructor, Emma Dyer

With this continued dry spell please be careful how much you do with your ponies on this hard ground, particularly jumping. Concussion, sore shins & bruised soles. The signs won't show until it's too late, then you've no pony for the summer holidays and camp. Be aware of shortened stride length and putting in extra strides at jumps. Like

Wow NEWS AND REPORTS

Area Show Jumping – Addington Equestrian Centre

Novice: 90/95 cm – Our Branch fielded two teams: Bicester Red – Saskia Mohan, Isabella Smith, Katie Robinson and Iris Petrillo and Bicester Blue – Lucie Oakey, Annie Simpson, Gracie Catling and Clara Petrillo. Our teams rode very early on in the competition with both of them going through into the second round with very few faults. There was lots of time for fun and picnicing between the two rounds and it was lovely to see the girls supporting the Intermediate team. The course was technical (tricky distances) and very full up but our girls pulled it out of the bag and were placed Team 2nd and 3rd (out of 23 branches). The Red Team have qualified for the Pony Club Championships in August at Cholmondeley Castle. Everyone rode really well and the girls were a credit to our Branch.

A bit of larking around at lunch time! Eloise, Lucie, Iris, Clara, Katie, Saskia, Annie, Gracie and Isabella

Intermediate: 1m/1.05m – the team was made up of Ella Baskerville, Katie Leach, Zoe Kerr and Eloise Burden. Clear rounds were thin on the ground for competitors from all branches and despite some seriously good riding it wasn’t our day as a team. Eloise Burden did a great job though and was triple clear, coming first individually and qualifying for the Championships.

Open: 1.10m/1.15m – we only had one competitor in this class: Connie Adams. At 13 Connie was by far the youngest and did a superb job on her mother’s horse, Vimmy, showing great maturity. She had an unlucky pole in both rounds but we’re so impressed by how well she rode. We were also pleased to see her come and support the Novice Team at the end of the day.

Enormous thanks to Mandy McGlynn for her fantastic training (it wouldn’t happen without her guidance) and to Sue Leach who is our Team Manager and puts so much effort into organising us and is so supportive and encouraging. Thanks also to Clare Davis who came to support us for the whole day.

Area Dressage – Thame Show Ground

Prix Caprilli

It was a very early start for our Prix Caprilli team this year - they were first on at 9 am so not only an early alarm call but also nobody to watch and learn from in advance. But that clearly didn’t matter because all four partnerships presented themselves beautifully and were all absolutely calm and collected. Julia Carling did a wonderfully effective warm up for them all, which sent them in to their respective arenas very well prepared and ready for action.

All four riders rode so well. It was Tabitha Stork’s first Prix Caprilli and she rode a wonderful test on Cookie achieving a score of 103.5. Charlotte and Lizzie Laurie rode for their first time in the Bicester branch and both got placed in their respective arenas - Charlotte achieved 102.5 and 9th place on Harvey Hooves despite a little spook that according to the judge’s comments was well ridden and corrected; and Lizzie got 96.0 and 10th place on Willow. Finally, Jonty Gordon rode a beautiful test on Barney and achieved 106.0 (which equates to 70.9%) despite dropping marks due to a refusal at the second jump and was awarded 3rd place bringing home the Best Boy salver that his brother won last year!

Jonty Gordon

Regionals

Timing was much kinder to the Regionals team and the sun shone down for them as they rode their tests which included a pretty tricky 15m circle and entry onto the centre line from the diagonal.

Megan Churchill rode the lovely Billy (Springwoods Little Bill). Megan’s score (56.67%) sadly suffered from some harsh marks due to the wrong canter lead but nevertheless she should be very proud of her whopping 9 that she scored on her entry! Most dressage riders can only dream of that. Charlotte Rudge rode beautifully as ever on RMD Cosmopolitan and rode a lovely quiet test despite some slight tension from her pony (61.19%). Nancy Simpson rode a super test on Widget achieving 9th place in her arena (58.57%) and got a rather amusing Tabi, Charlotte, Jonty and Lizzie comment from the judge about the FWLR ‘good stretching but pony’s nose doesn’t need to touch the ground!’. It would seem Widget saw an opportunity for a quick snack! Finally, Rafe Gordon rode a super test on Knockalough Noah on only their second competitive outing together (thanks to a lovely calm warm-up from Kirstie Wakelin) and achieved a fabulous 70.95% and 3rd place. Out of a total of 92 riders, only five achieved above 70% so it was certainly a score to be very proud of however he sadly missed out on qualifying for the nationals by just one place and 0.24%.

For my part, both teams competed in a wonderful sporting manner, looked beautifully turned out and were a credit to the Bicester Pony Club.

Julie Gordon Junior Dressage Team Manager

Novice and Intermediate

REMEMBER, RESILIENCE AND REWARDS! 3Rs rule for Area Dressage, Prix Caprilli and Regional Grassroots teams and individuals at Thame Showground on 2nd July What a day! It was busy one, a long one and a hot one! It was also one to highlight everything that goes towards a successful team, a winning partnership, great sportsmanship, huge team spirit and great composure and resilience when it is simply not your day! Our Novice Team, Katie Robinson, Annie Simpson, Izzy Partridge and Sophia Smith rode in the morning. After the compulsory tack check of our beautifully turned out team, Annie set off to Arena A at 10.56 to take Ted (Danefield Beau) to a wonderful 4th place. This, together with a stunning score of 75.8% from Izzy on Danygarn Magie and Katie’s impressive 72.8% which saw them win in their arenas and seal Team 1st for Bicester! Sophia demonstrated huge team spirit and her experience at Thame will stand her in good stead as this very Sophia Smith, Katie Robinson, Izzy Partridge, Annie Simpson special team go to the Championships in Cheshire in August. They achieved this after intensive training in some in very hot conditions with Tom Graham in recent weeks but more importantly dedicated dressage training over the winter months and competing regularly, at the Dengie and elsewhere. It all counted towards beautiful riding and performing their tests in a way which only experience brings. Congratulations! Emily Vaile and April King rode as Novice Individuals. Both riders and horses were beautifully presented and the girls were a credit to the Bicester as they coped with a day that was challenging. They showed huge character and resilience and should be celebrated for their composure. The rewards will follow! The Intermediate team comprised Eloise Edgar-Gibson, Zoe Kerr and Connie Adams and it was their turn to perform in the afternoon. And what an afternoon! Team 4th but with highs and lows and volumes learnt in just five minutes of a test! Zoe’s competitive experience on Tarzan paid wonderful dividends - a truly wonderful partnership! She richly st deserved her 1 place to take her to the Championships. Eloise too must be Zoe Kerr on Tarzan – winner of the Intermediate applauded for a beautiful test on Millie, finishing 4th. This is testament to her dedicated practice and experience gained from riding dressage tests competitively in recent months. Connie was awarded a very commendable 64% on Vimmy and accepted very quickly the value of an established relationship and the time it takes to achieve one. We are watching to see amazing things in the months ahead! Katharine White Dressage Team Manager

Our Branch is lucky in that we have a very supportive Committee. Clare Davis, Kirstie Wakelin and Katharine White were at the Dressage Areas for the entire day supporting our teams. We really appreciate them giving up their days (and all the other time they’ve given previously). Thanks also to Tom Graham and Julia Catling for coaching them and to Julie Gordon for making such a good job of being Junior Dressage Team Manager. And to Julia (again) for warming them up so well on the day (and then spending the rest of the day judging).

April King in the Ribbons

On Saturday April participated at Northleach Welsh Pony and Cob Society show in Cirencester. She was second in the Partbred Welsh ridden class, was reserve Champion Partbred (large and small combined) and was Champion Partbred Horse qualifying for the second time this season to compete at The National Welsh Championship Show at Malvern in August. April has only just stepped up to competing at this level this season and is making a pretty good job of it so far!

Marsh Gibbon Pony Show – Report

The Marsh Gibbon Riding School ponies were out in force at the Marsh Gibbon Pony Show. All owned by Fiona Robinson, they were immaculately turned out, some with beautiful examples of plaiting. The following children from the Riding School competed in a number of classes, some for the first time. In no particular order:

Big Ben ridden by Jess Smith: she competed in Ring Two at Show Jumping and did a fabulous job while also being very well turned out. William ridden by Georgia Bullock: 3rd in 60 cm and 70cm in Ring Two. Cougar ridden by Olivia Whittingham: 3rd Dressage Walk and Trot, 4th Little and Large. Rocky ridden by Caitlin Platt: 1st in Ring One 70 cm Show Jumping and 3rd in the 90 cm – great result! Jack ridden by Charlotte Whittingham: 5th 80cm, 6th 70cm in Ring 1, 4th Little and Large, 2nd Dressage Walk and Trot JB ridden by Summer Vaughan-Parkin: rode a speedy round in the Ring Two show jumping and showed true resilience and good style. Cracker ridden by Grace Lawson: 2nd in Little and Large. She missed a rosette by one second in the Ring 2 show jumping, but rode a good technical round. Duke ridden by Katie Strathdee had a challenging round in Ring One, but rode beautifully as always. Midnight ridden by Bobby Bresford looked very smart and had a great time. Danny Boy V ridden by Poppy Smith, showed real determination in Ring Two. Doughnut ridden by Lily Smith, demonstrated her usual positive riding and skill. Sugar ridden by Charlotte Smith and Gemma Thomas were very well turned out and had an enjoyable day.

Overall, the Marsh Gibbon Riding School ponies had a great day out. Special thanks to Fiona Robinson for her support in enabling all of the children to compete.

Angela Griffiths

We’re very grateful to everyone who volunteered to make Marsh Gibbon Pony Show so successful this year. The new showing (thanks to Jane Harper) and gymkhana classes (thanks to Claire Minett) were particularly popular. All the stewards and judges were encouraging and friendly which made for a lovely atmosphere.

Special thanks to Sharron Whittingham and Sue Pryce for organising. Really great job ladies! Megan Churchill riding Billy – winner of the Showing Championship

Bicester PC Members Results

Ring 1 70 cm: 1st Caitlin Platt, 2nd Susie Dolan, 3rd Katie Strathdee, 6th Charlotte Whittingham Ring 1 – 80 cm: 1st Sophia Wright, 2nd Susie Dolan, 3rd Megan Churchill, 4th Clara Petrillo, 5th Charlotte Whittingham Ring 1 – 90 cm: 1st Clara Petrillo, 2nd Izzy Partridge, 3rd Caitlin Platt, 4th Lucie Oakey Little and Large: 1st Lucie Oakey/Emma Wright, 2nd Helena Pryce/Grace Lawson, 3rd Izzy Partridge and Thomas, 4th Charlotte and Olivia Whittingham, 5th Lizzie Laurie and Mia Ash, 6th Susie and Phyllie Dolan Horse and Hound: 6th Claudie Stokes

Ring 2 45 cm Lead Rein: 2nd Penny Harper, 4th William Hodges, 5th Bridget Harper, 6th Charlotte Hopkins Ring 2 – 45 cm Off Lead Rein: 3rd William Naylor, 6th Claudie Stokes Ring 2 – 60 cm: 1st Thomas Harper, 2nd Abigail de Silva, 3rd Georgia Bullock Ring 2 – 70 cm: 1st Amelia Thorburn, 2nd Anna Stokes, 3rd Georgia Bullock, 6th Nancy Simpson Best First Pony: 1st Molly Naish, 2nd Tilly Scott Prettiest Mare: 4th Freya Bond Fun Showing Championship: 3rd Molly Naish Best Turned Out: 1st Megan Churchill (rest of results unavailable) First Ridden 13 hh and under: 1st Tilly Scott, 2nd Penny Harper, 3rd Claudie Stokes (rest of results unavailable) Best Pony Club Pony: 1st Megan Churchill, 2nd Anna Stokes, 3rd Thomas Harper, 4th Mia Ash, 5th Charlotte Laurie, 6th William Hodges Showing Championship: 1st Megan Churchill Dressage Walk and Trot: 2nd Charlotte Whittingham, 3rd Olivia Whittingham PC Introductory 2007 Test: 1st Lizzie Laurie, 3rd Charlotte Laurie

Georgia Bullock on Big Ben

Jess Smith on William

Weston on the Green, Nr Bicester 01869 350816 SPECIALIST HORSE FEED ADVICE FROM THE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE PAUL SCOTT Gawcott One Day Event

We always hope for good weather for our annual one day event held at Primrosehill Farm. But this year we got rather hotter weather than we’d hoped for as temperatures reached 30oC. As always, good Pony Club planning saved the day: Clare Davis and Alexia Lewis were on hand providing a wash down for hot ponies after the cross-country phase (thank you to Mr and Mrs Strangman for thinking of this and getting the water down the hill). This is a friendly event with the tone being set by our charming secretarial team (Bridget Evans, Wendy Kerr and Kirstie Wakelin) in the tent when competitors arrived! We’re so lucky to have the most marvellous bunch of volunteers (85 of them), many of whom have been helping for a number of years. Particular thanks go to Chris White who has been the parking and traffic maestro for at least six years – making sure everyone gets in and out of the one-way system with minimum stress (along with his team this year of Simon Bowman, Niall Strathdee, Scott Robinson and Alan Colchester-Hall). Many other people are also part of the institution: Paula Burman who has been either the Chief Starter or Assistant Starter for more years than she can probably remember (she is efficient but also offers reassurance to nervous competitors before the cross country phase). Paul Scott tirelessly commentated all day in the heat, having been ride judging (57 horses we hear!) in Dublin the previous day and flown back specially for us. Paul, we salute you and are very grateful for your continued support of our Branch. Alexia Lewis has brilliantly organised our cross country fence judges (as well as for Bignell) for The delightful Aki Olver and Anna Nicholson many years – a job which requires much persistence and patience to say the least and is a big part of the organisation of Gawcott. Mr and Mrs Thorneloe, and Penny and Charlotte Morris are part of Alexia’s team and are long standing, experienced fence judges who contribute so much to our Branch. Sarah Grace, Lynne Buchholz and Everitt Kerr are stalwarts in the scoring department – they arrive armed with laptops and calculators and are scarily efficient. The fragrant ladies in the tent who provide our volunteers with lovely lunches and cake are Aki Olver and Anna Nicholson. Every year they bring the Pony Club tea urn and the endless cakes they’ve been baking in the week before (no supermarket rubbish at our ode!) to keep us all going. Clare Davis has been involved with Gawcott for well over a decade and this year she ran the cross country phase with her usual efficiency. Julia Catling, Sam Rowland and Penny Holder have been among our many dressage judges for at least six years (Penny has been involved since the days when Tulip Abernethy was the organiser so is probably our longest standing volunteer) – we are very grateful to you. Thanks also to Laura Gosling (assistant to Paul Scott) and Harry Cook (score collecting in the heat on the quad) who also came to help – we hope you’re not put off and that we’ll see you again! Bridget Evans (Entries Secretary) is the person who is up into the small hours in the nights coming up to Gawcott, sorting out everyone’s start times, compiling judges’ packs and dealing with the (many) queries from competitors – she makes sure everything runs smoothly. Becky and Jeremy Adams have also been vital in the running of this event for a very long time: Jeremy is in charge of risk assessment and the technical side of things – he takes this on each year and we know we are in safe hands. Becky has either fence judged or been a dressage steward every year too and has an endless pool of knowledge. Ruthi Kraus has come to write for the dressage judges for around six years in the morning and then she also does a session of xc fence judging in the afternoon – she is so generous to give her time like this and brilliant at what she does. Thank you also to Mr and Mrs Strangman who host the event and always make Primrosehill look so beautiful (the dressage arenas looked as good as the ones at Badminton this year!) for us. The cross country course looked fantastic. Sorry if I’ve missed anyone out – we very much appreciate everyone’s help and it was a great day. Proceeds go towards subsidising Camps. Bernadette Evans Results for Bicester Pony Club Members Class 1a: 5th Oscar Hawkins, 6th Nancy Simpson (well done to Jonty Gordon for the best dressage in his section: 29.8) Class 1b: 1st Helena Pryce, 3rd Sofia Wright, 5th Gracie Catling Class 2c: 1st Shakira Polden (Jester), 2nd Sophia Smith, 3rd Shakira Polden (Rocky) Class 3a: 1st Izzy Partridge, 7th Clara Petrillo Class 3b: 2nd Katie Leach, 6th Annie Simpson, 8th Lucie Oakey ------Rider of the Month – Georgie Lewis

The thing I love best about being in our Pony Club is having fun with my friends! Also, our instructors, parents and committee members are really friendly and encouraging. They all work hard for us to have such a great time too.

Camp is my favourite Pony Club activity. I first went to mini camp eight years ago when I was just coming off the lead rein on my pony at that time, Spice.

Georgie on Niamh – Camp 2016

These days I love being a helper at mini camp. I was proud to pass my C+ test last year and hope to pass my B test this year. Who knows, I might be teaching at mini camp in a couple of years!

That's what is so great about our Pony Club, we each help the next generation of riders to become the best they can. I’ve just moved on to my new horse Reggie, who’s another cheeky grey Connemara! I can’t wait to start bringing him to rallies and competing on him. August’s Rider of the Month will be Zoe Butler.

Pony Club Competition Rules – Make Sure You Read Them!!

If you’re taking part in any Pony Club Competitions please can you take the time to check the rules before you go! Clare Davis (our Area Teams Manager) will be happy to advise on anything you’re unsure of ([email protected]). The links are below. Please don’t leave it all to your team managers.

Dressage: http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/sports/dressage/dressage_rules/ Show Jumping: http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/sports/show_jumping/show_jumpingshow_jumping_rules/ Eventing: http://www.pcuk.org/index.php/sports/eventing/eventing_rules/ ------

Hunting

Our Branch is within the hunting country of the Bicester Hunt with

Whaddon Chase (the two hunts merged some years ago but the Pony

Club Branches remained separate: Bicester and Warden Hill Hunt Branch and Whaddon Chase Branch).

If you’re interested in taking your hunting certificate next season we’ll be starting off in August with mounted hound exercise with the hunting season starting late August / early September depending on when harvest is. Information will follow during the summer so keep looking in the Newsletter or on the Hunting page on the Branch website. We have two new Masters joining next season: Lucinda Lloyd and Laura Gosling.

Your PC Hunting contacts are: Belinda Naylor (07831 519483) and Emma Dyer (emma@equine- careers.co.uk) if you have any questions.

Bicester Hunt Dates for Your Diary

Saturday 22 July: Hound Exercise on Bicycles: 7 am (they will be moving off at 7 am so arrive earlier). The Kennels, Stratton Audley, OX27 9BT. Cost: £5 per head to include refreshments when you return.

Saturday July 29: Fun Hunt Ride - 11 am from Wing Equestrian Centre. £20 to include food and drink. To book a place contact Ivan Lawrence MFH 07801 180383.

We have two new Masters joining next season: Lucinda Lloyd and Laura Gosling. Your PC Hunting contact is Belinda Naylor (07831 519483) if you have any questions.

Sunday 13 August – BHWC Country Fair, Team Relay and Mini Pony Show, The Kennels, Stratton Audley

Wednesday 16 August: Mounted Hound Exercise – Waterloo Farm, Nr Fringford, OX27 8RH 7.30 am (they will be moving off at 7.30 am so arrive earlier) £5 to include refreshments.

Kimblewick Hunt Fun Rides

The Kimblewick Hunt are running some fun rides (some with hounds) as an introduction to hunting. Children are especially welcome. They’re a bit further afield but they sound as though they’ll be well worth going to. The South Sponsored Ride (SOSR) is especially recommended: it’s on top of the beautiful Chilterns, well run and there are lots of jumps. Information: http://www.kimblewickhunt.co.uk/riding/index.htm

Farmers Bloodhounds Hound Exercise Information on these to follow in the August Newsletter. These are always brilliant.

Tetrathlon Update

Swimming Swimming is now taking place every week (term time) and can be booked weekly or in a block of 6 sessions at a time, we are already up to 12 swimmers receiving regular training and now have a second swim teacher on board to assist Karen to help the children to improve their technique and personal bests. Please do try to attend at least one of the remaining sessions 6th, 13th or 20th July so that we can capture your child’s personal best, within the swim time for their class, and therefore start organising teams. These sessions are priced at £4.50 for lane swimming only with no tuition (and we will capture the personal best on the night) or at £8 with tuition - please book via on line via the Branch website. Next block of Swim sessions will start in September - please keep an eye on the Branch website on line bookings and book early - dates listed below Also available for you and your family - Lane Swimming, for a limited time only we are able to offer lane swimming to parents and siblings with no training, just a lifeguard and a lane £5 per person payable in cash on the night, first come first served. Rallies Tetrathlon Rally - Godington - Sunday 16th July there will be a mounted section (XC or SJ, suitable to all ages and abilities), shooting and an organised run, we would like to capture as many personal bests as possible so please do come along if you are able to make it - booking on line. Cross Country Rally - Plum Park - Wednesday 23rd August (open to all Bicester PC members) we will also use this as a pre-competition Rally for Tetrathlon / Hunter Trial planned in September, this will be a great opportunity to try out the jumps on the course. Shoot Training Please let me know if you are interested in coming along and having a go at Shoot Training in our barn at (near Gawcott), we are hoping to run regular sessions on Sunday late afternoon for anyone who would like to have a go at a small fee of £2 per shooter (parents can also have a go too), once I know approximate numbers I will publish dates.

Dates for your diaries 6th, 13th, 20th July - Swimming sessions, Stowe School 16th July - Tetrathlon Rally – Grange Farm, Godington 20th July - Following Swimming - Pizza Night - Please let me know if you are interested in coming along to Prezzos for a Pizza following the last swim session of this block, everyone welcome - I will pre-book food to enable us to get seated and eating quickly. 23 August - Cross Country Rally, Plum Park 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th September, 5th & 12th October Swim Training Stowe School - please book via Unity. 9th & 10th September - Whaddon Chase Hunter Trial and Tetrathlon Competition Plum Park - the FIRST competition we will enter teams into! 11th & 12th November - OBH Chiltern Arena Tetrathlon - Quainton - We hope to send at least 6 teams to this event! 18th & 19 November Training Camp to be run at Stadium by Area 12. Please note this is the weekend after the OBH Chiltern Arena TET. Shoot, Run and Swim Training, all levels welcome Tiddlers to Seniors details to follow. We will also be at Senior Camp this year for trial shoot and run for all Senior members attending camp. As you can see there is lots going on this year, and I really hope that you and your children will join us on our journey with the end goal of making it to the Championships over the next couple of years. Deborah Gregory ([email protected])

Don’t Forget to Clean Out Your Water Troughs! Water troughs can get green and slimy very quickly in hot weather. Make sure you check yours every day. Your horse will be extra thirsty this time of year and will need clean water.

FORTHCOMING RALLIES AND EVENTS

Online Entries & Payments

• Please remember that we can only process refunds requested AT LEAST 7 days before the event! • Online Membership renewal is coming!!! Bicester Branch is taking part in trials over the summer ready for 2018 renewals!!! • Any problems with online payments of entries please contact Wendy Kerr [email protected] rather than event organiser.

“Praise often, praise the smallest try. A touch, a walk, a break, a gallop, a long rein. A word filled with friendship and pride. Nothing builds confidence in horses like the acknowledgement of their good will and efforts to please”.

Manolo Mendez (dressage rider) via Caroline Hunt (Bicester PC Dressage Instructor). ------Friday Night Rallies

These are the final two rallies (open to all, even if you’re not going to Camp) of the series.

7 July – Minis: Horwell Farm, Baynards Green, OX27 7SQ - 6 pm 14 July – Juniors/Seniors: Grange Farm, Godington

Rides at 6 pm and 7 pm and the emphasis being on fun. Penny will be opening the Pony Club shop at Grange Farm so it will also be a great chance to bring your second hand riding gear to sell or to buy Pony Club branded clothing (see info about the PC shop further on in this Newsletter). Book online early as they are often oversubscribed.

No need to cook supper as there will be sausage buns on sale as a fundraiser to go towards subsidising Camp (Grange Farm only)

Cost: £8

Ragwort! We’re sure none of you have any ragwort in your pony’s field (!) but if there is any nearby the next few days is the time to dig it up before it starts to seed and therefore create more plants next year. Ideally you would burn the plants that you’ve dug up. Spot spraying with glyphosate will also stop them seeding but you must keep your horses out of the field until the plant has COMPLETELY died down as dry ragwort is palatable to horses but just as poisonous. This may take several weeks. Tetrathlon Rally

Sunday 16 July – 11 am to 2 pm

Grange Farm, Godington, OX27 9AF

Organiser: Deborah Gregory Cost: £15

------Mounted Games Rally

Friday 11 August – 2 pm

Kelburge, Weston on the Green. OX25 3TH (on the corner of the road which goes towards Kirtlington Polo Club – a mile or two outside Weston on the Green on the left– going towards Middleton Stoney). Mounted Games Rally with Emily Gresty and Claire Minett. Open to all. There’s a great buzz with Mounted Games at our Branch and we now have a team. Come along and join in the fun whatever level you are.

Organiser: Claire Minett ([email protected]) Cost: £10

------Mini and Younger Juniors Fun Day

Monday 4 September

Chetwode Manor

10.30 am start. Gymkhana games / mini show jumping / handy pony etc etc.

Hopefully we will be outside in the big field, but if it is pouring with rain we can reroute to the indoor school. Parents will need to stay to lead children. Riding will be followed by a picnic - please bring a packed lunch. After lunch they can do a bit of dismounted running around to digest lunch, followed by swimming. Not sure when it will end - early afternoon sometime - depends a bit on how long they want to swim… Parking will be on the side of the drive as usual. For those who have not been here before, directions on how to find Chetwode Manor are on the PC website under Rallies. (Postcode is MK18 4BB but this takes you to completely the wrong place). Dress and tack as for rallies - also on website.

Organiser: Theresa Harper ([email protected]) Cost: £15

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Dressage Rallies at Pool Farm, Stratton Audley, OX27 9AJ

DRESSAGE RALLIES WILL START AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER. In case you’re thinking that dressage and stable management isn’t important, read the quote below from former Chef D’Equipe of the US Show Jumping Team, George Harri

“Today is the time of the cheap read, read the old books. In the next generation that knowledge will be extinct. We will have lost the horse care, the stable management, I love the old, simple, good horse management that proceeds riding. Then you can’t ever learn enough dressage and that precedes jumping, and it all meshes together. It’s what Charlotte (Dujardin), Michi (Jung) and Nick (Skelton) are, they all meticulous, detailed horsemen – it’s all detail, all detail. In modern jumping circles, 10% are interested in dressage – the rest are just fascinated by gadgets.” ------Show Jumping Rallies – Fox Covert Farm, Marsh Gibbon

Wednesday 9 August (Show Jumping Rally 9)

Show Jumping rallies are open to all members, from those just starting out over fences (even cross poles of 45 cm – you just need to be off the lead rein) to regular competitors and those jumping over 1m. They are held monthly, indoors in winter and outside at other times. Rides are of three or four people. We are lucky to have the very experienced Rhian Jones as our regular instructor. She is known for her energy, enthusiasm and how quickly she is able to improve your riding and your horse/pony. Those who are able to attend her sessions regularly benefit immensely from her consistent approach, and learn to train their pony/horse for competition success. Every session begins with a warm up appropriate to your riding level, younger members being guided to improve themselves and senior members expected to concentrate on improving “Thank you for the great rally. their horse’s way of going and think about warm up exercises

to use in competition. Each lesson then goes on to link fences Rhian is a miracle worker!” Penny Stephens together into full courses of jumps so by the end of your hour lesson you will have jumped several different courses. For the “Rhian had her jumping in canter younger members this can be an achievement in itself. More and smiling!!! Big step forward experienced members are expected to do much more than just for Mia so big thank you!” ‘get round’, they are taught to concentrate on helping their Hayleigh Ash horse by keeping them balanced at all times, recovering quickly from errors and the correct riding of different fences and combinations.

Organiser: Heidi Smith ([email protected]) Cost: £15. ------

Cross Country Rally

Wednesday 23 August

Plum Park, near Towcester

50 cm+. Open to all but if you’re entering the Tet/Hunter Trials at Plum Park on 9/10 September it’s especially useful to come along

Organiser: Deborah Gregory ([email protected]) Cost: £27.50

Body Protectors for Cross Country and Pony Racing For cross country (at all heights for rallies and competing) and for pony racing (including training and rallies) you will need to have a body protector which meets BETA 2009 Level 3 standards (purple label).

B Test Training

Wednesdays 19 July, 2, 16 and 30 August, 13 and 27 September – all at 5 pm

Fox Covert Farm, Marsh Gibbon and Addington/Quainton for XC and full SJ course.

B Test Riding sessions have now been set up for the summer holidays – with a view to taking the test at Sept/Oct time. You will need to already have passed the C+ Test if you are planning on taking your B Test but this is open to any riders of B Test standard if there is space (even if you haven’t passed your C+). Instructor: Claire Holt Organiser: Wendy Kerr ([email protected]) Cost £20 (rides of one hour)

C+ Training

C+ training is now underway for 12 of our members. Emma Dyer is kindly training them. If you’d like to know what’s involved with the Pony Club tests there’s information on the main Pony Club website: pcuk.org.

Test Dates:

E, D+, D and C Tests will mostly be taken in Camp but we are running an ‘Out of Camp’ D+ and C Test examining session on 15 August (Wendy Kerr will be in touch with you if you are eligible).

15 August: ‘Out of Camp’ D+ and C Test 10 September: B Test, Swalcliffe Park 14 October: C+ Test, Grendon Underwood

Olympia Trip

Monday 18 December

There will be a coach trip to Olympia Horse Show. There are lots of shopping stalls to visit in the morning and then all the fun of the horse show in the afternoon. Park your car at Horwell Farm, Baynards Green where the coach will pick us up. Bookings now being taken on line.

Organiser: Hayleigh Ash Cost: £42 (subsidised)

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN BOOKING RALLIES:

• Please book in to all rallies at least two weeks in advance unless specified otherwise. • Times will available on the website under Rally Times. • Members should be properly turned out for all rallies – hairnets, plain jodphurs, shirt & tie or polo shirt, sweatshirt or rugby shirts. • No hoodies or earrings for riding. • Body protectors must be worn for cross country. • Neckstraps to be worn for rallies. • Remember to thank your instructor. • Please don’t coach your children from the sidelines. This is the job of the instructor. • No dogs at all at rallies and siblings should be with an adult at all times and not allowed to play elsewhere. Rallies are often held on working farms which can be dangerous.

Other Events

8 July Unaffiliated SJ, Quainton Stud 9 July Wheatley Show, Thame Show Ground https://www.facebook.com/wheatleyhorseshow/ 13 July Unaffiliated Dressage, Quainton Stud 19 July Kimblewick Hunt Fun Ride, Cholsey Grange Fm. £25. 07885 202539 [email protected]

22 July Grafton Hunt Pony Club Summer Show, Mixbury 22 + 23 July Cotswold Farm Park Fun Ride (Bernadette recommends! – great for XC practice – 50 jumps) 23 July Heythrop Hunt Fun Ride, Steeple Barton 26 July Show Jumping Training Show, Quainton Stud 29 July One Day Event, Offchurch Bury (LandS Eventing) 5 Aug Blakesley Show 13 Aug Bicester Hunt Mini Pony Show, Country Fair and Team Relay – The Kennels, Stratton Audley 19 + 20 Aug Eventing Weekend, Dallas Burston Polo Club (LandS Eventing) 19 + 20 Aug Cotswold Farm Park Fun Ride 20 Aug North Oxon Riding Club Show, Bloxham http://www.northoxonridingclub.com/show/ 27 Aug ODE, Elmwood Equestrian, Bampton 9 Sep Whaddon Chase Hunter Trials and Tetrathlon, Plum Park, Nr Towcester 10 Sep Kirtlington Sponsored Ride http://kirtlington-sponsoredride.co.uk/ 16 Sep Super Arena Eventing, Dallas Burston Polo Club (LandS Eventing) 16 + 17 Sep Cotswold Farm Park Ride 1 Oct South Oxfordshire Sponsored Ride (entries open 1 Aug), Kimblewick Hunt 7 Oct One Day Event, Offchurch Bury (LandS Eventing) 8 Oct Combined Training, Elmwood Equestrian, Bampton 15 Oct Beachborough Eventer Challenge, NSEA qualifier for Hickstead, Foxhill. 40 cm – 90 cm 28 Oct Hunter Trials, Elmwood Equestrian, Bampton 11 + 12 Nov Arena Tetrathlon (OBH Chilterns), Quainton Stud

CONTACTS LIST FOR BICESTER & WARDEN HILL HUNT BRANCH OF THE PONY CLUB

KIRSTIE WAKELIN District Commissioner & Health and Safety Officer Tel. 01869 320134 / 07710 653994 [email protected]

WENDY KERR Assistant District Commissioner, Membership Secretary & Website Manager 01869 277567 / 07979 861652 [email protected]

BERNADETTE EVANS Branch Secretary Tel. 01608 811203 / 0771 457 5032 [email protected]

CHRISTINA McCULLAGH Branch Treasurer 01869 277576 [email protected]

CLARE DAVIS Branch Rep to Area 12, Teams Co-ordinator Tel.01869 277038 / 07866 493212 [email protected]

EMMA DYER Chief Instructor/Hunting [email protected] 07789 873975

HEIDI SMITH Child Protection Officer, Show Jumping and XC Rallies 01865 331180 / 07557 040244 [email protected]

SUE LEACH Show Jumping Team Manager, Senior Camp Organiser 01844 238795 / 07968 808360 [email protected]

SARAH LLOYD Junior Show Jumping Team Manager and Working Rally Organiser 07545 067756 [email protected]

CLAIRE ADAMS Area Eventing Team Manager [email protected] 07801 861100

THERESA HARPER Mini Camp Organiser 01869 345821 / 07703 548154 [email protected]

BELINDA NAYLOR Bignell Secretary & Hunting 07831 519483 [email protected]

HARRIET WEST Mini Bignell Organiser [email protected] 07739 567544

BRIDGET EVANS Volunteers Co-ordinator, Gawcott Secretary, Riding + Road Safety 01869 246857 / 07798 793104 [email protected]

SUE PRYCE Marsh Gibbon Show Organiser 01869 327806 / 07584 569418 [email protected]

JEREMY ADAMS Course Building Technical Advice & Risk Assessments 01869 277471 [email protected]

KATHARINE WHITE Dressage Team Manager & Rally Organiser 01869 278049 / 07814 185779 [email protected]

JULIE GORDON Junior Dressage Team Manager [email protected]

HELEN DAY Pony Racing Manager and Junior Camp Organiser 01865 331521 / 0772 5591676 [email protected]

PENNY OAKEY New and Second Hand Clothing 01869 277226 / 07919 002132 [email protected]

CLAIRE MINETT Mounted Games [email protected] 01869 346343 / 07788391805

SHARRON WHITTINGHAM Marsh Gibbon Pony Show, Dismounted Badges 01869 354055 / 07761 216672 [email protected]

DEBORAH GREGORY Tetrathlon & Gawcott ODE [email protected] 07956 809971