Golden Castle News |
|
Welcome to Golden Castle News! Golden Castle Riding Stables has been open for 19 years. During that time we have changed and grown from providing riding lessons to (mainly) children to a vibrant, multi-disciplined yard – with liveries, loan horses, group and private lessons as well as dedicated teaching for all competitive disciplines – show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving as well as Le TREC and Endurance. We are happy to say that although our riders have changed and grown (in size and number!) over the years, we are pleased to have so many riders and owners here who have grown up with us over the years. As we enter our 20th year we are both still dedicated to ensuring that everyone who rides here, whether on their own horse or one of ours, learns, achieves and has fun with the horse they ride. This new monthly newsletter will provide updates on events, new faces, new horses and what the yard has been doing over the previous month. Please pick up a copy from the yard – or give us your email address and we will send you and electronic copy – feel free to send out to anyone you think might be interested. Happy riding! |
Out and About! Cross-Country Success!Pauntley X Country: Sam and Fiona took Ice and Maverick to Pauntley competing in the Pairs at 2’9 and Sam took Ice round the Open Class (3 – 3’3). Congratulations – they were placed 2nd in the pairs and Sam and Ice were 2nd in the Open Class. Belated Happy XmasWe held our belated Xmas dinner on Friday 21st January at The Bear in Crickhowell. Twenty people sat down to a delicious three course dinner complete with crackers and party hats. Many thanks to Helen for organising! Brecon Beacons National Park – Strategy for the HorseSam and Sarah attended a meeting on January 9th hosted by the BBNP and the BHS. The meeting was attended by owners of eight riding/trekking centres who operate in the Brecon Beacons or Black Mountains. New circular routes are being advertised and the BBNP are keen to work with riding centres on access routes and increasing tourism (riders and horses) in South Wales. See www.horseridingbreconbeacons.com. Those horse ears in the pictures are Toffee’s! This website also has details of trails for riders in Crychan Forest (off the A40 near Halfway) and the Epynt Way. See the notice board for more information on the Crychan Forest Routes (and attached to emailed newsletters). |
Did you know….. Golden Castle can help you learn to ride and to enjoy or own your own horse in a number of ways: Livery – full and part agreements – your horse gets a stable, turnout, exercising and is looked after by us. Loan – “adopt” one of our school horses and get involved in caring for him or her as well as being able to ride out on your own, school or compete. |
|
Eventing Season is Here!The eventing seasons starts on March 3 and continues until October 21st. This year Sam is going to compete both Ice and Benson at Intro and Pre Novice level. What does that mean? The levels indicate the height and level of complexity of the cross-country jumps and the height of the show jumps. At Intro level the heights are 95cm and 90cm and at Pre-Novice level the heights are 1.05m and 1m. Thirty potential events have been selected within 2-3 hours drive starting with Aldon in Somerset on March 16 – 18th. Sam is keeping a log of events and positions and we’ll report back on the first few events in the next newsletter. If anyone would like to come to one of the events and support then let us know! First Saturday/Sunday Attention all livery owners and loaners! Have you every wished you went out more with your horse? Not sure where to ride or where the bridleways are? On the first Saturday of each month Sarah is going to set up a ride of 2-4 hours in length, starting at GC. Routes will either be circular or (depending on numbers) coordinated with trailers. To kick off, on Sunday February 4th, we’re riding from Golden Castle to Trewalkin – head for Llangyndir, cross the A40 and follow the lanes to the Farmer’s Arms at Cwm Du. After a drink and a sandwich, head up over Mynydd Langorse and round Mynydd Troed to end up at Sarah’s at Trewalkin Fach. Plenty of room for horses to turn out and have a break. Let us know if there’s anywhere you’d like to go and we’ll try and organise it for March. Golden Castle Riding Club We’d like your thoughts in setting up a Riding Club at Golden Castle. It might be informal – ie not a registered Riding Club – but still a club to encourage competing and getting out and about with our horses. Let us know what you think about this idea and whether you’d like us to look into this more. |
Coming up – things that are on and that people are doing!Dressage at Bromyard Every Tuesday night starting February 6th. Bromyard is in Hereford and is a purpose-built indoor dressage arena with spectator area, café and tack shop. Sam and Sarah are planning to go as much as possible so see one of us if you fancy coming along. Pauntley Cross Country 4th Feb and alternate Sundays competing at 2’3 and 2’9 as well as Open Classes. Pairs and individual rounds with Pairs going out first. Talygarn Indoor Show Jumping On alternate Wednesday evenings, 2’3 – 2’9 jumping classes. Le Trec – Indoor Competition – March 4 Near Cheltenham, good opportunity to
practice obstacles and control of paces. Details attached for email
newsletters and at Pleasure Ride, Pembrey – March 25 Ride on the beach! A marked ride, done at set speeds or your own speed. Quiz Night At the end of February, a quiz and “brainstorming” evening where we’d like to know what you would like to get out of GC and your riding this year. Date to be confirmed. |
Joiners and LeaversAt the beginning of the year we said goodbye to Nicky and Cloud. Nicky was with us for two years and worked tirelessly as Fiona and Sam’s “second in command” and had just started training to be a part-time instructor. Nicky really enjoyed working at the yard but decided to go back to project management. Cloud is now stabled at Home Farm which is only a few minutes from her home. Rosie is also leaving us (though not for good). Nicky’s partner Dave is having Rosie on loan, to keep Cloud company and allow Nicky and Dave to ride out together. Rosie has been invaluable to the school and will be missed by her regular riders. ****************************************************************************************************************** We’ve had a number of new riders join the yard in the last few months: welcome to Cath, who is from Brecon, and is getting back into riding after several years out of the saddle; Anna, from Hereford, who wants to have her own horse eventually; Louise, from Crickhowell who is learning to ride for the first time; and Leanne from Blackwood who has two youngsters to bring on.And welcome back to Jade who has started riding again on Sundays! |
|
