Golden Castle News |
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Anyone notice the slight delay in getting Issue 3 out?! Too much going on – each time we sat down to pull the issue together something new was happening! And as this was going to press Sam secured her first placing and BE points at Chepstow – read more over the page. Look out for even more activity during the rest of May and June! Sam and Fiona |
Out and About! To Talybont and beyond…. Well to Talybont really, and back, a good 5 hours of riding on April 4th, with 10 riders, taking in fantastic views across the Beacons and Talybont reservoir. See the photos at the end of the newsletter Keep on TREC (ing)! Marian and Sarah completed a one day Level 1 TREC at the Gower Riding Club on April 19th finishing 6th. Extreme scores on the PTV (obstacles) – either 10 or 0 for Ceri and Ali!! They’ll be working on the slow canter as well before the next one. Evening time Sam and Fiona took 10 riders down to Llangynidr for an evening drink on April 26th, then 17 (!) to the Vine Tree at Llangattock on May 14th. The horses (and riders!) behaved impeccably! The 5.30pm start seems to work well for lots of you so watch out for more of these in May and June. Dressage, sort of Ceri and Mouse went to their second/first outdoor dressage at Allensmore on April 28th. They travelled well, they warmed up well, Ceri obliterated the white boards and markers………a fun day out and the first time out for Mouse who took everything in her stride. Hunt Pleasure ride Brecon and Talybont organised ride at Castle Madoc, 15ks over common land and forestry on May 6th. Tom and Sarah rode out – and enjoyed the tea and cakes at the end. Will be another one later in the year, good fun to ride out in new places – and you always get a rosette at the end! Pauntley Pleasure Ride and XC On May 7, Fiona, Sam, Kate, Rhiannon, Sarah, Becky (Toby, Benson, Minnie, Bonnie, Mav, Ali) took on the minimus course, 10 mile pleasure ride (with jumps) and the 2’6 – 3’3 course at the end. The “Dick Whittington” ride runs every year and raises funds for the Air Ambulance. Fantastic day out and great photos. |
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Rhiannon and Bonnie, galloping across the beach at Pembrey… On 25th March, Fiona and Toby, Sarah and Ceri, Chris and Maverick, and me and Bonnie went on a 26km pleasure ride at Pembrey National Park. Fiona was using the ride as training for Toby and finished to ride in 1 1/2 hours, whilst the rest of us followed at a more leisurely pace - as leisurely as Bonnie would allow - taking 2 1/2 hours to finish. The highlight of the ride was a gallop along 3 1/2 miles of beach. Galloping along a beach has always been a dream of mine and I fulfilled this dream last year when a group of us went to Pembrey for a beach ride. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this as much as I thought I would, partly because Bonnie found the whole experience very exciting and partly because I fell off - in the sea!!!!! As we set off I was quite nervous, but I didn't need to worry. Bonnie was still very excitable, but behaved much better than last year. We walked (ok Maverick walked, Ceri jogged and Bonnie bounced and jogged) trotted and occasionally cantered along the numerous sandy tracks through the woods adjacent to the beach. Once we reached the beach we had to wait for a few other riders to set off before we had our gallop. Chris took the lead. He started to trot and then broke into canter. Big mistake Chris!!! Bonnie decided that she should be in front and off she went - full steam ahead - followed closely by Ceri! It was exhilarating. The sea breeze blowing in my face and Bonnie's hooves pounding a rhythmical beat on the hard sand. It was great to allow her to gallop freely and not have to worry about stopping at the top of the hill. I don't know which one of us enjoyed it the most - Bonnie's ears were pricked the whole time and it was very difficult to stop her galloping - she just wanted to keep going. (Sarah had similar problems with Ceri.) We had a fantastic day out, made even better by the lovely weather. I would definitely take Bonnie to the beach again and would recommend the beach ride to everyone - provided they can gallop!! Thanks Fiona for taking Bonnie and me along with you, and thanks Sarah and Chris for putting up with my excitable horse all day!! |
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Horse and Rider – a profile of our horse and rider “teams” – this month Jackie and Ali “IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN!” Although I have always enjoyed being around horses one way or another for quite a long time, it is only since coming to Golden Castle that my riding has really taken off. For this I have to thank Fiona and Sam, all their horses and of course my dear friend and dipstick, Ali who I have on loan. As a teenager (and that was a long time ago!) my Aunt bought me a horse called Strolling Hotel, which I hadn’t seen until it was delivered. He was a three year old thoroughbred and we lasted a very short time together before he was sold on to the Cowdrey Polo Club! After marrying I used to join the Army Wives Saddle Clubs but looking back it was absolutely nothing compared with the amazing tuition I have been lucky to have with Sam and Fiona. Rodney and I travelled a great deal with the Army and we moved roughly 23 times. When we eventually settled in Brecon in 1993, I worked for several years in residential care and then later with the Brecon Tourist Information Centre. Whilst there I decided to go back and try riding again, and luckily chose Golden Castle. I have enjoyed riding a few of the horses in the stable, but Ali and I get on really well, even if she doesn’t like paper bags blowing about all over the place! I enjoy general and dressage lessons and tests and I am making some headway with my jumping. Two summers ago, Fiona and I went to my first cross-country event near Newport, which I thoroughly enjoyed although I must admit to being a bag of nerves all the previous week! I have had a couple of tumbles since but with Sam and Fiona’s
encouragement I am trying again and – who knows – we might be out on the cross country again one day. As they say, it is never too late to learn! When I am not riding I go to art classes where I enjoy painting water-colours and every day I am out walking James, our lovely blue roan cocker spaniel. He is as mad as a hatter but we love him very much. The rest of the time I am busy with my wonderful family. My son Jason works in London with the Metropolitan Police and Helen lives in Brecon and is up at the stables with her horse Monkey more often than me now! With three lovely grandchildren to make a fuss of, there is not much more time left over for other things, but who cares – I love it! Before I finish, thank you all for kindness, fun, and friendship and I look forward to our next outing wherever that may be. Jackie [Photo courtesy of Matt Nuttall Photography – original photo in colour but could only scan as black and white!] |
First Eventing Points for Ice and Placing for Sam!! A double clear and dressage of 36.2 at Chepstow secured a placing for Sam (9th), fab rosette and Ice’s first BE point! Sam and Ice have now competed five events (Aldon (PN), Belmont Park (PN), Sapey (N), Pontispool (N), Chepstow (N)) with five straight clears in the XC and three clears and two “one pole faults” in the SJ. . To give the challenge some perspective the maximum height of fences at Badminton are 1.40m (XC) and 1.20m (SJ); at Novice level they are 1.10m (XC) and 1.15m (SJ). There are differences in spreads, drops, number of obstacles and length of course but basically, these are big obstacles at Novice level! This is Ice’s first season and after an excitable start (dragging everyone round the car park at Aldon) he has settled down beautifully securing 33.8 for his dressage at Pontispool – the third highest mark in his section - and now his first points and placing. There is a video diary of each event which is well worth taking a look at to see the scale and professionalism of the events and the very high standard of riding. Next date: Pontispool again (new course) – May 28th. And Endurance success for Fiona! Fiona and Toby gained a 3rd place at the British Endurance 65k competition at Berkshire Downs, passing the vettings with flying colours. Following that success they also completed two stages of the 80k British Endurance ride at Mangam Park, with Toby coping brilliantly with the challenge of the step up to 80k competition having completed a number of 65k rides in 2006 and 2007. There is a potential opportunity for Fiona to be selected for the Welsh National team for endurance riding at the end of this season. The next competition is at Cirencester at the end of June. Coming up – things for the diary Things that are going on/we’re going to: May 28 – ride to Glanusk and jumping the xc course (optional) – please book with Fiona June 3rd – two phase SJ and XC at Hilltop June 5th – evening pub ride – please book with Sam June 9 & 10 – Level 2 TREC at Kyre Equestrian Centre, Worcestershire July 14th – Level 1 TREC at Cefn Mably, Cardiff |
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Joiners and LeaversA very sad goodbye to Rosie, one of our best loved school horses. Rosie was enjoying life out on loan as a companion for Cloud with Nickie and Dave but sustained a kick followed by persistent lameness which could not be treated. Rosie had a lovely, calm temperament and gave great confidence to our most nervous riders. Everyone will miss her. Meet Murphy! He’s a new recruit for the school, 15’1 black cob. Murphy’s 9 years’ old and is settling in well to his new routine. New rider Andriette joins us, she lives in Crickhowell and is a science teacher. New foal – Cha Cha Cha (“Charlie”)– born to Lolly at the beginning of May out of Wa Ha Dar – registered Appaloosa stallion – settling in down at Ty Mawr. And welcome back to Merlin after a few months rest – he’s fit and enjoying his work again. Whilst Ra Ra (Tutu’s first foal, now two!) is up at GC to start her in hand training. ************************************************************************************************************************************************* Out and About – in pictures………………..The Ride to Talybont
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