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June 2016
A gallery of photographs from Royal Windsor Horse Show 2016 Courtesy of Paul Orchard
Field of Dreams
Michelle Pearce shares her own personal experience of preparing a field for a horse
m o c . n a i r t s e u q E e g Th n i t e e M y b r e D d a HicksteSee back page for details
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Noble Sir Prize, winning the RIHS 143cm qualifier and championship at BSPS Area 16, ridden by Susie Eddis and owned by Polly Eddis.
“We were thrilled to win the championship and qualify for the Royal International Horse Show first time out. Noble Sir Prize looks in outstanding condition thanks to his TopSpec feed regime and he is full of energy and yet so calm and rideable for the big tracks. Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters who help us.” Polly Eddis
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June 2016
Photograph by Real Time Imaging
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Contents PUBLISHER : ENM Solutions Limited 37b Cuckfield Road, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex BN6 9RW
PAGE 04..................................... South East Regional Dressage Day at Hickstead for RDA
PAGE 05..................................... Angley Equine Services – The Activo-Med Aqua Treadmill
PAGE 06..................................... Retraining a Racehorse – The first in a series by Michelle Pearce
PAGE 10..................................... Dazzle – Shelly Smart’s 27-yearold grey gelding
PAGE 12..................................... Heathfield & District Agricultural Show 2016 – ©Paul Orchard Photography
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PAGE 14 – 19............................ Sunshine Tour Championship 2016 – Rider Profiles and Show Reports Fashion – Some suggestions for Father’s day and Festivals
PAGE 22..................................... PAGE 26..................................... Wildwoods Riding Centre – The centre awarded an Accessibility Mark Accreditation
PAGE 27.....................................
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S&D Show Jumping Show
PAGE 28..................................... Royal Windsor Horse Show 2016 – ©Paul Orchard Photography Raife Tansey – Raife chats about the new member to the team
PAGE 32..................................... PAGE 33..................................... Art for Action – A sponsored 100 mile horse ride for refugee children
All of the information in this publication, including all images, is copyrighted material of ENM Solutions Limited, except as otherwise indicated. You may not copy, download, republish, distribute, or reproduce any of the information contained in this publication in any form without the prior written consent of ENM Solutions Limited, unless otherwise indicated. The opinions expressed in this magazine, by contributors or advertisers, do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editor or NagMag. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, NagMag cannot accept responsibility for any errors in articles or advertisements or changes to event schedules after going to press. You should verify all information before relying on it and decisions based on information contained in our publication are your sole responsibility. All information correct at time of going to press.
PAGE 31..................................... Rachel Dorrell – Looking forward to the Summer Open Show at Bookham Riding Centre
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PAGE 20..................................... Getting a field ready for a horse – By Michelle Pearce
EDITOR : Linda Warburton Email: info@nagmagmedia.com Tel: 01273 962069 / 07877 263276
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FRONT COVER : The legendary George Bowman senior, Royal Windsor Horse Show 2016, Copyright Paul Orchard
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 03
South East Regional Dressage Day at Hickstead for RDA The sun shone brightly for the Riding for the Disabled’s South East Region’s Dressage Qualifier which was held at Hickstead on 24th May
RECORD TURNOUT
D
uring a fabulous day, nearly 80 RDA riders of all ages from 11 RDA groups across Kent, Surrey
Cobbes Meadow RDA Group continued its winning streak with Gareth Bitchell and Timmy Leng both winning trophies
and East & West Sussex converged on Hickstead to show off their accuracy skills in dressage riding. And while the results were being collated, the numerous entries to the annual Arts & Crafts competition were judged by RDA enthusiasts Bob and Pip Sampson from Pyecombe’s Mid Sussex Group. There were 16 classes held across three arenas in all, of which 8 were qualifying classes Alma Headinger for the RDA National from Chichester Championships at RDA riding Bella is pleased with Hurtpury, Gloucestershire her rosette in July. Joanna Sale of RDA Regional sponsors, Cowan Architects, presented the prizes. “I watched these riders in a number of the classes and I really take my hat off to them as they all have such empathy with the horses. They’re all winners in my book” she said. There were a couple of annual trophies presented where Kerstin Paul of Cranleigh RDA won the Cup for the Highest Senior Newcomer, and 10 year-old Beanie Drew was delighted to win the horse trophy for the highest score in the non-qualifier classes. Beanie, who was from Cantebury’s Cobbes Meadow Group, also won a book pack for being the highest scoring junior, which was kindly donated by Forelock Books, which publishes ‘Horsey Books for Horsey Children’.
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for being the highest led senior. Beanie Drew, 10, of Cobbes Leonora Hussey from Epsom RDA Meadow RDA won a pewter tankard for being cherishes his the highest qualifier. horse trophy and rosettes Sandhurst RDA group and Lorraine Mercer of Heron’s Ghyll (Whitesmith) RDA Driving Group were both winners in the
Joanna Sale presents Leonora Hussey of Epsom RDA with the tankard for the highest placed qualifier
Arts and Crafts Competition and their entries will now go to the Nationals Competition in Hartpury in July. NM
CONTACT DETAILS For more information, please contact Joanna Sale www.rda-southeastregion.org.uk
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advertising feature ❘ Angley Equine Services Angley Equine Services Ltd are proud to announce that the Activo-Med Aqua Treadmill is now installed and operational in our new premises at Angley Stud in Cranbrook, Kent
T
Aqua Therapy
he Aqua Treadmill offers the benefits of hydrotherapy for injury recovery and fitness. Horses work in their natural outline, without
a rider, at controlled speeds in walk and trot (as appropriate). The water is introduced gradually over a series of sessions up to a maximum of knee height. Angley Equine Services Ltd are very proud to be launching our new therapy unit. Based at Angley Stud in the picturesque surroundings of Cranbrook in Kent, also the home of international dressage rider and trainer David Rumsey. Together we bring together a wealth of experience in the equine industry and aim to provide a first class service to all equestrians in every discipline. The therapy unit will initially house our new ActivoMed Aqua Treadmill from Germany, of which there are fewer than 16 in the UK, but many more throughout the world. Dr Matthias Baumann, qualified FEI vet and Olympic 3-day event rider has worked with the aqua treadmill for over 17 years at his German veterinary and rehabilitation centre, and we are proud to have been given full training by him on the use and benefits of this equipment. Benefits include an increase in joint flexion and exaggerated use of back muscles. With no rider to influence the horse’s natural way of going the muscles develop symmetrically as the horse works in balance, in a
straight line and without interference. Concussive force is minimalised by the water so that muscles and tendons are strengthened safely. Standard prices start from £40 per 30 minute session. Savings can be made by purchasing six sessions up-front for £200 (saving £40). The Activo-Med Aqua Treadmill is the first of a range of rehabilitation treatments offered by Angley Equine Services including, rehabilitation livery, massage therapy rugs, Arc Equine, lunge pen, walker, indoor and outdoor arenas, all set in glorious surroundings. Contact us to discuss your specific horse’s needs. In addition to the aqua treadmill, we are also offering a bespoke rehabilitation livery service. This will be uniquely tailored to your individual requirements through working closely with your vet and/or therapist. We are also offering the use of our facilities at a very reasonable rate to individuals, vets and therapists, for vettings and injury assessment with the use of our lunge pen, walker, concrete track, canter track, indoor and outdoor arenas. NM
CONTACT DETAILS To make a booking visit www.angleyequine.com email sales@angleyequine.com or telephone 01622 684400
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 05
Retraining a Racehorse ❘ By Michelle Pearce The first part in a Retraining a Racehorse series by Michelle Pearce
In the Beginning…
“H
WORDS and IMAGES : Michelle Pearce
ave you got anyone who’d like to go hunting?” It was November 2013 and the opening meet of our local drag hunt was gathering just up the road from the livery yard where we kept my daughter’s pony. Most of the yard was going and I felt rather like Cinderella with no horse to ride. The yard owner, riding school teacher, racehorse trainer, amateur
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jockey, all round equestrian superstar, looked up – “You can take Zuwaar.” “Is he the one who goes with his nose in the air?” “That’s the one.” I’d seen one of the girls riding this horse earlier that week. Of all the ex-racers who came to the yard in search of a future as a riding horse, Zuwaar was surely one of the most ungainly – a star-gazer if ever I saw Getting Aquainted – one. Positively giraffe-like. He wasn’t quite early days together what I’d had in mind but it was a beautiful autumn, bright and cold, and I had never hunted before and I certainly wasn’t going to turn down this opportunity. My daughter and I went over to the box in the corner of the racing yard and out popped a dished bay head with a mealy muzzle, large wide-set eyes and a bright white star. “Oh look at his face!” I exclaimed taking his tiny muzzle in my hands, “He’s just like a baby!” Although Zuwaar was eight at the time, he still had the innocence of a colt about him, a colt’s fine legs, compact frame and an enchanting kindness. We tripped around the muddy school a few times, polished tack, brushed, plaited
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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Retraining a Racehorse and then set off for our glorious run through woods, across fields and rode home in the dark, smitten. Nose in the air or not this was a wonderful horse. He might have cantered sideways up the road as we left the yard en-masse, but he didn’t bat an eye at the hounds or the horns. He ran like a stag, stopped when asked, jumped what was in front of him and waited like a saint. And that’s how my RoR journey began. In the beginning I called him the rag-and-bone man. The Zuwaar I met back at the end of 2013 had just come in from being turned away, and he hadn’t thrived at grass. He was all angles – ribs, spine, hips, withers – with a backend like a set-square and a neck rather like a ruler. We had work to do to give that pretty head a worthy body to perch on. Nose to the sky of course! As I became more involved with Zuwaar I researched his racing history on the-racehorse.com. It turned out he had rather illustrious breeding from an American Thoroughbred lineage, and that like his sire Raheefa, Zuwaar excelled when young as a 3 and 4-year-old. In his two and half year career on the flat he ran 36 times, was placed in almost half of his races, with six wins and prize money totalling over £25,000. But then the wins tailed off, he was sold on, tried over hurdles, and retired to our yard. “You’ll never get that horse in an outline,” I remember someone saying as I rode him round the school asking, asking again for just a little bit of softness in the mouth, the jaw, the star-gazing neck. I didn’t know at that time if I would or wouldn’t be able to encourage him to work a little better, I just enjoyed riding this horse and he seemed to enjoy what we were doing so I carried on. We did circles, we trotted, we did the odd jumping lesson, we trotted some more, we pottered round the fields, we galloped on the downs, we worked long and low and suddenly there it was -without conflict or difficulty he found it - an outline. And once Zuwaar had found his outline he seemed comfortable there and so we set our sights on indoor dressage – walk and trot – for the winter of 2014. Whilst Zuwaar started performing well at home and was able to maintain a lovely rhythmic trot in outline, with circles, serpentines, a little lateral movement his walk was still very stilted, his canter more up and down than forward. In addition the spectacle of venturing off the yard to the dressage events threw all our work into disarray – the nose was up again “hollow, hollow, very hollow” were the judges comments on our first test sheet. But undaunted we returned to the same venue again and again and as he became used to the arena and the atmosphere, he began to perform better and pick up a few ribbons. We did some small jumping courses too – very
“Meet the Rag-andBone-Man!”
Dressage summer 2015
Michelle Pearce and her ex race horse Zuwaar
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 07
Retraining a Racehorse ❘ By Michelle Pearce Zuwaar storming through his first water jump – what a star
Coming out of the woods
bouncy, very erratic but we got round – “Work on your canter,” was the advice from a show-jumping trainer who happened to be standing by. By early summer 2015 we ventured out onto grass for the first time and popped a small clear round course. Again style left something to be desired but we got round and he stood afterwards happily eating grass just like the other
About to set off on the adventure – mock hunt November 2013
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horses. By July, after some extreme antics in the warm-up, we made it into the show jumping ring itself, and again jumped clear. We then had a go cross country – clear on his first round with a dramatic leap into the water maybe there was a riding horse in here after all? And so from these small and patient beginnings our RoR journey has begun. After loaning Zuwaar for a year I finally bought him in May of this year, and am really excited about what we are going to do together. We plan to continue our outings to local shows and events, gently exposing him to different venues and courses. We will continue our weekly jumping lessons and our schooling on the flat with plenty of time in the field and for wandering around the beautiful Sussex lanes and tracks, with the odd blast on our beloved downs. He is a racehorse after all and always comes home long, loose and happy after a good run. I am hoping that all this will lead us into the RoR competition world itself – but where we will end up who knows. With any horse, but possibly with ex-racers in particular, there is always an element of the unknown. Will they be up to the job? Will they develop joint issues, back issues, will the quirks ever be overcome? Only time will tell. If Zuwaar has taught me anything he has taught me that you cannot impose anything on a horse, that they need to be given the time and the space and the opportunity to rediscover themselves and then to reveal themselves to you. Then you will be able to discover together what you as a partnership are destined for. And so in this new series we will be looking at different elements of the RoR
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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Retraining a Racehorse
ABOUT MICHELLE PEARCE Michelle Pearce is a writer and a rider who was brought up in Hong Kong in the 1970s riding polo ponies and ex-racehorses. She has a life long love of horses and writing and is finally combining her two passions. She runs Honeys Green Osteopathic Clinic in Sussex with her husband Michael, has three growing-up children, dog, horse, pony and too many rabbits and a new venture Life Stories – personal compilations of memories and photographs. Please e-mail or pm via Facebook to find out more. michellecpearce@live.co.uk. journey each month – both mine with Zuwaar and that of other riders who have, like myself, felt compelled to take on these often challenging, yet extremely beautiful and talented horses. We will try to find out what makes these very special horses tick, to gather some expert advice and some personal stories and to go on a little journey of our own. In the beginning there was a racehorse…. NM
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 09
Veteran Dazzle Blooms – TopSpec Shelly Smart’s grey gelding, Dazzle, looks a picture of health at the grand old age of 27
Veteran Dazzle is Blooming with Condition
B
ased in Berkshire, Shelly has owned Daz for four years and they share a very special bond.
Daz was also the guest of honour at Shelly’s wedding back in 2013 and they have enjoyed dressage, showjumping and cross country in their time together. Said Shelly: “Daz is now semi-retired and only lightly ridden in the school and he still enjoys hacking out. “I have been feeding TopSpec since the day I bought Daz. Now, well into his veteran years, every six months the vet gives Daz the all clear and always comments on his condition. “Daz is also barefoot and has been for the past two and a half years. His feet are as hard as rock and he has never had a day’s problem! “In September he was diagnosed with Cushing’s and
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over the winter he lost a lot of weight. At 27 years of age we couldn’t afford for him to lose any more weight so we changed Daz from his regular TopSpec Lite Feed Balancer to TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer. Again I have seen a great change in him with the weight creeping back on. “Daz is an amazing pony and means the world to me. He jogs to and from the field every day and often thinks he’s still a stallion. He definitely looks and feels good and to be praised on his condition makes me so proud. Thank you TopSpec, there really isn’t any compromise when it comes to my boy.” For free nutritional advice please contact the Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on (01845) 565030 or visit www.topspec.com NM
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Heathfield & District Agricultural Show 2016
Heathfield & District Agricultural Show, 28th May 2016 IMAGES : © Paul Orchard Photography
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Heathfield & District Agricultural Show 2016
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June 2016 NagMag â?˜ 13
Sunshine Tour 2016 ❘ Rider Profiles NagMag will be working with The Sunshine Tour over the next few months, and will bring you a monthly selection of riders who have qualified for the finals at Hickstead in September
It’s a Family Affair
O
competitors this month has revealed that the love of horses and a shared enthusiasm for going to the Sunshine Tour
of the great things about the Sunshine Tour is that it embraces all, with equine participants from yearlings to veterans and human partakers from grandparents, to parents, teenagers and children. Our interviews with
is truly rooted in a fantastic network of family support, a willingness to help out, inspire others, learn and grow, share the workload, support each other and enjoy just taking part (although winning something is always good too!)
Freddie Wallis
ne of the great things about equestrianism is that it includes all ages and all abilities and one
Freddie Wallis with Walli 60cm Junior Show Jumping at S&D Equitation, Hampshire
Helene Kontofrios
The Wallis family really enjoy competing with their horses and both 9-year-old Freddie and 14-year-old Poppy have qualified in show jumping for the 2016 Sunshine Tour. Freddie has just moved onto 14.1hh, 13-year-old Walli from his first pony, Emily. Parents, Will and Mels told us a bit more about Freddie, “He is really enjoying his riding, particularly show jumping and has just started in cross country. He is bold but sensible and very well balanced. When we bought Walli the previous owner said that she thought he would make a very good pony for a boy – and she was right, the two of them get on so well together. Walli absolutely loves working, although can be grumpy in his stable when waiting for food! He has the scope and temperament to help Freddie develop a long way.”
Helene Kontofrios with Corinarth Princess and Barkway Wedding March Intro Dressage at Brook Farm Training Centre, Essex 8-year-old Helene and 7-year-old Sophia share their two grey ponies, 12hh Corinarth Princess and 12.2hh Barkway Wedding March, aka Chocci. Princess has been with the Kontofrios family for 2½ years and Chocci is a fairly new addition, arriving in October last year. Helene’s mum Claire told us about the girls’ progress, “Helene has gone from being a very nervous little jockey to being quite confident and this is all due to huge amounts of hard work and perseverance that she puts in. She rides as often as she can during the week after school and competes most weekends in show jumping and showing. We are lucky to have the ponies at home and the girls and I look after them. Helene had never done a dressage test before on either pony, so we were over the moon that she not only came 2nd and 3rd but also qualified for The Sunshine Tour!” “She practiced the course on her feet every evening the week before – I’m sure she was doing it in
her sleep too. Sophia also did the test on both ponies however she was on the lead – hopefully she’ll have the confidence to come off the lead soon. Helene wants to qualify for the show jumping championships too so fingers crossed!!”
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Emma Barrow
Shirley Cotton
Rider Profiles
❘ Sunshine Tour 2016
Shirley Cotton with Private Dancer Prelim and Novice Dressage at Brook Farm Equestrian Club, Essex Watch out Sunshine Tourers, Shirley Cotton is coming to show us all up. At 62 years young Shirley is a grandmother and still absolutely loves competing her 16.2hh, 16-year-old mare Private Dancer, aka Lucy. “I have been riding since I was seven years old and I’ve owned Lucy for eight years now, she is a proper moody mare but she gives her all when I am riding her. I am still enjoying my sport, I have five grandchildren – two boys and three girls that I am teaching to ride, they all enjoy this great sport too. I try to take Lucy to shows once a month and I am currently having lessons with Simone Ward who has brought us both on in leaps and bounds. My husband is always there, he never moans and even mucks out, takes me to shows and cooks dinner. I feel very lucky to be able to do the sport I love.”
Emma Barrow with Royal Sovereign In-Hand Thoroughbred at Thurrock Riding Club Show, Essex
Samantha Watts
18-year-old Emma, with the help of mum, Faye acquired her 11-year-old, 17hh ex-racehorse bay gelding, Royal Sovereign 2½ years ago and has had sporadic progress with him so far. Emma told us about some of the hiccups they’ve had in the past couple of years, “he was diagnosed with kissing spines last year and we have been working with him to help this. He was making really great progress when he managed to have a rather ‘thoroughbred’ type of incident – whilst tied up on the yard he started to play with the knot and got his tongue caught in the tie up twine. Of course he panicked and you can imagine the trauma! Luckily he made a full recovery, so to go out yesterday and be placed and qualify for a championship in his first outing after such hard work was such a proud moment. And we were overwhelmed by the lovely comments made by the judges!”
Samantha Watts with Just Benny Junior Show Jumping and Showing at Great Bookham Equestrian Centre, Surrey
Maia & Holly Hughes
Samantha Watts’ inspiration to start riding was both her mother and grandmother, who both rode in their younger years. Samantha is now 12 years old and has owned 13.2hh, bay 14-year-old, New Forest pony ‘Just Benny’ for around seven months. “He has given me the confidence to achieve things that I never would have done before, such as Frensham Sponsored Ride. I took Benny out for our first show in January and he came home with a red rosette for 50cm show jumping. Our favourite thing to do is either jumping or hacking and he keeps proving how willing he is every time we try something new. Over the time I have had Benny, he has improved me as a rider so much to the point that I can now ride horses that I never used to be able to.” “Both my mum and grandma rode horses and this is one main influences for me riding today. Benny is also used in the Cliff Hatch Stables riding school but predominantly I ride him. Since the start of 2016 I have taken Benny to various shows and now I cannot wait for the Sunshine Tour National Finals at Hickstead in September.”
Maia and Holly Hughes with Coldmore Cee Him and Toytown Jasper Junior Show Jumping at Brook Farm Training Centre, Essex Sisters Maia and Holly obviously enjoy a passion for riding and along with mum, Jo they are delighted to be coming to the Sunshine Tour. Jo told us about the girls, “Maia is 14 years old and has been riding since her fourth birthday. We got Coldmore Cee Him, known as Teddie at home just a year last August, as a 5-year-old. He is just under 14.2hh and a piebald. Over the last year, this wonderful character of a pony has come on leaps and bounds resulting in winning his first ever class just recently at Brook Farm to qualify for the Hickstead Sunshine Tour, so for us it was a double celebration.” “Holly is almost 12 years old and like her sister, had her first riding lesson on her 4th birthday. Holly’s wonderful new pony, Jasper, arrived three months ago and Holly’s confidence has gone from strength to strength. Jasper is a 9-year-old, chestnut sports horse. He is a cracking pony with a wonderful temperament. He won his class of 85cm to qualify for the Sunshine Tour on the same night as her sister. It was a very happy night.”
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 15
Annabel Walsh
Sunshine Tour 2016 ❘ Rider Profiles Annabel Walsh with Persian Marvel Showing at Wimbledon Pony Club Show, London
William Harris
Two continents, three generations and one very excited Sunshine Tour champion. Annabel’s family in both the UK and USA are involved with horses, mum Jane told us about Annabel’s riding history and her excitement about going back to Hickstead this year to defend her title of Junior Best Rider “Annabel started her pony adventure when she was just five months old, she sat on a little pony called Lady at her grandmother’s farm in America. She started taking lessons when she was five and then got her first pony, Rush, when she was seven. Her family is very deep rooted in horse riding with her grandmother still running a farm and riding every day.” “She still has her little pony, but a year ago she moved on to bigger things when we bought a 5-year-old ex-racehorse named Percy. Only four months after buying him she arrived at Hickstead for the Sunshine Tour Championships, entered in the Junior Best Rider and despite Percy’s cheeky and excitable behaviour was Champion! Percy and Annabel have qualified for three showing classes and now the pair have started to compete in show jumping, they aiming to qualify to jump as well.
William Harris with Prince Naz Family Pony at Equi-Fun Show, Plumpton College, East Sussex
Sophia Williams
“Part of the family” is how William’s grandad, John describes 17-year-old, 13.2hh Welsh section C gelding, Prince Naz. But there is a lot more to Naz and William’s story than just being the perfect family pony, William’s grandfather John told us “William suffered a brain injury at the age of three which has affected balance and co-ordination. As a family of horse owners we realised the therapeutic qualities of horses and Will has always had a passion for ponies, he loved to come to shows to watch mum compete in dressage and is ever hopeful of meeting his idols Charlotte www.rgfphotography.com Dujardin and Carl Hester. That is where Will’s story began – he decided he wanted to learn dressage and compete at Hickstead like Charlotte! So after much searching we found Pebsham Equestrian Centre, who did lessons for RDA riders.” “When Will met Naz, it was love at first sight – he decided that Naz looks just like Valegro! Naz gave Will the freedom to learn to ride off the lead rein and every lesson we would joke that Naz was so wonderful we were going to steal him. In December Pebsham were having to reduce their number of ponies and because Will and Naz had developed such a bond we were given the chance to buy him. Christmas Day was very emotional when Will found out that Naz was his to keep forever!” “Naz is very much part of the family, he is Will’s best friend and we trust him 100 per cent to keep him safe. He is a very versatile pony who loves jumping and going hacking with Will’s older brother but he will then slow right down when Will’s little sister sits on him. Qualifying for the Sunshine Tour at Hickstead has made Will’s dream come true and we couldn’t have found a better pony to be his partner.”
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Sophia Williams with Yealand Vienna Show Jumping at Shibden Dale, West Yorkshre 12-year-old Sophia Williams, from Halifax, West Yorkshire will be competing in the show jumping on her 14hh Arab X pony, Vienna. The family owns three horses. Sophia’s dad Richard told us about the family’s horsey activities “Sophia’s twin sister, Madeleine has a pony called Cloud and their mum has a cob, called Banjo. And there’s also Henry, a Fell cross pony that Sophia rides in mounted games at Pony Club. Sophia is the only member of the family to ride competitively but Madeleine & Cloud, Jill & Banjo enjoy accompanying Sophia & Vienna on family hacks & cross country rides albeit at a more leisurely pace.’’ “It will be Sophia & Vienna’s second time at Hickstead with The Sunshine Tour, as the pair qualified at their first ever outing together at a local qualifying show last summer. Sophia said competing last year was the ‘best weekend of her whole life’. They came 5th in the 60cm Junior Show Jumping, which took them into the Supreme Championship, where they came 6th. Sophia qualified this year on a personal qualification card, as there weren’t any qualifying shows in the region but she was determined to compete there again.”
June 2016
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Just-So 2016 Winter Dressage Series
❘ Sunshine Tour 2016
Just-So had the last show of their 2016 Winter Dressage Series on the 22nd May and it was a day of good news stories
2016 Winter Dressage Series
T
he weather gods were kind to us with the clouds crossing their legs until all the competitors were boxed up and heading home and the series was packed up for another year – a whole day of sunshine for
first ever outing with my pony. I have come to riding late after
a change! The last show of the series sees all the points won over the five shows added up and the challenge trophies and beautiful rosettes awarded to the winners. Class 1’s Points Championship (Intro/Progression) was won by Carole Davies on her own Bracken Flame who shares her ride with her son Daniel who finished 4th in this section’s Points Championship. We then moved on to Class 2 (Restricted Prelim) where the Points Championship was won by Sophie Young riding Ridgedale’s Chocoholic who then went on to win the Class 3 Championship (Open Prelim) and the Series Overall Points Championship. A fabulous day for Sophie and a lot of silverware to clean! Maria Ayotis and Colin the Cob won the Class 4 Points Championship (Novice) having rushed back from competing in the morning at the Hickstead Dressage Championships which she had qualified for at one of our earlier shows – a busy day for Colin! Finally Class 5’s Points Championship (Elem) was won by Emma Crawford riding Siw Purcell’s Castiel. Siw very kindly gave over the ride on Castiel to Emma for the series having done so well at the first show of the series. Sadly they weren’t with us on the day as they too were competing at the Hickstead Dressage Championships. A regular competitor with us over the years is Essex based Faith Claydon who won the Junior Points Championship on Ray of Light. This is Faith’s last year as a junior so a good finale before competing as an adult next year. Lois Seymour won the Highest % scored over the whole series on her own Royal Orb with a very commendable 75.6% scored in the Restricted Prelim. Lois and ‘Dave’ have only been a partnership for 2 months and have had wins with us in April & May in this section so a promising future ahead for them hopefully. There were a couple of other ‘good news’ stories worthy of mention on the day. Linda Pae competed with us for the first time with her own Paliassimo Blue and in her own words “Today was my
many years of being phobic about horses and unable to be near them so today was very special. Everyone at the show was so helpful and supportive” Emma Sims and Cracker, who was our 2015 Overall Points Champion, missed our last show yesterday as she too was competing at the Hickstead Dressage Championships with Cracker. This was to be Cracker’s last show as he is retiring from competition, so it was a lovely end to my day when I received a text message to say Emma and Cracker had won the Novice Championship at Hickstead – fantastic news for them both to go out in a blaze of glory. We of course had our regular classes for competitors to get those last few valuable points for the championships and congratulations go to class winners Julie Johnson and Ziggy (Class 1), Lois Seymour and Royal Orb (Class 2), Sophie Young and Ridgedale’s Chocoholic (Class 3), Jenny Martinez and Paddy’s Irish (Class 4) and Shelly Sanders and Holly (Class 5) As ever a huge thank you to all my helpers that make up Team Just-So without whom we’d have no shows, all our lovely judges for all their helpful and encouraging comments and The Arrow Riding Centre for the use of their facilities. The next Just-So Equestrian Events show will be our Dressage to Music Show which will be held at Saddlesdane EC on Sunday 2nd October 2016 – get your horses dancing shoes on!
CONTACT DETAILS For more info visit www.just-soequestrianevents.dacel.co.uk
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 17
Sunshine Tour 2016 ❘ Wimbledon Pony Club Show Wimbledon Pony Club held their Annual Open Show on 1st May at Pachesham EC
Wimbledon Pony Club Show 2016
L
IMAGES : Courtesy of Danny Berta of Bertaimages uckily the weather held for our entrants. Qualifying classes were held for the Sunshine Tour in both Show Jumping and Showing, Side
Saddle Association, Veteran Horse Society, British Skewbald and Piebald Association and RoR TARRA. We also ran one of the the first Pony Club Dengie Winter Show Jumping qualifying rounds for the 2016/17 competition. Lynda Lodge, Chairman of the BSPA judged Working Hunter, Working Hunter Pony, and the Coloured class, with Jason Halls judging RoR TARRA and Riding Club
Horse. This year was the first year that we put on two side saddle classes, both an Equitation class and a Concours d’Elegance – both judged by the SSA Area Chairman Angela Winter. Angela also judged the Veteran Horse Society class. The overall show champion was Bristol Blue ridden by Kathleen Botting, this combination won Veteran and both the Side Saddle Equitation and Concours classes and were presented with the winners rosettes and Wimbledon Pony Club rug.
A special prize went to 11-year-old Kate Hewson on Newoake Jester our youngest side saddle competitor
Lead rein was won by Phoebe Whiting on Fifi
Kathleen Botting and Bristol Blue
The Reserve Show Champion was Al Khawaneej ridden by Victoria Joyce who won the RoR TARRA class
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Wimbledon Pony Club Show Paige Whayman won the Coloured class with Gibson James Rashwood on Emi
Cofibres ®
Sponsored by
❘ Sunshine Tour 2016
Maya Patel with Caroline Stevenson, Assistant District Commissioner of Wimbledon Pony Club
Sunshine Tour UK Sponsored by Horse Monkey
Balanced Horse Feeds
CONTACT DETAILS
To find out more about the championships see www.sunshinetour.co.uk where you can find out how to take part in qualifying competitions, see the list of qualifying venues and dates, or apply for a personal qualifier card to use anywhere, and you can find us on Facebook at Sunshine Tour UK. See you at Hickstead in September!
GREAT BOOKHAM EQUESTRIAN CENTRE SHOWS
Unaffiliated Dressage, Show Jumping and Showing Qualifiers for Sunshine Tour, Chiltern & Thames Rider, Veteran Horse Society, Equifest, The Showing Register, Ponies UK & 1st & 2nd Rounds SSADL Showing Also points towards Attlees Dressage Points League & Surrey Tack Shack Show Jumping Points League 5 miles from junction 9 on M25 Full schedules and entries online at www.gbec.info Events Secretary, Great Bookham E.C., Dorking Road, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 4PZ. Tel 01372 451458 Email shows@gbec.info
HAMPTON SPONSORED RIDE Registered Charity 1086848
BROOMFIELDS, HAMPTON ESTATE, FULBROOK LANE, ELSTEAD, SURREY GU8 6LG
SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER In aid of local charities An exceptional cross-country course over 8 miles of private woodland, farmland and commons. There are 40 plus optional jumps (1’6”/2’6”/3’0”) including other fences for the bolder horse and rider. Schedules: www.hamptonsr.org or www.ridingdiary.co.uk SAE: Mrs T Robinson, 18 Homemead, Forest Road, Denmead, Hants P07 6YD OR: Email hamptonriders@yahoo.com
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 19
It’s Summer ❘ Father’s Day and Festivals Don’t Let Noise Spoil Your Horse’s Performance. The Soundless Ear Net (SLE) from Equiline is purposely designed to reduce environmental noise for your horse and enhance concentration. It is available in either Horse or Pony sizes and comes in Black, Brown or Navy Blue. For stockists contact 01704 823539 or visit www.fearnsfarmpartnership. co.uk
Rrp £47
The new limited edition Samshield technical down vest is specially designed to be worn on horseback. In a comfortable, fitted style. On the women’s version, this logo is embellished with genuine Swarovski® crystals. Available in Men’s sizes S to XL and Ladies’ XS to L. For stockists contact 01704 823539 or visit www. fearnsfarmpartnership.co.uk
Rrp £147 KINGS™ line of Sporting Hares are proudly the world’s first (and only!) material wooden sunglasses. Choose your own frames from denim to Harris Tweed. Find Sporting Hares at The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby or www. sportinghares.com
Rrp £65
Have a colourful season with NuuMed. Event Pad now available in 11 colours! Embroidery costs can be quoted separately. For more information, see www.nuumed.com or call 01458 210324
Rrp £33
We rather like this 100% Eco Friendly Saddle Bag’for everyday shopping. From www.homesteadfarmsupplies.co.uk
Rrp £5.45
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Father’s Day and Festivals ❘
It’s Summer
Struggling to find the perfect gift for Father’s Day? Want to find him something different to the socks you normally buy? Equestrian.com has the answer. The Mark Todd Short ¾ Length Country Boot is any father’s essential when out walking the dog or simply on the yard. UK size 6 to UK size 10.5. www. equestrian.com
Rrp £74.99
Save your skin while enjoying your sunny picnic with this lovely paper straw hat from a selection at H&M Stores
Rrp £14.99
Taking a picnic to your favourite Horse show? Turn heads with this luxury picnic blanket, rolled in a chestnut leather blanket strap. Natural water resistance or wrap around shoulders in the chilly evening. Larger than the average picnic rug at L200cm x W149cm Sea Green, Pink, Heather or Blue. www.spirit-boutique.com Complete your picnic with this nifty little 4 Person Hamper from Tesco’s. Yellowstone 4 Person Luxury Wicker Picnic Basket with Cooler Bag. Catalogue Number: 596-4427 www.tesco.com/ direct
Rrp £119
Rrp was £69.99 now £47.99
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 21
Getting a field ready for a horse ❘ By Michelle Pearce
Part 1 – FENCING
The first in a five-part series by Michelle Pearce – The reality of getting a field of your own and how to get it ready for your horse
I
t’s a dream many horse owners share, drawing back the curtains in the morning to see their beloved horse happily grazing, or waiting lovingly by the gate. After a forty year wait this dream became a reality for me this year as, on a freezing February evening, the removal lorries finally trundled away and left us joyfully huddled around a plug-in radiator sipping champagne and eating cake – finally a detached house with a three acre field all of our own – a place where my horse and daughter’s pony could finally live with us as part of the family. Now we just had to fence it. We soon learnt that there’s no ‘just’ about fencing. There was a huge amount of preparation we had to do first and decisions we had to make. What kind of fence were we going to have? Who was going to put it up and how much was it going to cost? And what on earth were we going to do with that massively over-grown hedge-line? In between unpacking boxes and enjoying an endless stream of visitors, we walked around the field. The hedge hadn’t been cut for years, there was no fence between us and the road, no water and thousands upon thousands of mole hills. Again and again with dog in tow we walked the tussocky 900m circuit, pulling rusty metal out of the lumpy grass, tripping over barbs of brambles, sizing up the 20 metre high, 10 metre thick ‘hedge’ – what on earth do we do with all those low branches? Where can we even PUT the fence? what do we do with all the thatch? How can they even get the posts in with all those tree roots
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everywhere? “At least there don’t seem to be too may docks,” I said looking across the floating raft of dead thistle heads and ragwort crowns. “Hmm.” We headed back indoors, put the kettle on and picked up the phone. It was time to call in the experts. Everyone we spoke to had a different idea about how best to tame and fence the old hedge-line. Our options seemed to be as follows: ● cut down the over-grown hedge to five feet and re-plant the gaps with whips – it would leave us with a lifetime of fire wood and a gigantic pile of thatch to burn. They all stood hands on hips, those tough tree-surgeons, and said the same thing – “Now that’s a big job.” – and yes it was reflected in the price. Time to think again – ● lay the hedge the old fashioned way and wait seven years for it to thicken up – in the meantime we could enjoy the view of the passing traffic. Hmm. Another huge job and even more expensive. ● leave the hedge at its current height and cut back the lower branches hard then fence as close to the trees as possible – now this sounds more sensible, perhaps we’re getting somewhere…
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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Getting a field ready for a horse My husband bought a decent hedge-cutter, rolled up his sleeves and set out into a rather grey and inhospitable March to do it himself. Yes, all 300m of it. I looked doubtfully out of the kitchen window. My little husband was creating a huge pile of branches and seeming to make very slow progress. He’ll never finish it, I murmured into the
horses to have a good chew. The advice all round seemed to be to go with split chestnut posts as they last longer than pine. However we were warned that with warmer winters recently the quality of British chestnut is not what it used to be and although it tends to last longer than pine, it is not as enduring as in days gone by.
washing up, looking down the drop of the field at the length still to cut, and what on earth are we going to do will all those off-cuts? General opinion on this seemed to fall into three catergories – ● chip ‘em ● flail ‘em ● burn ‘em Again it took several weeks of thought and many more cups of tea to see our way through. We decided that chipping was too expensive and dumping the chips on the bank would disrupt its little eco system. Flailing was out of the question as it would scatter black thorn spikes all over the field – a real hazard to the horses’ feet and we couldn’t imagine it would do the grass much good. Burning seemed to be the best idea and this we decided to do ourselves. In November. And then there was the question of what kind of fence we would have. Post and rail? Soft wood? Split chestnut? Stock fencing? Barbed wire? We needed a 300m run of it so price per metre was important and post and rail therefore out of the question, as was anything barbed. With plans for sheep in the future, and to help keep the dog in, we decided on standard four foot stock fencing, with a double strand of plain wire on top. Had we more funds available we could have run a rail or two along the top instead of the wire. This would have looked smart but might have been an invitation for the
And then finally we had the question of who was going to do it? After lots of phone calls, asking around, following leads and yet more stomps around the field, we found a fantastic local fencer who was a fraction of the price of the more fancy paddock maintenance folk. A true rural local who knows the area and the soil. At £5-£10 a metre for stock fencing depending on access and terrain we had found the man for the job.
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we found a fantastic local fencer who was a fraction of the price of the more fancy paddock maintenance folk – A true rural local who knows the area and the soil. So, two months after moving in – on a lovely warm April morning – the bulldozer and tractor arrived with over 100 split chestnut posts, 300m of stock fencing and over half a kilometre of plain wire to top it with. “You’ll mind the primroses wont you?” I joked, pointing to the pretty little things nestled at the foot of a blackthorn thicket. No answer. The
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Getting a field ready for a horse ❘ By Michelle Pearce
two men were already picking up their mallets, cranking up the engines and cracking on with the job of fencing the field at last. Two cups of tea and four custard creams later, the fence was up. They worked a stoic 10 hour day and the light was fading as I walked the new, fence line. It was flawless. Tight to the now tidy (if still towering) hedge line, every post straight as a dye, with stout straining posts at every corner and turn. Our neighbours stopped to admire it on their way past and, as I walked proudly along it checking for gaps or rabbit holes, there it was - the little primrose which had escaped from the bank – the fencers had managed to bulldoze, dig, pound and pummel around it. And so here we are – FENCED at last and almost ready to bring in the horses. My husband ran over the belly of the field on the ride on the mower to get rid of as much of the dead grass as possible. I grovelled around for a few days with some stout gloves and a garden rake scarifying the worst piles of thatch to encourage fresh grass growth.
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We fenced off our gigantic piles of branches, scraped up any stray black thorn twigs and stuck fence posts in the rabbit holes, poked the hose pipe through the hedge and filled up two big buckets of water. Fence, grass, water – we were ready! Then the day came in early May that I dropped the ramp of my trusty old Bedford and led out first the pony then my horse onto the green, green grass of home. They looked for a moment down the field, to the shelter of the trees in the south, and then they dove nose-first into the grass and started the task of mowing. No acrobatics or speedtrials this time, even from my exracer who has spent most of his life in a box, just the joyful act of grazing great juicy mouthfuls of spring grass. SO here they are, my horses at home at last. There is still a way to go but I do get a real thrill when I see them out of the bedroom window eating together, snoozing,
lying in the sunshine – and I don’t think it is a thrill which will go away. They still go back to the livery yard each week – so we can ride in the school, have our lessons, stay polished for a show, but they are here much of the week as well, and though it isn’t yet perfect, new mole hills appear each day and the thistles are growing with a vengeance, the dream is slowly becoming reality. The grass is greener by the day, the sky is lifting, spring is maturing into summer, the sun is warm on my back as I begin the arduous job of digging out ragwort – but that’s another story. Over the next few months we will be looking at what else needs
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By Michelle Pearce ❘ Getting a field ready for a horse
to be done with a new field for horses – getting proper supplies of water and electricity to the field, the process of planning and building stables and ménage, how to tackle those dastardly weeds and mole hills – and all the other joyful tasks which need to be done in order to do to turn a lumpy little paddock into a field of dreams. NM
Future articles in the Field of Dreams series: 2. Battling ragwort – to pull or to poison that is the question 3. Pesky problems – dealing with rabbits and moles 4. Planning your dreams – how to go about getting stables and arenas on your land 5. T he Muck issue – year-round paddock maintenance and the question of sheep
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
June 2016 NagMag ❘ 25
Wildwoods Riding Centre Wildwoods Riding Centre based in Tadworth, Surrey is helping disabled riders accomplish their goals after the centre recently gained the Accessibility Mark Accreditation
Opening Doors to Disabled Riders
R
iding for the Disabled Association (RDA), in partnership with Hoof, the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) participation programme launched the Accessibility Mark scheme to encourage those who do not already partake in equestrian activities or would not usually have the opportunity to do so, to experience the many benefits that riding can bring. Set in 20 acres of beautiful countryside at the foot of the Epsom Downs, Wildwoods Riding Centre was established in 1976 by Anthea Chambers BHSII & SM, and is a British Horse Society, Association of British Riding Schools and Pony Club approved centre. The centre boasts a friendly atmosphere offering lessons from beginners to the more advanced rider, horse listening courses, exam training and Western riding. Clients can also perfect their skills on the centres very own Trojan horse simulator, which can be particularly beneficial in helping disabled riders with their balance and position. With the centre having a number of disabled and autistic riders already attending for lessons it was felt that Accessibility Mark accreditation was a natural progression to moving the centre forward and continue to grow and cater for all rider needs. One of their most rewarding successes to date is helping a client with cerebral palsy realise her dream of cantering which she had previously been told wouldn’t be
possible. Using the mechanical horse she was able to train her muscles that she herself had no feeling in, sufficiently to be able to help maintain her balance in canter. Anthea said: “Our local RDA centre had a waiting list of two years so I wanted to get involved with the scheme to benefit the local community and provide more riding opportunities. We work closely with RDA, so they can point riders in our direction who maybe want to advance their skills. “Accessibility Mark gives our clients confidence that we have gained recognition from a well-respected organisation and we aim to provide a service of the highest standard. “In the near future we are also looking at providing carriage driving for people with more limiting disabilities to experience the benefits of being involved with horses.” Wildwoods Riding Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and has several events planned to mark the occasion. Accessibility Mark status is awarded to a riding centre that has been approved by RDA following training and assessment. The close link with the RDA means that they offer continuous support to the establishment to ensure they provide you with a first class service and an experience that aims to be hugely beneficial. There are currently 30 Accessibility Mark approved centres across the country. NM
Anthea Chambers of Wildwoods Riding Centre
CONTACT DETAILS To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk
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S&D Equitation S&D Show Jumping Show, Priory Equestrian in Frensham, Sunday 22nd May 2016 Olivia Allan on Flash
Abi Sweetman on Charley
Danial May on Craughwell Cal
Megan Davis on Bonnie
IMAGES : © take2eventphotos.co.uk
S
&D Equitation held its second show jumping show of the year on Sunday 22nd May. Show organiser and jump judge Jeanette Middleton reported on the show for us. “With heavy rain for two days previous we were praying for a dry day. With seven show jumping classes all of which were Sunshine Tour Qualifiers we were looking forward to a busy day and catching up with lots of familiar faces as well as meeting some new ones too. Fortunately, we were not disappointed by the weather and the sun even made an appearance in the afternoon. Once again our event took place at Priory Equestrian in Frensham Surrey. The venue is fantastic whatever the weather with hardstanding for parking, an indoor arena and two outdoor all weather surfaces and we are lucky to have another date secured here for the end of October also At all three shows this year all placed horse and rider combinations will receive points towards an end of year Championship. This show was also a Sunshine Tour UK
Qualifying Show. The Sunshine Tour is a fun and thrilling National Unaffiliated Championship Series featuring Dressage, Show Jumping, Showing and Eventers Challenge. For the second year running, the Championships are being held on the ‘hallowed turf’ of The All England Showground at Hickstead from Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th September 2016. For details about the Sunshine Tour including Rules and Restrictions go to www.sunshinetour.co.uk
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June 2016 NagMag ❘ 27
Royal Windsor Horse Show 2016
Royal Windsor Horse Show, 11 – 15 May 2016 IMAGES : © Paul Orchard Photography
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Royal Windsor Horse Show 2016
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
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Showtime FORTHCOMING EQUESTRIAN EVENTS IN YOUR AREA – MAY 2016 If you have some news about forthcoming horse events then email us with your stories and photos. Also, if you would like to promote your event in the magazine or on our website please email details to: info@NagMagMedia.com or alternatively call us on 01273 960 069
Black Horse Shows
Golden Cross Equestrian Centre
n www.blackhorse1.co.uk
n www.goldencrossec.co.uk
Schedules for local showjumping shows in Kent.
Brendon Pyecombe
n www.brendonpyecombe.co.uk
Centre in Pyecombe, Sussex, holding affiliated and unaffiliated showjumping events.
BSJA Area 46
Showjumping shows, training and livery near Hailsham, East Sussex.
Hickstead – All England Jumping Course
n www.hickstead.co.uk
Showjumping, polo and weddings in West Sussex.
Honnington Equestrian Centre
n www.bsja-area46.co.uk
Area 46 showjumping website for BSJA members in Sussex.
Colette’s Horse and Dog Shows
n www.honnington.com
Riding school, liveries and showjumping in Southborough, Kent.
Nelson Park Riding Centre
n www.cbequine.co.uk
n www.ridinglessonsthanet.co.uk
Horse and dog shows in Kent and Sussex.
Training and showjumping events near Birchington, Kent.
Coomblands Equestrian
n www.coombelands-equestrian.co.uk A cross-country schooling course open from January to November.
Crockstead Equestrian Centre
Petley Wood Equestrian Centre
n petleywoodequestrian.co.uk/
Located in the heart of the beautiful east sussex countryside near battle and hastings.
Plumpton College
n www.crocksteadec.co.uk
A new Cross Country Course designed and built by Scott Brickell.
Duckhurst Farm Show Centre
n www.plumpton.ac.uk/
The College, in Plumpton East Sussex, specialises in land-based courses and hosts regular events.
Sands Farm Equitation Centre
n www.duckhurst.com
BSJA show jumping centre in Staplehurst, Kent.
Eaglesfield Equestrian Centre
n www.sandsfarmec.co.uk
Events and liveries at Horsham in West Sussex.
Wellington Riding
n www.eaglesfield.net
Showjumping shows and livery at Ash, near Sevenoaks, Kent.
n www.wellington-riding.co.uk
Set in 300 acres of the Duke of Wellington’s beautiful Hampshire estate
Felbridge Show Centre
WPSportHorses
n www.felbridge.net
n www.wpsporthorses.co.uk
Showjumping events in East Grinstead, Sussex.
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Training and schooling near Uckfield, East Sussex.
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By Raife Tansey ❘ Raife Tansey: Showjumper
Training hard everyday
This month, Raife chats about the forthcoming events in his calendar and the new member to the StudUK Euro team
N
ot long since my last blog, so not a great deal happened. Most exciting news, took Spyder and Sienna to Felbridge with Team StudUK Euro. Sienna had a couple of poles down, but Spyder was amazing and came 10th out of over 100 in a good sized newcomers. Such a great horse. Have received back my entry pack from Hickstead for the Derby next month. Big thank you to Minkeys Tweed for sponsoring me and paying our entry fees. Competing both my horses every day for 4 out of the 5 days. Very exciting. Also looking forward to meeting up with some of my sponsors there. Robin and Faye from Renasan, Dawn Stagg from Stagg Cold Laser Therapy and Lauren from Chillout to name a couple. And also Diana and Michael, the founders of the Legupfortalent programme. It’s great to be supported by all these people at an event as big as Hickstead. Back here at StudUK Euro, Derrick has been putting myself, Raife’s new boots
Spyder and Sienna in their new home
Spyder and Sienna through our paces. Training hard everyday, and he hasn’t killed me yet! Really enjoying the training and it was great to put it all in to practice at Felbridge last week. Had a new little member arrive at StudUK Euro this month. A little guy they have named R2 D2. It’s great to work with fellow Star Wars Fans! I was one of the first people to meet the little guy and was fascinated to see his little hooves before the eponychium had dried out. Looking forward to June with more training and competing for Team Tansey. NM
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Baby R2D2
CONTACT DETAILS To follow Raife Tansey Showjumper, please find me on FB at www.facebook.com/ RaifetTanseyShowjumper/ June 2016 NagMag ❘ 31
All the Gear and Some Idea ❘ By Rachel Dorrell
Looking forward to The Summer Open Show at Bookham Riding Club
I
This month, Rachel encourages readers to volunteer – it’s very rewarding t’s just a few weeks away now until one of the biggest shows I have volunteered to organise and run is due to take place. Each year, Bookham
numerous other events and trainings most of which can be found at www. bookhamridingclub.org.uk. Dave and I may even put in an appearance in the RoR class, so I hope to see you there. NM
CONTACT DETAILS To follow my Equestrian highs and lows, please find me on FB at ‘Rachel Dorrell – All the gear and some idea’
© Gary Horner
Riding Club hold numerous events at their club field in Leatherhead. We are very lucky to have our own facilities and brilliant jump set with our new affiliated weighted poles. The Summer Open Show, kindly sponsored by Surrey Tack Shack and due to take place on Sunday 12th June, is our biggest event with ridden & in hand showing, show jumping and fun classes for members and non members to take part in. I have run numerous shows in the past and fundraising events for the Club but nothing to this scale, although I did used to be an Events Manager so it can’t be as hard as organising someone’s wedding, can it??!! We have some wonderful volunteers and hope to get more members involved to help assist with the tasks on
the day. No one should be afraid to try something new, volunteering is very rewarding and we rely on volunteers to run these events throughout the year. Sunday, 12th June is set to be a fantastic day with numerous entries already received. The Club also runs
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Art for Action Art for Action is a London based UK Charity and the brainchild of Rose Illingworth, an artist and photographer living in Sussex
In the name of Art
A
rt for Action’s projects
focus on humanitarian, political and social injustices that communities are facing throughout the world. They use street art projects and art workshops to help these communities have a voice. This July they are planning a sponsored horse ride for refugee children. It will start on 25th July with a 100 mile ride starting at Beachy Head near Eastbourne in East Sussex and travel the South Downs Way to Water Meadows, Winchester, arriving on 1st August. Rose and her trusty cob x, Jasper and Caroline Becker on her cob, Jojo, will be travelling the distance on horse back. They will be joined by Mary – driving Buddy, a familiar figure in the streets of Brighton. Mary’s rag and bone cart will be decorated with banners and flags to bring attention to the mission, attracting the attention of passers-by and encouraging questions and offers of help. Both of the horses will be painted to symbolise the refugees’ journeys. So far Art for Action has worked in Iraq and Calais refugee camps, Colombian slums, Sri Lanka safe houses, Bedouins in Mount Sinai, West and East Africa schools and street kids refugees. They are now trying to bring the relief of artistic expression to some of the estimated 26,000 child refugees in Europe, a result of recent international crisis. Many of the child refugees are living in conditions of absolute desperation, hungry, cold and scared. The number of unaccompanied child refugees in Britain has reached 4,029 all of which now need as much support from us as is possible. For further information or to donate visit www. artforaction.co.uk NM
Rose and Jasper
Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
June 2016 NagMag ❘ 33
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Lightweight turnouts; fly rugs; fly masks
Bedding – Shavings, Bedmax, Aubiose and more Wide Selection of Horse Feed and Supplements • Rug Washing, reproofing and repairs • • Delivery Service Available •
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Open Mon – Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 9am – 1pm
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Call Mike on 07948 908834 – 9am-8pm Email: nathantomkins52@yahoo.com
RUGWASH
Open Saturday Mornings Equine Waste Consultants & Services
*New* Easi-Skip System for equine waste
SALE and HIRE 34 ❘ NagMag
RICHARD KENNARD
07831 206786 www.sussexmanures.com
June 2016
• All types of rugs washed, reproofed and repaired • While-you-wait repairs • Outdoor clothing reproofed • Viral disinfection of rugs on request • Free collection and delivery
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For Advertising Opportunities visit www.NagMagMagazine.com
For All Your Equine Needs!
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Tel: NagMag on 01273 962 069 or email: info@nagmagmedia.com
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June 2016 NagMag â?˜ 35
The Equestrian.com Hickstead Derby Meeting 23 - 26 June 2016
l Enjoy a great family day out
l Children’s fun fair
l See the world’s leading riders in action
l Shopping village, craft & food hall
l Military Marching Band
l Licensed bars and restaurants
LIMITED
Ticket Offer
Free pair of general admission tickets for either Thursday 23 or Friday 24 June
To redeem your pair of tickets, go to www.hickstead.co.uk select your tickets and enter the promotional code Nagmag16 at the checkout (single use only). NAG01
Additional tickets and car parking vouchers may be purchased in advance, all transactions are subject to a £2.50 booking fee. Under 16 year olds to be accompanied by an adult.
www.facebook.com/hickstead
www.hickstead.co.uk
01273 834315