White Horse Harness Club
Website Editor: Mrs Julia Crockford
Tel/Fax: 01264730261 mobile: 07850249107 e-mail: jjcrockford@aol.com
WEBSITE LAST UP-DATED: Wednesday 7th May 2008
REDENHAM PARK 2 DAY EVENT 24th/25th MAY - entries close 17th May - DON'T miss out, enter now..............
WILTSHIRE AREA BDS SPONSORED DRIVE
Sunday 18th May
at Manor Farm, West Overton, Nr Marlborough, Wilts, by kind invitation of Michael Maude. A wonderful drive of 7 or 13 miles over the most beautfiul and stunning Pewsey Vales. Entry Fee: £15 (or £20 if entries received after 10th May). All funds raised towards the Lackham Driving for the Disabled Group based at Manor Farm - PLEASE support this if you can. Schedules/Entry Forms available from Julia 01264 730261 or e-mail jjcrockford@aol.com.
HEADLEY TRAINING & INSIDE-OUT C A N C E L L E D!
Due to the dreadful weather experienced throughout April to date and the forecast of more heavy and prolonged rain for Friday and Saturday the lorry parking field has been declared unsuitable for the event planned this weekend. This is a very sad blow to the start of our season, but we must look after our very generous hosts and their property, particularly if the paddocks are used for livery grazing such is the case at Pitts Farm, Headley.
All entry cheques being held will be destroyed - nothing has been banked to date.
INSIDE -OUT 22nd JUNE - CHANGE OF VENUE!
Following the sale of Forest Farm we have a change of venue for the Inside-Out event on Sunday 22nd June, it will now be held at LYVERS FARM, East Grimstead, Nr Salisbury SP5 3RX, by kind permission of Anthony Cooper. Please use the existing schedule for this event just remember where you are going on the day!
INDOOR EVENT 10th February
Fabulous weather helped us all have a great day at the Cholderton equestrian centre on Sunday. Twenty competitors (the max we can get in) took part in the day from Shetlands to a Comptoir Heavy Horse, who showed all present how agile and fast a big horse can be around the obstacles, unfortunately for Jane Wadsworth, the driver, it is always the cones that proves the downfall as the horse and carriage are so much longer than anything else they just cannot make these twisty courses without attaining a cricket score! The hotly contested Open Pony class went to Nicola Blandin after the class leader Barbara Nadin had a slight blip in obstacle one. Jill Roberts won the Novice Horse class with her fast improving young Sect D, Darcy. Jo Sore, back to her original pair, Richard & Milo, stormed to victory in the Pony Pairs class and Patricia Caddy with Penny Bradbeer's wonderful coloured cob, Mickey, winning the Novice Pony Class, not before almost disowning backstepper (and current Novice Indoor Champion), Colin Wheeler, following a slip up on route in obstacle one, but thankfully the stewards were quickly on side to reassure Patricia that a corrected error of course would only cost her 20 penalties not elimination!
We think that the qualifiers for the Indoor National Championships from the Wessex region will be:
Novice Pony: Patricia Caddy Novice Horse: Jill Roberts, Open Pony: Nicola Blandin; Open Horse: Janet Doe, Multiples: Jo Sore & Best Junior: Kat Aburrow and Mini Ponies: Ian Govier.
Full details of results on the results page of this newsletter.
Indoor HDT Up-Date
The December Indoor Event ran very smoothly yesterday with 18 competitors, a couple having to withdraw at the last minute due to ill health. The weather was not as bad as had been forecast with the middle part of the day dry and at times quite sunny before it deteriorated again towards the late afternoon. Holly, the Labrador kept us all entertained during the obstacle building time with her impersonation of David Beckham and his ball skills, in this case the cones balls, one in her mouth and the other dribbled beautifully from one end of the arena to the other from paw to paw in time to be mounted on the obstacle as a knock-down to rapturous cheers from the spectators! Full results now available on this website.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S
To winners of our annual awards last Saturday at the Club AGM:
Wonky Wheel Trophy (Best Novice) - Jane Pritchard. Dolly Trophy - (Best Open in 1st year) - Colin Wheeler. Misfit Trophy - (Most improved Driver) - Janet Doe. Henry of Stowell Memorial Trophy - (Best WHHC members with lowest overall score at the Indoor Driving Championships) - Colin Wheeler Groom of the Year - Kim Pritchard. Chairman's Award - (for outstanding contribution to the Club throughout the year) - Paul & Jane Davis
THEFT !
Once again we are sad to report on yet another theft from our members, Jackie & Snowy Cleaver and their daughter Jo Sore had two carriages, a pony pairs black presentation vehicle and a Dartmoor Spirit in burgandy with cream coach lines adaptable for single or pairs along with a flat bed trailer, presumably to transport them away in, on Wednesday evening 14th November from the outskirts of Andover.
Anyone being offered these vehicles, or hearing anything in connection with them, please contact the local police or the Cleaver's on 01264 710104 and please be vigilant, it would appear nothing is safe !
GROOM OF THE YEAR AWARD
Anyone wishing to nominate their groom for Groom of the year is asked to send e-mails detailing their nomination to Julia (jjcrocrockford@aol.com) as soon as possible so that they can be included in the judging before the award is presented at the AGM on 24th November.
Everyone is also reminded to get in their food orders to Julia as soon as possible for the AGM so that final numbers can be given to the pub by this weekend.
MENTORS WANTED
The RDA Carriage driving gropu at West Overton are training a number of their helpers as able bodied whips. Unfortunately none of them own their own driving ponies or carriages, so progress is slow. If any WHHC members are able to offer 'rein time' to a near by trainee it would be hugely appreciated. The trainees live at Beckhampton; Horton; Hilcott; Maindenhall; Fyfield, Winterbourne Bassett; Chippenham; Hilperton and Erlestoke. If you are able to help, please contact Raine Green 01380-812527 who will put you in touch with the trainees.
NEW INDOOR DRESSAGE TEST
By Paul Davis (Judge)
The new indoor test is not difficult but it must be driven with care and accuracy to impress the judges.
The entry sets the tone for the test and if you get this short part of the movement correct you are off to a very good start. The walk should be in 4 time and be active so make sure that you give yourself plenty of room and get your horse or pony walking well and on the bit before you enter the arena. Look at C and drive straight for it, if you are relaxed and not tense the horse will stay straight.
The second part of the movement is Working Trot not collected or a crawl. Working trot is just what it says, the horse must be travel at the speed that you would normally drive at on the road or track and in a relaxed outline. Do not try to get the horse over bent as this will shorted the outline and also the stride which will prevent the horse from tracking up.
The final section of this movement includes 2 right hand bends. Do not cut the corners drive into them and bend your horse around the corner trying to keep the rhythm and the outline. This will only come with practice and schooling.
The hardest part of the test is to show a few lengthened strides. This does not mean increase your speed because all that will happen is the horse will appear to be running. Try to collect your horse in the corner by closing your hands and taking a firmer contact and encouraging the horse to go forward more, and into a tighter outline. Now, once you have straightened up and the horse becomes balanced just open your fingers and ask for a bit more impulsion. The horse will naturally open his gait and show the lengthened stride required. Remember the test does not ask for extension just lengthening.
Having got this part of the test correct you will have set a good benchmark for the whole test, and the judge will be impressed...plus you will relax and drive a better test.
Remember that this test is judged by two judges. The one at position C is looking your way of going, bending and transitions, the judge at E is only looking at your precision, the shapes you make and how accurate you are at hitting the marks for a change of direction or pace, this will explain why the two sets of marks are completely different.
The halt is also a point at which you can impress, the movement calls for a halt of 6 seconds so once you have come to a nice square halt with the horse looking straight and standing in an outline do not just count 1,2,3 and so on, try counting one thousand, two thousand and so on until you get to 6, this will then give you the correct time at halt.
The final part of the test is a progressive halt from working trot. This does not mean walk as soon as you get to the centre line but you should try to execute your transition from trot to halt with not more than three paces of walk. The halt should be as square as possible to the judge with your horse or ponies nose on the mark not their front feet.
There does not seem to be any instruction on how to make the final salute but I personally like to see the whip raised horizontal to the peak of your hat. Last but not least the test is not a punishment but an important part of the competition so SMILE !
Welfare in Animal Transport Order (WATO)
From January 5th 2008 a new regulation on the protection of animals during transportation applies across the EU. The regulation applies to all those involved with the transport of live vertebrate animals in connection with an economic activity. For example:
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Livestock & equine (horse/pony/donkey mule) hauliers
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Professional trainers and exhibitors
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Farmers
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Livery yard proprietors
The regulation Does NOT apply to the transport of animals:
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where transport is not connected with an economic activity
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Transport to and from veterinary practices or clinics
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Where animals are pet animals accompanied by their owner or on a private journey
The regulation includes as assessment of Competence Certification in the welfare of transporting equines for example:
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Loading and unloading
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Watering and feeding
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Space allowance
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Documentation
The British Driving Society along with the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust were the only two equine disciplines to work with DEFRA on the creation of the Act and as a result have been granted DEFRA approved Assessor status. John Parker, Chairman of the BDS, strongly advises all of us to take the CC as 'the Regulation is a living document that will help develop in the light of experience implementing the Regulation'. In other words it is highly likely that when the Regulation comes up for renewal in 2012 that the CC will become compulsory for anyone transporting livestock. It is also worth knowing that the CC is a NVQ qualification that once gained is held for life
There is a timetable of implementation with the first date being 5th January 2008, the dead line for Competence Certification for all those involved with the transport of animals in connection with an economic activity.
There is a great deal more to the WATO than explained here with the implications for all of us. For more detailed information regarding this please contact Caroline Douglas, LHHI (DEFRA Assessor) at cadouglas@virgin.net or telephone 01590-682678.
We will be organising a Club meeting in the new year where Caroline will be coming to give a talk to us all on the Certificate and the requirements that could affect us all, date and venue to be confirmed.
WINTER TRAINING
Winter training has been organised with three trainers this year: Caroline Douglas; Kay Hooper & Georgina Frith at the following venue and dates:
4th November at Castle Farm, Over Wallop with Caroline Douglas 2 spaces only remaining - so hurry and contact Jill! NOW FULL
25th November at Bluebell Farm, Penton Mewsey, Nr Andover with Kay Hooper
20th January at Bluebell Farm, Penton Mewsey with Caroline Douglas
3rd February at Castle Farm, Over Wallop with Georgina Frith
24th February at Castle Farm, Over Wallop with Kay Hooper
and
8th March at Castle Farm, Over Wallop with Georgina Frith
All training sessions £35
contact: Jill Roberts 01264 735658 for further details & bookings.
AGM
Saturday 24th November at The Queen's Head, Ludgershall 7pm.
INDOOR HORSE DRIVING TRIALS
The first event of the Indoor season was held today, 21st October at the Cholderton Equestrian Centre, a beautiful venue just off the A303 between Andover and Amesbury. The indoor school has ample seating above the school for spectators and has a commentary box for scoring, (plenty of electric sockets but a bit on the chilly and dark side!). The outdoor warming up arena is within an old walled garden and is perfect thanks to the radio controlled stewards organising their trek round to the main arena. The Indoor school's surface had only just been put down on the Thursday before our visit so wasn't down as solid as was hoped so after two obstacles it looked quite deep in places and the committee took the decision to build one third and last obstacle in the middle of the school to protect the new surface for future visits and save any nasty accidents. Everyone present agreed that the day had gone really well, particularly with the excellent sunshine all day, and we look forward to returning on 11th November for our second competition of the Wessex Indoor season..
ROCKBOURNE CANCELLED!
Monday 24th September 2007
It is with great regret that we have been forced to cancel the Club Championships and Southern Area Championships next weekend due to the latest, as yet unconfirmed, Foot and Mouth outbreak at West Tytherley, Nr Salisbury. DEFRA have put restrictions in the area which will affect this event and those organising it and therefore we feel we have to bow to the inevitable.
The Landowner worried for his livestock and that of the surrounding dairy farms feels the closeness of this latest scare cannot be ignored.
The committee of the WHHC thank everyone for their hard work and commitment to this event, all entry fees held will be destroyed and those making donations for prizes will be contacted with regard to their future use.
Dated 27th September: Although this outbreak was also found to be negative of F & M, today we hear that there is another possible outbreak at Maidenhead - this disease is spreading and the Landowner was right to cancel the event. To date all hunting, cross country at both Larkhill & Twesledown and RDA Forest meetings have all been cancelled in an effort to control not only the spread but the panic and worry amongst farmers. JJC.
SUE TUCKEY one of our Club's founder member's and long time Chairman and supporter of the WHHC visited me this week and caught up with club news, our events and wished to be remembered to all those members who may remember her. Sue is currently here in this country recuperating from a small op before going back to Spain and enjoying sailing with her partner David.
2007 FENIX NATIONAL POINTS LEAGUE
We congratulate Cathy and Martyn Willis and their mare Saffron who are this year's Fenix Points League Winners in the Intermediate class having clinched the title with a 2nd place win at Normanshurst last weekend, this added to their 2nd place wins at Brighton; Farleigh; Ashfields and Sandringham gives them a points league total of 45 from the five events entered.
We wish them every success at the Windsor National Championships in September.
ENGAGEMENT CONGRATULATIONS
We are delighted to report that Richard "Dickie" Thorpe (Health & Safety Officer) is to make an honest woman of Ms Jill Roberts (Training officer) after announcing their engagement at their recent house warming party. We wish them both every happiness in both their new home and forthcoming nuptials!
ROCKBOURNE 2 Day Event 29th/30th September
Martyn Willis has been working very hard to gain sponsorship for this event which is to date running at around £500 by way of feed, whips, vouchers, framed photographs of winner and magazine subscriptions etc.. from sponsor's such as Equifor; Bennington; Bellcrown; Scats; Carriage Link; Carriage Horse; In Harness; Pixelphotoz to name but a few....
Schedules have now been sent out to the relevant club's supporting the Southern Area Championships to be forwarded to their competitor's - please join us and make this a super event. . The event is OPEN to ALL and will be over a five section fairly flat marathon of 18km with six superb and flowing obstacles which will include the famous Rockbourne Banks and water.
There is Saturday night entertainment and a B-B-Q for all, rosettes for dressage and cones in ALL classes will be presented during this party.
If you need a schedule and have not been sent one either with your newsletter or via our mailing list please contact: Brenda May 01590 682356.
West Overton - 4th/5th August
A magnificent 30 entries were received for this event making it the best entry ever in the five years we have been at this venue and we were blessed with beautiful sunshine for the whole weekend, including the Saturday evening Bar-B-Q where we usually have a thunderstorm!
Dressage and cones were driven on the Saturday, with Sarah Garnet driving a beautiful test to score 25 with her Hackney horse, unfortunately a moments lapse of concentration in the cones saw her drive backwards through element 17 instead of forwards through 13 forcing her elimination. The best and only double clear round in the cones competition was driven by Rachel Ball.
The Lackham Driving for the Disabled Group then drove their dressage and cones competition, with only two ponies between the four driver's it was a busy round of loading and unloading of wheel chairs, with lots of cheering supporters and applause, and everyone enjoyed themselves despite the extreme heat by 4pm in the afternoon.
On the Sunday, amidst beautiful sunshine, the competitors set off on the marathon up across the Pewsey vales on the lovely grassy farm headlands, before dropping back through the village to tackle the six obstacles. The topic of conversation all weekend being the depth in the river crossing, measured at approx 3 feet at it's deepest on the Saturday, it left both competitors and the organiser's with quite a worry, but it needn't have as almost every competitor drove through it beautifully, some a little dubious, whilst others leapt off the bank, as spectator's and driver's held their breathe until they emerged on the other side, soaked but with huge smiles of relief! The largest cheer and biggest splash was from the last competitor on the marathon, Anne Radcliffe and her pair of Shetlands (who everyone thought would take the long alternative route down and over the bridge), but undeterred the little ponies came to the river bank, dropped neatly into the water - almost had to swim for it, but keep going they did emerging on the other side to huge applause from all those who had gathered to watch, it was just unfortunate that Anne was caught out by yet another missed compulsory turning flag!
The overall competition winner was Sarah Simmons finishing on a marvelous score of 93 for all three sections, as she is not a WHHC member Sarah could not take the coveted Priscilla Maude Memorial Trophy home, this went to the nearest score to Sarah's by a WHHC member which was Barbara Nadin, a most fitting first home for the trophy as Barbara was one of Pricilla and Michael's dearest friends.
As always we are immensely grateful to Michael Maude for his generous welcome, support and help in running this competition, to all our stewards on both days, to Penny for her sterling work and very varied lunch menu! and to Steve & Di Lucas who arrived at least two days before us to get everything ready for everyone's arrival on the Friday.
There are lots of photo's to see on the website: www.pixelphotoz.com