Photo: the Flint & Denbigh riders who were placed in the Dengie Dressage competition last weekend

IMPORTANT: Fixture List Jan-May 2015

Please use the Fixture List Jan-May 2015 on the website, not the one you have been emailed. You can download the fixture list and all booking forms from there. Some of the amendments from the one received by email:

  • Arena cross-country training at Somerford Park has moved to Friday 20th February at 2pm.
  • Mounted Games training dates are not on the fixture list but are attached here and will be on the website fixture list soon (link above).

Please Book In in plenty of time so that the organiser knows how many badges, hours and instructors are needed. A day or two before the event is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Any updates will be sent out on the Weekly News, which is emailed out every Tuesday. If you are not receiving the weekly please let Fran know (newsletters@fndponyclub.org.uk). Some members have found that the weekly goes into their Junk Mail or Spam Box. Please check, and if this is the case you need to accept the email as Not Junk or Allow Sender.

Paul Davies Dressage Clinics

7th & 22nd February, 8th & 21st March, 4th & 18th April, 9th & 30th May. Please use the Booking Form from website fixture list (first link in this update).

Llandyrnog District AGM and Party

The Llandyrnog District AGM and Party is on this Friday, 16th January at 6.30 pm. Please let Iona know if you will be attending (garethion@hotmail.com).

Dressage Clinic with Paul Davies

Marian Owen has 2 spaces available for the Paul Davies Dressage Clinic on Sunday, 25th January at Fferm, Bodelwyddan. Cost £15 for individual lesson. Please e-mail Marian ASAP (marianne.owen@btconnect.com).

Winter League Dressage Schedule

Celyn Polocrosse Club – Winter Training Dates 2015

Aberconwy Winter League Show Jumping

The Aberconwy Winter League Show Jumping  schedule is enclosed. It is at Maelor on 25th January, and the closing date is this weekend.

Please send Aloma your entries to arrive no later than Monday 19th January.

Flint & Denbigh are doing so well in the League Table at the moment: Class 1 are in 2nd place, Class 2 are strongly in the lead, and class 3 are in 1st place by only one point; so we need teams in all three classes until the end of the season to finish off well.

Any enquires please contact Aloma (07802 342561).

Winter League Show Jumping at Northop – Thank you

I would like to thank all the parents and members who came to help out at our winter league show jumping competition at Northop. Without the volunteers there would not be a competition.

Despite the high winds most competitors turned up and had a great day. Well done to the Flint & Denbigh teams/

Bethan, DC

Winter League Show Jumping at Northop – Results

Following the gale force evening, Saturday turned out to be lightly breezy but we even saw the sun occasionally at our Flint & Denbigh Hunt PC Winter League Show Jumping competition at Northop.

Iona had worked hard with all the entries and teams, and all went very well considering the amount that had pulled out right up to and in the middle of the competing!

Class 1, and we had 2 teams competing. Our Winter League team  all rode well, with Carys and Twm riding lovely double clears. Carys was placed individual 2nd and Twm individual 5th; and our team of Leah Jones & Koda Dakota, Carys Ann Roberts & Travis, Twm Cernyw & Tululah and Orlagh Toner & Lucky Charm gained team 1st for Flint & Denbigh.

Class 2, and we had 3 teams in the running. Our Winter League team of Sali Wyn-Wheway & Toosie, Jac Cernyw & Gorgeous George, Lois Williams & Jim and Tegan Houston & Solitaire all rode beautiful double clears, working as team and gaining their sixth team 1st of the season for the Flint & Denbigh. Sali also gained individual 5th and Jac individual 6th place. The Welsh Blues team were Zarah Bennet & Lola, Hermione Williama & Spike, Beatrice Blockley & Splash and Heidi Palin & Super Model. They gained a well deserved team 4th, with Hermione gaining an individual 2nd with her double clear.

Class 3, and we had 2 teams from Flint & Denbigh competing. Our Winter League team of Ffion Thomas & Conker, Georgia Jones & Simba, Emily Cummings & Matt, and Brier Leahy & Kellen all rode safe steady double clears for the team, just pipped to the post by time and gained team 2nd for us for their efforts.

Class 4, and we had Emily Cumings and Ben Read in a mixed team. They gained team 2nd, Emily individual 3rd, and Ben individual 6th.

Thank you Iona, Bethan and all the helpers on Saturday which made it such an enjoyable day, and once again to Mal Toner for keeping and accurate account of our scores!!

WLSJ at FD collage sml

Class 1 Winter League team who were placed 1st: Leah Jones & Koda Dakota, Orlagh Toner & Lucky Charm, Carys Ann Roberts & Travis (also individual 2nd), and Twm Cernyw & Tululah (also individual 5th). Class 2 Team 2 who were placed 4th: Beatrice Blockley & Splash, Heidi Palin & Supermodel, Zarah Bennet & Lola, and Hermione Williams & Spike (also individual 2nd). Class 3 Winter League team who were placed 2nd: Ffion Thomas & Conker, Brier Leahy & Kellen, Georgia Jones & Simba, and Emily Cummings & Mattedor. Class 4 mixed team who were placed 2nd: Emily Cummings (also individual 3rd), and Ben Read (also individual 6th).

 

Achievement Badges & Mini Badges

As a reminder Mini Badge Days are 8 years & under, most other Badges are 8 years & over. Younger members are welcome to attend the Main Achievement Badge Days, but may not be awarded the Badge on the first occasion.

Pony Club Test Information

The Tests are:

  • D recommended age 8 years
  • D+ recommended age 10 years
  • C recommended age 11 years
  • C+ recommended age 14 years
  • B Test minimum age 15 years

The Road Rider Mini Achievement Badge is a pre-requisite before taking the D Test (& D+)

Before being awarded the ‘C’ test certificate, candidates must have trained for and passed The Pony Club’s Road Rider Achievement Badge or The Pony Club Road Rider Test or the BHS Riding and Road Safety Test.

Before C+ Test The Pony Club Road Rider Test or the BHS Riding & Road Safety Test must be achieved.

If you are wanting to take any tests this year please ensure you have the correct Road Rider Badge or Test. Dates for these will be on the Fixture List.
Please book in early so that Instructors can arrange the times etc.

D, D+ & C Tests can be taken at camp, or there will be a date on the next Fixture List, probably early June, for members wishing to take tests before camp.

Any questions please email Iona (garethion@hotmail.com).

Memo for Parents/Carers and Members

We all have a responsibility to promote high standards of behaviour in the sport. This Branch is supporting the Area’s Respect programme to ensure equestrianism can be enjoyed in a safe, positive environment. Please remember Pony Club organised events are a time for members to develop their technical, physical, tactical and social skills. Winning isn’t everything.

TEAM TRAINERS decide who is in which team; please do NOT question their ability or choice. Their decision is final.

  • Remember that children and young people ride & compete for FUN.
  • Applaud effort & good play as well as success
  • Always Respect the officials’ decisions
  • Remain outside the arena and within the designated spectators Area (where provided) unless invited to do otherwise.
  • Let the instructor do their job and not confuse the riders by telling them what to do.
  • Encourage the riders to respect other riders, judges, stewards and officials.
  • Avoid criticising a rider for making a mistake- mistakes are part of learning.
  • Never engage in, or tolerate, offensive, insulting or abusive language or behaviour.

Our Branch volunteers & trainers put  a great deal of their unpaid time into organising training sessions & organising the teams for competitions, so please respect them & understand that not everyone can be in the ‘A’ Team.

How To Go Hunting For the First Time

An extract from the Horse & Hound magazine dated 21st Dec 06 which I thought would be good for you all to read if you intend hunting.

If you have not been out hunting before here are a few tips on how to make the whole experience go smoothly.

  • Ensure that your horse / pony is ready for hunting. It is unfair to drag him in from the field, hairy and unfit, having not been ridden since the last school holidays.
  • It is good manners to appear clean & tidy. Your tack should be plain, with no diamante or”bling”. You should wear cream or beige jods with a tweed jacket and pony club tie or coloured stock. Hat covers should be navy or black, and hair should be tied back tidily.
  • Allow plenty of time to get to the meet, as it is rude to be late. If you can park about half a mile away from the meet as a short hack will allow your horse to warm up gradually.
  • On arrival say Good Morning to the Huntsman and Masters. Find the secretary and pay them you cap, don’t wait for them to chase you for it. £15
  • The Field Master is in charge of those following the hounds. You must obey his instructions and importantly always stay behind him.
  • You may hear several things shouted while out hunting such as –

“Gate Please” last person through must shut the gate.

“Hounds please” – give way to hounds and turn you horse’s bottom into the hedge so that he doesn’t kick a hound.

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what is going on. Be polite and courteous to other riders particularly at gates and hunt jumps.
  • Keep an eye out for gates that hunt staff or field masters need opening, don’t wait to be asked.
  • Beware of horses that have red ribbons in their tails – Red ribbon warns of a kicker and green one of a young horse. If your horse kicks put a red ribbon on his tail and stay at the back.
  • At the end of the day say Good Night to the field master; this is a traditional way of saying good bye even if it is only early afternoon.
  • Try to hack quietly back to your trailers which will help cool off your horse gradually.
  • When you get home clean your horse thoroughly and make sure he is warm & dry before you tuck into your tea. Check him at regular intervals until you are satisfied he is not going to break out in sweat.

It may seem as though there are loads of things to remember but if you are sensible and keep a close eye on what is happening you should enjoy yourself and have lots of fun.