DC Report by Bethan Jones … 16th February 2011 … Bod Erw Hotel, St Asaph

I would like to welcome you all here tonight to our AGM. This evening is an opportunity for you to ask any questions or give your view on activities of your Branch.
This last year saw the F&D grow to over 300 members making us one of the largest Branches in the UK.  We have put on 78 rallies numerous fun days, badge days, stable management evenings & numerous training sessions for games, show jumping, dressage, horse trials & polocrosse. Meg trains the shooters for tetrathlon & Carys trains the swimmers. We are extremely fortunate to have dedicated trainers who organise these training sessions and put teams together for the competitions. All this training has paid off as the F&D consistently are in the prizes at friendly and area competitions.
Mounted Games …
In 2010 the games team went to the zone finals and were invited to compete at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in Builth Wells. Suzie Williams was chosen to be a member of the Welsh Mounted Games team that competed at Windsor and Ireland. She is the first member of our Branch to be chosen for this prestigious team.
Good luck to our members who will be going to the trials at the beginning of March – Nan Jones, Anya Dreiling, Suzie Williams, Wednesday Rytter & Rebecca Sedcole.
Show Jumping
The Show Jumping Teams are going from strength to strength. The Novice Team qualified for the Champs and were 4th last year. The Open Team also qualified for the Champs at Draycott Manor. This is quite an achievement. Chris Leahy has worked very hard to ensure that the members are trained well. Thank you to Chris and I hope that you all appreciate what she does for you all.
Horse Trials
Louise & Katy organise the training for the Horse Trials Teams. Briar Leahy & Ellie Williams qualified for the Novice Champs. Ellie was placed 3rd Briar 4th .
Sam Ecroyd was also at the Open Champs and was a member of the British Team that won at Bishop Burton European Champs.
Phoebie Woodbine qualified for the champs in dressage & show jumping.
Phoebie & Sam also competed at Burghley and were very successful.
Dressage
The Dressage teams were placed at the area competitions. Sioned & Nickie had organised plenty of training for the members. The intermediate Team qualified for the Champs. I’m pleased to see so many of you members taking this discipline very seriously.  Which reflects in all the other disciplines.
Tetrathlon
The F&D Branch sent teams to the Tetrathlon area competition, area quiz but unfortunately the H&P care was postponed due to bad weather.
Awards
Louise Williams Trophy – Highest Placed F&D member in Area Comp open dressage – Cathryn Jones
Gemini Gentleman Trophy- Highest placed F&D member Area SJ – Katie Kent
Mini Badge Gold Award – Seren Parry – has completed 14 mini badges. She is the first F&D member to achieve this.
Camp
138 members attended camp. Hopefully we shall be holding camp again at Cefn but this year there will be luxury showers and a new kitchen for us at the Village Hall.
We are indebted to numerous land owners who allow us to use their land. Mr George Brooks for the use of Ystrad, Mr & Mrs Rikkie Proffit for the use of Fferm, Jane & Phil Grindal, Gareth & Iona Pierce, to name a few. Please ensure that you all respect the property when you are attending rallies etc.
I would also like to ask parents & members to help clear away equipment when attending rallies & training sessions. It’s not fair on the district organisers to be left to put away jumps etc. This also goes at the end of camp. I’m amazed at some parents who just disappear into their lorries when there is work to be done. None of us are paid to be on the committee.
Hunt
We as a Hunt Branch are very lucky to be associated to a hunt. The Pony Club Meet is on next week. Everyone is welcomed to attend. Please arrive in plenty of time & ensure that you have your cap money – £10 ready to hand over to Miss Spiller or Rachel Hughes.
Remember you are out by the kindness of the farmers & local land owners.
Those of you who regularly go out must make more effort to open & shut gates. You are very lucky to be allowed out without having to pay subs. The adults who are out pay a lot to be there and expect the younger non paying followers to realise this. Hopefully next year there will be a rota for pony club members to volunteers to help the weekly gate shutters.
The Pony Club Annual
If you have not yet received your copy. Please get it from me this evening.
Turnout at Area Competitions
Our members are all very well turned out at these competitions. If you would like to purchase a branch stock I & Iona have a few for sale. £17.
Members must ensure that they have read the rules for each discipline they intend taking part in. It is important that the correct bits & tack is used. Rule Books are available from Iona. Ensuring that you are correctly turned out with correctly fitted tack will avoid embarrassing moments with the Tack check steward at competitions.
Branch Calendars
I still have a few left over and although it’s February I’m sure you will make good use of them. £8 each.
Northop Winter League Show Jumping
We are running the Winter League SJ at Celyn, Northop on Sunday. Please could you help out – Stewards needed for putting up jump poles, collecting ring or refreshments to judges. We shall be setting up on Sat at 6pm. Please could we have as many as possible there to help.
Area 5 Show Jumping
The Area 5 Show Jumping is also being held by us. The competition will be on July 10th at Dyfnog. Helpers also needed.
Thanks …
I would like to take this opportunity to thank IONA for all her hard work that she does for this branch. I don’t think we appreciate how much she does in running the branch. The weekly update that she sends out keeps you all in the knowledge of what is happening. Please could you in return read these updates and ensure that you respond to them when needed.
This Branch is an extremely successful one and hopefully you are all able to take part in activities & training that you enjoy. Make the most of all the opportunities that come along and always show your appreciation to the people that have organised functions for you.
Please read this extract from the rule book.
“As a member of the pony club I stand for the best in sportsmanship as well as in horsemanship. I shall compete for the enjoyment of the game well played and take winning or losing in my stride, remembering that without good manners and good temper, sport loses its cause for being. I shall endeavour to treat my horse with consideration”