|
Reports
and Picture
Gallery
ThIs page is
intended for your reports and pictures from rides and events and any feedback you would like to
send us. Please send your text and photos with details of your name, the horse's
name and the ride to Candy Williams: geraint.williams@abagri.com
For
2007 reports, click here
for the archive page.
Chairs
Chat, September 20, 2008
Well my three year stint as
chair is up... this will be my last chairs report. In truth I have very
little to report on the home front as I have managed very little riding
this year – but I know many of you have been out and about riding and
flying the flag for the South & West Wales group.
There is however some very
important articles in the next newsletter to read, so please do read and
digest all the info. Because of this we have chosen to separate the
awards dinner (Friday November 14th) and the AGM (Wednesday
November 26th) so that we shall have enough time to discuss
the matters at hand fully. Full details, venues etc. are in the
newsletter. Please make every effort to attend both but in particular
the AGM.
Having been on the committee
for seven years in various roles when I stand down as chair this year I
shall also be standing down from the committee.
I have seen and experienced
many different committee members in that time but have to say, this last
committee has been a really lovely bunch of like minded people. Every
one of them I consider a friend and I know that although we shall not be
meeting up for committee meetings any more we shall continue to meet up
as friends. A big thank you to this committee for all your efforts for
the group they are too considerable to mention.
I wish you all the very
best, and remember...
A bad ride is much better than a good walk!
Clare
Pen Ddol Y Gador Ride, 5th
and 6th April, 2008.
Jimmy Mac and I did the 33km
Pleasure Ride on Saturday 5th April at this ride and it was absolutely
fantastic! We rode with our friend Gerry and his lovely 17hh mare
called Meg. Jimmy and Meg went along very well together. I was very
pleased as Jimmy has been off work for quite a while (he is raring to go
now!) and Meg has been out hunting all winter so she is definitely fit!
We started off through the
forestry and then over the mountain where there was loads of great
cantering! We had a whale of a time and Jimmy felt very well and
strong and powered along effortlessly!
The route was very well marked
and there was only one gate!!!
I would like to thank everyone
who put on such a brilliant ride and did such a great route. I know a
lot of hard work goes into putting on a ride!
We had sunshine too and did
not get wet at all!!!! It was just a brilliant day out and I was
thrilled to bits with how Jimmy went in his new Specialized Saddle!
His shoulders can now move much more freely and he's loving it!
Sometimes I think I can't stop him now but I can really - eventually!!!!
Alex Nicholls
Another season over - report
from Clare.
 Well what a year, where does
the time go, Replica and I have had a fun successful season. We got sun
burnt at Easter riding at the
Forest
of
Dean
, completely soaked to the skin at Margam in May; fell off at
Cirencester in June! Suffered ride cancellation in July and August and
ended the season with some highs namely Red Dragon and those hills and
Tintern.
Warming up
Cirencester was our first stay away from home for some years; we stayed
off venue in a great situation with field and stable for Replica. John
and I camped in our old green Rice trailer, which was surprisingly cosy.
On our first evening there I was busy sorting Replica out and I came
back to the trailer to find John had the lounge’s out, kettle on, a TV
on the little seat at the front of the trailer, and was watching TV
lounging! Cirencester wasn’t its usual heat wave and horseflies this
year but this didn’t detract from the ride. We enjoyed the experience
despite Replica tripping scalping her nose and me consequently falling
out the side door!
Flying start
Final Vetting, Cirencester
Red Dragon and again we stayed away. Nearing the end of the season and
having missed out on Barbury and Sherwood our aim was to take it steady
and get round in one piece. The damp foggy weather was somewhat of a
hindrance for a glasses wearer but the going was surprisingly good.
Generally speaking I get off and jog down tarmac, saves Replica’s legs
and I can jog quicker only this year I didn’t realise how quick and it
was only afterwards that I realised the damage I had done to my tendons
and shins! Needless to say Replica was absolutely fine having taken it
easy down the tarmac bits and had her legs cooled and later bandaged, me
on the other hand on a heavy dose of anti-inflammatories! Interestingly
apparently what I did to my shins is what often happens to young race
horses and I can say it was particularly painful and not something I
would want to put my horse through.
Tintern was intend as a stroll to end the season on the weather was
glorious, my heart rate monitor had packed up after Red Dragon and I
hadn’t had a chance to get it fixed but I wasn’t too worried. The
roads at Tintern are like glass so I got off but there wasn’t any
jogging as Replica had no grip at all and her shoes were only a week
old. I was very pleased to finish the ride and the season with a clean
record. Replica will pick up her 1600km Competitive ride medal this year
so am very proud of her.
Season over Replica has had her MOT with the vet and is now having a
short rest until December when she will be brought back into training
ready for 2008. I hope you have all had a fun season, look forward to
seeing you riding in 2008.
Clare
|
