News
Once again we were fortunate enough to be able to hold our Pleasure Ride in the beautiful grounds of West Wycombe Park thanks to Sir Edward and Lady Dashwood. The weather was beautiful, the sun shone all day, two spectators even got slightly sunburnt!
Spinway Legacy splashing about in the water!
Many of our entrants are ‘regulars’ and it was lovely to meet up with them again. Our first group was a pair of keen endurance riders who assured me they would canter all the way round as they were in training for their first ride of the season! However they admitted to having to stop and watch the aerial acrobatics of a couple of Red Kites who appeared to be fighting.
Burgandy Blazer, Braemar Bridie & Just Jazz.
It was good to see some old equine friends again particularly the part-bred Lauren (Laurel/Mandarath) who was partnered by Jan’s ‘new’ addition Deards Blue Peter (Grinagh Petrus/Lyostep Leila). The two dun’s looked a lovely sight as they went around the course together. Another ‘old’ face was Spinway Legacy (Spinway Comet/Spinway Bounty) who thoroughly enjoyed the ride and apparently swam the river! St Flannans Fergal (Abbeyleix Owen/Winnie the Silver Mint) was another who enjoyed splashing about in the water.
It was also really great to see some newcomers. Braemar Bridie (Churchway Daybreak/Gatcombe Amy), Just Jazz (Streamstown Larry/Jasmine), Burgandy Blazer (Aran Flight/Miss Muffett), Martinside Willow (Tulira Mairtinson/Errislannon Marguerite), Chiltern Finbar (Heathers Dino/Chiltern Sunday), Jake (Dunlewey Go Charlie Go/Autumn Heather Belle) and part-bred Haresbridge Eclipse (Churchway Daybreak/Polly). All of whom seemed to have a good time and came back with a story or two to tell.
There are some great photos taken by Oz they can be seen at www.sfdigital.co.uk and show everyone happy and having a great time.
This event not only helps us to raise funds for our Region but we were also able to give a donation to Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust. So thank you to everyone who supports us.
However, as usual, we wouldn’t be able to run this event without our helpers so a big ‘thank you’ to you all. Special thanks must go to Lynda and Carson Elliott for all their hard work marking the course, putting up signs etc.
Another highlight of the event I’m told by many of the entrants and helpers are the sausages! We have Sue and Sally to thank for these. Apparently word has got round in other circles too … when almost everyone else had gone I watched a Red Kite flying really low where the catering had been … sadly for him or her all had the sausages had been eaten and the crumbs cleared away!
Kate Simmons
St Flannans Niamh.
Last year 2007 Niamh was 2nd overall in the PAS winning the Abbeyleix Lucy trophy, the Lucinda trophy for best mare and the Irishtown Yerman trophy for endurance. She has qualified for the BD novice regionals and within a few weeks she competed in an 80km endurance ride with a grade 1.
This year she is competing once again at the BD Regionals at Addington and hopefully will go to Exmoor for the 40+40 at the Golden Horseshoe.
Although she is now based in Leicestershire Niamh was bred in Bucks by Kate Simmons out of her Premium Mare Winnie the Silver Mint. Sadly Winnie died of a colic in April 2007 and it is rather poignant that in the same year she was reserve for the Carlingford trophy and the Martletts trophy in the PAS.
Congratulations to Wesley Morrisey & her part-bred Midsummer. Winners of the Shamrock trophy for scoring most points at the BCPS Ridden Show 2007.
Jessica Crangles & her pony Curraghnakeely Fernagh Hill. Jessica writes: Just wanted to say that I was really pleased to be placed in the connemara performance award scheme for 2006/2007- I came 4th in the one day event category, 4th in the young riders and 6th in versatility. I really enjoyed the season and competed in eventing, a bit of showing, pony club, dressage, hunter trials, hunting and combined training! I also competed in my first BE intro in september where I was thrilled to come 4th. I now have my full BE membership for 2008 and am getting ready for first event in march!
L
ynda Elliott bought Braemar Bridie in the Autumn of 2007. Bridie is a 6 year old mare by Churchway Daybreak out of Gatcombe Amy. Lynda and Carson are very pleased with her and we will be watching with interest to see how they all get along this year.
Elle Kivlochan has Braemar Be Lucky who has had a very busy and successful year doing ridden showing. After his lovely side saddle display at Addington in April he and Elle were asked to take part in the Olympia Finale. Elle said they had a great time and Tom certainly looked as though he enjoyed himself. Elle’s mum said Tom could go and be a Police horse now!
Annie Mitchell has the breeding bug and has bred two bay colts by Snow Hawk from her mares. One mare Walstead Catmint has had a successful career doing WHP 
competitions with her daughter Helen. I cant remember what her other mare is called. (Perhaps Annie can let us know)? She hopes to run one colt on so we will also be watching to see how he gets on. Annie has joined the Committee of the C&TVCG so we will be able to keep up with news of her boys.
Sue Gillingham January 12, 2008
Louise Bell Clinic
