December
The Battle Axes answer their
Call!
pictures
Preparations for Olympia had gone well
for the Quadrille team even down to their now traditionally poor practise
indoors at Blue Barn just days before the big event.
With the horses bathed and clipped to
perfection, an additional 125 m of gold sequins added to the horses’ costumes,
extra gold sparkle liberally applied to spears and headdresses together with a
generous helping of feathers we felt that we had added all the finishing touches
we could. Our crew had met during the previous week to finalise plans for
getting the team ready for turnout judging on time, practising putting the
costumes on so that they were as well rehearsed as the riders.
The only downside was the draw – we
would be first to go with St.Edmund’s RC and their strong Mardi Gras routine
going last. We each put a brave face on saying to each other that the draw
really didn’t matter, we could only be judged on what we did but we were all
thinking how difficult it would be to retain our title from first in – we
couldn’t remember another team in recent history achieving it – we could only
hope that the judges would give us what they felt we honestly deserved rather
than being conservative in advance of the other three teams.
This year the horses travelled in some
style. We had engaged Parker’s to transport the horses to save on charges for
the Low Emission Zone and the time it takes to drive the lorries all of the mile
from Olympia itself to the lorry park (upwards of 1 ½ hours!). We had expected a
6-horse vehicle which we knew could get into Frances’ driveway we hadn’t
expected the 11-horse pantechnicon that arrived bedecked with enough lights to
rival Oxford Street! This however couldn’t negotiate the driveway so a
mini-evacuation of costumes, tack, feed etc etc occurred ably assisted by our
excellent driver Richard. By 1:30pm we were on our way in convoy to
London.
We had an excellent journey up, even
managing to get the cars parked and ourselves round to the horse gate just as
the lorry pulled up with Frances and Clare on board. The horses have to go
straight to the vet check before being assigned stables, this year we were given
temporary stables outside but were soon able to move them and all their
paraphernalia inside.
We gave the horses some chill out time
before getting manes plaited and legs chalked in readiness for the following day
and then made our way to our hotel a few minutes walk away.
In what seemed like no time at all,
alarm clocks were ringing at 5:00am, quick showers were taken and we were on our
way back to the Grand Hall to give the horses their breakfast. The paperwork we
receive with our passes always states that the main arena will be open for
exercise at 8:00am but we have managed to get in there at 7:00am. This year was
the exception, fortunately the four riders managed to work the horses in the
collecting ring before handing them over to the ‘grooms’ to keep them ticking
over. Nat applied our war paint and we were able to get back to the horses to
give them a quick look at the main arena before taking them back for being
dressed.
The Stable Manager told us that turnout
would be judged at 9:45 and our experienced team had us dressed and on board
absolutely on time as did the Saffron Walden team. It seemed, however, that
others including one of the judges were unaware of the timings. Before long
though all four teams and three judges – Desi Dillingham, BHS President; Patrick
Print FBHS and BHS Chairman and Chief Examiner; and Julian Seaman, former
eventer and fashion lecturer – were present and correct and judging commenced.
At this stage the judges are looking to award a maximum of 20 marks each and
consider not only the cleanliness and condition of horse and tack but they also
have a close look at the costume. Increasingly the judges seem to take an
interest in them and ask about breeding etc but also take the time to find out a
little bit about the routine – the story, the music and the development of
ideas. It is impossible to tell how you are doing at this stage but the judges
did seem to be highly impressed by all four teams – and rightly so as they
created a real spectacle in the Collecting Ring.
One of our concerns with the draw was
whether we would have time to get our two veterans (that’s Eric and Troy not
Nicky or Frances!) moving and loosened up in time for our performance –
fortunately the Dog Agility seemed to running a little late giving us all the
time we needed.
We were then ushered into the arena
ready for our performance. This next section is awarded another maximum of 20
marks by each judged for the content of the performance – a bit like the
technical merit mark in ice dance. The commentator reads out short biographies
of each horse and rider and then the ‘blurb’ sent in by each team to accompany
their routine. Time then to line up, give the signal to start the music and hope
that all the weeks of practice will pay dividends.
Eric and Parky seemed to start under
their own agenda but Nicky and Buddy kept their cool doing their best to ignore
their mounts’ high spirits. The first halt was a little lively but we were soon
well into the routine and everything seemed to be going smoothly – the arena
seemed to have been measured accurately as we met all our music cues exactly as
expected, each time we looked across the arena the other team members were in
the right places, Troy seemed to be asking what the problem was as we got to the
‘box’ and rode it perfectly even Parky said “What feathers?” as we lifted our
spears in the 10m circle over X! It all goes so fast when you’re riding the
routine in competition you could be forgiven for thinking you’d missed out a
movement. We cam in for our final salute and the horses stood like rocks.
As we rode out with smiles on our faces
to be met by our wonderful smiling crew we all knew we had done all that we
could – the rest was down to the judges as they awarded 60 marks each for
Artistic Impression. At this stage you just have to hope that they like the
blend of music, costume and movements, you hope they have ‘got’ the storyline
and like it!
We then had the long wait as the other
3 teams took their turns to impress the judges.
Saffron Walden’s routine was called
Double Trouble – we knew their 4 witches would ride an accurate routine, 2 of
their riders had won five times previously. They like all the others teams were
mounted on non-dressage specialist horses but true RC all-rounders. The witches
came out clearly thrilled with their performance,
First-timers, Wey Valley, rode their
beautifully costumed carousel horses next in their Fairground Frolic routine. It
was less clear how they had faired – they were playing their cards far closer to
their chests.
Last to go were St. Edmund’s Mystick
Krewe, a vibrantly dressed Mardi Gras routine. Some of their team members were
Worlington RC Dandy Highwaymen last year so we knew they had the experience to
pull off a good effort. Again, they rode out smiling!!!
All four teams were then invited back
into the arena for the results to be announced in reverse order of merit. I
remember hearing the commentator say that they were only 6 points separating the
top three and that’s when I began to think we’d been pipped. We lined up and
Saffron Walden RC was called out in 4th place with 301 points. Next
was Wey Valley with 319. So now it was between us and the Mystick Krewe but who
would take the honours . . . in 2nd with 323 points were St. . . . at
that point we dissolved into screams of pure delight – we had won it again,
against all odds given what Buddy, Amy and Sarah had been faced with back in
March.
So now it starts all over again . . .
it takes about 9 months to get the routine to Addington standard, make the
costumes and produce the music; and then another 3 months hard work to get it
all up to scratch for Olympia.
We are as ever totally indebted to our
families, helpers, supporters and benefactors without whom none of this would be
possible and most especially to our horses who accept without question all
manner of strange costumes and manoeuvres – we are SO lucky. Thank you
all!
Horses: Limerick (Eric), Horton’s Pink Panther
(Kuba), Old Park Rose (Parky) and The Marked Man (Troy)
Riders: Nicky Murrell (Chef d’Equipe), Amy
Williams, Buddy Williams, Frances Wilson
Crew: Nat Bonner, Michelle Collins, Jo Cocker,
Clare Cracknell, Juliet Thomas, Annie Chislett, Sam Turner, Alec Murrell
(Music), Sarah Williams (Costumes).
October
British
Riding Clubs’ – Quadrille Selection Trial – Addington Equestrian
Centre, Bucks – 4/10/08
photo courtesy of Your Horse
Having spent quite some time earlier in the year
thinking that it would be an impossible feat - we finally got
there!!
Thirteen teams accepted the challenge of quadrille
this year and, after going first last year, we were delighted to see
that we were drawn last this year. This also gave us the latest
rehearsal slot on the Friday evening of 5:30pm, however, it was to
prove an impossible time to make for me who, by some happy
coincidence, also had a RE OfSTED on that very day. Fortunately,
crew stalwart, Michelle Collins, agreed to ride Eric for the run
through. Observers noted bemused looks from other teams who had come
to get a sneak preview of our routine when our ‘team’ performed a
selection of “random trotting and cantering to music”. At least we
were certain that the audio system could read our disc although the
feedback emitting from the PA did cause alarm in all quarters.
Good entries in the earlier DTM and Pairs classes
meant a later than usual start for the quadrille – for us turnout at
5:15pm and performance at 7:40pm. Whilst meaning that we didn’t have
to up at the crack of dawn – the late start presented other
difficulties for our older horses not least Troy whose sore back
Frances and Juliet had been nursing for several days.
Our crew showed their experience by ensuring that we
were mounted and ready with minutes to spare (often it can be
seconds!). The turnout inspection was far more cursory this year
with barely a hand being laid on horse or tack. Nevertheless the
judges were clearly impressed by the spectacle – overall, the
standard of costuming improves year on year.
Our late draw meant it was difficult to see more than
a couple of other routines. I was keen to watch Shropshire South
(the club features in Horse magazines Project X for which
yours truly had been asked for some Tips from the Top!) they
did a competent, accurate routine called Last Night of the Proms.
Then it was back to the stables to start getting horses prepared.
A really good atmosphere exudes in the stable area
during the whole competition and we were stabled just next door to
the Faversham team giving us the chance to catch up with friends.
Their vivid costumes certainly caught the eye as they left to do
their Olympic Flame routine. It became clear on their return,
however, that things had not gone entirely to plan – a great shame
after such a lot of hard work and disappointing for all involved –
no doubt they’ll be back even stronger next year.
By the time it was our turn the atmosphere had really
built up in the arena. We knew we had a routine worthy of going
through to Olympia but we all knew how easy it would be to throw it
all away. The music and costumes were great – now we had to produce
an accurate routine and add in the theatre to provide the
entertainment.
We are blessed with 4 of the most saintly horses
around - well, we all know that Eric’s halo can slip a little if he
deems the occasion beneath him; and Kuba has the happy knack of
rearranging costumes with only moments to go before entering the
arena – as soon as they set hoof in that arena they seem to know
they are there to do a job, and what a fantastic job they did!!
Everyone seemed to have squeezed into the gallery as the commentator
announced “Moat View Riding Club – last year’s champions” all
wanting to know whether we could match the Furious Angels. Well we
rode our hearts out, wielding our spears as much as we dared. Donald
Kear, the judge at ‘C’ seemed to be smiling every time I looked his
way but as we left the arena to rapturous applause I wasn’t sure we
had got the routine as tight as we could. Buddy’s face was a picture
though – beaming from ear to ear – a mixture of delight at riding in
that arena again and knowing, from her position towards the back,
that our dressing had been pretty much spot on.
We just about had time to take the horses back to the
stables to be undressed before we would be needed back in the arena,
unmounted, to hear the results. Our crew set to work feverishly for
the umpteenth time that day carefully removing costumes and tack
before making the horses comfortable.
We all hurried back to the indoor school just in time
to be ushered into the arena for the announcements. It’s not quite
as nerve-wracking as Strictly… but a horrible wait
nonetheless. The commentator read out the first 3 teams selected in
what seemed like quick succession - St. Edmund’s Mystick Krewe,
Saffron Walden’s Double Trouble and Wey Valley’s Fairground Frolics
– by this stage Frances was muttering her mantra of “it’s not going
to be us, it’s not going to be us . . .” while I was countering with
“yes we are, yes we are” and then we heard no more than “They knew
they’d done it, reigning ch . . .” before we set of on our own
little war dance amid squeals and tears of delight.
Yes, we are
going to Olympia to defend our title!!!
Now the hard work really starts. Apart from
practising the routine, cleaning all the costumes and adding the
Olympia polish and sparkle to everything – we also need to raise
some much needed funds thanks not least to the charge for non-LEZ
compliant vehicles going into London. There is to be a Nosh and
Knowledge evening at Blean Primary School on Friday 21st
November – info from Sarah or Jo; and for just £1 you can buy a quiz
on a War theme – again details from Sarah.
Having won last year, the Club has gained a great
deal of publicity and now has a very high profile not only in
Quadrille and DTM circles. We need to keep Moat View Riding Club at
the forefront - we need your support! And if you can be at Olympia
cheering us on we would love to hear you!
Finally, a huge thanks to our long-suffering team who
put up with so much and for whom nothing is too much trouble:
Sarah, Jo, Michelle, Juliet and Annie, Clare, Askley,
Nat and Sam. Behind the scenes Rita and Alec.
Team: Nicky Murrell & Limerick, Amy Williams &
Horton’s Pink Panther, Buddy Williams & Old Park Rose and Frances
Wilson & The Marked Man.
July
Moat View
Riding Club Triumph at Hickstead
Moat View Riding Club (one of the
newest riding clubs in Kent) had a very succesful trip to the
Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead on 27th July. This
year the club entered 5 teams into the Riding Club team Jumping
competition - a record number of teams entered by any riding
club, which was congratulated by the staff at Hickstead.
A total of 83 teams were entered
from riding clubs accross the country for the very hotly
contested title of Riding Club Team Show Jumping Champions.
Moat View Riding Club had a total of 15 riders across the 5
teams including 5 junior members. For a number of the riders it
was their first trip to Hickstead and much preparation went in
ahead of the competition - including regular practice sessions
and lessons which started around April time.
The competition involves 3 riders
per team - each rider jumps a different height from 85cms to
1.05m (one round against the clock) with the team on the lowest
number of faults in the fastest total time winning.
Colette said 'People who do not
show jump do not understand the importance of competing at
Hickstead. It is like a singer performing at Wembley. It is
every rider's dream, so you can understand the excitement when
we got there.'
Several members of the Moat View
team stayed at Hickstead overnight. The horses were stabled
together and the riders got together for a drink and BBQ on
Saturday evening. There was a great atmosphere, with over 500
horses stabled on site and everyone full of excitement. Then it
was up bright and early with the course walk before 7.45am and
our first rider in the ring just after 8am. Those who did not
stay overnight left at 5am to get to Hickstead in time to ride!
Moat View Riding Club had a big
group of supporters (considering the club only has around 60
members, we had more than 30 people in our 'supporters club'
alongside the jumping ring). Not only was Moat View's
supporters club one of the biggest but it was certainly the
loudest!
It was excitement from the very
start with Cathy Wildish (riding Finn) starting with a clear
round, which received a rour from our group. Christine Hall
(Special Edition) followed close behind with a clear for our
second team and our next 3 riders jumped over the following hour
of the class - most of whom ended with just 4 faults which was
very good considering it was Hickstead!
In the second round it was Colette
Walker (Bolero III) who jumped first, going clear in 49
seconds. Becky Worrell (My Fair Lady) also went clear, which
meant that after the second round we ended with 2 teams on
clear. Only 26 teams out of 83 were double clear at this point
and the atmosphere around our teams was electric!
Chantelle N'Jie (Your Best Buddy)
was the first of the 1.05m riders to jump and needed to go clear
in under 50 seconds to secure a placing for the Moat View
Flyers. The tension cannot be described as she entered the
ring. The team couldn't watch! Chantelle hit the first pole
and everyone held their breath but it stayed in the cups and she
flew round the rest of the course in an amazing 43 seconds which
secured us a place! There was an almightly rour (coupled with
screams and jumping and up and down) from the Moat View
supporters. The first of our teams was currently in 1st
place!! The team held onto 1st for about 20 minutes and then
was beaten into 2nd which was held for a further hour or so.
The Moat View Flyers (Cathy Wildish, Colette Walker and
Chantelle N'Jie) finally ended up 4th.
Colette said 'you simply cannot
put into words the emotion and excitement that we all felt that
day. It was something very special that we shared. Several of
the team said that the suspense while Chantelle went round and
the elation after was their best horsey moment ever. I agree!
It was my best moment.'
Sadly the third rider from the
second Moat View team incurred 8 faults so the team narrowly
missed a rosette, but the team still did very well to end in the
top 15 placings (out of 83 teams). The other 3 teams also did
very well, with the majority of the riders incurring only 4 or 8
faults.
Colette, Cathy and Chantelle have
had a very good run recently, also being placed 5th in the team
show jumping at the Kent County Show over a much bigger than
expected course. Moat View's show jumping team was also placed
in the BRC Team Jumping competition earlier in the year at
Eagelsfield. Moat View's other recent successes include
Quadrille of the Year Champions at Olympia (2007) and qualifying
for the BRC National Championships in the Riding Test and
gaining 2nd place in the Dressage to Music competition at the
recent BRC area dressage qualifier.
Colette said 'we currently have
a very good team of 17 or so riders and we are going from
strength to strength, so I am hopeful of some very good results
at the forthcoming competitions.'
Colette would like to thank all the
riders who took part and of course all the supporters who turned
up to cheer the team on. The support we received was amazing,
with everyone staying ring-side all day to watch everyone.
May
Quadrille Update
In case any of you wondered what
quadrille riders do at this time of the year I thought I’d give you
an update!
Many of you will know how poorly
Buddy has been and the excellent progress she is now making. In her
absence, the Furious Angels have had a change of personnel in order
to fulfill their engagements. Nicky took back the ride on her own
Limerick while Frances swapped onto Parky. Amazingly the team had
the routine pretty much spot on prior to their display at Leeds
Castle at the end of April. In the actual displays, however, both
Frances and Nicky had ‘blonde’ moments though fortunately not at the
same time! Kind observers told them that “no-one noticed”!!
Not wishing to make any mistakes at
Royal Windsor, a few more practises were scheduled and a
hoof-perfect routine ensued fit for The Queen. The Angels costumes
certainly had the wow! factor in the glorious spring sunshine
causing even the stewards to leave their positions in order to snap
a few pictures.
The Club are hoping to field 2 teams
at Addington this year in the hopes of retaining our crown.
Preparations are under way although the usual difficulties in
synchronising diaries is making progress slow at the moment.
Nicky Murrell
February
Moat View
Jumping Team at BRC Area 10 Competition
On Sunday 10th
February Moat View Riding Club entered a team into the BRC Area
10 team show jumping competition at Eaglesfield Equestrian
Centre. The team consisted of Buddy Williams (Old Park Rose),
Krissi Collens (Special Edition) and Colette Walker (Bolero
III).
With around 30
teams jumping in the senior section alone it was going to be a
long day! However thankfully the weather was kind and we were
blessed with plenty of sunshine.
All three team
members took part in the Warm-Up class. However we only
discovered it was one round against the closk just before we
went into the ring, which caused a bit of panic! The course was
up to height with some big spreads and coupled with light
plastic poles there were very few clear rounds. Buddy and
Krissi incurred a very unlucky 4 faults each and Colette went
clear - ending in 7th place.
In the Team
class, unfortunately Buddy and Krissi each rolled one unlucky
pole, which left the team just outside the 1st - 6th placings
(there were only one or two teams with 0 faults - most of those
in the top 6 had at least 4 faults). Colette jumped the open
section (over a larger than expected course!) and went clear,
ending up in 5th place individually.
It was a very
long day - we got home between 9.30pm and 10pm and we were all
very tired, but it was good fun and the horses tried their best
for us! I felt we had a good sense of team spirit and it is was
nice to see the team gell so well together. Ironically Buddy,
Krissi and Colette used to jump together as children, then lost
touch and recently have started jumping together again on the
Moat View team.
Colette (team
captain) would like to thank everyone who helped with the team
on Sunday and of course thank Buddy and Krissi for taking part.
Our next team competition is on 1st March at Blue Barn.
January
The weather on Sunday 27th January held out, all be it a
little chilly, for the first Demonstration Day organised
by Moat View Riding Club. The day was a huge success
with very informative talks and demonstrations from Shepway
Harness Club; Tor Henderson, Chartered Physiotherapist
and Saddle fitting with the Saddlerack. Chris Freed gave
a very interesting and informative talk of First Aid and
when to call the vet, accompanied by some very striking
photographs. One of the Club's instructors, Simon
Somers, came all the way from house-sitting in Devon to
give a highly amusing and insightful demonstration on
Showing with plenty of do's and don'ts and tips for
using washing powder and other household items! Simon
also gave a Side-Saddle demo using Club Secretary Jo
Cocker and her 23yr old Show Cob Jack, neither of whom
have done side saddle at before. With this Simon proved
that anyone could have a go at Side-saddle with a
suitable horse. Jo commented that "If I can sit on my
heavyweight cob and feel remotely like an elegant lady
on an elegant hack, then anyone else certainly could!"
Willow Farm kindly gave all ticket holders a massive 30%
off in their shop, which was certainly taken up by many
of the spectators judging by the number of shopping
bags!
The committee of MVRC would like to say a HUGE thank-you
to all our demonstrators for giving up their time to
pass there knowledge on in such good ways. Any ideas or
requests for demo's for 2009 please let us know.
NEW YEAR—New Challenges! 2008 is definitely the time to
try something new.
Have you ever wanted to compete on a dressage or
show-jumping team? Jump at Hickstead? Improve your
dressage scores? Try Endurance, Quadrille or Le Trec?
Go to BRC Area Qualifiers or Championships? Pass RC
Equitation and Horse Welfare Exams for career purposes
or just personal satisfaction? Whatever your ambitions,
Moat View Riding Club is here to offer you those
opportunities. Log onto the website and look on the
Calendar for dates of forthcoming events such as a Mock
Hunt, Combined Training, ODE and much much more.
Perhaps you just enjoy riding with like-minded people or
acting in a supporting role at a team or club event.
With beach rides, pub hacks, mock hunts, social evenings
and competitions to run, there is always something for
everyone.
December
Well
done to the Furious Angels for winning at Olympia!!
Click
here for the
Horse and Hound article, 28
December 2007
A note from Chef d'equpe
Nicky Murrell:
Olympia report
Unusually the Quadrille Final was
being held on a Wednesday this year rather than the traditional
Saturday, necessitating 2 days of work for most of the team but, we
hoped, a better journey through London. Unfortunately events early
on Tuesday worked against us and we arrived at Olympia later than
intended. No matter though, the horses were soon ensconced in their
stables after the compulsory vet check and the mammoth job of
unloading kit commenced. Horseboxes have to be parked about a mile
away from Olympia itself, a simple task until you factor in
squeezing out amongst the coached arriving for the evening
performance and crossing Kensington High street amid the Christmas
rush – sometime later poor Frances and Ashley returned.
Due to the
change of day this year we were able to watch the Grand Prix Kur
something I was particularly looking forward to; we saw some
beautiful horses although Frances, Sarah and I all thought we could
give the riders some tips on music choice! The horses were then set
fair for the night and we trudged our weary way to our hotel –
trying to find a cheap hotel within walking distance that can
accommodate 12 of us doesn’t get any easier; one of these years I’ll
be bold enough to book it before we have qualified! The kilometre
walk was repeated again at 5:30 the following morning, at least it
wasn’t raining.
This is always a
difficult period on competition day as there is a lull between
feeding and actually being able to get into the arena to work the
horses, however, this year it was filled by a frantic moving
operation as the Stable Manager had said we could move the barrier
between us and the FEI dressage horses in order to move Connor into
the box next to Eric. However, we could only do it if we moved the
tack etc that had been left in it outside NEATLY – it did belong to
Carl Hester after all. Dolendo who was stabled opposite kept a
benign eye on proceedings.
Last year Sarah
managed to commandeer the float used in the Finale, this time it was
a small room behind the stables complete with table, chairs and a
decent light! We have honed our procedure for getting horses and
riders dressed to the nth degree but it still takes about 2 hours.
Much of the costume is very simple and straightforward to put on but
both the rugs and the wings take at least 2 people to fit them
correctly. In the past the judges have been a bit twitchy about
being on time, mercifully this year they seemed more relaxed – we
would have been on time but for taking a route through to the
collecting ring that didn’t accommodate the wings!! A quick about
turn and moments later there they were in the ring.
We haven’t
received our judging sheets back yet, so we can’t be certain, but
the impression we got this year was that they weren’t being quite as
nit-picking as they’ve been in the past. This phase completed we
just had to wait for our turn to perform. I managed to watch
Worlington RC’s Dandy Highwaymen; their routing looked to be pretty
accurate but, for me, it lacked the flair that it had had at
Addington – first to go is always a difficult slot and with a
smaller audience than the usual Saturday crowd it seemed difficult
to whip up any sort of atmosphere. Next were, Southerndown RC’s
Goldilocks and the Three Bears – I didn’t see much of the routine
but they seemed a bit disappointed as they left the arena. The New
Forest Pony Enthusiasts followed and had huge foot-stomping support
from their supporters who did their very best to get the atmosphere
going. Their routine appeared to be a very neat, accurate one.
Finally it was
our turn. Watching as manager is not an easy task, I knew they could
do it – they had practised so hard and ridden it perfectly on
numerous occasions – but doing it at Olympia is not an easy thing.
Sarah and I
exchanged one or two anxious glances at the beginning of the routine
but then we started to relax as the Angels got it together. The
arena had been ‘measured’ extremely tightly but it is only once you
start riding the routine that you can work out where and how to make
adjustments necessary to fit your movements in where you want them
to be. The final part of the routine looked foot-perfect but I
wasn’t convinced that they had done enough to win. Whilst we were
all gabbling away the results were being announced – I turned to the
team and said “I think you’ve just won!”. To our collective
amazement they had – that is perhaps a little unfair as I felt they
were hot favourites going into the competition, we had a complicated
routine with music that fitted the theme perfectly and told the
story beautifully; added to this were the costumes which the judges
at Addington had told us were ‘worthy of a West End show’ – in that
arena the girls looked truly magnificent and did the Club proud.
The Club received
high praise not only for winning but simply for qualifying in our
first year of affiliation – just shows what hard work and
determination can do. Here’s to next year . . .
Finally a huge
thank you
to the team:
riders, horses, costume makers, grooms, music finders, lorry drivers
etc etc without whom none of this would be possible.
The Furious
Angels crowned 2007 BRC Quadrille Champions.
- sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers
Ltd
The Final of the
Quadrille of the Year, sponsored by South Essex Insurance
Brokers Ltd, took place on Wednesday, 19 December 2007 in
the Grand Hall at the London Olympia Horse Show.
Nicky Mackenzie, Marketing
Manager of South Essex Insurance Brokers, presented the
Furious Angels from Moat View Riding Club with their trophy.
The winning team members were
Frances Wilson on Limerick, Rosemary Williams on Old Park
Rose, Amy Williams on Hortons Pink Panther and Liliane
Widdows on Hortons Connor.
The four teams, selected at
the Trial at Addington, were inspected on their turnout and
performance by the panel of Judges; David Holmes, Patrick
Print and Julian Seaman.
Judged on content,
performance and artistic impression, the team scored closely
in all three areas. The judges however particularly praised
the artistic impression with the entertaining variety of
music and display of horsemanship.
In second place were New
Forest Pony Enthusiasts with their square dance theme of “Do
Se Do’ers”. Their choice of movements and skilled ability to
carry them out scored them equally well in both content and
performance.
Fine and Dandy from
Worlington RC were third. With their horses dressed in
stunning electric blue costumes depicting highwaymen, the
team scored highly in the turnout phase of the competition.
They were also commended for their performance.
In fourth place came Southern
Down as Goldilocks and the three Bears. They too scored well
for their performance, and also for their programme’s
content.
Patrick Print, Chairman of
The British Horse Society and judge of the Quadrille final,
said: “As usual it was fun to judge, the riding was of a
high standard and there were very few marks between each of
the four teams.”
November
Thank you to those
who took part in the Area 10 National SJ Qualifiers at Duckhurst.
We had a total of 3 teams entered (one junior and two senior).
The junior team was made up of a few new members, some of whom
have only recently started jumping this height. Chantelle
gained the lowest score of 4 faults over a solid and up to
height course.
The senior 'A' team
ended with two riders on 0 faults and one rider on 8 faults -
all three riders jumped a lovely clear in the higher round.
Sadly we ended up just outside the top 6 places (in 7th), but
should still be pleased with our performance as it was a busy
show and the standard was high. The 'B' team jumped three
lovely clears in the first round (one of only 4 teams to do
so!!) but incurred a few faults in the second round (inc a very
'graceful dismount' from the Club Secretary and were pushed down
the leader board as a result.
However we all had a
great day and are looking forward to our next outing.
Some future team
jumping dates are below. Please let me know if you are
interested in being on the team. I am also keen to hear of any
other team dates that you see advertised...
Sat 5th Jan - TEAM
JUMPING AT BLUE BARN (TEAMS OF 3) NOVICE OR OPEN
Sun 10th Feb - BRC
TEAM JUMPING AT EAGLESFIELD (SCHEDULE ATTACHED)
Sat 1st Mar - TEAM
JUMPING AT BLUE BARN (TEAMS OF 3) NOVICE OR OPEN
Sun 27th Apr - TEAM
JUMPING AT BLUE BARN organised by Black Horse
Finally, if any of
you are interested in meeting up for a practice I could
probably organise an hour at either Blue Barn or Plum Pudding on
a Wednesday evening. They both have clear round on a Wednesday
so we could use the course for a bit - if I twist a few arms!!
Limes Farm might be another option and possibly could do another
evening besides Wednesday. I could make enquiries.
I think it would be
a good idea for us to meet up and do this a couple of times
before our next outing, as the other RC teams seem to practice
together which must contribute to their performance. Please let
me know when you are available and which venue you would prefer.
Collette x
October
MOAT VIEW RC - QUADRILLE TEAM QUALIFIES FOR OLYMPIA!!!
August
MOAT VIEW RC - MAIDEN VOYGE TO HICKSTEAD AND THE FIRST OPEN
SHOW!
On Sunday 29th
July Moat View RC sent three teams to compete in the Royal
International Horse Show at Hickstead. The club was only founded
this year, so this was the first time it had entered any teams
into this competition.
After a long
few months of selecting teams and organising practice sessions,
nine riders (including two juniors) ended up taking part on the
day. The teams consisted of: Jo Cocker, Laura Hackett and Clare
Jones; Buddy Williams, Colette Walker and Paul Smissen; Michelle
Collins, Gill Pring and Adam Legge.
Due to the
ground conditions, the event took place in the large outdoor
arena, which rode really well. The courses were built to height
but were rideable and flowed nicely.
After the
second rider had jumped from each of Moat View's teams, they had
one team on 8 faults, one team on 12 faults and one team had an
elimination. There were very few clear rounds, so the club was
really pleased to have 3 of it's riders complete the course with
just 4 faults a piece - the 4 faults being incurred by rolling
an unlucky pole! However, after the third riders had jumped Moat
View sadly ended up outside the placings. There were a total of
81 teams in the competition - the teams had come from riding
clubs across the whole country and the standard was high!
A special
mention must go to Laura Hackett who was on one of the smallest
ponies and was one of the youngest riders. She rode the most
determined round over a long and imposing course, to end on just
8 faults. Adam Legge (another junior team member) also deserves
a mention for completing the 105cm course in style, on a horse
he has never competed before - ending on just 4 faults.
The down side
of the day was the mud. The car park was like a swamp. Everyone
had to queue in their lorries for around 2 hours to be towed by
a tractor onto the show ground and then had to wait a further 5
hours to be towed off again!! It made it a very long day.
On Sunday 12th August we
held our first ever Open Show at Trenley Park Liveries, near
Fordwich, Canterbury. Despite the threat of the recent F&M
outbreak and the terrible wet summer we have experienced so far
causing concern as to whether the show would actually be
possible, the fields were dry, the ground was firm, the sun
stayed out all day and the competitors were plenty. We also had
some really positive feedback about the organisation and classes
on the day, and via email after, and the committee of MVRC would
like to thank everyone for their support throughout their first
year and are very much looking forward to seeing everyone next
year.
Chelsea Wilding riding Pewter took the
Ring One jumping by storm, winning the Intermediate, Small Open
and Open. There were lots of smiles and laughter surrounding the
Ring Two jumping, Ryan Taber riding Zola received a rosette and
prize from class sponsor Silverline Travel.
There were some quality horse and ponies
in the showing classes which made it challenging for our judges.
Susan Smissen riding Fairview Sonny Boy took the Pony
Championship and Zoe Stanway-McKavey riding Galway Guy the Horse
Championship. Horton Cobs took the 3 top spots in the Ridden
Cob.
We would like to say a huge thank you to
all our kind sponsors and everyone who gave up their valuable
time to help on the day. Thank you also to all the competitors
that supported our first show which will hopefully be the first
of many! The date for your diaries next year is: 10th August
2008!
June
Well May
and June have been a busy couple of months for Moat View Riding
Club. We had a good turnout for the showing preparation day where
Julie Marchant showed everyone the tricks of the trade for the show
ring, including trimming, plaiting and how to make the most of your
horse with tack and other little tips. Jack the cob was even treated
to a stylish Brazilian type trim on his tail!!
The
Showing clinic was a great success with the participants thoroughly
enjoying the day. The weather held out and it was a glorious day. We
had a good mix of horses and ponies from a 11hh Section A to a
17.2hh Hunter. The working hunters were certainly worked hard and
were asked to repeat the ride round together until Simon was happy
with everyone! They did it brilliantly in the end and many people
got the confidence to actually open their horses up for the gallop.
The first
of the summer dressage series and combined training was a hit with
Nicola Wilson and Cutie winning the Intro Combined training and Jo
Cocker and Sky winning the Walk and Trot Dressage. Lisa Crosbie and
Shady Lady heading both the novice combined training and dressage,
Jo Cocker and Jack the Lad winning the Intermediate Combined
Training and the dressage. The Novice 21 class was shared between Jo
Cocker and Jack and Julia Harman with Caspar, where they ended up on
exactly the same marks throughout the test! The 17th June results
are not out as this goes to press and the next dates for the series
are: 29th July, 12th August (Open Show) and 16th September. See
Calendar
for more details or phone Jo on 07751 238204.
Our latest
event was a Race Night where we raised £400 for the club and £350
for the Kent Air Ambulance. An excellent buffet was put on by the
committee, and the punters all got their money out to bet on horses
such as Pheasant Plucker, Hoof Hearted, Pedigree Chum and Muffin
Tops. There were nearly bust ups when we auctioned the horses off in
the penultimate race, but it was all sorted out amicably by a bit of
a bidding war! We're planning another one for September so watch
this space.
The club's
now looking forward to our annual Hog Roast and beer bottle hunt,
Team Show jumping at Hickstead, pub and beach rides, cross country
ride, mock hunt, demonstration day amongst other things and of
course our First Open show which includes show jumping, showing and
dressage. We have qualifiers for showing and jumping and pony and
horse championships with many prizes for the classes. Schedules are
out now!!
