Well an early glimpse of the Summer, during February, the last week of March and the run-up to Easter, glorious blue skies and the heat from the sun, gave most the chance to get out and enjoy hacking around the countryside, everything bursting into life and to get down and deal with the nitty gritty jobs of paddock and stable block maintenance, such a feeling of satisfaction when done. And the swallows are back !!

Dressage Competition
It seems to have been a slow start to the season so far, in part due to the equine flu outbreak, with lower attendances for the canter track / pole work /SJ clinics sessions in March, but we were somewhat bowled over by the level of entries to our first dressage competition of the year, 23rd March, although sadly two riders had to withdraw at the last minute. New faces and ponies joined us, to do their freestyle to music test, with some fabulous music choices booming out across the arena.

Riding Test Clinic
The Riding Test clinic, held a few weeks prior, and run / judged by Charlotte Christopher, new to our club, proved to be very popular and all the riders found Charlotte’s guidance to be very positive and confidence building.
We hope to run another clinic, later in the year, so look out for news of this on the website or on our FB page.
Just another reminder : to assist those who give their valuable time to ensure that the club trundles along smoothly and efficiently, please can you ensure that when making on-line entries, you pay by bank transfer at the same time, and if settling the fee by cheque ( via post ) that it is received promptly, within 5 days of making an entry.
This will the save the need to chase for entry fees and thus save embarrassment, on both sides.
The club really doesn’t want to play “hard-ball” by not chasing up fees and simply dis-regarding unpaid entries, as the ethos of our club has always been to promote a warm, fun & friendly atmosphere, and long may it continue, but we need you to help us, to help you 😊

Clear Round Show Jumping
We have decided this year to offer pre-entry clear round SJ, where each rider will be allocated a 15min session, so that you can warm-up around the arena on the flat and then pop a couple of designated fences, before starting the SJ round itself – these sessions are planned for April & June. Sadly the 14th April session, was cancelled, only two entries received, I suspect in part down to a clash of dates with the ever popular VWH fun ride in Cirencester Park, but we do plan to run a similar fixture in June.

Dressage Competition
Charlotte Christopher joined us once more to judge our dressage competition today, 27th April, when three riders from The Watershed RDA group also took part, with their super ponies, Finn and Copper, all ably assisted by their helpers. The club welcomes and supports this group, from funds raised in our annual Charlton Park Charity ride.
The other classes were well supported, and despite the very windy conditions, all those who took part went away having had fun and having achieved their own personal goals and it was once again a pleasure to see two new faces, who had travelled a short distance from a local livery yard in Wootton Bassett.

Forthcoming dates for your diary :-
16th May – Evening dressage, judge Casey Stickland
25th – Canter track afternoon
1st June – Pre-entry Clear round SJ
16th June – Charlton Park Charity Pleasure Ride
23rd June – Long Arena Dressage Competition, to incl FSM, Prelim, Elem, to be held at Brook Stud, Grittenham, Judge Alyce King
5th July – Pudding Evening & Talk by Leigh Miller, equine chiropractor.
31st Aug – One Day Event
4th Oct – Organised Coach Trip to HOYS ( Birmingham )

All details of our fixtures are on our website / FB page, look forward to seeing you all in the coming weeks.
Rita.