News

British Riding Club members prepare for Horse Trials Championships

The 2010 British Riding Clubs National Horse Trials Championships, sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd, are to take place on 6th, 7th and 8th August. The event will be held at Washbrook Farm, Aston-le-Walls, Daventry.

 This event is the grand finale of qualifiers held across the UK and is one of the few championships to feature speed and endurance phases. Finalists in all of the senior events will tackle Roads and Tracks, Steeplechase and finally the Cross-Country Endurance Phase.

 The event will kick off on Friday with the Junior Horse Trials Championships which is a One Day Event. Friday will also see the start of the Open and Intermediate Horse Trials Three Day Event while Saturday sees the start of the Novice Two Day Event. Winning competitors receive rosettes to tenth place with sashes, trophies and an array of prizes for the champions.

 Admission to this event is free of charge and spectators are welcome to attend and take advantage of the trade village and catering stands.

27th Jul 2010

Nutritional Input at Futurity Evaluations

The Baileys Horse Feeds/BEF Futurity Young Horse Evaluations got underway at The Grange Equestrian, Devon, on 13th July, the first of a record number of 15 dates for this popular series.  The Futurity provides a safe, non-competitive environment where breeders and producers can present young horses, from foals to three-year-olds, for an objective assessment by trained evaluators, seeking to identify the elite equine athletes of the future. 

This year for the first time, while horses are being examined by a veterinary surgeon to assess current and future soundness, series-sponsor, Baileys Horse Feeds, will be considering the condition of each horse as a reflection of the diet it is receiving.  Feedback given will not affect the youngster’s Futurity score but should provide a valuable insight for breeders into the support nutrition can provide for correct growth and in optimising the horse’s ability to fulfil its potential.

Baileys’ qualified nutritionists will be using a universally recognised Body Condition Scoring system whereby the horse’s top line and muscle development are assessed.   

BEF Director of Equine Development, Jenny Hall, says, “We’re grateful for Baileys’ long term support of the Futurity and the introduction of this kind of assessment adds practical value for the participants and demonstrates that Baileys are a very important partner in its continued success.”  Owners will be given a sheet with the nutritionist’s comments and may take the opportunity to discuss the youngster’s diet on the day or at a later date, whilst Baileys will record the data to support their research into sport horse nutrition. 

27th Jul 2010

THE EPSOM RACEHORSE TRAINERS OPEN DAY 2010

The Annual Epsom Racehorse Trainers Open Day is on Sunday 22nd August and the itinerary includes: 9am Racehorses shown at exercise on the gallops; 9.30am Starting Stalls demonstration; 9.45am Schooling demonstration, as well as interviews with local trainers and veterinary surgeons – all sited on the Downs. From 10am - 1pm nine yards will be open to the public, providing the opportunity to meet the racehorses along with the lads and lasses who care for them. There will also be extra attractions at many yards including: equine spa and massage rug demonstration, mares and foals display plus the opportunity to ‘have-a-go’ on a mechanical horse. The afternoon’s events are from 12 noon and are situated at Epsom Racecourse and include: jockeys vs trainers camel racing, farriery display, pony rides, children’s funfair, terrier racing, parade of retired racehorses, inter-yard tournament, Shetland Pony Derby and many tradestands with something for everyone, including country clothing, jewellery, artwork, equestrian items and cards and gifts.

The Open Day is held in aid of the Epsom Training & Development Fund (Reg. Charity (1081453)) which was established as a registered charity in 1999 with a view to improving welfare and conditions for the racing staff in Epsom. Photos and a review of last year’s event, as well as details of the other fundraising event this year (Awards Ball on 20th November) can be found on the Charity’s website www.etdf.co.uk.

27th Jul 2010

Equi-Fun Club seeks helpers

Rebecca Martin from the Equi-Fun Club is seeking assistance with the running of the club. Rebecca has had a new addition to her family this year in the form of a baby boy called Harry. Unfortunately as Rebecca has not been very well since giving birth to Harry, this in turn has made running the club very difficult and although things are improving it is a slow process. As a result she has made the decision to look for assistance with the club or to close it for a couple of years.

As Rebecca would rather not choose the latter option, and would ideally like to stay involved, she is hoping to find a group of people who are willing to take on the task of running the events. This is a big role to take on and she would prefer to distribute the events between smaller groups of people so that it will not become too much for one person. Rebecca still intends to be responsible for all the paperwork and advertising so it will just be a case of making sure the event runs smoothly on the day.
In essence, she will need help with the following:

1. Setting up and clearing up shows
2. Help on Show days
3. Writing newsletters/articles/show reports
4. Help with organising camps
5. Clinic organisers
   

If you are interested in getting involved please contact her on 07738993995.

15th Jul 2010

Are you ready to take on the Cricklade Show Puissance Wall?

After the huge success of the Puissance at the last three shows, this year’s event, sponsored by Location Estate Agents, will be open to anyone who wants to take part in the Olympia-style class, and will be done on a ‘ballot’ style basis. Places are limited so you must apply by 1st August, and 15 entrants will be selected by invitation.

There is no entry fee and the winner receives £100 and a rug, second place £75 and third, £50. The first round starts at 3ft, but it’s not for the faint hearted – 2009’s winner, Victoria Blizzard and her horse Nina Ricci cleared the wall at 4ft 7in.

23rd Jun 2010

Reader Front Cover Competition

Are you a budding photographer? Do you fancy seeing one of your equestrian shots on the front cover of South East Rider? We have teamed up with professional photographer, Simon Palmer from Into the Lens, to launch a brand new front cover competition - open to all our readers.

Here Simon tells us what he looks for in a front cover image:

When taking a photograph for a magazine cover you need to think a little differently to how you would normally take a picture. There are key elements I look for:

Sharpness – While some images can be called art when blurry, a cover photo needs to be crisp and sharp. The editorial team may wish to enlarge an image to get the placement right on the cover, so the subject in the picture needs to be in focus.  This can be a real challenge when a horse is running, jumping or playing.

Space – It’s no good taking a picture that leaves no room for the magazine to put their magazine title. Think about the cover of this magazine, look at how it’s laid out, and then frame your picture on the viewer screen when taking the image.

Orientation – Most magazines are portrait. The shot would have to be something very very special indeed to get the magazine to use a landscape image, as they then have to fill the rest of the space with colour or text.

Light – Think about the subject of the image. What is it that you want to show the viewer and make sure there is enough light for it to be seen well. But remember not to make it too bright as you can easily lose the quality of any detail in the image that way.

Uncluttered – I try not to have too much going on in the background, it makes it difficult to have text over the top of it, and it also draws the eye away from the main focus of the image.

Angle of the subject – Whether it’s a head or full body shot, the angle of the subject needs to be considered.

The closing date for entries is August 27^th. But please only one entry per email, so make it your best shot. The lucky winner will receive a critique service of their photograph courtesy of Simon plus one of his signed prints, not to mention the opportunity to see your work featured on the front cover of a forthcoming issue. Entries must be equestrian related and please include your full name, address and telephone details and put SER Photography Competition in the subject line.  To enter please send your entries to admin@redpin.co.uk.

15th Jun 2010