News....
Spring (May) 2009 Newsletter 23/01/09
Get all the latest classifieds, dates, and contact details here
Major updates too on the Diary page with all the latest dates added through to Summer along with various forms linked for download for your rallies and other competetions ...
HAT RULE 18/01/2009
For cross country riding (over fences 0.80m high and above) including eventing, tetrathlon, hunter trials & pony racing, whether it be tests, rallies or training, a jockey skull cap is worn. It is also strongly recommended that a jockey skull cap is worn for cross country riding over lower fences.
Telford friendly 29th December 2008 1/01/2009
Hope you all enjoyed the competition in Telford despite the incredibly cold weather! Thanks for coming and we hope you enjoyed yourselves. And once again F&D had the loudest and proudest fan base! Results and more >>>
Archived pages ....
Happy Xmas and a Happy New Year to all members
Gorgeous girls and handsome lads from the F&D Pony Club had a great time at the Snow Ball held recently at The Chester Racecourse.
Rearranged Polocrosse Training practice and rallies 19/11/2008
We now have some keen polocrosse players, some of whom want to do games too! That in mind, we have decided to continue our polocrosse rallies on a Sunday morning. Those wishing to can bring sandwiches and stay for games afterwards. The next training is on Sunday 30th November our prax is at YSTRAD 11.00 and then 14th December, again at Ystrad 11.00am
New players more than welcome to join us!
Debbie 01824 703 254 or 07739 551 444
Mounted Games 2008-2009 training has new start times..... 10/11/08
Just to confirm mounted games training started on Sunday 2nd November, at Ystrad.
New Juniors start times will be at 1:00pm and Seniors at 2:15pm. Please be on time so we're not there until too late! We'd like to be able to get the seniors out of there before dark!
Somerford October 2008 30/10/08
On a very cold day during half term 22 members braved the weather to attend a cross country training day.
Louise Shepherd, Katy Powell Jones and Debbie Miller gave the members a great day, see some photos here in the gallery!
F&D Hunt Branch Winter League Dressage Competition results 26/11/08
Held on Sunday 26th Oct 08 at Maelor Equestrian Centre, Hope can be seen here ...
Pony Club Area 5 Winter League 2008-2009 results15/10/08
Our first competition this year was at Bryn Derw, Caernarfon on September 28th. We had a good turnout and very good results -
- Read the full reports here.....
More Rosettes and Medals for the F&D Triathletes ! 17/09/2008
Another great day for the F&D triathletes with every members going home with a rosette or medal (some 2 or even 3 !).
On 13th September 11 F&D members gathered at Rose Farm, Coddington to compete in the Triathlon hosted by CHS for the last event of the day.
Cheshire Frolic - Endurance riding event 14th September 10/09/08
Following the success of the talk on endurance riding by Harry Ingram at this year's Main Camp, Cheshire Group of Endurance GB would like to offer Pony Club members the opportunity to be involved on the second day of Cheshire Frolic - a two day endurance riding event at Delamere and Kelsall this weekend. Please see Cheshire Group's website for details - http://www.endurancegbcheshire.co.uk
If there is any interest from PC members a special PC class will be run - the venue will be at Organdale Farm, Kelsall, an established farm ride with NO road work. The ride organiser will accept late entries and entries on the day (for Pony Clubbers and those accompanying them only).
Winter League Show Jumping 1/09/08
Dates and details are in the diary.
- Gwynedd - Bryn Derw 28/09/08
- East Cheshire - Somerford Park Farm 12/10/08
Members who are interested need to contact Chris Leahy so that she can organise teams. If you havn't been involved with Winter League or Show Jump training before with me, please send me your details of experience.
The first competition is on 28th September and the schedule is available here. All entries come through me so get in touch. Training will be arranged beforehand and details will be sent out either in fixture list or emailed.
Everyone interested in competing at the winter league show jumping competition at BRYN DERW on 28th of this month please send me a cheque for £9.00 made payable to GWYNEDD BRANCH OF THE PONY CLUB. Please write the riders name and age and ponies name and class you wish to enter on the back of the cheque. Chris Leahy address is on fixture list and website.
Pony Club Race Day, Sunday, 5th October 2008
The Holderness Hunt Branch of the Pony Club invite you to their Pony Club Race Day on Sunday, 5th October 2008 At Beverley Racecourse .....
Please contact either Gwil or Bethan.
HUNTER TRIALS RESULTS, PLAS DOLBEN SAT 30TH AUG 2008
CLASS 1 12 years & under
- 1st Brier Leahy ..... F&D
- 2nd Anna Hickie Roberts ..... F&D
Full results can be found on the Disciplines ... Horse Trials page
Congratulations 26/08/08
Congratulations to the following for passing the Riding part of the B Test-
- Catrin Pickles
- Annemieka Mitchell (Annemieka now has both parts.)
- Horse care - Nicky Grey- Williams
Horse Trial Championships at Derby 25/08/08
Both Laura Cocking and Sarah Duffy competed at the Open Horse Trials at the Championships.
They both did really well, Laura finishing 8th in her arena and Sarah 9th in hers, well done to them both.
PONY CLUB NATIONAL NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIPS 23/08/08
I am writing this message this morning a very delighted and proud show jump team manager.
Yesterday not only did we compete with 2 teams in the PONY CLUB NATIONAL NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIPS in Smallwood but one of our teams, Eleri jones, Hannah Roberts, Brier Leahy and Lucy Grindal came THIRD out of 39 qualified teams from around the country!!!
The competition consisted of jumping 2 rounds of show jumps (first round 95cm and second round 1m) on 2 different arenas and the teams gaining 3 clear rounds in each round went through to the final.
Only 3 teams achieved this, Flint and Denbigh, Iveagh from Ireland and Llangeinor from South Wales. All 3 teams again had 3 clears but unfortunately we were beaten on time. Never the less it was a huge achievement to actually get onto the podium and I had to hold back my tears of joy!!
Our fantastic teams were:
- ELERI JONES riding POINT OF HONOUR
HANNAH ROBERTS riding PWEEKA
BRIER LEAHY riding CYMRO COCH
LUCY GRINDAL riding SPARKLING MISS BARRONTOP
and:
- SAM ECROYD riding ROYAL
NATALIE HUGHES riding HOPPER
ELLIE WILLIAMS riding INTO THE RED II
STEPHANIE HUGHES riding HONEY
A very well done to both teams. You all rode brilliantly and thank you to the parents for getting you there turned out so immaculately and on time for an early start!!!
(Editor) A big thank you to Christine, the team manager for her efforts too!!!
Area Horse Trials
The Area horse trials were held over at Somerford Park Farm. Our branch sent
- an open team,
- 2 individuals,
- an intermediate team
- and 3 novice teams.
All of our members turned out to a very high standard and did very well.
Sarah Duffy was overall winner and has qualified for the Championships to be held at Draycott Manor on the 21st August. Laura Cocking has had an invite to compete there, so good luck to them both.
The team – Sarah Duffy, Catrin Pickles, Amy Miller & Cathryn Jones were placed 3rd overall. Laura Cocking was 6th Individually.
Maddy Rytter was placed 4th in the intermediate class. The Team – Maddy Rytter, Sophie Toogood, Sophie Cocking were 5th
Stephanie Hughes was 3rd individually in the Novice class and has qualified for the Championships to be held at Smallwood at the end of August.
Hannah Roberts was 4th in the Novice.
One team was 5th – Stephanie Hughes, Lucy Grindal, Megan Bryant & Eleri Jones.
The other team was 6th – Nicky Grey Williams, Charlotte Reed, Leanne & Louise Jones
Sam Eckroyd was 3rd in class 6.
I would like to thank Katy Powell Jones for organising the team training for all the teams.
Junior Games Team championships ...21/08/2008
First of all, thank you all for your good luck messages. Unfortunately, it was not their day.
In the morning, we competed against 11 other teams, the top 6 of which would go through to the championship final, and the bottom 6 into the runners up final. Nerves and pressure seemed to get the better of them to begin with, and they only managed finals for Quoits and 4 Flag. That said, if they could've managed one place higher in either of those finals, they would've been in the run off for the championships final.
So we had a break while the second lot of the 24 teams did their first session, and we were back on at 1.30pm for the runners up final, which ran in the same way. The afternoon was a little better: this time they got through to 3 finals, in the Pony Race, Sack and 5 Flag.
So they finished 22 out of 24 in the end, to some really outstanding junior teams. And that still makes them the 22nd best team in the UK! They all did really well, and almost everytime they qualified for a final they won their heat! It was just unfortunate that they missed out on finals or higher places because of one small mistake in a race, or just bad luck.
Yaz, Sam and Louisha will be giving the seniors a run for their money next year!
AREA SHOW JUMPING
On a very wet day at Llanymynech the two Novice Teams were placed 1st and 2nd out of 18 teams in the Area Show jumping competition.
The other pony club teams didn’t have a look in!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to TEAM ‘B’ who won – Natalie & Stephanie Hughes, Ellie Williams & Sam Ekroyd.
TEAM’ ‘A ‘ were 2nd – Lucy Grindal, Eleri Jones, Hannah Roberts & Brier Leahy.
Individual placings went to – Ellie Williams 1st, Stephanie Hughes 2nd, Sam Ekroyd 4th & Lucy Grindal 5th..
All the winter training has paid off.
The Open team – Amy Miller, Sarah Duffy, Sophie Toogood & Cathryn Jones were 4th. They also won the Tack & Turn out competition.
Amy Miller wins the ‘Gemini Gentleman’ trophy for the highest placed F&D member.
F&D win Pony Club Polocrosse Championships 19/08/2008
Newsflash......F&D have just won the Pony Club Polocrosse Championships at Draycotte Manor, Derbyshire, for the third consecutive year.
The team comprised Annemieke Mitchell, Ross and Ceri Williams, Amy, Rosie and Olivia Miller.
They won after a hard fought final against North Warwicks, winning 12 / 8.
Pony Club Camp 2008
Camp is over for another year. We were very lucky with the weather during the day. Only the little ones got wet when they went down to the river for a ride and went for a paddle.
Daytime activities ranged from dressage, show jumping, games, xc on the Bryn, team relays on the Park to a ride out in the beautiful countryside surrounding Cefn.
Evening entertainment was also varied. Mari toasted marshmallows and made popcorn on open fires with the mini campers. Geaorge Sturla & Terry Large brought their birds of prey, the Endurance Riding Group gave a presentation and all the campers went to Dolben Hall to do outdoor activities of Raft building and racing, mountain biking, team building, caving etc.
I would like to thank – Sir Watkin Williams Wynn for allowing us the use of his land, the parents who came along to set up & dismantle camp, cook all the meals and generally supervise during the evening and on pony lines. The Night watch people who had an onerous task of trying to get the campers to sleep every night and the instructors for all their patience during the day and making it fun most of the time when taking the rides.
Mrs Bradshaw, Meg Green and Mrs Fetherston haugh for riding out with the children.
I would like to thank you all for my lovely gift that I had from you on the last day of camp and hope that you all enjoyed your week up at Cefn.
Bethan Jones
MINI CAMP 2008 - a Very Happy Mini Camp Child
This is a big thankyou from a very happy mini camp child (Georgia ordinary, nicknamed by Meg).
Best bits about camp:
EVERYTHING ...
... but especially riding backwards bareback with Debbie Miller.
Jumping in the bryn was cool as well. Thanks to Gwil for the wonderful jumps.
A big thank you to all the instructors as you were all great.
The food was fantastic cooked by the mums, especially the roast dinner (much better than mums, but dont tell her).
Roasting marshmallows and popcorn with Mari, a wonderful experience not to be forgotten.
Thank you to the Sturlers for their bird of prey demonstration.
WORST BITS ...
... having to wait another year for camp.
We also didn't like the thunder and lightning, which was however made funny by the one hound left by Jeremy.
It was funny when Jeremy had to come looking for it, and he was soaking wet.
Musical Ride - Bethan Jones DC
I have had an unforgettable week at the Royal Welsh Show, as I'm sure that all of you, that were involved in the Musical Ride Display.
Meg Green did a wonderful job of devising the whole production and gave you all an experience that will be with you all your lives.
When I was first approached with the invitation to put on a musical display I immediately turned to Meg as I knew she would be more than capable of ensuring that The Flint & Denbigh Hunt Pony Club would put on an impressive display.
The 48 members along with their parents committed themselves to six months of practising in all weather- rain, snow & wind. Many a Sunday evening I came home from the practices frozen. July arrived quickly this year and before I knew, it was the Royal Welsh Show week.
The majority arrived on the Saturday and set up camp for the next week. We were stabled next to the Cossacks who were quite taken by all the children.
As we walked down to the main ring on Monday I was amazed to see thousands of people waiting to watch the colourful performance. The beautiful costumes glittered in the sun and the cheering and applause from the crowd was quite incredible. Word quickly spread to all, that the Flint & Denbigh Pony Club display were the stars of the show, with no empty seat in the grandstand, spectators found it difficult to find an empty space around the ring to watch.
To the music of ‘The World in Unison’ and the children galloping out of the ring there were not many dry eyes around the ring. I had a lump in my throat and was extremely proud to be DC of the Flint & Denbigh Hunt Branch Pony Club.
We could not have wished for such perfect weather. The sun shone upon us every day. We were one very big happy family having a fantastic time with water fights, football matches against the Cossacks and of course cheering on the F& D Hunt Relay Team.
Little did we know that by the end of the week that our members would be TV celebrities.
I have received numerous emails from around the country congratulating us on our display.
I would like to thank everyone who made this opportunity of a lifetime so memorable, especially the following:
- The RWAS for inviting us,
- our sponsors Wynnstay Farmers ,
- Cadog Cheese Dairy Farmers of Britain ,
- Meg Green,
- Mark,
- Judith & Peter Bryant,
- Janet & Andy Reed,
- Jan Major,
- Gwil Hughes,
- Joan & her sewing friends,
- Dewi Roberts,
- Celyn College,
- Lloc Showground,
- Tom Smith Gwaenynog,
- Robert Owen – Llandyrnog,
- Phil Hoyle- Plas Yn Cwm,
- Sian Gresley Jones- Llannerch Equestrian Centre,
- Davina Fetherstonhaugh- Coed Coch,
- Mr Gwyn Hughes for his commentary at the show.
Louise Shepherd , and the ex- pony club members for being the arena party. Last but not least THANK YOU to all the riders and their parents!!!
Riding & Road Test
Congratulations to Anya Dreiling, Sophie Cocking, Wednesday Rytter, Rhian Easton and Meg Lee who attained their riding & road safety certificates.
1/07/08 Area Horse Trials Open and Intermediate team training at Dyfnog, 15th July 2008, with Ian Olding
I appreciate that some are at Associates camp, but we are struggling for dates. I have taken the names off the list if you have already contacted me to say you are at Associates. Please contact Katy to confirm your place.
24/06/08 Musical Ride display at The Royal Welsh Show July 2008
Just so that you are all aware the Flint & Denbigh Pony Club will be putting on a Musical Ride display in The Main Ring at The Royal Welsh Show this year. Clwyd is the feature County 21st/24th July.
The team will be on at:
- Monday 3.30pm
- Tuesday 2pm
- Wednesday 1.10pm
- Thursday 4.25pm
All displays will be performed in the Main Ring. If you do visit I'm sure the Team would really appreciate your support from the Grandstand or ring side. They have all worked tremendously hard for this under the leadership of Meg Green so please do support them.
So as to avoid any confusion:
- No dogs are allowed on the Showground.
- The children (who are part of the display) and ONLY their immediate family will be able to be accommodated within the Pony Club compound.
- All other relatives and friends MUST make alternative accommodation arrangements as space is at a premium.
- Therefore please do not ask whether you can stay.
20/06/08 Flint and Denbigh Hunt Branch Horse Trials Teams 2008
The Team for Flint and Denbigh Hunt Branch Horse Trials 2008 can be read here.
The team sheet and "Condtions of entry" can be downloaded as a "Word" file here
18/06/08 Hunting Certificate
Anyone who is 14 years old or above by 1st Sep 2008 must take their hunting certificate if they wish to hunt without a mounted guardian during the open season. The certificate includes 1-2 rallies, (one at camp) a written/oral test (during camp) and accompanied days hunting. You must do a minimum of 3 days hunting. This enables us to assess your ability out hunting much easier. It is a very serious certificate and you will not be awarded it unless we are absolutely sure you understand it all. Only 7 members out of the 16 passed last time.
If you would like to put your name down for the certificate please contact :
Lucy Reed on 01745 582421 or email Cefncronies@aol.com
18/06/08 Area 5 Tetrathlon Competition at Kelsall Hill
WELL DONE to the F&D members that took part at the area 5 tetrathlon competition at Kelsall Hill. Ellie Williams had a fantastic shoot of 920, a brilliant run, swim and clear XC to give her a well earned 1st place in the minimus girls.
Sam Ecroyd was 2nd & Jake Vaughan Thomas 3rd in the minimus boys.
Lili Rae was 10th in the junior girls and Hannah Jones 3rd in the Intermediate girls.
Well done to Hector who was also placed in the Intermediate Boys.
A big THANK YOU to Meg and Carys for all their hard work training the F&D tetrathletes.
Anyone interested in having a go at tetrathlon please get in touch with Meg.
18/06/08 ... The Cheshire Shield Horse Trials
***** All entries must be signed by either Bethan or Iona *****
Announcement dated 18th June 2008 -
Entries for Classes 3, 4 & 5 are now full but all entries received as at Sunday 15th June have been accepted except where notified otherwise. Entries received this week are now being allocated a place on the respective waiting list unless entrants have opted not to be so included. All those on the waiting list have been notified by telephone or email.
Further entries will be accepted on the basis that they will be added to the class waiting list and allocated slots in the case of withdrawals .
There are still a few slots available for Classes 1 & 2 but Teams and Individuals are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible. Team Managers who have not yet finalised selection are invited to contact the organiser, Geoff Bell, to indicate their intention to submit a team entry.(Please note - a rider may only enter once per class - for this purpose Classes 1 & 2 are treated as a single class.)
A preliminary timetable has been drafted and is set out below. This is for guidance only and may change. It is hoped to publish a list of entries with times within the next week but this will depend upon entries for the team event being clarified as soon as possible. Classes 3 - 5 will be sectioned broadly by age, with older competitors in Section A and younger ones in B/C
ARENA |
Class |
Dressage |
Show Jumping |
Cross Country |
Class |
Dressage |
Show Jumping |
Cross Country |
1 |
Class 1/2 Section |
8.30 – 10.30 |
9.15 – 10.30 |
10.00 – 11.15 |
Class 4 Section |
11.00 – 2.30 |
12.15 – 3.30 |
1.30 – 4.30 |
2 |
Class 1/2 Section B |
8.30 – 10.30 |
9.15 – 10.30 |
10.00 – 11.15 |
Class 4 Section |
11.00 – 2.30 |
12.15 – 3.30 |
1.30 – 4.30 |
3 |
Class 4 Section |
11.00 – 2.30 |
12.15 – 3.30 |
1.30 – 4.30 |
||||
4 |
Class 3Section |
9.00 – 11.00 |
10.45 – 12.00 |
11.45 – 1.00 |
Class 5 Section A |
1.00 – 3.00 |
3.45 – 5.45 |
4.45 – 7.00 |
5 |
Class 3 Section B |
9.00 – 11.00 |
10.45 – 12.00 |
11.45 – 1.00 |
Class 5 Section B |
1.00 – 3.00 |
3.45 – 5.45 |
4.45 – 7.00 |
Announcement dated 11th June 2008 -
Entries for Class 3, 4 & 5 have exceeded all expectations and the allocated slots for these Classes are now almost full, all entries received to date have been accepted except where notified to the contrary. Further entries will be accepted on the basis that they will be added to a waiting list and allocated slots in the case of withdrawals or additional slots being allocated to those Classes.
There are still slots available for Classes 1 & 2 but Teams and Individuals are encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible. Team Managers who have not yet finalised selection are invited to contact the organiser, Geoff Bell, to indicate their intention to submit a team entry.
(Please note - a rider may only enter once per class - for this purpose Classes 1 & 2 are treated as a single class.)
Geoff Bell - Organiser
Organised by East Cheshire Branch....
To be held at Somerford Park Farm on Sunday 6th July 2008
Entries close 30th June 2008 (or earlier if classes become full).
Details available here as a low resolution .pdf (Apologies!!! Webmaster)
More details will appear on the East cheshire website from the 3rd July 2008
5/06/08 Sir WWW BEGINNERS & NOVICE HUNTER TRIALS
BEGINNERS & NOVICE HUNTER TRIALS, (LEAD REIN, 12 YEARS AND UNDER + OPEN CLASS)
SUNDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2008
PICKHILL HOME FARM
CROSS LANES Nr. WREXHAM.
LL13 0UG
By kind invitation of Capt. & Mrs. J.M. Ormrod
For enquiries please go to Sir Watkin Williams Wynn’s Branch of the Pony Club
website or phone Mr. & Mrs. D. Gascoigne on ...
- 01978 661 998 or
- 07967 363 458
Click here for schedules and here for entry form.
**** ENTRIES TAKEN ALSO ON THE DAY ****
15/06/08 Area 5 Tetrathlon Competition at Kelsall Hill
WELL DONE to the F&D members that took part at the area 5 tetrathlon competition at Kelsall Hill. Ellie Williams had a fantastic shoot of 920, a brilliant run, swim and clear XC to give her a well earned 1st place in the minimus girls.
Sam Ecroyd was 2nd & Jake Vaughan Thomas 3rd in the minimus boys.
Lili Rae was 10th in the junior girls and Hannah Jones 3rd in the Intermediate girls.
Well done to Hector who was also placed in the Intermediate Boys.
A big THANK YOU to Meg and Carys for all their hard work training the F&D tetrathletes.
Anyone interested in having a go at tetrathlon please get in touch with Meg.
Congratulations (29/05/08)
We have had a very busy and successful half term week.
Games Teams - Juniors
Well done to the juniors who came 3rd at the Area qualifier and have qualified for the zone games. The team was:
Louisha Doran, Yasmin& Sam Gleaves, Rebecca Sedcole & Georgia Williams.
Riding & Road Test
Congratulations to those who attained their riding & road safety certificates.
C Test Passes
Congratulations to the following for passing their C Test. The examiner commented that the standard was very high. They were all beautifully turned out.
Emily Williamson, Sophie Cocking, Mari Edwards, Jenni Murgatroyd, Georgina Clarke.
Sir W W Wynn Pony Club Show Jumping Competition - Bryn Y Gog, Marchwiel.
The F&D did extremely well at this competition winning three out of the six classes. Many of the members picked up individual prizes as well.
We are all very grateful to Chris Leahy for organising the teams and also for organising the training through out the year.
Horse Thefts and Rumours .......
There have been lots of emails recently regarding alleged horse thefts and suspicious sightings. Rather than duplicate emails the BHS NE Wales website is being kept up to date as news becomes available. If you want to check out what the current situation look here http://www.bhswales.org.uk/index.html
Only putting first hand comments, like the lady in Epping Forest's, who emailed to say what she personally experienced, or ones from verifiable police sources and the Horse and Hound News Editor will be so published.
Needless to say, do be vigilant, if suspicious take registration numbers and a photo with your mobile phone and then pass on all the information to the North Wales Police on 0845 6071002
The Cheshire Shield Horse Trials (15/05/08)
Organised by East Cheshire Branch....
To be held at Somerford Park Farm on Sunday 6th July 2008
Entries close 30th June 2008 (or earlier if classes become full).
Details available here as a low resolution .pdf (Apologies!!! Webmaster)
More details will appear on the East cheshire website from the 3rd July 2008
Race Cards sale ....
Thank you to all the members and their families that helped sell race cards at the Flint & Denbigh Hunt Point to Point held at Bangor on Dee. You all did a splendid job.
Bethan
Funday photos in the Gallery (12/04/08)
New website for the local fun rides (06/04/08)
Check the website prior to the date as it will give directions, undates on ground conditions and immeadiate notice of cancellations (fingers crossed we won't have any more this year).
