|
We hosted the Petplan National Riding Festival Open Day (North West region) for the second time on Sunday 24th
August 2008, with almost double the number of visitors we had last year! Over 600 people
attended the day, which was once again an overwhelming success.
This year marked the tenth anniversary of the National Riding Festival, and there was plenty to see and do on the day.
New and lapsed riders rubbed shoulders with current riders of all levels as they watched a wide range of equestrian activities.
These included an introduction to equestrian vaulting from the Clwyd Special Riding Centre vaulting group and an Interdressage demonstration
with Karina Hawkridge and Glynis Mills. Alison and Dreamer were our guinea pigs for the Interdressage demo, riding a Style & Performance test
for the audience while Karina gave her talk.
These was also an elegant sidesaddle display led by Shirley Oultram, which included Jeanette and Link in all their finery, and a Western riding demo
by champion rider Fiona Leask and her American Quarter Horse Taz. To the great entertainment of the crowd, the sidesaddle and Western riders
then swapped mounts to show that ladies of the nineteenth century could have been great cowboys!
As well as all this, our own riders gave two fabulous demonstrations as well! Six of our Riding Club members performed a Musical Ride to a medley of Abba hits, which was very well received. The ride was made up of Lucy Ireland (Rosie),
Meryl Spencer (Benny), Gill Maddock (Russ), Jane Haigh (Sunny), Rebecca Arnold (Prince) and Samantha Green (Bruno). All six put in
many hours of practise, and it paid off on the day.
Our Pony Club gave a demo to introduce people to the sport of polocrosse. The demo began with young riders aged between seven and nine
from Emma's 1.30pm Sunday class giving a display of the skills they have learned since March. The senior teams then showed us what happened once things got a little faster, before playing an indoor
game. The young riders were Saskia Ainsworth (Seren), Georgina Brown (Teddy), Clare Cotton (Tucker), Ruth Gregory (Tuppence) and Emily Underwood (Honey). The senior teams were made up of
Jamie Duffill (Buster), Lydia Boyle-Chambers (Prince), Claire Walsh (Sunny), George Duffill (Bruno) and staff members Anna and Sarah F on Schuey and Lockie.
Along with the riding displays, there were other activities to choose from and stalls to see.
Ed, Poppy, Puzzle and Bryn were all superstars, giving horse and pony rides as well as being groomed by those who wanted
to have a go. They were extremely all well behaved, and made lots of new friends.
As popular as ever was 'Trigger' the mechanical cantering horse, who clocked up over 150 riders throughout the day.
Sarah, Anna and Emma would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day run so smoothly.
All our helpers did a fantastic job. Many thanks are also due to our excellent team of staff and horses, who once again were a
credit to us. We are very proud of you all!
All profits from the day were donated to Mid Cheshire Riding for the Disabled, so watch this space for the final figure!
|
|
