Scottish Endurance
Riding Club - Grampian Branch
Rides Location Map
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Scottish Endurance
Riding Club - Grampian Branch
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Grampian members win trophies and prizes at 2010 Scottish Championships at Perth.
Tony Comerford won the 2-day 120km and the Pasquill Trophy. Lisa Maitland came 3rd in the 80km ER and also won the Druid's Hill Trophy for highest points TB cross. Pat Dorward won the 80km CTR. Donna Hemmings won the 60km ER and the Hamilton Cup. Team Drum comprising Katie Keith, Tony Comerford, Lisa Maitland and Pat Dorward won the Prince of Aird Shield for highest placed Open Team.
Well done to everyone. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Congratulations to Jane Hollstein and Polmailys Lord Abu who won the Lothian Challenge Cup and Best Condition in the 2-day 80k at Broughton. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Lorna Hogg is HIGHLY COMMENDED in the Outstanding Achievement of 2009 Award at Aberdeenshire Sports Council annual awards evening. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... SEA - Horsewatch The Scottish Equestrian Association is introducing ‘Horsewatch’ on their website to inform of thefts. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
We are putting together a list of “Friends of Grampian” These will be people who have been members of the Club in the past, maybe are no longer riding, but who are still interested in our activities. They will be sent an emailed newsletter to keep them in touch. If you can think of anyone whom you would like added to this list, please advise Leon, Lorna or any member of the committeeaberdeenshire sp. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Access News PARKING PROBLEMS AT BALMEDIE BEACH The entrance to the public car park has been narrowed in order to prevent anyone taking caravans in. Unfortunately it is now so narrow that many car drivers are now parking on the grass area where we normally park our trailers. ON DRY WEEKEND DAYS, THERE MAY BE NO SPACES FOR A TRAILER OR LORRY. The Council has been contacted and this was their reply "The bollards were indeed erected in an attempt to exclude caravans and the area just inside the gate was left for buses and horse boxes. Unfortunately although we can get our transit pick up between the bollards in the raised position many people in cars are not going through them and parking instead in that area. We are currently seeking to get the area tarred and then signs will go up saying buses and horse boxes only. Hopefully this will improve the situation for horseriders." If you have any problems, please feel free to contact Graham Waters, Landscape Services Officer, 31 Bridge Street, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, AB41 9AA. tel 01358 726414.. fax 01358 726410. E-mail graham.waters@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Forestry Commission News NEW EQUESTRIAN TRAIL Within the last month the Forestry Commission have opened a horse riding trail at Teindland Forest, south east of Elgin, which has been well received by the local equestrian fraternity. For further information on this, see the Moray Equestrian Access Group website and click on "Where to Ride". This is the only trail we have at the west end of the District which has been designed specifically for horse riding. REMOVAL OF WAYMARKING AT DURRIS, FETTERESSO, GLENFARQUHAR & DRUMTOCHTY With the advent of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which re-enforce the responsible "right to roam" in Scotland, the Forestry Commission has decided to remove the formal way marking of the forest road-based trail network in Durris, Fetteresso, Glenfarquhar and Drumtochty, near Banchory. This will happen over the next few weeks. You will still be most welcome to enjoy these woods for riding, walking or mountain biking. We have reinvested the resources normally used to maintain these trails in other local projects, where formal trail guidance is felt more appropriate. So far we have put in new waymarking posts and interpretive panels at Tyrebagger. We are about to do the same at Countesswells, Foggieton and Kirkhill (all near Aberdeen), with Scolty (near Banchory) following in the first half of 2010. TREE HARVESTING WORK From time to time we have to close woods and trails due to tree felling operations which can be dangerous if you get too close. Here is a list of our current closures: BLACKHALL, near Banchory - parts of the green trail will be closed from mid September to January. We will try to keep it open as much as we can with diversions where necessary, Advance warning for KIRKHILL, near Aberdeen - harvesting work will be carried out from late September till March 2010. It will affect various parts of the forest for a time. Please bear with us. The first parts to be closed will be the red trail and the Tappie Tower section of white walk, .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Lorna Hogg and De Marco had another successful foray to the 2009 Red Dragon, coming 5th by just 21 seconds, continuing a very successful year for Team Marco. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 2009 Home International & Celtic Challenge Results
Home International .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Scottish Endurance Championships 2009 26, 27 & 28 June 2009, Perth Racecourse
The 80km ER class was a very close finish with the first three riders all finishing in the same time and Grampain member Tony Comerford was pipped into 3rd place.
Arlene Parvin won the Alba Challenge Shield for the 50km Open class and also the Scottish AHS Salver for the highest placed arab or pba in either 50km class.
Emma Parvin won the Alba Junior Trophy for the best junior in either 50km class.
Donna Hemmings won the 30km Open Challenge Trophy.
Congratulation to all.
Full results are on the SERC website. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Brooke Hospital Summer Solstice Ride report and photos Message from the ride organisers.....
Hi Everyone,
Thank you all so much for supporting the Brooke Summer Solstice Ride - we hope you had a fantastic time.
We raised an amazing £2,600 for The Brooke and had 85 riders taking part.
If you would like to see the photos taken by Malcolm Riddell click on the Picasaweb site below or cut and paste. I don't have all the riders email addresses so if you know of someone that took part please feel free to forward on this message. Malcolm is happy for you to download the photos but if you want a proper photo please contact Malcolm on : ruth_riddell@yahoo.co.uk
Once again, thank you so much for taking part and helping to raise so much money which will help relieve the suffering of working equines in some of the poorest communities in the world.
Kind regards Lynda Keeler and Linda Moncur PS. If you have any problems accessing the site please contact me on : howieshill@aol.com .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Lorna Hogg and De Marco achieve Gold Award at the 2009 Golden Horseshoe in Exmoor. They also won four Special Awards: THE TOP LADY AWARD Presented by Mr W D Francis to the highest placed lady to be decided, if necessary, on their horses’ pulse rates. HANDLING AND PRESENTATION AWARD To the combination of horse and handler judged best in Class 1 at the pre-ride vetting. THE FERHANOUSH SHIELD Presented by Mr and Mrs John Passant to the highest placed horse and rider completing the ride successfully in their first attempt at the Golden Horseshoe Class in their second full season as an advanced rider. The Wayward Lad Trophy - presented by Ms Pauline Higgs - to be awarded to the non Arab or non Part Arab horse competing for the first time in either the Golden Horseshoe or Exmoor Stag class which, in the opinion of the veterinary panel, is in best condition at the end of the ride. What an achievement! Congratulations to Lorna and her team, Francis, Catriona and of course Mum and Dad, and to the wonderful Marco himself. For more information, go to www.goldenhorseshoe-ride.co.uk/index.htm .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Safety – it could be you As if actually riding our horses wasn’t risky enough, we should also be thinking about road rage and fire. Alison Wilson tiptoed into a recent BHS safety conference …
Years ago, when I was a smart-suited city girl in killer heels with a mobile phone the size of a breeze-block, it was my fate to attend conferences and seminars on exciting subjects such as the opening of the new Stock Exchange and the effect of the latest Budget. Pinned to my little plush chair in the Sheraton or SECC, how I longed for some distraction – anything that would put audience and speakers out of our collective misery.
So the masked gunman who burst into the conference room at the airport Hilton a few weeks ago was about 15 years too late for my liking. Clad in black, waving a handgun and shouting instructions, he had everyone’s total attention for about 20 seconds – until it dawned on us that this was all part of the seminar that had just started. But those 20 seconds gave us all time to show our fear reflexes – and that was the point of the exercise. The speaker, a hefty police officer specialising in personal security, was part of an impressive line-up launching the new National Emergency Services Protocol. His remit was to show us how to break out of the paralysis that extreme fear can cause, to impress upon us that we should all have some personal protection strategies to use when threatened – apparently road rage incidents involving riders and motorists are now quite common (did you know the best weapon you have to hand if threatened in your yard or out riding is your hat? It doesn’t half hurt if swung hard by the harness … and if someone grabs your reins or leg, ride your horse forward and sideways into them – use the horse’s strength and weight to your advantage. Don’t strike out with your whip because it could be snatched from you and used against you or the horse.)
Emergency – who’s in charge?
The overall theme of the seminar, sponsored by the BHS Scotland and Equisafety, was to explain to us the protocol developed by Hampshire Fire Service that is now to be used nationwide in emergency situations involving horses. An example might be an overturned lorry or trailer on a motorway, or a horse stuck in a bog. In short, the Fire Service will be the lead co-ordinator, directing the police, ambulance, vets – whoever else might be involved.
Several short videos showed examples of good and bad practice in some alarming circumstances – and one sickening American clip, used to bring home to emergency personnel just how dangerous a frightened or injured animal can be, showed a vet hot-branding a horse in a cattle crush – the horse lashed out between the bars and caught him full in the chest. He was dead by the time he hit the ground.
So, safety at incidents is paramount – which is why the Protocol has been developed. We’re not talking daft Health and Safety ‘this packet of peanuts contains nuts’ rules here – we’re talking ‘be careful where you stand/what you do because this animal could take your head off’. Specially-developed slings, boards and hoists protect both the horse and the people at the scene. The owner/handler (unless hurt or hysterical!) is encouraged to remain close by the horse to reassure it. Sedation for the horse is recommended to prevent further trauma, facilitate first aid and allow the rescuers to work without distraction.
An Emergency Services Protocol Fund has also been established which guarantees that there is no delay in injured horses receiving veterinary care when their owners cannot be traced. The fund also pays for rescue training and the specialist lifting and rescue equipment used by the emergency services.
Fire!
A session devoted to fire safety in the yard was also pretty alarming … Hands up all those who keep their lorry or other vehicle in a barn along with their horses and hay/straw supplies … Apparently it’s akin to keeping a bomb under your bed. Why not invite the Fire Service to your yard to assess the risks and advise on prevention?
Some startling facts (and hopefully useful tips) in relation to stable fires:
Resources
The BHS and other bodies have much material focusing on various aspects of equine safety:
Meantime, to borrow the famous Crimewatch phrase: don’t have nightmares – do sleep well…
Editors note: More information is available from http://www.bhsscotland.org.uk/Pages/safety.html .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
FANTASTIC news from
Ireland......
SPECIAL AWARDS .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Scotland win the Home International (HI) and come an incredibly close 3rd place in the Celtic Challenge (CC) at the NAF Red Dragon Festival of Endurance in Builth Wells......more
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Congratulations to Lorna Hogg and Marco (with crew help from her Mum & Dad) who achieved their Platinum Grading at 11.90kmph at the Northern Championships in Cumbria in spite of losing a shoe three times. Well done guys!
Photo supplied By West End Photography. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Overnight Corralling for horses at Mar Lodge There are four mains-electric fenced corrals at Mar Lodge for use at a cost of £5 per horse per night. They are in front of the workshop next to the old stables, which are now offices and a Base Camp. The Base camp can accommodate 12 in four rooms, and there are SYHA hostels in Inverey and Braemar, and numerous B&Bs in Braemar. To make a booking contact Neal Gregory, the Estate Foreman, on either the Estate number 013397 41433 or his mobile 07917 333305. As a matter of courtesy, and self-interest, anyone proposing to ride on the Estate should also inform Peter Holden, the Senior Ranger at the Rangers’ Office in the Old Stables – telephone number 013397 41669 .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Other events
A challenge by Eleanor Mennie The Grampian BHS committee comprises an eclectic mix of equine devotees. Discussion during (and after) our meetings often mentions the fact that few of us ever see the others “in action” as it were. Roger Searle, an endurance rider therefore set up a challenge – taken up by Annella, our illustrious Scottish Chairperson, Julia, Grampian Chairperson and Eleanor, who edits the Grampian newsletter. The challenge was to complete a training ride at a SERC competition at Gold Standard speed and Heart rate i.e. around 18km at 13kph or faster with heart rates (the horses not ours!) of 48bpm within 30 minutes of completion. £50 each was promised to BHS funds! We had absolutely no experience of this type of thing being more dressage and eventing sorts. But we took up the stethoscope and went for it – pounding the local tracks and along the beach – until we had worked out how fast we would have to go. The horses seemed to thoroughly enjoy being allowed to swing along at a far more open trot than normal and to canter for ever increasingly longer intervals. After one measured practice run round the wonderful hills of Westertown, courtesy of Anna McClelland, whose lovely mare Tara Julia was riding, we declared ourselves ready. Our chosen competition was through Clashindarroch Forest near Rhynie. We would really like to thank the SERC officials who made us feel so welcome and talked us through the vetting procedure both before and after the ride. We set off - myself setting the pace in front on Jack, my 7yr old Welsh Cob – I had on the stopwatch, followed by Annella on Plum, aged 18 enjoying yet another career after her first 2 as Polo pony then eventer, and Julia with Tara, who mostly show jumps but is a great all rounder. Julia, who had the map, did a magnificent job as we hurtled round the course, We completed with the horses still bouncing along and were delighted to find that their heartrates were at 44 within the 30 minute deadline. Our speed of 16.36kph was also well within Roger’s limit and the challenge was achieved! The SERC members couldn’t have been more pleased, as was Roger – that is until we presented him with a counter challenge – taking part in a prelim dressage competition and achieving a score of 58% or better!!
.... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Balloch Riders Access Group Our little group of hard working and energetic riders up here in Huntly and Keith have been awarded a £30,000 grant to improve the riding tracks in the Balloch – something that those of you who ride at Smallburn will be able to appreciate (although it will not be done in time for this year!). Perhaps we’ll have an extra pleasure ride and BBQ to celebrate when the work is completed in 2007! .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Access News If you want to find out what is being planned in your area or have any comments on access issues, please visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/outdooraccess or telephone 013398 87453 or 01467 628481.. |
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