Meet our team of Committee Members 

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Hello, my name is Alison Nicholson and as well as being Chairperson, I’m also the Membership Secretary.  I got into riding through my mum who had had ponies in her childhood. She encouraged me to ride from an early age and now many, many years later I still haven’t outgrown my horsey phase! I see myself as a ‘happy hacker plus” as I enjoy doing a variety of activities but not necessarily taking part in competitions. You may see me at club activities with my superstar Buddy (or Muddy, as he's known in the winter!)  As Chairperson I want to run a club where all members feel equally valued and comfortable; and horse welfare is paramount. If you have any comments or feedback about the club please do contact me.

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Hi, I’m Lynne Baines. I’ve been on the GRS committee for more than 15 years in which time I’ve been membership secretary, show secretary and organised training. I’m currently secretary of the club.  I started riding at the age of 8, doing jobs at the local riding school in return for free rides. I finally got to own my own horse in my twenties.  I’m now retired and no longer a horse owner. I continue to help at GRS and Area 14 events when needed, usually involving refreshments, especially baking cakes.

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Hi, I’m Bex and I’ve been part of the committee for a good number of years now! I love getting involved in club events and my firm favourite is our big showing show at Helmingham Hall. 
All my free time is taken up with my horses, Harn, my PBA will hopefully be coming back into work this year after a long list of issues! And Frank my Shetland pony, who I have now broken to drive. He’s currently the fittest & busiest horse on the yard. Frank also takes part in our mini member training with my niece Ava. It’s lovely being involved with such a friendly club, I have made many friends through it and continue to make many more! 

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Hi there, I'm Katie. I joined the club at the beginning of 2020, so my first year with the club was fairly "non-eventful" due to the Covid-19 pandemic arriving, but I did manage some training sessions and the Autumn Dressage with my horse, Jamal.

The club is so welcoming and friendly, I was honoured when I was asked if I wanted to join the committee and am proud to be part the 'behind-the-scenes' team for such an encouraging and supportive group of people that is the Gipping Riding Society. If i'm not taking part in Gipping activities, you'll probably find me on the ground helping out

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Hello, I'm Nicola Hatfield and I'm one of the newer committee members.  My role is Treasurer and looking after subscriptions, something I'd never done before but with the encouragement of my fellow committee members, I'm giving it a go!  I started riding at a young age when we lived in South Africa and continued when we moved back to the UK, eventually hanging up my boots when exams got in the way at school.  Some 30(ish!) years later I decided to start again and it feels wonderful to be back in the saddle.  I'm the lucky owner of Bella, an ISH who looks after me most of the time but in true mare-ish fashion, throws a curve ball at me every now and again!  I decided to volunteer for the committee to get more involved with GRS and meet new people. I'm certainly doing that, plus getting to eat fabulous home-made cake at committee meetings!

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Hi everyone, I'm Holly Haward and I've been riding ponies since before I could walk. I've shown a lot all over the country, both on the flat and workers. I've dressaged, show jumped, evented, hunted ... I generally give anything a go!!  

I joined the committee because I want to be able to organise clinics, shows etc to allow others to experience some of the cool things I've been fortunate enough to do with my horses, and hopefully get involved in them myself too!   

 

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