Chairman's Chat - February

 

 Goodbye January - you're not one of our favourite months!

 

Area 14 Competitions  

Jan 7th was the Senior Dressage Qualifier at Easton College and probably best described as a long day of mixed fortunes. Harriet did tremendously well in winning a class and then she and Bex both got top ten placings in subsequent classes. Transport problems meant that some team members didn't reach the venue and one horse decided she didn't want to stay at the venue. The remainder of us completed unremarkable tests. There'll be another day for GRS to shine!

HUGE congratulations to Grace, Kayla, Jess and Violet who are off to the BRC Arena Eventing Championships and to Harriet, Isabel, Freya, Jess, Megan, Brooke and Kayla who are going to the Novice Winter Championships. GRS has never achieved this level of success before.

 

Club Competition

As usual at this time of year I'm going to organise a virtual event based on ground work skills. Details will go out shortly but it will involve ten challenges to be done in your own time and at your yard. Everyone will be assured a splendid rosette; either Gold, Silver or Bronze. It would be lovely to have entries showing what unridden horses and ponies can do, too.

 

Training.

There have been years when training hasn't started till nearer Easter but not this year, we've started!

Two Sundays ago Buddy and I joined the Arena Eventing Skills Training which was excellent and taken by a coach who that week was featured in a Horse and Hound article ' Michael Paveley made the perfect coach with his kind, wise and well-informed approach'. No wonder we learned a lot!

Wed 8th Feb -  SJ training with Anne Gayfer, at Topthorn

Thurs 16th Feb - mini members with Anne Gayfer, at Suffolk Rural (Otley College)

Fri 24th Feb - flatwork with Lucy Gooderham, at Suffolk Rural

Sat 25th Feb - Rachel Lee Booker is resuming her Saturday training at Crow's Hall. This isn't organised by GRS but she'll always make space for club members. Rachel will personalise the sessions for individuals, pairs or groups and do flat, poles or jumping. I am very happy to recommend her. Contact Rachel on 07752818454

I often turn up at training to help and also pick up handy tips for improving myself and Buddy. If you're free when training is on and you're not taking part, do think about coming on foot. There's always a lovely atmosphere and people to chat to.

 

Evening Talk

 It's this Friday. Have you booked your place? I'm confident that you'll enjoy Bridget Colston's talk and it will deepen your understanding of why horses spook. Additionally, you'll leave with strategies and confidence to cope when situations arise. All the details are on Webcollect. Please book by tomorrow evening.

The carpark is small, so please car share if possible and double park when necessary. 

  

Membership for 2023

Many thanks to those of you who have renewed already. And a particularly warm welcome to those of you who are embarking on your first year with us.

 

We have a non-riding membership (which incidentally BRC don't recognise and charge us the same rate for) and we'd like to offer more club activities for these members. But we're very short on ideas! What can you suggest?

 

Club Events in 2023

Our first main competition is Spring Dressage on April 16th

Might you be interested in a trip to 'Olympia' in December? Or a summer camp?

We've got two dates for Evening Show Jumping, June 9th & 23rd

The really important date is May 20th - Helmingham Show.

What else would you like to help us organise?

 

Travelling safety

I was looking at some of the club Risk Assessments the other day and realised I hadn't reminded you about having a First Aid kit when you travel. And what do you have in case of a breakdown, or other problem?

  

Happy riding,

Alison

 

Chairman's Chat - January

 

 Happy New Year and may 2023 bring good health and enjoyment to you and your horses. 

 

Area 14 Competitions  

The next qualifier is Senior Novice Dressage on Sat 7thJan, at Easton College. GRS is going to be well represented by two teams and several individual riders. Good luck to everyone.

p.s. If anyone is up for the challenge of transforming muddy Buddy into a dazzling white dressage pony just knock on my door!!

 

Training.

As I'm writing this we're still finalising plans and dates. However...

Sunday   22nd Jan - Otley College Indoor School and Michael Paveley are booked for Arena Eventing Skills. Details will be on Webcollect in the next few days.

 

Evening Talk

Bridget Colston has agreed to do an evening talk for us, probably at the end of Jan or early Feb. When details are finalised I'll send an email.

  

Membership for 2023

 Many thanks to those of you who have already renewed your memberships for 2023 and a big welcome to our new members.

For those of you who haven't yet renewed, there isn't a particular rush but you won't get the benefit of cheaper club activities until you do. If you have any problem with WebCollect do contact me.

If you are hoping to do Area 14 qualifiers don't leave it to the last minute, as it takes a while for me to send your details to BRC and them process your application.

 

Committee Meeting

The next committee meeting is next Sunday, via Zoom, and it will include drafting our programme for 2023. If you've any suggestions, or would like to help organise something, do get in touch.

 

Happy, warm and dry riding,

Alison

 

2022 AGM

It was great to be able to hold our AGM 'in person' this year, after 2 years of them being held via Zoom, it was great to see our members in person away from training and competitions. It was held back at Mendlesham Community Centre and followed previous formats of the AGM and awards being first on the agenda, followed by the ever popular (and recently missed) fish & chips, followed by a tombola, quiz and the infamous Horse Beetle!

Thank you to those who attended, and for those not able to make it, the minutes from the meeting are HERE

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Chairman's Chat - December

 

 Wow, where did November disappear to? But it was very busy with club events.

  

Awards and Social Evening, with AGM

Having had two years of virtual AGMs, it was a pleasure to actually meet together last Friday. We followed our usual format of AGM, awards and then fish suppers from Mendlesham's Fish and Chip Shop. During the meal break there was a tombola, ably run by two junior members, which raised £25 for East Anglian Air Ambulance. Many thanks to all of you who brought items to add to the tombola table. The evening ended with a quiz and our traditional Horse Beetle. Judging by the amount of happy chatting and laughter the evening was certainly a success!

For those of you who weren't able to join us there will be a copy of my Chair's Report put on the website and this does include the reasons why membership prices will need to rise. Additionally discussion about the club's constitution led into the importance of ensuring GRS is structured in a way which protects individual members.Thank you Kate and Sarah for offering to sort this out this very important matter.

As always there was a table full of rosettes and some very impressive trophies. Congratulations to Julia Hicks for winning the Double Vision Dressage Trophy, Sarah Lummis for winning the Tack and Turnout Training Trophy and Ruby Newell for winning the Stonebridge Jumping Trophy. Throughout the year members gain points for taking part in our wide ranging club activities. Our Junior Points Champion for 2022 is Jess Baldwin, with Brooke Sturgeon as Reserve and our Senior Points Champion is Sarah Lummis, with Nicola Taylor as Reserve. 

 

Area 14 Competitions  

 There were a couple of busy weeks in November with Junior Novice and Intermediate Dressage on the 13th and Junior & Senior Novice Show Jumping on the 27th. 

The Junior Dressage Qualifer was hosted by us and masterminded by Jill. The day ran brilliantly and we can all bask in the glory Jill has brought to GRS! For many competitors it was their first trip to Crow's Hall and they were pleasantly surprised to find such a lovely setting and arena. Thank you Caroline. There were some wonderful results from Freya, Brooke, Charlotte, Emma, Isabel, Jess, Kayla and Megan; and Freya, Isabel, Jess and Megan should be receiving invitations to National Champs. We can all be proud of your riding, your attitude and your support for each other - well done.

The SJ Qualifier was held at Wix and we had two teams and an individual riding. The juniors were awesome, gaining team first (Kayla, Brooke, Jess, Freya) and individual first (Kayla) and second (Brooke). Another trip to National Champs! The senior team (Hannah, Kerry, Harriet and myself) had some mixed fortunes and were placed lower than first but above last! Sarah jumped two nice rounds in the senior individual competition and was placed 6th. All in all it was another good day for Gipping.

Senior Dressage is just after Christmas. Have you told Jill and Kerry Baldwin if you'd like to take part?

 

Training.

Friday   9th Dec - Jumping with Anne Gayfer at Otley 

Sunday   17th Dec - Mini Member Christmas Fun with Anne Gayfer at Otley

Tuesday 20th Dec - Flat and poles with Lucy Gooderham at Topthorn

Do look on Webcollect for details of the above.

 

Following on from the successful Arena Eventing Training with Michael Paveley, another date has been booked Sun 22nd Jan. It will definitely be indoors! 

 

Plans are also being made for more training dates in January.

  

Membership for 2023

You will not be sent a separate reminder.  Have you remembered all memberships end on December 31st? You will need to join again, using Webcollect, for 2023. (I will be putting the forms on Webcollect in about two weeks time)

As I mentioned earlier, membership fees need to rise in order to cover fixed costs.

Adult Membership will be £30, Junior £25, Non-Riding £22 and Family (ie two adults + two juniors or one adult + three juniors) £85. There will also be Oct-Dec Membership £20

The club will continue to have the philosophy of not making profit from its members and will always aim to price activities, for members, to just cover costs.  

 

 

Happy riding,

Alison

Chairman's Chat - November

 

 2022 seems to be getting busier, rather than winding down, as we head into the last couple of months.

  

Awards and Social Evening, with AGM

 I can now confirm this will be on Fri 25th Nov at Mendlesham Community Centre; doors open at 6.30 for a prompt 6.45 start and we'll finish at 9.30pm. Your pre-ordered (via Webcollect) food from the fish and chip shop will arrive at 7.30pm. Before this we'll do our annual AGM, which this year will include agreeing an updated club constitution. I would ask that you read the draft before the meeting and if you wish for amendments to be considered, you've raised them with a committee member beforehand. 

We'd like to send the East Anglian Air Ambulance another donation and I'm going to run a tombola during our food break. If at all possible, would you mind bringing something for the tombola table and some change for buying tickets?

After eating and raising money for EAAA, Bex will be organising our annual Horse Beetle and a quiz.

 

I do hope that as many of you as possible can come along- it's usually a lovely social event, and a great opportunity to chat to old friends and meet new people. If you haven't got a friend to come with, don't worry, we'll introduce you to nice friendly people!

 

Area 14 Competitions  

 Qualifiers are resuming this month with Junior Dressage on 13th, Show Jumping on 27th and Senior Dressage just after Christmas.  Remember to contact Jill or Kerry Baldwin (gippingteams@gmail.com) asap if you want to take part.

I'm not sure how many of you realise that Area 14 Qualifer competitions are organised by riding clubs within Area 14. These events are very complex and hugely time consuming to host, and it is many years since Gipping last organised one. Increasingly more of our members are taking part and therefore Jill Baldwin has offered to run the Junior Dressage Qualifier on 13th Nov so that we are taking a turn and sharing the Area 14 burden. On behalf of riders representing GRS, many thanks Jill, we appreciate all that you're doing.

Hot off the press! Yesterday we were represented at the Arena Eventing Qualifier. There were some good results in the 70cm class and then Grace, Violet, Kayla and Jess won the team 80cm class and will be invited to BRC National Champs at Aston-le-walls in March. An extra mention must go to Grace who won the class. We're super proud of you all!!

 

Autumn Dressage Competition

It's hard to find words to describe our Autumn Dressage Competition held last Sunday! What a day!! There were many, many great tests ridden and many, many happy people. And then there were the riders who had the misfortune to get caught in the torrential showers. Soaked to the skin was an understatement of what they experienced. But hats off to you for bearing it so stoically.

I'd like to give special congratulations to our class winners- Freya, Sarah A, Claire O, Kerry, Hannah, Maria, Jess, Lucy and Julia. Thank you to all who came and supported this event, particularly if you embraced the Halloween theme by dressing yourself and your horse up, and extra thanks if you also brought a contribution to the refreshments. There were some wonderful cakes to go with the much needed hot drinks.

Steve Gray (Legend Photography) has uploaded the pics he took, so do have a look when you've chance. 

 

Training.

Sunday 6th Nov - Arena Eventing Training with Michael Paveley at Otley. 

Are any of you interested but yet to book a place? Michael has offered to run a fourth group and there are just two spaces left in that. I'll be emailing times on Thurs 4th, so book before then!

Friday   11th Nov - Flatwork & Poles with Anne Gayfer at Otley 

Saturday 19th Nov - Jumping with Rachel Lee Booker at Crow's Hall

Sunday   27th Nov - Mini Member Training with Anne Gayfer at Otley

Wednesday 30th Nov - Jumping with Lucy Gooderham at Topthorn

Do look on Webcollect for details of the above and for the December Training. 

 

Christmas Presents.

I know it's a little bit early but ....... Have you thought about club clothing? And what about GRS badges to sew onto numnahs, etc? Who could be disappointed to receive a GRS themed gift?

On a more serious note, have you and your horse got plenty of hi-viz gear? The recent, local accident certainly made me think about what I use when hacking.

 

2023 Programme

The committee are starting to think about what club events to offer next year. Our thoughts so far include training and clinics, Helmingham Show, Charity Fun Show at Topthorn, two dressage competitions, two summer jumping evenings, a three month winter online dressage league, a talk by Bridget Colston, a coach trip to Olympia and a camp. What else might you like us to consider? And is there anything that you could help us organise?

I would like all members to feel a valued contributor to GRS and enjoy the benefits of belonging to our happy, supportive club. So don't be shy, let committee members know your ideas!

  

Happy riding,

Alison

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Chairman's Chat - October

 

 Welcome to autumn, coats and torches at the ready!

  

Area 14 Competitions  

 Qualifiers are resuming this month with Intermediate Show Jumping on Sunday and Arena Eventing on the 30th. I'm sure you'll have contacted Jill or Kerry Baldwin (gippingteams@gmail.com) if you'd like to take part.

 

Autumn Dressage Competition

This is our next club competition and will be held on Sunday 23rd Oct at Crow's Hall. For those of you who've been before you'll know how good it is and for those of you who haven't, do come along as a rider or spectator. It's always a relaxed, friendly event and so particularly suitable for less experienced horses and riders. All the details are on Webcollect.

 

AGM

We're planning on holding this in the middle of November, date tbc but could well be Sat 19th Nov, and in the usual format of official requirements, club awards, fish and chip supper, quiz and horse beetle. It is usually a great opportunity to get together and it would be lovely to see you there. Watch out for an email.

 

Charity Fun Show 

Thank you so much for supporting this charity show and we're delighted to have sent all our profit (£1,050) to East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Save the Date - next year's will be on Sunday 17th September

 

Training.

Having had a break we've now gone mad!! Look on Webcollect and you'll find all the training until 31st Dec but here are the first ones.

Saturday 8th Oct - Flatwork & Poles with Rachel Lee Booker at Crow's Hall

Friday   14th Oct - Jumping with Anne Gayfer at Otley 

Sunday 16th Oct - Mini Member Halloween Fun with Anne Gayfer at Otley

Tuesday 25th Oct - Flatwork & Poles with Lucy Gooderham at Topthorn

Sunday 6th Nov - Arena Eventing Training with Michael Paveley at Otley

 

Club Clothing 

Remember club clothing can be bought through WebCollect. If you're not sure about some of the items, do ask a committee member as between us we've bought several different garments.

 

Club Badges

Have you bought any club badges yet? I can't wait to see pics of them sewn onto numnahs, tee shirts, hoodies etc Single badges are £2.60 or two for £5. Contact Bex if you'd like some.

 

Happy riding,

Alison

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***Helmingham 2022***

What an epic day!!!!

My news feed is full of photos of everyone’s gorgeous horses and ponies having fun and making memories at Helmingham.

I honestly cannot remember the last time I saw classes at a local show as big as they were today, full of pure quality. THANK YOU to everyone single competitor for supporting our event you were all amazing. So many comments about the fantastic atmosphere which is down to you guys, you help make it.

Our judges certainly earned their lunches today a tough job but they were all superb giving each person their time to shine.

The amazing team of not just the committee but members & non-members doing their bit and not forgetting every other family or friend who gets roped into helping out. It ran so smoothly today, team work makes the dream work!

We are so lucky to have also have a huge band of very generous and supportive sponsors who really do make a difference to us being able to put on the kind of show we do.

Everyone was kept well fed, photographed and had somewhere to spend their prize money and the first aid was on point too.

As always I cannot thank everyone enough, I do hope I caught most of you to personally say it but if not please know how grateful we are.

Till next year!!

Bex x

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If you didn’t get a chance to see and buy pictures on the day, they are available for viewing and purchase direct from the photographers website

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