Don't forget to join our Gipping Riding Society Facebook page to stay up to date with all things GRS

Chairman's Chat - April

I do hope that you're able to enjoy all this lovely dry, sunny weather.

 

Area 14

Hot off the press are the weekend's results from the Winter Dressage Qualifier at Easton Collage. As is often the case some super results for GRS riders - top 10 finishes for Jo E, Jo P, Amanda, Emily, which earned them a Team 4th (out of 15 teams!) On the second day there were top ten finishes for Jayne, Jess, Emily and Sarah S, and Team 4th for them. Massive congratulations go to Emma N for winning Intro 3.

Next weekend there's Champs at Arena UK. Good luck to our mixed 60cm jumping team of Jo E, Freddie, Eilish and Emma-Jane, and also Violet in the Junior 80cm class.

Later on this month we have a huge contingent of GRS rides at Dressage Champs, again at Arena UK. Good luck to Heidi, Florrie, Isabella, Emma N, Harriet, Ruby, Brooke, Michele, Jess B, Emma R, Bex, Maria and Jo E

 

Area 14/BRC

I mentioned this last month but just to remind you .......

Our area has been chosen by BRC to be part of a pilot scheme to encourage less competitive members to take part in SJ competitions. There will be 3 heights - 40cm (cross poles), 50cm and 60cm, and assistance is allowed. Two clear rounds in club competitions eg our Summer SJ at Suffolk Rural, will give qualification to the finals at Bury Farm in September. It will be necessary to buy a Qualification Card, priced at £11.

 

Online Dressage League

Tests have been ridden, scores have been calculated and now all that remains is to present rosettes and sashes! This will take place at our Spring Dressage on 13th April.

Big thanks to all of you who have supported this club event. Roll on the next league.

 

Groundwork Challenge 2025

Did you have a look at this club activity? It's only for members and is suitable for all horses and ponies. There are 10 challenges and you can be successful at Gold, Silver or Bronze level. Do practise as much as you want before submitting your videos via WhatsApp, by Monday 21st April. Judging decisions are based on clear, calm, communication between handler and pony/horse. All details are on WebCollect but do contact me if you have any queries.

 

Spring Dressage, Sun 13th April

Once again we are delighted to be running a dressage competition at Crow's Hall, Debenham. For those of you who are new, our dressage competitions are always relaxed, friendly and supportive; and Sarah will be a caller so you don't have to worry about remembering your tests. Sarah is running the London Marathon and all donations for her calling will go to her chosen charity.

As usual we'll run a refreshments table, so offers of baking or bought goods will be gratefully received. Bringing a travel mug for drinks would be a good idea.

 

Helmingham Show, Sat 3rd May

We have lots of wonderful club events and whilst I wouldn't want to say any are better than others, Helmingham is very, very special and has been part of Gipping's history for decades. Bex masterminds the whole operation and has just added the schedule and entering arrangements onto WebCollect. I do hope that you'll be able to join us and enjoy the day as a competitor, helper or spectator. Having lots of people, members and non-members, really adds to the atmosphere at this spectacular venue.

 

Club Camp, 8-10th August at Forest Edge

Details are on the email sent on 26th March and will shortly be on WebCollect. Booking will open on 5th April, with members having priority booking for 10 days

 

Points Cards.

Have you downloaded your Points Card? Remember there are points for taking part in any GRS related activity, either as a rider or a helper. (Including online) So fill in your bit and ask the trainer or GRS Committee Member to sign it.

 

Training.

Sat 5th Apr - jump training with Rachel Lee, at Crow's Hall.

Tues 8th Apr - jump training with Anne Gayfer, at Topthorn.

Fri 11th Apr (5.15 start) – dressage clinic with Tammy Ruffles, at Crow’s Hall.

Sun 20th Apr- mini members with Anne Gayfer, at Suffolk Rural

Sun 20th Apr - 'Poles, Raised Poles or Jumps' with Michael Paveley, at Suffolk Rural.

Fri 25th Apr - flat & poles with Anne Gayfer, at Suffolk Rural.

All training information and some future dates are on WebCollect

 

Dates for Your Diary

April 13th - Spring Dressage at Crow’s Hall

May 3rd - Helmingham Show

May - Gymkhana

May/ June/ July - Summer Online Dressage

June - Summer Social

XC training at Ickworth

July - Summer Evening SJ at Suffolk Rural

August 8-10 - Summer Camp at Forest Edge

Sept - Fun Show

Oct - Autumn Dressage at Crow’s Hall

Nov - Awards Evening/ Social AGM

Dec - ‘Olympia Trip’

 

We're also working on dates for a Fun Ride.

 

Welfare and Safety

1. Are your horses getting their Three Fs - Freedom, Forage and Friends? These are generally agreed to be essential for a horse to have a good life but not always easy for a human to supply.

2. I mentioned noseband tightness last month. A good guide for a cavesson is two fingers should fit comfortably between the leather and the nasal bone. The FEI guage checks for a 1.7 cm gap. This will be used by FEI stewards from May 1st 2025. But what about a flash noseband?

3. Next month I'll mention worms. Another very important issue facing us all!

 

Special Mentions

1. MMcC for helping at the recent Qualifier (It is a condition of entry that every club provides a helper) and going way beyond what was expected.

2. AC and AT for so willingly getting stuck in with helping

3. On Sunday I had the pleasure of watching Simulated XC training at Suffolk Rural. Well done everyone; lots of laughter, lots of learning, and happy horse/rider partnerships. Perfect training!

 

Bitesize BRC

'Caring for a horse is a huge responsibility and we must not only consider their physical requirements, but their emotional and mental health needs too.'

'It is vitally important for the future of equine sport that the welfare of the pony/horse is always the primary consideration. The aim of BRC is to promote the improvement of riding, training of ponies/horses and horsemanship in the UK.'

I can confidently say that GRS' aims are totally aligned with BRC's; welfare is paramount and we have a commitment to high quality, ethical, effective training.

 

 Membership

I'd like to warmly welcome ten new members to GRS, thank you for joining us. And welcome back to all of you who have renewed for the next twelve months.

Remember that the club is for everyone - we don't want any 'them or us,' so do keep in touch with your Committee Members, especially is you have suggestions or feedback.

 

Club Clothing

There's quite a range of GRS clothing and Bex is the person to contact if you're interested. 

 

GRS Committee 

Currently the GRS Committee is myself, Sarah Ahrens, Amanda Salmon, Bex Kelly, Katie Hull, Jill Baldwin, Jayne Ackland-Snow, Elaine Peasey and Rachel Snow. If you might be interested in joining us why not attend our next Zoom meeting on 11th May.

 

Wishing you happy and harmonious horse time,

Alison

 

2024 AGM

​

Many thanks to everyone who attended the AGM, which as many of you know is more of a social evening than a dull meeting! It was lovely to see some of our members, and some non members join us for the awards, a quiz, horse beetle and the all important fish & chip supper.

Lots of beautiful rosettes, sashes and trophies handed out!

 

Again, thank you to all our members (and non-members) who have been a part of the club in any and every capacity, from representing the club at local and national competitions, attending our shows,  joining our training sessions, volunteering at events to just being a member. Each and every one of you helps to make Gipping Riding Society the fun, friendly and inclusive club we are.

 

For anyone who couldn't attend, please find the minutes attached below:

Gipping AGM 2024 Minutes 

​

​

​

​​

​

​

2023 AGM

Firstly, thank you to everyone who attended our AGM, as always it is a pleasure to see you, and without the pressure of getting ready for a class or wondering if our horses are behaving at the trailer/lorry.

Those who have been to a previous AGM will know the format by now, the meeting part followed by presentation of the awards, including the points league. Then everyone's favourite part, Fish & Chips and games. Who doesn't find a game of Horse-Beetle exciting, if not a little frantic!

For those who didn't attend, please find the minutes and Chairman's report HERE

​

Those who attended will also be aware of the new points league we are trialling for 2024.

For those that weren't there, we now issue points cards for you to complete. The onus is now on yourself to collect and keep track of the points you earn. Points are only earned at GRS or BRC Area 14 events.

 Please print our a copy of the score card HERE and the scoring sheet HERE. Each points card is valid per horse, so if you have more than one horse, you will need more than one card.

Rules are shown on the League card, and should answer any questions you may have. If you do have any further questions, please contact Bex.

Please be reminded that cards MUST be signed on the day the relevant points are awarded, so make sure you take your card with you to every event you attend, even if you are helping.

Points make pretty frillies!

​

​

​

​

​

***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

​

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

​

​

​

​

​