Thank you for all your support for me and the team during my first year as DC. As we move on from COVID, we have lots of exciting plans for 2022. Last year we had successes in almost every discipline, culminating in some star performances at the Grassroots and National Championships. More on that to follow. We also have lots of qualifications across the disciplines for the Spring Festival championships for 2022.
We have started 2022 as we mean to go on, by winning the Area 11 Quiz Competition. Sue N was our team Manager and we entered two teams. Suzannah C, Lily M, Amelia D and Liv N won, qualifying for the championships. The other team of Ella Bb, Ella Bl, Katie K and Imogen N came a respectable third out of 15 teams.
Also, a big well done to all our members who competed and qualified in the Spring Barrier Health area champs at Hadlow College. I think we had the most members there competing. Well done to Daisy A, 3rd in the 90cm warm up and then 3rd in the 95cm champs, qualifying for the finals in April 2022. Scarlett W was 1st in the 90 warm up and 7th in the final, also qualifying for Arena Uk finals. Lottie A 2nd in the 85cm final to qualify. Briony M was 4th in 1.10 to qualify as well.
We have organised lots of training sessions across the different disciplines. There has been dressage and pole work with AB, show-jumping rallies with Kathy and eventing training with Sue N. Charlotte has organised a busy programme for the minis and the numbers of new joiners are increasing every week. Gemma and Mel have done a great job with the mounted games too and we hope this will go from strength to strength with the possibility of competing in a few friendly competitions with other Pony Clubs in 2022. Our Pony Club entered 26 children for the OSB tetrathlon last weekend at Felbridge and Copthorne School and there were lots of high placings. George C did a great job with the shooting training at Home Farm, Staplefield and we have lots of children interested in entering the next tetrathlon organised by the Mid Surrey PC at Walton on the Hill in April 2022.
Last year we hosted a fun social evening with pizzas at Kaye B’s farm in Staplefield in June and this year we are organising a barn dance in June at the same venue.
Mini and Junior camp was held at Hoes Farm in Shipley last summer and it was a great success. A special mention to Suzie, Charlotte and Sophie for doing such a great job organising it. It was our first time at a new venue after many years at Stonehall and it worked really well. Senior Camp at Munstead was also a great success and the catering was recognised by most as a definite highlight. The Camps will remain at these venues for this year and Julian will be responsible for the Senior Camp catering again. As a reminder the Camp dates for 2022 are 23rd to 26th July 2022 for Mini and Junior Camp at Hoes Farm and 8th to 11th August 2022 for Senior Camp at Munstead. We have taken senior camp deposits already for Camp this summer.
Fiona P and Kathy W have now taken on responsibility for our test training and badges. Kathy and Fiona are hosting regular stable management training sessions at Kings Hill Equestrian in Bolney, and have organised more mounted training and Road Safety training which must be completed before a member can pass their C test. Please keep an eye on the calendar on the website for training and test dates.
Best Wishes,
