By Sandra Lamb

Peebles  and District Riding Club put  forward  three teams , one intermediate and two novice, to the Area 1 Horse Trials held in the  beautiful grounds of Houston House on Saturday 26^th May.
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Our Intermediate Team members were; Jo Luton riding Black Eyed Pea,  Jennifer Lange on Desdemona,  Annemarie VanHeelsum on Bolinda and finally Lyn Millar riding Hit the Road Jack. The course, although not overly high was pretty technical in places with several  challenging corners and skinnies.  Only 10 riders in total managed to ride the course without stops or run outs. 
As a team PDRC finished 3^rd, with Jo and Jennifer both clear xc, they were placed 4^th and 5th, respectively.
Nine Novice teams were competing for a chance to go South to the championships. The first of our novice teams comprised; Sandra Lamb on Winnetoe, Bea Munro with Billy Fox, Susan Terris Weir riding Knockaun Diamond,  and Liz Fletcher with Clee View.  Sandra and Bea both rode clear XC where again steep hills with corner fences and arrow heads at the bottom of them caused chaos for many riders.  The team did very well and were 3^rd,  with Sandra achieving a 3rd individually.
Team two were; Helen MacNeil riding Mackilame,  Jo Luton with her second ride of the day Presenting Edward and Sarah Chambers on her young horse Shadow the Opposition, who did very well coming 5^th in her 1^st ODE.   As a team, they were unfortunate not to be placed, but having only three riders puts you at a bit of a disadvantage.
We all had a very good time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we would like to thank our two volunteers,  Iain Ronaldson and Delia Thorley as, without them, we would not have been allowed to compete.
 

I would like to encourage other PDRC members to come forward and compete in teams, the camaraderie is great, we all look out for each other and give great encouragement, it is a good way of getting to know fellow members of the club and pick up tips on riding courses.

 

  IMPORTANT - Just had this email regarding use of the beach at Belhaven/John Muir Country Park. Please pass on share to all folks as I think if riders don't start riding on the marked routes they may stop access for horses.

Thanks
Helen

Dear riders,
Apologies for the blanket email but I really need to get a message out to all riders – both on the permit scheme and those who may not be – about the continuing damage that is taking place at the salt marsh in John Muir Country Park.

The majority of you are being really helpful and responsible, following the preferred routes for riders (see attached map). Unfortunately it only takes a couple of riders who don’t know the way, to wander onto the salt marsh and cause an awful lot of damage to this most delicate of natural habitats.

We have organised two sessions for volunteers to come and replace the turfs that get ripped out by hoof damage, but unfortunately tracks remain and serve to suggest that it is ok for riders to venture onto the salt marsh, which it is not.

So could you please chat to any fellow rider you know who use the site and in from them of the problem? Thanks. New riders are also welcome to join the permit scheme, they just need to get in touch with me.

If the damage to the salt marsh doesn’t improve we, as a land manager may find ourselves in trouble with the national conservation agency – Scottish Natural Heritage – and in so doing, be forced to prevent any to this area – something that none of us want.

Thanks again for your continuing support in this,
Regards
Duncan Priddle
Countryside Officer
East Lothian Council
C/o John Muir House
East Lothian
EH41 3HA
01620 827459
my office hours are;
Monday 0800-1730, Tuesday 0800-1800,
Wednesday 0800-1730, Thursday 0800-1800

Several of our members had a lovely day in the sun through at Houston House for the Area 1 Horse Trials Team Competition. Photos now up on the website!
2012 BRC Area 1 Horse Tri

Many thanks to Delia Thorley and Iain Ronaldson who were the PDRC helpers for the day. Area events require helpers from all competing RCs and without them, none of the teams would be able to compete.

I would also like to take the time to thank Caroline Mosley for her efforts in getting us all there! It is sometimes a thankless task akin to herding cats getting all our entries in, passports checked for flu vaccs etc...

I am sure a proper report will follow!

BRC has re-issued safety warning regarding unfixed portable XC jumps after a recent unsecured portable tipping at a RC Hunter Trial.

Please can members remember to check all XC portables when walking the course at ODEs & Hunter Trials to see if they are securely fixed down
and ask XC training venues when you book if their portables are secure or at least ask which ones are not fixed so you are aware.

Unfortunately unfixed portables are more common than you realise and these fences (no matter what height) can be lethal.  Please be safe and
 check as XC is dangerous enough without the jumps tipping with you.

The committee would be very grateful if EVERY member would take the time to read the following message and e-mail their responses to jintycurrie@hotmail.com. They wil then be collated and the results will be fed back to the committee and a decision will be made based on your responses.

Our Annual Show takes a LOT of organisation and also needs a LOT of helpers. We normally try to run the following classes: Riding Club horse, Coloured. Ridden Hunter, workers and probably also Show Jumping if the venue is big enough.
Before we go ahead and try to organise one for this year, we feel we need to guage member's interest in the Club actually holding an Annual show.

SO:

1. Please can you let me know your feelings about whether our club should hold an annual show and if you would:

• a. come and compete - or b. would come and help

2. We also need members to be aware that our committee numbers are well down this year. We really need some new people to come forward and join the committee to help ease our situation. Being on the committee is a great way to get to know people in your club, and to give something back to your club. You don't need any special skills or knowledge and we generally only hold a committee meeting every couple of months . Please consider coming on board and helping us out.

The BRC has introduced NEW rules on hat and body protector standards in 2012.  Please find attached two information posters that provide you with more information on these.

Hats:- 2012BRChatstandardsinfo.pdf 

Body protectors:- 2012BRCbodyprotectorstandards.pdf