News

This section of the web site provides news about the club.  Newsletters are produced approximately 8 times a year, more frequently during the summer months to keep you up to date with all the competition news.

Each of the newsletters can be accessed from the Newsletter pages in this section

Photos

We are going to be adding a selection of photographs from our events, but if you have some you wish to share with us, email them to one of the members. Contact us.

Results from Competitions

We aim to get results of our competitions onto the website as soon as we can, make sure you check the details out.

Sunday 19th August Show

DESPITE the torrential rain on Saturday, Chris Heath of Park Hall Farm generously confirmed it was okay for our first open show to go ahead on Sunday and it was a roaring success, thanks to so many members helping set up on the Friday, running around doing extra bits on the Saturday, and helping on the Sunday.

Not including clear round, 140 entries were taken and the event ran like clockwork in lovely weather.

The final competitor was Chris Heath doing the dressage on his tractor where the turf had been cut up – sadly we had forgotten the rosettes for the tractor class!

A measure of just how good his land is that only two vehicles had to be towed off and the club is very, very grateful to Chris for all his kindness and help.

Several of our club members qualified at the show for the MIDARC Championships.

Coming up next for the club are the Mercian showjumping and style jumping at Button Oak – and the National Championships at Lincoln for our style jumpers and intermediate showjumpers.

Good luck everyone! But above all have fun!

RaceNight 29th March 2008

ALMOST 100 people gathered in the warmth of Salwarpe Village Hall on the evening of March 29th after a wet and windy day for horse racing in comfort - along with a two-course meal.

Guest of honour was Jane Radford's sister, Pat, who came to  draw the raffle in aid of St Richard's  Hospice. Even members who could not attend the race night were most generous and the raffle alone raised £300 - top prize of a half day photo shoot and framed print  donated by ActionShots going to club member Lynne Potter.

The scene was set with an impressive display of racing silks from Treetops Sporting Colours hung around the room and the aroma of lasagne, cheese and potato and cottage pie wafting from the kitchen. Peanuts and crisps on the tables encouraged race goers to drink more while they waited for supper.

Auctioneer Daniel Lovatt worked his magic, selling all eight horses in each of eight races to the highest bidder. Each winning owner received a rosette, a subscription to Central Horse News and half the money raised by the auction of all eight horses in the race. As the wine took effect bidding became fiercer and fiercer with tables vying not to be outdone and horses selling for up to £30! This meant over £70 went to the winning owner in one race.
Those outbid could then bet on the tote and again, half the money raised this way for each race was divided between the winners. With just eight runners everyone had a good chance of winning each time. As the lights went out for each film, encouragement from the punters built up and up to a deafening roar by the time the horses passed the post.

The food was eagerly consumed after race three - but the cheese boards had to be taken out exceptionally rapidly because everyone wanted to get back to the betting!

All done and dusted by about 11pm, many guests stayed behind to help clear and clean the hall - and buy leftover lasagne and wine - with calls for another race night soon.

It was a tremendous team effort by the club committee, extremely well supported by sponsors, members, other riding clubs, various livery yards and members' friends - and everyone got a goodie bag to take home, donated by Central Horse News.

It raised almost £900 for the club and £300 for St Richard's - so thank you everyone.

See the pictures here.