Find out what Riding club has been up to since the start of Term One, they'll be giving you the low down on what they've achieved so far as well as telling us what they'll be doing for the rest of the term!
During Term One, Riding has exhibited the beginnings for another great year! We've been incredibly busy working on a range of different projects since September and we want to share with you some of our successes as well as telling you what other events we're doing this term.
We’ve moved!
We started the year with a big move to our new yard, Snowball Farm. This was a big decision that took months of planning and the combined efforts of both old and new committee members.
Snowball Farm’s facilities promise to provide countless new opportunities for both club and team members. With access to two indoor and outdoor arenas, highly qualified instructors, and around 80 trusted horses, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing our riders, and the club goes from strength to strength.
More Opportunities
We’ve also increased the number of opportunities for club riders this year as we’re now able to accommodate up to 28 riders every week and offer lessons either weekly or fortnightly. Members are now able to ride a variety of horses, which in turn improves their ability and their confidence with every lesson they take.
We’ve also introduced a new ‘experienced’ level into our ability groups and varied our lessons too, this has encouraged diversity by providing something for everyone!
Our Successes
Teams have had a successful start to the year. In particular, our A team hosted the first home competition at the new yard, winning team first, and individuals Mona Lamotte and Tilly Davies placed first and second.
We must also give a special thanks also to Rosie Gilmour for being called on last minute from our reserves team as an injury replacement. Rosie rode brilliantly and placed individually ninth which was an amazing achievement!
Our reserves team has joined a friendly league, which has allowed them to compete frequently and provide them with invaluable knowledge about what the competitive environment is all about.
Social Opportunities
We hosted a variety of socials last term, highlights included Come in your Kit, Christmas Meal, and our annual trip to the Olympia Horse Show. A selection of brave members faced a freezing -1°C at 4.30 am on the 29 October for the photoshoot of our charity naked calendar. This year, the proceeds are all going towards Great Ormond Street Hospital.
What's Next?
This term we have many exciting events coming up, on top of our weekly activities. We have three home competitions as well as Varsity to host, and we cannot wait to see what our teams achieve!
On Friday the 28 February, we’re taking over the SU! We’ll be fundraising by selling bandanas, glow sticks, and UV paint, as well as running a couple of funfair games. Please bring all your friends along, and make sure you remember to bring cash! The proceeds raised will be split 50/50 between the stair climb for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the running of our home competition for the friendly league
Finally, on Saturday 29 February, a group of us are taking on the 36 floors of the Walkie Talkie building in London, we’ll climbing 896 stairs to reach the Sky Garden at the top! This is all in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, who treat 619 children and young people every single day! This event also has a personal touch as our social secretary, Lucy Brown, is an old patient of Great Ormond Street and we’re all really keen to try and fundraise as much as possible to support their ongoing work!
If you're interested in donating, please take a look at our Just Giving page here!
Lucy Brown // Social Secretary