News
Posted on June 29th, 2016
Statement regarding Scott Brash’s participation at Rio
British Equestrian Federation statement:
We greatly regret that showjumper Scott Brash is unable to be selected to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Scott’s top two Olympic hopefuls Hello Sanctos (owned by Lady Kirkham and Lord and Lady Harris) and Hello M’Lady (owned by Lady Kirkham and Lady Harris) picked up minor injuries at the start of the season and are still not back into full competition work and therefore will be unable to reach full fitness in time for Rio.
Scott, Lord and Lady Harris and Lord and Lady Kirkham have commented; “We are extremely disappointed that we are unable to help Team GB in their quest to win another Team Gold medal at this year’s Olympics. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of Team GB every success in Rio.”
Posted on June 28th, 2016
Statement: Issued by British Dressage on behalf of Carl Hester MBE
Carl Hester MBE is delighted to confirm that Uthopia has been secured to stay in his yard with his team. The 15 year old stallion was purchased by an unknown buyer on 27th May at Wilsons Auctions in Northern Ireland following the dispute over the horse’s ownership. Since then, negotiations have taken place and the horse has now been purchased on Carl’s behalf by a supporter who wishes to remain anonymous.
Carl commented; “I couldn’t have asked for a better early birthday present – this is the best news and the team are all very happy now we know ‘Uti’ is staying at home. It’s been a stressful time but I must thank the parties concerned in getting to this outcome, all have been professional and made it exceptionally easy. Those involved wish to remain anonymous and I hope that everyone can respect that but they have my extreme gratitude. I must also thank all the supporters of British dressage for their good wishes and encouragement, it’s meant a lot to me and my team. This a happy ending and will make my birthday celebrations this year extra special!”
Posted on June 16th, 2016
Client evening Tuesday 21st June
Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Deben Valley Vet client’s evening on
Tuesday 21st June 7:30pm, Dennington Village Hall.
Talks from…
Tim Barnett of Rossdales on dentistry
Grant Whitehead of the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service
Helen Whitbread on Disease control
Refreshments and raffle too!
Advance tickets £7, or £10 on the door .
All proceeds shared between Cancer Research UK and the Gambia Horse & Donkey Trust.
Posted on June 6th, 2016
Suffolk disabled riding charity need to find a new home or face closure after 30 years service
Founded in 1985 RDA (Hollesley Group) have provided hundreds of adults and children with the opportunity to take part in either horse riding or carriage driving at its homes, originally at Poplar Park in Hollesley and for the last 22 years at Pettistree Hall Farm in Sutton.
Now, as the lease on their current premises comes to a close, they desperately need to find a new home.
Suzanne Pyne, member of the Board of Trustees said “If we can’t find a new home by 9th August then our riders, both children and adults with a range of physical and mental disabilities, will be left without access to a vital part of their therapy. Our horses also face an uncertain future. This is heart-breaking for the parents, carers, supporters and volunteers.”
The Group has been hunting for a suitable 15 acre plot to run the operation for the past year. Despite having had some discussions with potential landlords nothing concrete has come forward and time is running out.
On 11th June organisers are launching an urgent appeal for help. Ms. Pyne said, “We may be facing homelessness but we are not helpless. Dozens of our riders, supporters, volunteers, parents and carers will be coming together for a Group photograph. This is being photographed from above by a drone kindly donated by a local company. We really want to demonstrate how many people this affects and how having this service makes such a tremendous difference to so many people’s lives, to touch the hearts and minds of those who might be able to help us.”
Hannah Martin de la Torre whose daughter Elise is one of the Group’s regular riders said, “This means so much to Elise and the other riders. Riding is so beneficial not only for Elise’s core strength but has added so much to her confidence”.
If landowners are interested in offering the RDA a new home they should contact them by email at enquiries@rdahollesley.org.uk
The appeal launch event takes place on 11th June at:
RDA (Hollesley Group)
Pettistree Hall Farm
Sutton
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 3EH
Timings: 12 noon for the Group photograph.
Posted on June 2nd, 2016
Essex Horse Riders Appeal for Off-Road Access
Essex Bridleways Association will be presenting a petition to Essex County Council at County Hall in Chelmsford at 10.30am on Wednesday 8th June 2016.
The petition forms part of the charity’s current ‘Better Bridleways’ campaign which aims to raise awareness of the needs of horse riders in the county.
EBA Chair, Julia Wilson, explained: “EBA is appealing for greater consideration to be given to horse riders when it comes to creating safe, off-road access. Council and Government policy focuses heavily on walking and cycling and yet horse riding is frequently overlooked. Pedestrians and cyclists can use Bridleways but horses are rarely given access to Multiuser routes.
“There is a common misconception amongst other road users that horse owners have miles of Bridleways to ride on but this is not the case and in most parts of Essex we are very poorly catered for. As a consequence of this, and massive development in the county, we are forced to share the roads with increasingly fast and heavy traffic.
“Horse riding is a wonderful activity for enhancing both mental and physical wellbeing. In an age where adults and children are being encouraged to become more active it seems ridiculous that those of us that are already keen to spend our spare time outside, participating in an active lifestyle are, in effect, being penalised.”
Members of Essex Bridleways Association will be assembling outside County Hall at 10am ready to present the petition at 10.30 on 8th June and would welcome supporters of their cause.
Visit www.essexbridleways.co.uk or the Essex Bridleways Association Facebook page for further information.
