News
Posted on December 19th, 2017
A Royal welcome awaits local charity at their new home
Over a year’s worth of hard work, a huge fundraising effort and generosity beyond measure will be celebrated on Tuesday 19th December. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, president of Riding for the Disabled will formally open the new home of the RDA’s Woodbridge and District Group.
Her Royal Highness will open the purpose-built premises, which include 40m x 20m indoor and outdoor arenas, community area, 25 acres of paddocks for grazing and a 1km all-weather track for carriage driving.
In a programme designed to showcase their new home and the valuable work of the Group, Her Royal Highness will meet volunteers, riders and horses. After a riding demonstration and awards ceremony, a formal unveiling of a plaque to mark Her Royal Highness’ visit will take place.
Suzanne Hammond Trustee for the Group said “We are absolutely delighted that our new home will be formally opened by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal. This will mean so much to our riders, carriage drivers and volunteers. Everyone has worked so hard over the last year to make our new home possible. We are so grateful and today is really the icing on the cake”.
The land and old farm buildings at the Groups’ new home ‘The Bays’, has been provided on a long-term lease by local landowners, the Chamberlain Family.
The Chamberlain family said, “This is a wonderful charity to be associated with and we are sure that the Group’s activities will benefit everyone involved”.
Suzanne Hammond said “We greatly appreciate the Chamberlain family allowing us the opportunity to develop our new home and build the indoor arena. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal opening our new premises today is a wonderful Christmas present to all involved. But our work doesn’t stop now, in the New Year we have more fund raising to do to raise money for the continued renovations and a hoist to help some of our riders mount more easily.”
The Group will start riding lessons and carriage driving from their new home in January.
Posted on December 12th, 2017
Likit Expands Brand Ambassador Scheme
Likit has announced its latest #teamlikit winners: they include Carrie Munro (Essex), Hayley Young (Northants), Harriet Barron (Herts) and Gracie Tyte (Suffolk).
The annual opportunity to become Likit Brand Ambassadors is open to horse and pony owners of all ages and abilities, with successful candidates each winning a year’s supply of Likit Products, their own blog on the company’s website, a £100 training bursary, and branded kit for themselves and their horse.
Entrants had to create a short video explaining why they and their horse or pony really love Likit Products and what they hope to achieve in the coming year. Two of the winners were selected by the Likit team, with a further selection of their favourite videos going through to public vote on social media.
Brand Manager Lindsay Gall said, “This is the fourth year we have run the competition and we have once again been hugely impressed with the quality of entries and the passion that riders have for the Likit brand. Our previous Brand Ambassadors have done a tremendous job and we look forward to following our new team during the coming year and beyond.
“Likit is a global brand and we are also supporting a number of professional riders from around the world under our new #proteamlikit scheme, which is made up of avid fans of the products and includes up-and-coming British dressage rider, Samantha Wuidart.”
Posted on December 12th, 2017
Charlotte’s ‘In Fashion’ at Liverpool International Horse Show
With the Liverpool International Horse Show just days away here we catch up with triple Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin about her first visit to the iconic Echo Arena.
What are your plans for competing at the Liverpool International Horse Show?
This year will be the first time I have competed at Liverpool International and I will be bringing the talented eight-year-old En Vogue. It is fantastic that the show has introduced dressage this year with the new Equitop Myoplast Inter 1 Freestyle (Dressage to Music) class, which takes place on the Friday evening performance, December 29.
Your mentor, trainer and great friend Carl Hester is also competing there, should we expect some friendly rivalry?
Of course, that goes without saying. We are massively supportive of each other but when battling it out in the arena, it is everyone for themselves. Carl will be bringing Hawtins Delicato who is another huge talent so there is everything to play for and we can guarantee some great dressage on our 2020 Olympic hopefuls.
Tell us about En Vogue?
“En Vogue is competing at Inter 1 level and is a real star for the future. He can be hot and it has been a challenging journey so far, but getting him out to major competitions is really helping him to grow in confidence and he is just getting better and better. I am really looking forward to experiencing this amazing show with him.”
En Vogue is an eight-year-old by the much-heralded Jazz and one that is a definite contender for British teams with Charlotte.
This year the pair won the Prix St George at Somerford Premier League and took second place in the Inter 1 at the British Dressage National Championships. Charlotte has ridden En Vogue at a number of demonstrations this year and the handsome dark bay is a real crowd-pleaser and has a growing fan base of his own with people commenting on just how impressive the gelding is.
Have you any secrets for success?
There are certainly no shortcuts and it really comes down to determination, hard work, some luck along the way and never giving up on your dreams when it comes to achieving your goals.
How achievable is it for ambitious young riders today?
Both Carl and I have achieved our success through hard work and are always striving to increase our knowledge. Neither of us were handed it on a plate but we have certainly made the most of the opportunities so yes I would encourage young riders to dream big and aim for the top and surround yourself with good trainers. You never stop learning.
What do you think your relationship with Valegro has done for the world of dressage?
Without doubt, dressage is on a whole new level and is recognised by so many more people outside the sport more than it ever has been. The term ‘dancing horses’ came to the fore after London 2012 and to a certain extent helped promote the sport and make it more understandable for the public.
If there is ever a spare moment, what do you enjoy doing to relax and recharge?
Everyone in the team is so busy but we try and plan in short breaks when we can to recharge the batteries. With my fiancée Dean I do try and make time for a quick getaway or a nice meal out when we can. The Malvern Hills are also a great way to spend a few hours walking with the dogs.
Tell us more about the show?
Hospitality at The Liverpool International Horse Show is second to none and makes a fantastic present for great friends and family. Whether on the purpose-built platform at the head of the arena or in one of the VIP boxes – you won’t be disappointed.
This year’s Liverpool International Horse Show will see a host of leading names in action from 29th to 31st December, at The Echo Arena on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.
For further information and to book tickets visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com
Posted on December 12th, 2017
Petplan Equine opens applications for new Ambassadors
Petplan Equine is looking for customers who are role models for responsible horse ownership. In return, the Ambassadors will receive branded clothing and kit as well as £500 towards competition entries and training costs as well as the opportunity to benefit from coaching in their equestrian discipline from top trainers.
Rachael Jayne Barker, current Petplan Equine Ambassador, commented, “Being a Petplan Equine Ambassador inspires you, it pushes you to want to do better, not only in riding and competing, but in the way you own and manage your horses.”
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Posted on December 7th, 2017
**BREAKING NEWS**
Charlotte Dujardin is now confirmed to compete at Liverpool International Horse Show on Friday evening 29th December with her own En Vogue!
She will be joining Carl Hester in a stellar line up in the Inter 1 Freestyle (7pm performance), and will be available to fans for a signing session before the show starts!
Said Charlotte: “It is just incredible that we have high calibre events such as the Liverpool International Horse Show to compete at in this country. I am really looking forward to riding in the magical atmosphere of the Echo Arena later this month.
“En Vogue is competing at Inter 1 level and is a real star for the future. He can be hot and it has been a challenging journey so far, but getting him out to major competitions is really helping him to grow in confidence and he is just getting better and better. I am really looking forward to experiencing this amazing show with him.”
Book now at www.liverpoolhorseshow.com or call 08448000400
