Sunday 4th March  Inhand and Ridden Showing Show at Bromley Farm, near Sheffield

Sunday 11th March Working Hunter and Ridden Showing Show at Northern Racing College, near Doncaster

Sunday 25th March Inhand and Ridden Showing Show at Ledston Equine, near Castleford 

4th March Show

At  the request of our members this show will include Equifest Qualifiers, Don’t forget if you want to compete at the championships you need to have a qualifier card before you go in the ring.  These can be obtained free of charge.  www.equifest.co.uk  .   This show has been sponsored by Harold Moore and includes the chance to win over £150 of yard equipment.  To view schedule details Click here 

11th March Show

Time for some Working Hunter.  Lots of qualifiers including our first ever BSPS M&M novice worker and Ridden class.  + Equestrian Life and Equifest Worker Qualifiers and a full range of the PUK Pollyanna /Amateur showing society Classes.   You do not need to be a member of any society to compete at this show however if you want to qualify for the Equestrian Life finals you need purchase a card in advance from www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk  To view schedule details Click here 

Ledston Indoor Arena

25th March Show

The schedule is currently being finalized.  This will be our first ever show at Ledston.  For those whom have not been to Ledston before it is a fantastic arena  a generous 65m x 30m in size the indoor surface is the same as being used at this years Olympics.   Warm up is outdoor with a choice to use the allweather arena or a well drained flat grass area.

Upcoming Events

Saturday 4th Feb Flatwork Group Training.  As at the time of writing… times have been sent out for this event.  Saturday 11th Feb SJ Group Training last chance to book on for this one will be Tuesday 7th Feb.  In the event of extreme weather such as wind, rain. freezing conditions these will be re-arranged but lets hope to be lucky! 

Wednesday 15th February Panel of Experts Evening Talk.  Leave the horses at home!  Starts 7pm Hoylandswaine Village Hall, Talk with a Master Saddler/Fitter which will cover how your saddle should fit, Signs its not fitting and what can be done to improve saddle fit.  Also learn about Equine Sports Massage and NLP for Riders, tips on How to overcome Self Limiting Beliefs this one is also useful for rider trainers aswell as riders looking to improve.  To view further details Click here

Younger Riders Training – Aimed at riders approx 10yrs and under these will resume mid or back end of February probably at Bromley Farm, let me know if you are interested and if there is any evening you would prefer.

March Shows – We will have 3 shows in March all at different venues, each one will be quite different.  The first one on 4th March at Bromley Farm will include Equifest qualifiers (+ others) with a chance to win £150 of Harold Moore Yard/Stable equipment.   For a quick link to the schedule Click here

11th March at NRC Doncaster will include those very hard to find Qualifiers Including Working Hunter Classes (sorry no Inhand at this show)  

• Equifest WH
• Equestrian Life WH
• Amateur Showing Society WH
• BSPS Winter Novice M&M workers 
• Zenith PUK style jumping qualifiers
• BSPS Winter Restricted Heritage M&M Ridden qualifier
• PUK Pollyanna Ridden qualifiers. 
• Amateur Showing Society Ridden qualifiers

we will be having 2 top judges  Mr J Lloyd and Mrs M Ludlow to help us speed through the Working Hunter classes then onto the Ridden Showing Classes.  For a quick link to the schedule Click here

25th March will be our first ever show at Ledston Equine near Castleford the schedule is currently being finalized Inhand and Ridden classes will be included, check back mid month for the confirmation of schedule details.  Anybody who wants to make suggestions for this schedule please post onto our facebook page. 

On the Inside of Last Months LegUp Events

Show at Northern Racing College Doncaster (22nd Jan) first of all on the Wednesday before I received a phone call to say the Indoor arena lights were not working, but they were rushing to get them sorted so they would hopefully be working by the weekend.  The NRC team pulled out all the stops so by Friday they were working again so the show did not need to be postponed.  As the show drew closer I could not believe that yet again they were giving out a mild day but 18-24mph winds.  After the lights being sorted and having already postponed the show once for bad weather forecast in November (for which the wind receeded lunchtime onwards…)   I felt this time I needed to go ahead partly as I did not want to let down NRC or new local competitors thinking that we are not serious about running shows… I was hoping with a bit  of luck the wind may not be as bad as forecasted.  So the show went ahead.    

The morning of the show and the winds were probably around 18mph I was fine in my lorry but I know trailers are a lot more difficult.  Not surprisingly the show had low entries at one time the M1 was closed due to a turned over lorry as the wind picked up to over 22mph + 40 to 50mph gusts by just after lunch time.  During the jumping classes at one time I looked across to see loads of spectators if everyone of them had brought a horse we would of been packed!  It soon became evident many more had planned to come but decided against it so had come along to take a look at the show. (confirmed in the evening when reading comments on facebook!)  Overall everything seemed to work very well though I plan to make changes to allow for a better viewing area during the final ridden classes to help keep warming up horses separate and provide spectators with a better view of proceedings.   The show received many positive comments so i can only hope that the word will spread and with a bit of reasonable weather the 11th March show will get the entries that we are used to.  Here is a comment made on an Equestrian Blog site. ‘Really enjoyed this show today Well run and a lot of happy faces, youngsters enjoying themselves going in classes and having a laugh. Id like to say well done to the little girl who fell off the stunning sec A for getting back on and doing a lovely show afterwards The sec C who was stunning and in a class of his own well done for getting the supreme champ, its a pity the little girl with the un plaited bay pony did not stay i would have liked her to get res champ as she smiled and worked well with her pony all day. Took me back to the old days of showing’

To read the report and results from the New Year show click here 

Winter Woollies Show Bromley Farm.  Hurray no wind this time.  Just the small matter of 2 degrees temperature!  Personally I am always that busy running about I don’t notice its cold!  As a show organiser my mornings are especially busy, making sure judges know where all their qualifier cards are, pointing out details on schedules. Speaking to people on the phone many asking how many are at the show, to work out what time they need to get to the show for. Finding the odd competitors whom are missing from a class (I walk miles on show days !)   At this show I also received a few frantic requests from riders whom had forgotten hats and girths, many thanks to the other competitors and the yard owners whom helped me to solve these problems and get the riders to the rings on time!  Overall though things ran smoothly competitor numbers were such that all classes had enough in them to make competitive and often well matched classes, ideal class numbers combined with fast judging meant classes did not drag on and on.  To read the report from the winter woollies show click here 

Members Awards  

A little presentation was held on 31st Jan to all our points winners.  This years overall Supreme Champion was Awarded to Olivia Brook (photo left) and Pinocchio. To view photos and results click here. 

Last year I scrapped the members training points tables but due to feedback received from other members I agree there should be another award made to members whom perhaps have shown great improvement.    One such person does spring to mind so an additional award will be made to Helena Ellis (photo right) as the Most Improved Rider attending Training in 2011.  Helena attended many training events and has made huge improvements to her riding and understanding of how to get the best out of a not always straight forward pony.  So Well done Helena whom will receive a special Rosette and a new Annual Merit Award Trophy.     

My Horses

With the January weather often being rather rough I have made it my priority to ride and compete Sway and have put Sienna on the back burner ticking her over only once or twice a week and missing out on competing Sienna at the moment.  Sway has been changed into a new bit, she was in an Cheltenham rubber covered jointed gag, but now I have changed her into a Myler High Ported snaffle with cheeks.  This has given me the control I need but she shakes her head a lot less than in the previous bit.  I now feel like I am really able to Show Jump her.  At the end of January We tackled our first affiliated 1m 10 SJ track finishing 2nd.  She is so scopey she found the height really easy and i am now starting to feel excited as to what we may be capable of in another 12 to 18 months time.

On the way back from running the show at the NRC my horsebox had a front tyre blow out.  Fortunatly Karol was also in the lorry with me.  I am in one of the horsebox rescue services so I was able to call to get someone straight out.  It was the end of a very long day so I was feeling a bit fed up waiting to be rescued when we realised in the back we has some left over show prizes including a large tin of quality street sweets.   We decided we definitely deserved these sweets and sat there scoffing them.  Very soon we had Police vehicles in front and behind the lorry to stop the risk of people running into us, just  45 minutes later the tyre people arrived and sorted us out.  You soon start to realise that I was actually quite lucky that at the time, I had not been going at any great speed, I had no horses in, It had happened on the way home and not going to the event, and that it was not currently howling with wind and rain and we had been able to sit still and eat ridiculous amounts of chocolate and even better when we got back Ann and Peter had taken over doing the stable jobs - luxury!!!   

Recommended Items

This month has been very cold so my recommended item this month has got to be posh sock with a high Merino Wool Content.  Originally I was bought some Musto socks as a present as personally I would never of dreamt of spending so much on a pair of socks but now I’ve tried them I have decided its money worth spending and have several pairs. 

Myler Snaffle with Cheeks & High Port.  The bit that one of my horses is currently wearing.  I have now had quite a few horses whom have had a good result in this as usual Myler bits are expensive but they definitely can give quite a dramatically different result.

Carolyn

This Years Overall Supreme Champion went to Olivia Brook and Her Pony Pinnochio.

They won the Loraks Croft Trophy, Sovereign Engineering Trophy + a Sash and a unique LegUp Equestrian Jacket.

Other winners Included

Emily Pearson and Little Taz (11yrs and Under section)

Oliva Brook - Supreme Champion

Jodie Cantrill and Chester (12-18yrs section)   

Kirsty Garry and Chance (over 18yrs section)

100 points + Awards Sue Mitchell and Theo, Pat Naylor and Wisbeq, Elizabeth Brook & Little Rascal. 

+ Last but not least as the training points are no longer awarded.  At the suggestion of other members we are now awarding a ‘Merit award’ not related to competition results but to someone whom may of shown improvement or caught my eye with their achievement or conduct over the past year.  This years award goes to Helena Ellis and Fudge, Helena has shown great improvement in her riding this year, learning to get the best out of her pony.

2012 will see a change in the points which will now see points for jumping and showing/fun classes split out whilst retaining the current age splits.

Final thankyou to Karol for stepping in and taking some photos as Pete was not able to be there.

Despite a forecast of 2 degrees we had a great day of competitions at the LegUp Show held at Bromley Farm on 29th January.    Good entries were spread across all classes through out the day. 

Hairiest Pony Winner Matilda Moore & Skye of Netherley

As well as the more traditional classes we like to include a few alternative classes at our Winter Woollies show.  For the second year in a row the Shetland pony Skye of Netherley retained her crown as the Hairiest Pony.  Skye a 30 year old Shetland lives out all year round and has a coat that serves her very well, rather similar to a sheep even when wet it’s very difficult to penetrate!  As well as winning the Hairiest pony title she and her rider Matilda also came 3rd in the Handy Pony a big improvement on last year when they struggled to get her close to some of the equipment! 

The winner of the 9 entrants in the Handy Pony was Evie Wale riding Smartie.  It was Evie’s first ever show they did a great job around the obstacle course where tasks included dropping socks in buckets, putting cups on poles, running in a sack, stearing in and out and mounting and dismounting.  Their time of 1 minute 48 seconds was 1 second faster than Mollie Whitham on Sasha whom came 2nd.

One of the most succesful competitors in the inhand section was Kathryn Riddle and her young Fell pony Townend Kirsten achieving 1st, 2nd and a 3rd placings.  In the ridden classes Emily Pearson riding her coloured pony Chester and Joanne Weatherall riding her allrounder Arthur both managed to win 2 classes each.

With fast judging the show ran to time with jumping starting at the stated 3pm time.  18 riders jumped in the minimus with 10 managing to post double clears.  The final jumping class of the day was a win for LegUp regular Megan Shelton riding Charlie.

Many thanks to our judges, helpers and all competitors whom helped to give the show its great atmosphere.  Our next show at Bromley will be on 4th March.  Hope to see you again soon.   

Here are the Results 1st to 3rd

SJ Champion

Ridden, Inhand and ShowJumping competitors were catered for at LegUp Equestrian Northern Racing College Show. 

Originally postponed due to a forecast of high winds in November - yet again we hit upon a windy day, but this time as we seem to of had no luck with the weather for this show, the organisers decided to take their chances and go ahead.  

In the showjumping classes Kirsty Garry and her Welsh Section C Pony Chance headed the Harold Moore ShowJumping Stakes she was closely followed in 2nd place just 1 second slower by Ryan Earnshaw riding Magic.  Kirsty had arrived only just in time having diverted from the M1 due to it being closed to high sided vehicles Kirsty won a fantastic rosette and sash as well as prizes, they also went on to win the Speed Show Jumping Class.

Inhand Champion

The Inhand Championship after some deliberation went to Kayleigh Twigger and her 2 year old Dales pony Strines Dale Samuel they had been earlier winners of the Condition and Best Horse/Pony according to Type. Reserve went to the Coloured traditional Youngstock winner Tophouse Troy shown by Natalie Pritchard. 

The Ridden Championship rounded of a good day for Katie Goulding and her very well behaved Welsh Section C stallion Tawelfan Red Robin.  Katie said he had

Ridden Champion

improved hugely in just a few shows and looks forward to getting him into some HOYS qualifiers this year.  Reserve ridden Champion went to Nicole Wayman and her ‘look at me’ eyecatching cob Hot Stuff. 

Harold Moore makers of yard equipment donated £150 of equipment which was won by Danielle Crookes and Sparky.  Points could be gained across 3 classes Danielle won one of the classes and had placing in the others.  Danielle went home with poly plastic shovels, sweeping brush, shavings rake, fork, and multiple scoops in every size possible.    

Finn Howard & BB

Another competitor whom had a very succesful day winning no less than 3 classes was 8 year old Finn Howard as his mum explained ‘This was Finn’s first ever show on his first pony, BB, (Milford Masterpiece) the pony has lots of experience over the past few years showing and competing with Finn’s second cousin Beth, who came with Finn to help and support him at his first show, and even lent him her showing jacket.  Finn had a great day, was delighted with his rosettes, trophy and prizes, and is raring to go to his next show!  Everyone at the show was so helpful; it was a fantastic family day out. Many thanks to all the organisers.’

Further Photos can be viewed and purchased at www.captureuphotos.co.uk  (due to copyright laws, remember unless you have purchased the photo please do not post these photos on facebook… )

LegUps next shows will be held at Bromley Farm near Sheffield on 29th Jan and 4th March.

Our next show at the Northern Racing College, Doncaster will be on Sunday 11th March.  This will include a selection of Working Hunter Qualifiers in the morning before going onto Inhand and Ridden classes in the afternoon.   

At Churchfield Equine Unit, (Hoylandswaine, Near Penistone.)

• Freezemarking will be £38.95 normal price £43.95
• Microchipping is hopefully going to be same as last year £20 will be confirmed very soon.
• Crime reduction advice and hopefully tack stamping again.
• Appointment times throughout the day so no waiting around.

Phone 0777 5007531 (Joanne) for further info or to book a place.

4th Feb Flatwork Group Training with Carolyn Goldstraw

11th Feb SJ Group Training with Carolyn Goldstraw

Feb 15th  an evening talk with our Panel of Experts covering Equine Sports Massage, Saddle Fit/Manufacture and NLP Rider Coaching tips.   

For further details on these events Please visit our Upcoming Events Page

Upcoming Events

14th January, Group training/Mini Competitions a chance to ride/train indoors at Bromley Farm, finishing with a couple of practice competitions.  Booking are being taken now. 

22nd January, New Year Show, Northern Racing College, Sponsored by Harold Moore.  Big Arena, lots of great Prizes including over £150 of Harold Moore yard and stable equipment to be won.

29th January, Winter Woollies Fun Show, Bromley Farm,  Including Handy Pony.  Due to the strong support from riders with novice show jumpers at our last show, Minimus and legup Show Jumping Stakes will now include a choice of a smaller course height.  50cm in the Minimus and 60cm in the Jumping Stakes.  The schedule has now been updated.

For Details on the Above Please Visit the Events page.

Not a LegUp Event but as we are fans of Denise O’Reilly (Ride with Your Mind trainer) I am passing this one on – Anybody interested Denise will be available for private training at Silkstone on Thursday 12th January.  Cost £45.  Please contact Kim 07724 444452 for details or to book a time slot.

On the Inside of Last Months LegUp Events

LegUp had not planned to do anything shows wise until January but a chance conversation with a couple of people asking me if I was doing anything and offering to assist running a show set my mind thinking about it.   Seeing how little was on for people over the Xmas period combined with better weather than we had last year I quickly settled upon the perhaps risky date of Friday 30th December.  I appreciate for many this was a work day, but I wanted to avoid clashing with other shows, hunting and the already planned SJ training on the 2nd Jan.  So 10 days was all I had to devise a schedule, advertise it and sort out all the details.  (I must just like to make my life complicated!).  To read the report from the show day Click Here

2nd January SJ Training, was fortunate to take place on a cold but sunny day.  As many of the riders horses had not done anything for a while we were mainly working on control exercises we also used the new viaduct walls which caused a few horses to spook!  Better to get it out of the way in practice rather than in competition!  One of the most improved combinations was Helena Ellis and Fudge who flew around the jumps, perhaps the break has done you good!  Well done Helena! 

The Pony Play Riders (a juniors offshoot of LegUp) held its Xmas get together at Birdsedge village hall.  Many thanks to Anita for heading this one up and making everything happen.    Many thanks especially to Father Xmas i was very impressed when he asked my 2 year old son what he wanted for Xmas - he said ‘Socks!’ I don’t know how he did not fall about laughing!!! 

Members Points Championship

This years Points Champions are Jodie Cantrill, Kirsty Garry, Emily Pearson and Olivia Brook.

This year we are also recognising other members who may not of been section champions but whom achieved 100+ competition points well done to Pat Naylor, Sue Mitchell and Elizabeth Brook on achieving over 100 points last season.  For presentation details see below.

The overall Winner Is Olivia Brook who wins the Loraks Croft Trophy, and a Jacket.   

Social Event

Tuesday 31st January - 7pm La Dolce Vita Scissett.  If you would like to join us at our little social gathering email carolyngoldstraw@yahoo.co.uk or send a message on facebook as I have to finalize numbers by Saturday 28th January.    All pasta and pizza dishes are £5 which is an absolute snip.   For those whom can attend we will also do our members points awards presentation at this event, please pass on any thoughts you have for 2012 and you can get to chat to people with similar interests (if you can recognise anyone when they are not in their horsey gear!)

My Horses

It is now obvious looking at Misty my Welsh Section D that she is still in foal.  She was scanned in summer but horses can re-absorb without you knowing so its a relief to see her changing shape especially as it took a few times to get her to take.   Her due date if she has read her notes! should be 1st May.

Sway has been clipped (I am actually quite anti clipping) unless your horse really needs it, I see too many riders struggling with horses often simply because the horse is cold so acts up… Sway however puts a lot of effort in to everything she does so tend to get sweaty.   I have had to dig out all my rugs with necks now to keep her warm.

Recommended Items

Stubben Glycerine Saddle Soap.  I have been doing a lot of riding in sometimes in wet weather of late.  I find the stubben tub saddle soap the best at transforming dull, dry and worn looking tack back to like new. 

Dengie Field Lick.  My horses fields are now more mud than grass and they have taken to eating the fencing.  I purchased one of these as a diversion, they all seem to like it and it makes me feel better that once they have eaten up there haylage they have another option for entertainment.

Carolyn

Rhiannon Pedley & Alice Small Open Horse Winners

Both the Small Open and Novice classes had enough entries to split the results into horses and ponies.   With 20 starters, the Small Open Horse section was a win for LegUp regular Rhiannon Pedley and Alice clear in the fastest overall time of 20.35seconds.  The Pony Section was a win for Ellie Womersley and Jet clear in 22.82seconds.

The Speed Class ended up with 4 riders posting Clear.  The Winner went to another LegUp Regular Kirsty Garry riding Chance perfoming some tight turn backs to fences.  2nd place this time went to Small Open Winner Rhiannon Pedley with the ever consistant and efficient Alice.  3rd Place went to Pony Small Open Winner Ellie Womersley and Jet and 4th Place to Iain Monk riding Rainbow Chaiser. 

Jumping in the 2 phase format helped us to get through the classes quickly and saved riders going backwards and forwards to the collecting ring especially as it started to rain.  Inhand entries were lower than normal though it helped us to gain back time to start the ridden classes only slighty behind time.  

Some of the younger riders did very well in the showing classes.  6 year old Jessica Davies riding her Welsh A pony Bumble at her first ever show off lead rein was the delighted winner of the Walk Trot 13hh and under showing class they also won another 1st rosette in the Fancy Dress class.    

Have a Go Showing was a win for 10 year old Emily Pearson with her new pony Chester they had a great day, jumping clear in the Novice Show Jumping to win 4th place and coming 2nd in the Riding Club Horse Pony. 

8 year old Selby rider Kieran Heslop and Winton Tiger Eye finished off the day with a win in the Riding Club Horse/Pony after picking up 2 second places in earlier classes.  Mounted on the smallest pony he was one of only 2 riders to jump the fence first time clear.  

Next Show will now be on 22nd January this time at Northern Racing College Doncaster. Followed the week after (29th Jan) Winter Woollies Fun Show back at Bromley Farm.

Many thanks to the many helper whom helped to run this show including Anne, Sarah, Bridget, Jodie, Mandy, Joy and Sue whom helped the day to go smoothly. 

As we only had a photographer there in the morning if anybody has any photos from the showing classes that they do not mind using on this site please email to carolyngoldstraw@yahoo.co.uk as it would be nice to have some more photos of competitors in the showing classes. (alternatively put them on facebook and tag them Carolyn Goldstraw)

SJ photos below courtesy of www.captureuphotography.co.uk