Our Millhouse Green outdoor arena has for a long time been the best in the area and, we are keen to keep it that way.   A new surface topping was added to the Millhouse Green arena this week.  The new investment in topping will help to improve the spring in the surface without making it run deep or slippy. 

Dates have been revised and as usual due to parking being on grass these are dependent on the fields being dry enough to get all vehicles on and off again.  

As soon as its dries out enough we shall add some evening Dressage and Show Jumping Dates.

Millhouse Green dates

Thursday June 6th     Kids Fun Day

Saturday June 16th   Team & Individual Dressage  (date change)

Sunday 1st July           Fun Show

Sunday July 22nd       SJ Event    (date change)

Thurs. August 30th    Kids Fun Day

Sunday August 19th   Fun Show

I would also consider putting on an Inhand or working Hunter Event if there is the demand…   

This will be an event with a difference!!!!  You will not want to miss it.   Schedule now Available. 

Kindly Sponsored by Wakefield Pie Shop, Equitack Equestrian Supplies and Capture u Photography.

• FINISH IN THE TOP 2 OR 3 IN YOUR CLASS TO QUALIFY FOR THE EVENING PERFORMANCE – GET ON YOUR BEST GEAR & DON’T FORGET THE GLITTER!  
• 2 X £50 CHAMPIONSHIPS +9 SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS  
• COME ALONG WITH YOUR FRIENDS & ENTER OUR TEAM MASTERS EVENT.
• £100 TO THE WINNING TEAM.    ALL TEAM MEMBERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE EVENING PERFORMANCE 
• FOR OUR YOUNGER COMPETITORS 2 X BONNY PONY CLASSES MAY BE ENTERED FREE OF CHARGE – WIN A SASH DONATED IN MEMORY OF ISOBEL JUNE DOBSON

For those whom have not been before to Ledston Equine Centre, near Castleford, the venue is set with, the stunning back drop of the 17th century Ledston Hall and estates buildings.  The venue has plenty of flat grass land, outdoor allweather warm up arena and a 60x35m Indoor Arena with plenty of seating to help us create a fantastic evening atmosphere.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SCHEDULE

Upcoming Events

Tracey Newman

Saturday 19th May  John Lloyd Showing Clinic.   This will be at Millhouse Green.  John Lloyd Panel Judge will be conducting a demo/talk in the morning (ask whatever questions you like) followed in the afternoon by group ridden sessions giving you the opportunity to bring along your own horse or pony.  for further info Click here

Tuesday 29th May Tracey Newman  SJ Clinics.  Tracey has been a LegUp guest trainer for many years these sessions usually prove to be very popular.   For further info Click here 

Sunday 3rd June Summer Sash Show our biggest show of the year at Roydhouse, Nr Shelley, Huddersfield.  Ridden and Inhand Classes superb flat venue.  55 classes.  I have just put in the order for the sashes all class winners will receive a red white and blue sash (as its jubilee time) no cheap and nasty sashes at my shows!!!  Myers Group have kindly sponsored our Supreme Championships + have donated goody bags for the kids classes.  For further show info Click here 

Advanced Diary Date - Sunday 24th June LegUp Equestrian Showing Masters at Ledston Equine Centre.  This will incorporate a team event (competitors will gain points in specified classes) The show will finish with an indoor evening performance think music, flowers, a chance to get dressed up and even get out that glitter!!!   Schedule now available.  Click here

Lookout for updating of the provisional dates in the next couple of weeks for events held in June/July at Millhouse Green, expect quite a few changes. 

On the Inside of Last Months LegUp Events

April was a strange old month…

Sunday 8th April Easter Show.   This year we had to run indoors as I did not relish the likelihood of having to tow vehicles off the field at the end of the day, due to heavy rainfall and snow we had during the week upto the show.  (little did we know so much more rain was to come)   To view the report Click Here 

SJ Competition Sunday 22nd April.  I broke my record for pulling together an event at short notice for this one, plus I was not even in the UK!!!  Sat in Spain looking at facebook I noticed lots of events being cancelled due to wet ground, so started by seeing if could hire an indoor arena then find some people to help me run it, with the manpower and venue in place advertising started on the 19th April!!!   How the world wide web has revolutionized communication!  I flew back from Spain on 20th and held a fantastic little jumping show 0n 22nd.  Massive thanks to all those whom helped out either on the day or by spreading the word.   To view the report Click Here 

My Horses

A difficult month to write about this time…  the end of an era and the start of a new one.

I was involved in a rather serious accident which culminated with me having a Fractured Shoulder, + multiple wounds to my head.  The incident was severe enough that even now I have no memory of the morning working outside or the trip in the ambulance –  only coming around later in hospital. 

All horses were found to be turned out except Sienna who was found loose in the back area with head collar and lead line still attached therefore it was obvious she was the horse involved.  I did wonder briefly if I had just passed out but the doctors said my injuries were more likely to be caused by severe impact especially as i had injury to both the front, back and side of my head.    I must of made some noise at the time as my mum thought she had heard a strange noise so came downstairs to find me laid flat out bleeding in the yard. 

Sienna has had a reputation for sometimes being difficult both to ride and handle.  80% of the time she is okay but on the occasions she has been uncooperative she has displayed some severe dangerous behaviour both in and out of the stable.  The only reason I have put up with her for so long is because she was bred out of my best ever horse Florence (Westland Bay) we only bred one horse out of Florence due to her undergoing a colic operation so for me when I see Sienna I actually see it as my link to my top horse Florence.   This latest  incident combined with unreliable ride and inability to trust her not to kick or run through people made me come to the decision she needed to be put down as sadly the risks compared to the rewards of having her around were too high.     She has been handled and ridden correctly all her life but has constantly been challenging, you just never expect to be putting your own much wanted horse down.  The best words I have heard to sum it up ‘Some people, horses, dogs… are just wrongly wired despite a good up bringing they still want to take the wrong path.’ I had a lot of dreams tied up in this horse and letting go feels like also letting go of part of Florence but sadly it will never be.    

Just over 24hrs later I hobbled out at 7am to give the morning feeds, to find Misty my Welsh Section D had foaled – talk about the highs and lows of horse ownership. 

Day One 02/05/12

One little bay foal.  It was all a bit spooky as the father was due to be gelded that same morning.  Karol had only just bedded the box down with thick straw the night before I had been a bit worried about Misty’s foaling, so to walk out to a healthy mare and foal was a joyful relief.   I initially thought it was ‘another’ bay filly having announced it was a filly a couple of hours later we discovered it was a colt!!!  Ooops due to injury i blame not been able to bend over properly to view!!!

Ben my 3 year old son was very pleased with the new arrival asking ‘Can I ride it tonight?!!!’  Ben is mad about the film Carz and would like to of called it Lightening McQueen but think we are all now swinging towards the stable name Mac (named after the carz transporter – could be worse might of wanted to call it Mater after the pick up truck which whilst ever its entire would be a very funny name!  for those whom have not seen Carz sorry you have not got a clue what I’m on about) 

Carolyn

apologies to all those whom were booked on.  New dates will be arranged as soon as Carolyn is fit again.

As well as national qualifiers we have Many fun and novice classes suitable for children and those just starting out.

Qualifiers include – PONIES UK, EQUESTRIAN LIFE, CHAPS, 15+HORSE & PONY EVENTS, EQUIFEST, USOC, MHCGB.

4 Big Rings, Large Flat venue with superb Grass Cover.  

New Classes for 2012 include.

NEW Walk Trot Showing – Junior and Senior

NEW Performance horse/Pony (combined jump and flat class)

NEW CHAPS ridden and Inhand classes

NEW Ridden Partbred

NEW Ridden Youngster

NEW Ridden heavy horse pure and partbred

NEW Ridden and Inhand Veteran

NEW Miniature Horse Classes

Here is a link to the schedule Click Here

Organised at just 3 days notice, the event attracted excellent entries of up to 25 per class, as riders switched to indoor events due to the wet weather causing many shows to have to postpone. 

The final class of the day, the 95cm was a win for Danny Carroll riding Victor.  The only rider after the double to get the inside turn back to a parellel they finished just under a second faster than second placed, Jake Tue Riding Glamour, with 3rd place going to our only pony rider in the field, Lucie Wadsworth and Snowstorm.

Lynn Dixon had a worth while trip proving very consistant in by winning both the 75cm and 85cm Horse classes with her horse Poppy.

Younger riders and those with very novice horses were out in force.  Clearround seeing many true novices getting their first experiences in the ring .  In the 50cm Freshman class our regular junior riders featured in the placing with 12hh and under ponies finishing both 1st and 2nd  (Olivia Taylor and Woodview Winona and Mollie Dakin and Pearl).  

Many thanks for coming along today.  Once the ground dries up we will be holding SJ on the outdoor allweather arena at Millhouse Green which this week will under go a £2000 surface upgrade to make the going tip top ready for this summers events.  Keep checking our website as you may of noticed - we often add dates at short notice! 

Photos from this event have been kindly provided by Capture U Photography.  Result below 1st to 3rd.  Here is a link to their facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/271297679555894/

Special Well done to Iain Monk (whom had an outstanding night last night winning 3 classes) and to many other competitors whom I have been fortunate enough to watch improve over the weeks we have been running these competitions, thank you for supporting these events. 

Final BIG thank you to all those whom have helped to run these evenings. 

Hope to see you all again when we run some more.    Our Millhouse Green SJ venue is currently being re-surfaced so we will have a top class jumping surface to ride on this summer, just need the ground to dry out enough to be able to park!  Look out for some dates which will include some evening competitions.    Don’t forget to keep feeding back your thoughts and comments on our facebook page.

Gornoeth There You Are Then

Helena Tucker had a good show by Winning the Championships with her Coloured Gornoerth There You Are Then.  Earlier in the day they had won the CHAPS Ridden Traditional/Cob/Native type class from a field of 11 quality competitors.

Bred by the Gornoeth Stud in Wales he is a bit of a one off as they normally only breed Welsh Cobs.  Helena has owned him since he was a 2 year old and he is now 7.   Last year they qualified for the Royal International and once again they aim to target qualifying for RIHS and HOYS.    

Whilst there were plenty of ‘hairy / cob coloureds forward the plaited coloureds were less well supported, so come on you plaiteds coloureds, we have put the CHAPS coloured classes in the schedule at 3rd June show so please come along and support them. 

Dollyroo Lets Go Girls

The Ridden reserve Champion went to the Lead Rein winner Dollyroo Lets Go Girl and Ruby Hewitt who performed particularly well in the Ridden Championship.

Inhand classes had excellent entries.  One of the most succesful competitors was Faye Town’s Miss T’s Invinsible.  A previous Champion at last years June LegUp Show this young horse once again three times stood top of the line ups in both CHAPS plaited, Condition and Youngstock classes.

The Mountain and Moorland Inhand Winner, Section D Pentpontbren Crackerjack shown by Sarah Oldhman went on to be Inhand Reserve Champions on their first ever visit to a LegUp show.     

Diary Date -Our biggest show of the Year.  Sunday 3rd June at Roydhouse  (between Shelley and Emley near Huddersfield).   including

• Fun Classes
• PUK Qualifiers
• Equifest Qualifiers
• Equestrian Life Qualifiers
• CHAPS qualifiers. 
• Prizes include Sashes to ALL first place winners and Prize Money to Supreme Champions. 

 Many thanks as usual to all those whom help our shows to run so efficiently and to our show photographer Capture U Photos. 

Due to rain last night and further forecast rain for overnight Saturday/Sunday Morning this show will now be run Indoors.  As there are 2 Indoor Arenas there will be no change to the running of the Inhand Classes.

Due to requests we will now keeping Walk Trot showing in the Schedule.   

Here is a Simple Version below of the Class Running Order.  Please note the changes to some of the running orders of the Ridden Classes now we are using 1 ring instead of two.  

Main Arena 

Upcoming Events

Sunday 8th April Easter Show.   This will be at Bromley Farm.  Hopefully outdoors but if forecast/ground is not good it will be run indoors.  This show includes our first ever CHAPS qualifiers (please support them if you would like to see these qualifiers at future shows).  There is also a chance to qualify for the Equestrian Life Ridden/Inhand Championships, (this year to be held at the Ponies UK Summer championships if you wish to qualify you need to purchase a card prior to competing at a cost of £12 ask at entries when you arrive.)  Equifest, Ultimate Showcase of Champions, Wortley Country Festival and 15+ Horse and Pony event qualifiers.   To view the schedule/further details Click Here 

Thursday 12th April Evening SJ Competitions.  Indoors at Bromley Farm, Classes 55-95cm.  These events have been well supported , if there is demand we may even add a further date on 26th April check back for confirmation.   To view the schedule Click Here

Diary Date - Sunday 3rd June our biggest show of the year at Roydhouse, Nr Shelley, Huddersfield.  Ridden and Inhand Classes superb venue and prizes don’t miss this one. 

Training will restart at the back end of April for Younger Riders and beginning of May for general flatwork.  I am also awaiting an SJ date from Tracey Newman as soon as she gets back from competing in Portugal.  Check back soon for details. 

On the Inside of Last Months LegUp Events

March was a very busy month for LegUp…

4th March Showing Show at Bromley Farm.  It must of been one of the wettest days I can remember in a long time.  Despite the weather many of you braved the elements with many classes having 10-20 entries.  That day I am sure the competitors were hugely grateful for indoor warm up.   I normally say I do not get cold on show days as I spend so much time moving around however with the combination of rain and sleet for the largest part of the day and having to often stand outside to make announcements (the sound system kept screaching whenever I was inside any where near the speakers) even I got pretty cold! 

Working Hunter Champions

11th March Working Hunter and Ridden showing at Northern Racing College A week later and the weather could not of been more different the day was so nice we could of held the event outdoors.  For the first time we held a couple of British Show Pony Society Qualifiers.

Less than 24 hours before the show I got that dreaded phone call from a judge every show organiser dread ‘ I am too ill to do it’  this is made even worse because so few judges are eligible to judge these BSPS classes.  However the original judge rang around a few others and found the nearest judge who would agree to judge our qualifiers though this meant a whopping 2 hour drive for our replacement judge.      

Our replacement judge set off at 6.30am to allow our qualifiers to take place.   Having not set eyes on our schedule, she kindly agreed to ‘muck in’ go get us quickly through our day though asking her to judge the walk trot class was a bit of a shock to her system at first as she had become in recent times only used to judging BSPS affiliated classes.    However once she got over the shock of non BSPS classes I think she  enjoyed meeting up with some new grass roots people and quite enjoyed giving them tips to guide them in the right direction.  with efficient judges from our 2 top knotch judges the day was finished without having to cancel any qualifiers.  To read the show report Click Here

Ridden Section Champion Kieran Heslop

25th March Equitack Championship Showing Show first time for LegUp at Ledston arena.  To give it a championship feel I decided to pull together some Music for the championships.  Being a person whom is more of a cassette / walk man person and has not got a clue what an MP3 player is I had to get my husband to download me some music and borrow my mums mini stereo system (if thats what you still call them nower days).   Between me and Hayley helping on commentary I was very pleased with the overall effect and many of you riders were also kind enough to comment how much you had enjoyed it!  To read the show report Click Here  

Thurday Evening SJ these have been going really well.  Lots of positive feedback about our 2 phase ‘get on with it system’ which has meant despite having up to 25 in a class we have had the shows completed by 10pm.  Many thanks also to Gary Matthews for stepping into assist me with judging at one of the events.  I thought i had asked Hayley to help, but despite having seen her only a few days before I must of forgotten to ask her - luckily up at Bromley there are a few friendly face who will kindly come to the rescue!  

1st April Fun Show this was advertised and pulled together with just 6 days notice when the forecast said it would remain dry and mild.  On the show day we enjoyed warm dry weather so much so, I came in with pink cheeks!  50 competitors turned out to our little show held at Millhouse Green.  For me it was also a chance to allow my 3 year old son Ben to compete at a little show.  With lots of classes aimed at low milage horses and riders it was great opportunity for many of you to get your new horses into the ring and for some of you to be brave and try some competing for the first time.  To read the show report Click Here

Sponsorship

We are looking for sponsors for our upcoming events especially June 3rd which is our biggest show of the year. 

• To sponsor a championship costs £25. 
• includes your name/phone number/website and brief details of what you do on the schedule 
• Further room for logo/additional detail on website show schedule page.
• A link on our main website links page to your website and or contact phone number/address
• Facebook business mentions. 

If you would like to be a head line sponsor the cost if from £100 (may be prizes in kind)

• your Business name is used in the show title.  For example ‘Equitack Championship Showing Show’  
• As above basic info printed on show schedule  and on website show schedule page
• A box on our website which remains visible all year round on all pages of our website.  This can be connected to your own website or if you do not have one, a website a page can be created to tell people about you.  See the 2 current examples on the website.  
• Facebook business mentions.

Invoice/Receipt will be given to all sponsors for your book work.  Please phone 07740 178790 or email carolyngoldstraw@yahoo.co.uk for further info.

My Horses

Well I could sum it up as my horses are fat and happy and they all think they are retired!  All are in need of a make over before they can be seen any where!  I shall be getting back into the saddle any day now to bring them out of retirement.

The dry March weather meant they were turned out on 11th March though due to the lack of grass growth I have continued to feed them the same amount of hay and feed.  Tonight as I write this there is now a forecast for Snow, I have pulled them back in for the night.  I hope this bad weather spell does not last long or else my horses will not be pleased!

This month the fields at Millhouse Green have been chain harrowed and the middle field which was re-seeded last year is starting to green up really well.  Hopefully by July I will be able to use it as a fabulous Grass Arena. 

Recommended Items

I have just purchased myself a new Kingsland show shirt.  They are the high collar type ideal for Showjumpers.  The material is fantastic, wicking, non iron and the collar is attached so you can’t loose it.  Equitack Equestrian Supplies at Castleford are Currently selling about 4 different styles half price. 

Carolyn