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LegUp Life June 2009 Update

 

Read on for an insight into happenings at home and the latest news.

I am looking forward to a couple of days out this month including a visit to Bramham Horse Trials and the Lincolnshire County Show (pictured right). This year I have decided not to compete at either, but am particularly looking forward to checking out the trade stands!!!
 

My Horses

Finally I have managed to get the horses up and going. I went for a lesson with trainer Andrew Day, other than an odd excitable moment due to freshness it has surprised me that the horses have pretty much carried on where we left off. Thanks to the physio’s at Bridge House Clinic, hopefully my back problem is now sorted so we can eventually get on with entering a few competitions again.


The Fields/Stables

The early spring grass has now largely been eaten off but judging by what is coming out the other end there must still be a lot of richness in this years grass. Just before the next show the fields will be rolled or chain harrowed, this month I also plan to have the fields topped to get rid of the rank patches, odd wispy bits of grass and mainly the buttercups, due to their height they dominate the fields at the moment. All the insides of the stables have now been painted, it almost seems a shame to put horses back in them now, each one looks like a hotel room!


Saturday Training Sessions/mini comps - Update Important News

Due to bad weather on 6th June the Saturday training/mini comps are being re-arranged to

Thursday 11th June 6.30-8.30pm and Thursday 18th June 7 – 9pm,
if demand warrants it, I may also add a session on Wednesday 17th June.
(unfortunately I am not able to move to another Saturday in June).
 

Please let me know as soon as possible, if you would like to attend, the more flexibility you can give me regarding the date, the more similar groups I will be able to put together. Horse and Rider combinations to begin with may only book onto one of the June dates, though if spaces are then still available, riders may then also attend an additional date.
 

The July Saturday session, if the ground is okay, will see a slightly different theme, the jumping will be a mix of small XC and Working Hunter Jumps set out across 2 fields and the flatwork will be in the arena but with the theme of riding a dressage test rather than the usual equitation focus.
 

 

Evening Training Sessions

The Wednesday evening group jump training sessions have been well supported.

 

It was great to see a wide variety of horses and riders participating, from those who are already competing with success. to one or two new rider and horses who have never been in the jumping ring. As one person said to me ‘I nearly didn’t come to the group sessions as I was afraid of showing my self up, but it has spurred me on to do more, it’s was also good to see other riders having to work at their problems to know its not all plain sailing even for experienced riders and horses.

 

Next group training dates will be flatwork on 3 consecutive Thursday evenings starting 25th June as usual give me a call to book on or ask any questions, riders may attend all sessions or choose just the dates that suit.
 

June Fun Show and SJ Show

I hope to see some of you at our next 2 events. The fun show on 21st June includes many inhand classes and some new ridden classes aimed at lead rein riders and riders or horses with less competition experience. It should be a low key friendly event. If the show is a success we will run a further fun show probably in August.

The SJ show on 28th June / 19th July includes a special rule for the first two classes (apart from in the case of a horse or rider fall) we will not enforce an elimination rule, instead you may continue to finish the round even if fences have to be lowered.
Most of the ridden and all the SJ classes will be held on the 60m x 25m allweather arena and if necessary sand will be applied to the take off and landing area of the warm up jumps in the field.


Spring Show May 31st
 

     

Pictures of helpers and competitors at the 31st May show

 

Thank you to all those who turned out at our Spring bank show held at Bromley, to read the report, results and see pictures from the 31st May show click here. Bromley also tells me next year the rings will be back to top condition as they will not use them for horse turn out in winter and will be working on the ground to bring it up to standard.


Membership Latest

I have delayed the full launch of this new area of the website as the whole site is about to undergo a facelift. Basic membership points tables may be viewed by clicking here
Don’t forget ….We want you….
Davina Whiteman Challenge – Would you be interested in representing Legup Equestrian in an interclub challenge at the PUK Championships at Newark on August …… In order to go you must be a LegUp member and have attended one show or training day in the last 12 months. 2 riders can be entered from each club in each of 8 classes. The winning club totalling the most points over the classes will win £500 to spend on inviting outside trainers to conduct training clinics and will parade and receive their award at the PUK evening performance. For further details click here. If interested in being considered please email me or phone me as soon as possible.


My Favourite Products

Retractable Hosepipe

I have recently invested in a new hosepipe, fed up of coiling up by hand, dirty hose off the wet floor and having had a bad experience with those coil hoses that look like an old fashioned telephone wire ( it wrapped round a horses leg when it stepped on to it and was so hard to untangle from the panicking horse). My new one retracts a bit like many of those air lines in garages. I am sure it will get plenty of use.

Jump Stands

Most of my showjumps are now made by Jump4joy, I would highly recommend the jump stands. They are very light to move about, very rarely blow over, require no painting as they are made of a plastic polymer, at £60 a pair they are more expensive than wood but in my opinion are worth the extra money for all the above points.


Carolyn