Archives

Purpose

This blog is intended to be a replacement for the Branch Bulletin.

Try using RSS to keep up to date with new posts!

Welcome to the DC’s Blog

Long standing members, past members and friends will well remember the monthly Branch Bulletin’s which were very ably written by the late Toni Russell.  Even after I took over as DC in February 2010 Toni continued to ghost write the Bulletin for me and did so right up to her untimely death in December that year.

You will have noticed that no Bulletin has been forthcoming since.  It has always been my intention to put one together and I have been diligently saving ‘copy’ for inclusion.  I will admit that the job of sitting down and putting it all together has never reached the top of the ‘to do’ list and my guilt has increased with each passing month.  It then dawned on me that a better approach may be to replace the Bulletin with a ‘blog’.  The sorts of reports and announcements seem to me ideally suited to the medium and there are other advantages.   Toni always wrote the Bulletin in Microsoft Word and I these were originally printed off in hard copy and mailed out to members. Over time we migrated to e-mail distribution and I started converting them to PDF format.   I also diligently transposed each Bulletin so it could be seen on the branch website. This is all quite a lot of work (especially ‘translating’ complex Word formatting to display legibly in a web page) so it struck me that a blog would be more efficient.

In short I hope the blog will demonstrate the following benefits:

  • news published more quickly ‘as it happens’ – no longer saving it for the ‘next edition';
  • each post will have a category (eg. competition report, announcement, achievement) and the blog software automatically groups the posts together;
  • each post will be time stamped and all posts will be automatically indexed by date;
  • no need to reformat and republish on-line;
  • hopefully reduce the amount of indiscriminate e-mail ‘spam’ that we produce;
  • readers can ‘subscribe’ to the blog using their web browser so they can easily tell when new posts appear.

Of course nothing is truly straightforward!   The Pony Club website uses the same software that I am using for this blog but seemingly can’t support the style of use I intend to use.   If I can migrate using the official web server then I will.  However, many of you already use my own web server (theFourFootWay.org) to access the photographic collections.

At this point this new service is an experiment and if there are substantive problems I can have another think!   I will clearly have to start with a backlog of ‘old’ news!   For the few who are not ‘online’ I am sure we can manage to print off the content periodically and mail it out by traditional methods.

Mike

 

Congratulations to Sophie and Tor

Two of our senior members have recently had much to celebrate.  Sophie Beldham passed her BHS examinations and now holds the Associate Instructor qualification with distinction and Victoria Edwards passed the new B+ Pony Club Efficiency Test.  B+ is pitched as a major stepping stone towards the A test.

These are both prestigious achievements and we are delighted that both young women have established themselves teaching with the branch.

I’m sure you will all join me in wishing them both every future success in their careers.

Mike

New Members (April)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new members to the branch:

Tallulah Hollis, age 11, from Seaford.

All our activities are listed on the online programme, and we also send out a lot of information by e-mail.  If you want to check recent e-mails sent they are all listed in the  e-mail archive Blog (although the archive doesn’t support attachments).

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Our next planned major event will be on 18th May with the PABX Hunter Trial at Wivelsden Farm.

Mike

New Members (February and March)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new members to the branch:

Emily Allardyce-Bassett, age 8, from Blackboys,
Francesca Allen, age 14, from Ardingly,
Emma Bowyer,  age 12,  from Maresfield,
Arabella Goodwin, age 5, from Lindfield,
Ellena Goulding, age 7, from Ardingly,
Isabelle Goulding, age 9, from Ardingly
Freay McLennan, age 14, from Danehill
Annabelle Orgill, age 8, from Blackboys.

All our activities are listed on the online programme, and we also send out a lot of information by e-mail.  If you want to check recent e-mails sent they are all listed in the  e-mail archive Blog (although the archive doesn’t support attachments).

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Our next planned major event will be on 18th May with the PABX Hunter Trial at Wivelsden Farm.

Mike

New Members (January)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new members to the branch:

Grace Collier,  age 5,  from Telscombe,
Jessica Collier, age 2, from Telscombe,
Beau Evans, age 9, from Newhaven,
Liberty Gage, age 15, from Saltdean,
Holly Hawkins Smith, age 9, from Isfield,
Jessica Kraft, age 16, from Buxted,
Olivia Nutbrown, age 5, from Peacehaven,
Daisy Wells, age 2, from Little Horsted, Uckfield,
Poppy Westwell, age 12, from Splaynes Green, Uckfield.

We have made a lot of progress towards sorting out the online programme really soon, in the mean time please check your emails for news about our activities or refer to our e-mail archive Blog.

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Don’t forget we have a dressage competiton at Plumpton on Sunday 2nd February and our next planned major event will be on 18th May with the PABX Hunter Trial at Wivelsden Farm (if it ever stop raining).

Mike

New Members (December)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new members to the branch:

Sophie Etherington,  age 8,  from Peacehaven.

We hope to sort out the online programme really soon, in the mean time please check your emails for news about our activities or refer to our e-mail archive Blog.

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Mike

Show Jumping Report from Candy Robbins

I am very grateful to Candy Robbins for submitting the following end of year report which starts with news of some brilliant success in the recent East Sussex Inter-branch competition at Golden Cross.  Well done everyone and a special thank you to all our organisers

The Branch entered 7 teams at the East Sussex Pony Club Interbranch jumping competition held at Golden Cross on 24th November.  All classes were run as a BSJA single phase, a course jumped in 2 parts with the second part timed, and all team members automatically counted for individual placing’s too.

Entries were high and called for an 8.00 start to fit in 10 hours of jumping!  Sadly our mini mini team pulled out at the last minute so we were not represented in the team competition, but Charlotte Subedar riding Rosie came 6th!  Well done Charlotte.

In the mini class we had 2 teams;  Phoebe York – Fred, Rebecca Harvey – Hilton, Charlotte Subedar – Rosie and Abigail Johnson – Monty;    Francesca Turner – Kitty, Cerys Kelly – Freddie, Anna Currie – Parsley, Lily Taylor Martin – Forest Fire.  Although neither team was placed all made a splendid effort especially as there were many new partnerships on these teams and I am sure they will all grow from strength to strength. Individually, Hazel Perry riding Harvey came 4th to fly the flag for the branch – a little pony with a big heart!

Our small novice teams were on fire!!  The “pink” team of Jason Watson riding Scooby, Matthew Perry riding Cisco, Grace Riminton riding Deejay and Georgia Corrin riding Oopsy Daisy won the class, and the “green” team of Jasmine Pearce riding Bally Boy, Flo Evans Thomas riding Jazz, Vicky Henderson riding Amy Bay and Rhiannon Vesey Holt riding Storm came 2nd.   Vicky and Amy Bay also came 4th as individuals.  Very well done to all of you.

The Novice teams were struggling for numbers but managed to get 2 teams of 3 together. The “red” team of Kezzie Fish – Whiskey, Daniel Dickens – Charlie and Alex Irwin – Jambo came 6th and the “blue” team of Emma Robbins – Chalky, Jessica Copsey – Evie and Alice Reffin – Henry came 7th. Credible performances were had by all with just a few unlucky poles in a class that saw few clear rounds.  Vicky and Amy Bay came 2nd as individuals so a great result.

A big thankyou to all the parents that gave up their day to bring their “darlings” to the competition and for all their support.

Prior to this competition the show jumping teams had been rather quiet with no teams coming forward for the October events held by Eridge PC at Golden Cross or Cobham PC at Sands Farm.  Apart from this lull, SDHE have had a splendid year.  In August, 7 teams took part at the Southdown West Interbranch jumping held at Hickstead, always a favourite with members!  Sadly no teams were placed, but there was some great jumping and each class had 35 teams, so we were able to hold our heads high.  Hickstead is always a long day with a 7.00 course walk, so thankyou to all that came, especially to the parents for getting there at such an unsociable time.  Big thanks to all the riders ( and helpers) that gave up their last day at Junior Camp in order to represent their branch and especially for returning to camp for the prize giving when you were probably all ready for an early night (and a bottle of wine for the parents!).  You were superb role models for the other campers.

July was big competition time with the Area 11 Qualifying competition held at Felbridge, on probably the hottest day of the year and at a venue with little shade!

2 Novice teams were selected to represent the branch.

“A” Team: Emma Robbins – Charlie Chalk, Jessica Copsey – Atlanta Riva, Ben Berrill – Ready Eddie Go and Beth Giddings – Shauns Delight

“B” Team: William Gribble – Percy, Alice Reffin – Henry, Alex Medlicott – Bail Me Out and Sophie Duffield – Amber.

This event also holds a condition and turnout competition with our “A” team winning the competition out of 29 teams and for 2nd year running – a huge achievement.

The jumping started at 8.00 and finished at 7.00pm, leaving some very tired and rather tanned riders.  The event saw each team jump twice, plus a jump off over an “up to height” course.

Our “B” team finished in 11 place, just out of the ribbons and the “A” team finished 4th, qualifying for the National Championships in Cheshire during August, along with Jessica Copsey qualifying as an individual after finishing in 5th place.  Sadly due to holiday commitments the team was unable to travel to Cheshire, but Jess went along, ably assisted by Sarah Muggeridge.  Although not placed, Jess put up a great performance and thoroughly enjoyed the 3 day experience.  Big thanks to Sarah for giving up her time to go to Cheshire on a bank holiday weekend.

Overall SDHE have had a great show jumping season with lots of new faces and many new partnerships coming along nicely.  For many competitions, combinations have to be rallied up (attended a minimum of 3 working rallies), so it is important to attend rallies.  The jumping practices for teams are instructed by Sarah and Angela, so that they can see combinations and choose their teams (team places are not selected at ordinary working rallies).  There can be no guarantee of team selection, but we aim to put riders who are keen to compete and who are of the required standard for the class into teams.  Sometimes we will not have an exact number for a team of 4 (or 3) or we may be limited by the host pony club to the number of teams we are allowed to send.

There are teams for all ages and sizes so all can be involved.  Our Young Ambassador, Hazel Perry is usually seen flying round the open classes on Darcy, but is equally happy to jump 12.2 Harvey in the Mini classes and thus encourage the younger members.

Points of contact for the teams are:

Mini Mini and Mini   –   Hazel Perry  01444 831209 or 07867 433565

Small Novice and Novice  – Candy Robbins  01444 415232 – 0781 6580322

Intermediate and Open – Liza Curtis 07767 782458

Look out for e-mails regarding practices (indoor and outdoor) and rallies, or by looking at the programme on our website.

Here’s to a successful 2014 show jumping, starting with our own 2 day event at Ardingly on 18th and 19th January 2014

Candy Robbins

Mike

Changes to the Branch Committee

Two long standing members of the Branch Committee have recently decided it is time to move on:

John Parnaby has been a member since 2006and will best be remembered for providing and cooking the BBQ at many Senior Camps and keeping the rest of the Committee in order by taking the minutes.  He has also repaired trailers and provided machinery to help with the bigger challenges.  I’m sure we will continue to see and hear him at our events where he has been known to commentate and generally pass judgement in public on proceedings!

Anthony Rowles-Jones joined the committee so long ago he can’t precisely remember when he answered the call but thinks it was around the Millennium! He is best known, of course, for having been Senior Camp Commandant for 10 years but has also served the branch as Health and Safety Officer and more recently as Child Protection Officer too.  He is still in post to finish off a couple of tasks and conduct an orderly hand over but wishes to finish in time for Christmas.  Apparently it wasn’t anything we said, rather he has his own business which has become very successful of late and is demanding more of his attention.

We wish them both the very best and thank them for their years of tireless service.

Having noted the decline in the strength of our forces I am delighted to announce that two fearless ladies have accepted our invitation to join and we welcome Mrs Liza Curtis and Mrs Candy Robbins to the ranks.

With Anthony holding three key posts we have undertaken what can best be described as a ‘front bench reshuffle’.  As you may know Heidi Greenwood is now a fully qualified school teacher and so is already well versed in Child Protection matters and so will assume that role.  Candy Robbins has kindly agreed to take over the post of Branch Secretary and has also very kindly agreed to take the Minutes!  Candy tells me her hearing isn’t perfect so what she doesn’t catch I’m sure she will make up with great inventiveness :).  Liza Curtis will assume responsibility for Health and Safety and, as announced at the end of Senior Camp 2012, Stuart Fellingham has agreed to be Commandant.

We are all exceedingly grateful for those who give up their time and energy to run the Branch on behalf of the members and I’m sure you will wish to join me in wishing them all the best of luck in their new roles.

For the record the Branch Committee is listed below together with specific responsibilities where appropriate.

Mr J Bedford – Wivelsden Farm XC Course

Mrs A Cook – Margaret Sheffield Memorial Fund

Mrs L Curtis – Health and Safety

Mr R Emeny – Jump Steward and Transport Co-ordinator

Mr S Fellingham – Senior Camp Commandant

Mrs C Fry – Programme Organiser

Mrs H Greenwood – Child Protection Officer

Mrs S Muggeridge – Chief Instructor

Mr M Nichols – District Commissioner

Mrs C Robbins – Branch Secretary

Dr L Ripley – Treasurer and Membership Secretary

Mr A Rowles-Jones (Retiring)

Ms C Russell – Clothing

Anyone mystified by the rules concerning the constitution of the Branch Committee basically membership is by invitation of the Committee; there is no process of nomination or election because the vast majority of the members are minors.  The Branch Committee appoint the DC and, in the beginning (eg. on the formation of a new Branch) the Committee is appointed by the DC who is initially appointed by HQ!

Mike

 

New Members (October)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new members to the branch:

Isabelle Cook,  age 5,  from Burgess Hill.

We hope to sort out the online programme really soon, in the mean time please check your emails for news about our activities or refer to our e-mail archive Blog.

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Mike

New Members (August and September)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new members to the branch:

Freya Jowitt, age 8, from Balcombe
Tom Kianfar, age 10, from Newick,
Lily Kianfar, age 10, from Newick,
Isabelle Lodge, age 12, from Newick,
Kara Wenban, age 15, from Uckfield,
Archie Were, age 10, from Scaynes Hill,
Edward Were, age 12,  from Scaynes Hill.

We hope to sort out the online programme really soon, in the mean time please check your emails for news about our activities or refer to our e-mail archive Blog.

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Mike

New Members (August)

Please extend a warm welcome to following new member(s) to the branch:

Freya Jowitt, age 8, from Balcombe.

Our next main public event will be the Turton Open Hunter Trials which will take place at Wivelsden Farm on Bank Holiday Monday 26th August.   Even if you don’t compete coming to one of our events is a great way to meet new people and find out who everyone is!

I hope all our new members will quickly settle in and start to enjoin the fun, companionship and comradery offered.

Mike