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Contents A
Bit About Me Results
& Diary Service David
Dellin Clinics Workshops
at The Mendip Stud David
Dellin in UK and Europe International
Honours for Lily Fry Pre-Season
Training Tour to Germany Stallions
& Breeding The
Mendip Stud Club West
Coast Circuit Shows Lesson
Horse of the Month Youth
& Young Rider Clinic Traditional
Riding Easter
Egg Competition |
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Quarantine Licence We are pleased to have been awarded a quarantine Licence by DEFRA. This licence will allow us to offer a full service to Stallion owners. We will be able to collect and freeze semen here on site and are able to distribute to all EU member states. More news on this will follow in the May newsletter. |
Nutritional Workshop
We are pleased the date for our first lecture workshops for 2007. The topic for the first lecture of the year will be on "Nutrition - This will be held at Badgworth Arena on the 26th April and will be hosted by Robert Fowler. The lecture will be entitled "The Three F’s ….Fibre - First & Foremost…." For further
information please contact john@themendipstud.com |
RunDown Magazine Keep your eyes open for the latest edition of the RunDown magazine which Tally assures me will be out soon. You will be able to download it from the BR
website www.britishreining.co.uk |
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A Bit About Me Shane Borland - South African International rider - the recognised horseman with soft hands that have started over 250 youngsters. I am thrilled to have been asked to write about Shane. I know him to be a quiet, consummate, experienced horseman who served an apprenticeship from early in his life working with good trainers and horses - so this is' a bit about him' written by me. Vix
Having fulfilled his contract with John Collins at Talacrest and turning down the offer to remain with the team for another season the time felt right to strike out on our own and we |
moved to the Midlands renting a yard and taking in polo horses for
training.
About this time Shane travelled to the States looking for a Quarter Horse stud to breed to our Polocrosse TB and Stock horse mares. Shane bought Sons Royal Chic and when told, that with his bloodlines, Chic should be shown in the Reining Shane discovered a new sport and the start of a love affair with western disciplines took hold. Business just grew and grew and going from strength to strength we expanded again and in 2005 we took on a brand new yard based just south of Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire. Here we have 27 acres of well-fenced paddocks including 10 small day paddocks for individual turn out, outdoor arena, a 50ft round pen, all in close proximity to a well equipped yard consisting of 16 rubber matted stables. Wash down bays with hot and cold water, a fan assisted solarium all go to make the yard five star. Shane is a qualified AI Technician and runs his breeding facility with top veterinary practice Bourton Vale Equine Clinic. All breeding is carried out in house. Shane will be standing our own stallion Checking and David Teiderman's Doc's Leaguer during the 2007 breeding season. Shane's reputation for starting horses especially 2 year olds is probably unsurpassed in the UK. Having started over 250 youngsters he is regarded by fellow professionals as one of the top starters of young horses in the country if not Europe and some of the best young stock in the UK today passes through his hands. Shane has started horses for many of the top names in the polo industry and has been pleased to start youngsters from leading yards in the UK's western scene including David Deptford from Sovereign , Lita Pocock at Oakridge, John and Lou from the Mendip Stud and a host of other individuals. |
It is
unlikely that you'll find a show class of four to five year olds and under
that does not contain a Borland started horse at any Western show in the
UK
Shane's role as a trainer is not limited to just young stock and he has a following of non-pro riders who put themselves and their horses under his guidance and tutelage on a permanent basis as well as a providing a safe and professional training yard for competition horses requiring finessing to show horses needing a fix here or there. A few months ago we saw the arrival of the latest recruit to the Borland barn in the birth of our beautiful daughter Sammi - not surprisingly the saddle and buddy stirrups are right next to the pram ! Hope this give you a little insight into Shane and his experience - please call us on the number below for any other information. Shane puts on regular clinics at the Mendip Stud as well as other places in the UK. Thanks to all our customers for your support and to Lou and John for the chance for me to tell you what my quiet and sometimes shy husband wont. ☺
Shane
and Vix Borland Tel: +44(0)7979-966806 shane@borlandquarterhorses.com
Please
click
Next months 'a bit about me' |
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Results
and Diary
Service
Following the recent changes and increased activity on the AQHA UK, WES and British Reining websites, we have concluded that there is no real need for the Results & Diary service that we had planned. All of the above are planning to co-ordinate results with their own websites and if this is done diligently, should prove easy for everyone competing at shows to follow. Where West Coast Circuit shows are concerned the results will be posted on this website and also on the West Coast Circuits own dedicated website |
It is planned for these to be available by the Tuesday afternoon following each show. The results from all other shows held at The Mendip Stud will also be posted on our website. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking the following people and businesses for their immediate response to our request for sponsorship and for the encouragement we received from so many people when we first introduced the idea of such a site. It goes without saying that everyone will be delighted that the societies and associations are now in a position to be able to provide a thorough and regularly available information resource to us, their members. |
Our thanks to the following: March Horse N Tack Oakridge Quarter Horses
Arizona's TailGator |
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David Dellin Clinics Reports and letters about the series of Dave Dellin clinics came in quick and fast from the moment David started his clinic programme a couple of weeks ago. …………here are a few of the comments, letters and reports people have sent to us. By Ashley Watts Chatting to a friend over a beer the other day, he seemed surprised when I told him that my wife and I had been to a few training clinics recently. 'I thought you knew how to ride' he said, 'surely you don't still need lessons…' He is an enthusiastic skier so I asked him what he'd say if he was given the opportunity of a day with Stephan Eberharter…… I think it highly unlikely that his answer would be 'Oh it's OK Steph, I know all about skiing thanks…!' We have just come back from The Mendip Stud in Somerset, where they have had David Dellin from Sanger, Texas. David Dellin is one of the top western pleasure trainers and competitors in the world, the Stephan Eberharter of western pleasure if you like, and many of the U.K.'s trainers travelled their horses to Mendip so they could spend some time with him. Western pleasure is an extremely specialised discipline involving just as much, if not more, skill and expertise as reining. The horse is trained to achieve and maintain a high degree of collection, and because pleasure is a loose rein event, the rider is unable to 'hold the horse up' with rein contact. |
Most of the participants had taken their horses to Mendip for the whole week, working in small groups for two sessions a day, much of the time being spent on getting the horse rounding and working from behind, suppling and obedience, and not allowing the horse to come through the bit. We went up for one of the days, as spectators; watching these kinds of training sessions can be really beneficial as the spectator gets the chance to see how the clinician works to channel and correct both horse and rider. David has a fairly specific programme for his horses, from the weanlings, through to backing, to finished (meaning fully trained) top quality show horses, although he is open minded when it comes to looking at alternative methods, and other trainers. When he trains a pleasure horse, he wants to make being a pleasure horse easy, make them enjoy the job and seek to work in that frame, seeing it as a reward. When he gets in a new horse for training he will spend a lot of time on shaping the horse, getting it working laterally, and getting it to really give to him, before asking for forward movement. He wants to establish the way of going and have the horse maintain the frame, remaining in self-carriage. As David said, 'Make him responsible for holding himself up. You don't hang on and hold him up'. David also explained the bit and spur aids, and how he trains his horses to recognise a bumping spur pressure as a forwards cue, and a solid spur pressure as a cue to lift up, round and lower the head. He also demonstrated how a horse will give more to a bumping bit pressure rather than a solid wall of pressure, although he wants the horse |
to meet that solid wall of pressure when he starts to run. The action of backing him is to say, 'Get off my hands.' He also touched on the ultimate goal, showing the horse on the rail in the show pen, and how important it is to have the horse so well trained that the rider has very little fixing to do. He likes to have different fixes available to him, involving subtle cues with the legs and seat, undetected by the judge (which would detract from the performance), but understood by the horse. He had the riders driving their horse on a circle, getting them really engaged, and then releasing and letting them alone. He explains that one of three things will then happen: 1) They slow down and stay
round. Obviously if they slow down and stay round the rider can continue to leave the horse alone. If they speed up but stay in shape the rider needs to stop the horse and back him up on the circle until he softens. If the horse speeds up and loses shape the rider needs to drive him forwards again. The rider is giving the horse the opportunity to suck back and go slow when the driving aids cease. When the horse starts to get it, they will maybe give one or good two strides before losing shape and/or slowness. This is what we have to work on so that two strides become 4, then 6 and 8, and before we know it the horse is able to hold the frame at the desired speed for a full circle, and then eventually out on the rail. David Dellin is due back at Mendip as part of a European tour next year. |
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Former
'leading lady rider' and International show jumper Kim Roberts's reports
on a day with Dave Dellin and friends………….. As usual being nosey I followed the signs to an equine clinic with Dave something or other put on by the Mendips. As I drove into the venue I was greeted by one of the organisers John whose enthusiasm was so infectious I just had to nip home and get my camera and note pad. Arriving back, I meet every one involved in the day; I was welcomed and made to feel at home with the riders the spectators and at the Dave Dellin Western riding instruction day. It has proven so many times in my eventful voyage on our planet that as life unfolds it takes many a twist and turn of fate or coincidence to move from one adventure to another - "a chance" meeting at an equestrian centre in Somerset has now help me realise my understanding of the Quarter Horse and the folk who are involved in this wonderful sport. |
I owned one some 25 years ago. These guys, "certainly love what they do" I thought, as the day went on, I attentively listened to Dave who has won not one but three titles as World Champion in his field of Western Riding. To put this in an equivalent perspective "He’s won a gold at WEG a Badminton and a Burghley ! This handsome 28 year old charming young man from Texas, whose calm knowledgeable approach put, in a very short time, both horse and riders in the correct style and frame to obtain maximum benefits all round; the horse's became balanced and in turn relaxed and happy as the rider's listened and applied Dave's practical advice. I was also privileged to "have a go" on one of The Mendip Studs quarter horse's with the wonderful name of Zip Van Winkle - thanks Lou - who quickly understood and appreciated I had not sat in the saddle for many years! My short time up on this beautifully schooled horse has now inspired me to go back and get on; "I now have a new lease of life to ride"! Thank you. |
"Dablo if you're looking down on me today" I now know why you jumped on to the International platform so easily, always finding a fifth leg when I miss judged a stride to a fence, the willpower and fortitude to go on whatever the challenge. Dablo was an appaloosa bred on Quarter Horse lines - we won 3 BHS events back to back at five years, then went up through the ranks quickly to International stardom, he made me "Leading Lady rider" jumped 6ft 10in at the Horse of the Year, jumped the Derby's and represented Great Britain; Lionel Dunning borrowed him and won 6 International classes and had high hopes of being a possible Olympic contender; sadly he developed foot problems and was retired to end his days in Glos. Princess Anne and the Late Linda McCartney were but two who would have loved to have owned this talented little horse, that after my trip to meet the quarter horse folk is remembered with pride. Kim |
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"There You
Go!" By David Teideman - Chairman AQHA - UK Jackie and myself were privileged on 19th/20th February to attend the David Dellin Clinic at the Mendip Stud. David, as you may know is a three times World Champion and in 2006 did a series of Clinics in the UK, Europe and Northern America, returning for this pre show season clinic in February. For the people who were not present at the clinic, you just do not know what you missed! David dealt with various subjects including the starting of young stock, ring craft tips in the show pen and many other issues. |
David has the unique ability to get his point across in such a way that he makes the most simple things easily understood. One thing that we did learn was that my young horse is petrified of paper bags which was a huge source of amusement to all concerned -apart from me! However, we will be working on this small issue and I have no doubt we'll sort it out! Both Jackie and myself came away feeling we had increased our knowledge a huge amount and are very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a trainer. We should all try to attend clinics like these, even as spectactors, (spectactors were only charged £10.00 per day) Everyone can benefit so much from experiences like this. |
I believe if we do not support these type of events then in the not too far distance future, these World Champions will not give their precious time to us and will concentrate their efforts in Europe and then it will be our loss. The welcome and hospitality we had from John and Lou and all the staff at The Mendip Stud could not be faulted. From the welcome request of "Tea or Coffee?" from John after a gruelling four hour drive to Lou bringing egg & bacon baps to us while the horses were were being prepared for the morning session. "There you go" Good Job David Dellin (those in attendance will understand!) David and Jackie Teideman |
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DAVID DELLIN AT MENDIP STUD
I recently had the opportunity to ride in a clinic with David Dellin: - American pleasure champion and 'trainer extraordinaire'. I had pestered John Calder for a place and one became available at the last minute. I am a novice rider with a 3-rising 4yr old horse. Someone once told me to get the best trainers I could from the start so I bit back my fear and turned up. I had hardly ever loped this youngster due to earlier problems and certainly not from scratch and with steering! |
I had been practicing on trail rides but only
uphill and when he was tired! I hoped David would not be insulted to have
such an incompetent person on his clinic.
On the contrary he was fantastic. He was thorough and patient, his teaching was clear and fair on the horse and rider and pitched just right. I did lope my horse and he helped me through what was becoming a mental block for me. I have been able to continue at home. I hope to go again next year but I'll try to be first on the list next time. |
I can't stress enough, how good he was to
watch. I wished I had planned to stay longer as I was learning so much
just by watching and listening. Having had a chance to practice, now I can
see the tremendous value of his lessons to rider and auditor alike.
Thank you John and Louise from Mendip Stud, Somerset, for putting on such an exciting week with such a quality trainer. Watch out for it next year and at least go to watch if you can, it's worth it. Linda Carroll |
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Letter to the newsletter
Clinics and Events I have just come back to earth following the wonderful Dave Dellin clinic last week and feel compelled to write to say a massive thank you to all at the Mendip Stud and of course to Dave himself for such a wonderful week. I am sure we all appreciate having access to such amazing trainers as Dave, Ilan Rosenberg, Shane etc. but I am not sure that everyone appreciates just how much hard |
work and commitment is put into
providing these for us by all at The Mendip. It is not just the
actual day(s). John, Lou, Lisa and the team put in months of planning to
ensure that we all have the opportunity to learn from a wide variety of
trainers and to make the day comfortable and enjoyable for all. I for one
think myself extremely lucky to have such a facility on my doorstep.
However, I also appreciate that I, as a rider, have a responsibility to support in anyway I can, by attending clinics either as a rider or spectator (you can learn a |
great deal by
watching), by spreading the word and by ensuring that I keep to my commitments. A
number of clinics have been cancelled recently due to people pulling out
at the last minute. This is extremely disappointing.
I know that where horses are concerned there are no guarantees but if we, that's those who participate in these events, want to continue to have access the wide variety of trainers we have to support them both in and out of the saddle and keep our side of the bargain Debbie Pearse |
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David Dellin Clinics By Gill Parker For two years now 3 time world champion Western pleasure trainer Dave Dellin has come to the UK to give a clinic. Last year when I heard he was coming I made sure I was on every clinic, following him around the country to do so. This year I was without a horse, but I took a youngster for some ground work and spent three days as a spectator. It would be great if every person who has an interest in western riding could have been there. Trainers, competitors and judges could have had the opportunity to see what is required in today's Western Pleasure arena. Dave is a brilliant horseman in the true sense of the word, who happens to excel and specialize in W Pleasure. He is happy and willing to share his methods for producing a great show horse capable of winning the world, yet will spend equal time and effort, encouraging and coaching a novice rider. We have all seen the 'natural horsemanship / whispering' travelling shows so popular in the last few years. This year, Dave showed us equally impressive ground handling skills which actually had a purpose and obvious part in his training program. As if that weren't enough he is also a genuinely nice guy. |
For the second year, there wasn't a person on
the clinic who didn't come away with an idea of how their horse can feel
with the right training and a program of training to take with them. All
the riders and horses made obvious and visible improvements.
I have spent over twenty years going to clinics and trying to continually raise the 'bar' with my riding and horses. In my opinion Dave is by far the best clinician I have seen. The fact that he is prepared to come over here is fantastic and an amazing opportunity for all of us who purport to wish to improve our riding skills. The venue for the clinic had great facilities including a very comfortable viewing gallery. All these things being considered it was a real shame that the spectators gallery wasn't packed and every spectator seat taken. John and Lou of the Mendip Stud put on an extremely well organised yet friendly clinic, which added to the enjoyment. They should really be congratulated for bringing a trainer at the top of his game, to this country. How great to see people prepared to do this and give us the opportunity to raise our game, something which is so desperately needed, given the poor standard of pleasure in our shows. |
I really can't believe
that every trainer and amateur wasn't there listening to every word, it
could only help their performance and business.
There is a constant stream of complaints and petty bickering across the whole sport of western riding. One of the complaints most often levelled is that there aren't enough clinics. Could it be that it is easier to gripe than put in the work to improve? There is so much we all need to learn and I for one want to continue to have these amazing opportunities to work with great trainers. So please, I would urge everybody to seize every opportunity when the major players of our sport come to these shores. If they are not supported they won't come, and if the organisers of these tours can't make them pay, then the only way we will be able to get this help is to travel to the States or to Europe. Even then I doubt you could get the access to the likes of Dave that we enjoy. More than that; just think of the enjoyment and sense of achievement that you can enjoy by having the skills to train your horse better. I am delighted that Dave will be returning next year and I believe his clinics will be over weekends, so I hope many more will take the opportunity to learn from this great trainer. Gill Parker |
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Diary Notes: Please click
for information on other clinics.
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Ilan Rosenberg May Clinic
- DATES CANCELLED
Due to a change of dates for the Italian
Derby we have had to re-schedule the clinics with Ilan that we had planned
in May. |
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Workshop
1 We will be holding the first of our Spring/Summer lecture workshops at Badgworth Arena on 26th April at 7:30 pm Tickets will be available on the door at a cost of £5 per person and refreshments will be available from the Badgworth Arena canteen. The lecture on nutrition is being given by Robert Fowler - one of the leading lights in Equine nutrition in the UK. Robert has been responsible for developing many feed |
products over the last 14 years since he started his Shipston Mill brand. Robert’s title for the workshop is "The Three F’s ….Fibre - First & Foremost…." During which he will give compelling reasons for horse owners to look at their feeding programmes, the reasons for having a balanced programme and provides reasons as to why a change may not only be a as good as a rest but is possibly for the best ! We look forward to seeing many of you at Badgworth later in the month. Robert Fowler studied Agricultural business at Shuttleworth College and after leaving he decided to start a horse feed business. Initially he bought and sold well-known brands but in 1993 Robert bought out the company that he was buying the feed from. This led him to develop his first range of horse feed, the Shipston Mill brand that at its height sold around 4,000 tonnes of feed a year. |
Shipston Mill was sold to Wynnstay PLC in 2004 and Robert went on to develop the Nesler range of feeds, something he had started back in 2000. With "Solid Gold Feed Balancer" at the heart of the range, Nesler offers bespoke rations and formulations to professional riders and stud farms throughout Europe. Nesler has supplied feed to horses at the last 2 Olympic games as well as the WEG. It has among its clients The Mendip Stud, dressage riders, Emile Faurie & Peter Storr, as well as current junior European event champion Laura Collett, and a host of other top professionals around Europe. Due to his frequent travel
around Europe Robert and his wife Christine moved to Portugal in 2006,
where they have set up an Equestrian Centre, which is now selling Sports
type Lusitanos to both UK and German Clients. |
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Workshop
2 Farriers
Workshop At
the end of May / early June we will be hosting a farriers trade only workshop with Jan
Kahle. Jan is one of Europe’s top specialist western farriers who trained and served his apprenticeship working in the US for ten years with the likes of Carol Rose, Tim McQuay, Pete Kyle and many other specialist reining trainers. The first workshop is a closed workshop for farriers only. Details will be published here and in the RunDown magazine when available |
Workshop
3 Equine
First Aid With Tim Randle
and Nicko Roberston from the Stables Equine Practice. Would everyone who is interested in
attending - even if you have
told us of your interest before -
please fill in the form and send it in as soon as possible –
thanks! |
For more information on Tim, Nicko and The
Stables Equine Practice go to their website
Tim
and Nicko would also like feedback from those of you who will be attending
on the types of injury and first aid techniques you would like them
to address and any other first aid related
subjects or issues and problems that you’d like them to discuss. |
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David Dellin's DVD on Leg Control is now available. To order please send in a cheque for £29.50 (postage and packing free in the UK) to The Mendip Stud Allow seven days for delivery - Also available from Arizona's, March Horse' n Tack and the Western Boots and Saddle company. |
You can view a clip of the DVD at |
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David Dellin in David Dellin and John Calder
have teamed up. John will be
representing David in the UK and Europe as his exclusive representative
and agent and also working with David on some specific projects in the US.
John and David have been friends for a few years now and it is a very
exciting opportunity for them both. The press release last month read: ‘Three times world pleasure champion David Dellin announced today the appointment of |
Speaking at a reception in England, where he has been conducting a five day clinic tour, the American star said ' I am delighted to be able to work with John, we have been friends for a few years now and it is a very exciting opportunity to expand my business outside America. I have seen John and Lou establish the Mendip Stud as one of the leading centres for western riding outside the US and I am |
John was not short of praise for David saying ' It is extremely rare to find in a 28 year old such professionalism and talent which has taken him to the very top of his chosen sport and a world class trainer and I believe he will become one of the all time greats of our sport - it is a pleasure and a source of great pride and joy for me to work with David and Julie and their family and I am sure that this is the start of an exciting and rewarding time for us all.' |
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International Honours for Lily Fry Congratulations are due to local youth rider Lily Fry on being awarded international honours representing Team G.B. in the Euro Cup later this year. Lily has worked very hard over the last few years - attending clinics both here and elsewhere, putting in hours of practise in the not so glamorous cold and wet winter nights, working on her technique and learning to maximise her talent. Everyone connected with the Mendip Stud sends congratulations to Lily on her selection to represent her country and wishes her good luck in the run up to, and of course at the competition itself. |
 Lily
is 16 and has two Quarter horses, a 15.2 Pleasure mare called Angel and a
14.2 bay reining mare, also called Lili.
Last year Lily went to Amarillo as a reserve member of the UK Youth Team taking part in the Youth World Cup, her dream since then has been to compete with Lili in Europe. Over the last few months Lily has been an active member of the AQHA youth training scheme. Late last week the exciting news came through that Lily had made it on to the UK Team going to Denmark in July this summer to compete in the Euro Cup. The team consists of five youths between the ages of |
fifteen and nineteen. The whole experience of seeing, let along taking part in an International competition will be an eye-opening and fantastic opportunity. Lily is thrilled with the chance to represent the UK and knows she is going to have to put in extra effort with her horses in what is also an important academic year. She said ............ ' I am also taking my GCSE exams this summer so I am going to have to work out my training program around studying for them, but luckily Ilan Rosenberg is visiting The Mendip Stud again soon so I am booked into some of his clinics to help with the reining side of things. The other disciplines I have to continue my training with are Horsemanship, Hunter under Saddle, Hunt Seat Equitation, Trail and Showmanship.' |
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Pre-season Training By John Calder. Well I guess it is fair to say
that we’ve started something ! The idea initially spawned
last year during the European Championships became a reality. A bunch of like minded folk were able to travel to Kreuth, compete in one of Europe’s great venues, have a world class trainer on hand to help them through the experience, prepare and train the week before and have a hell of a good après ski life as well. |
When we go to Stansted, Luton,
Gatwick we all see them - the amateur football clubs, the golfers, the
cricketers, the rugby players – all of them laughing and bubbling as
they set off on their pre-season
training tours – this time Dover saw them not loaded up with golf bags
or cricket bats but horseboxes and tack. It wasn’t only for riders
but supporters too. Ten days later they came home
– all a little wiser – all having met personal challenges – faced a
few demons and all having had a great time. Tally Wade came over and reported on the show – her article is below |
All the riders found the
experience invaluable and are looking forward to the reining season in the
UK especially with all the new venues and surfaces available this year.
The feedback from those who went has been fantastic. There are plans for 2008. We
will have a limited number of places available and already have a few on
the list – if you are interested for 2008 – please let me know. It
takes a long time to plan, organise and coordinate so as much advance
notice is helpful. To those of you who went this
year - thanks for your
support - “good job” –
look forward to next year. J☺ |
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Pre-season Training Tour to Germany
Tammy Greaves may have stolen the show at Mendip Stud's pre-season training tour to Germany last month but it's plainly justified to say that all the riders held their own, giving competent, solid performances and taking away more than a fair share of awards. Under the
watchful eye of
All the tour participants gathered at Ilan's facility in Elsenz on Thursday 8th March to iron out problems, perfect manoeuvres, improve ring craft and consolidate horse and rider partnerships. Six days later the camp moved the 350km to Kreuth for the 'Slide Away'. Attracting 112 reiners including names such as former world champion Rudi Kronsteiner (AUT), Grischa Ludwig and Volker Schmitt (GER), Egon Gerstgrasser (ITA) and Mireille Van Soldt (NL), and 220 starts. The three day show kicks off the NRHA South Germany reining season.
SHOW DAY |
Penny was next in. Assuring me that her horse Blackjac Sailor (BJ) is usually a relaxed, laid back individual I was surprised to witness the pair make haste to take 7th. Horse and rider were clearly enjoying their first run in the big arena. Peter and his honest mare Chex Out This Action were also on a mission and ran their pattern with conviction to stand 15th. Fired up from their run the previous evening, David and Toddy were in early to Saturday's Limited Non Pro - Pattern 7. The pair's big stops and aggressive large, fast circles secured them 7th in a class of 36 - a fantastic achievement and another ribbon for the Mendip camp! Saturday afternoon and Gill Parker took 9th on Gregory Pep - the youngest horse to be placed in the Green Reiner. This was a totally new experience for Pleasure/Trail stalwart Gill whose last visit to Kreuth was the 2002 AQHA Championships where she took Silver and Bronze in Trail on Greg's maternal half sister, Maid of Jade. Later that evening Tammy entered the ring with The Magic of Whiz, the first of her two rides in the Intermediate Non Pro, running pattern 9. After a testing time with the horse the previous day, Tammy scored a solid 70 for joint 6th from 23 riders and then took 4th with a 70.5 on her second horse Peppy Nic Tivio! Alas, poor Lita suffered over the tour from an aggravation to an old back injury. This rendered her a spectator for most of the training period and unable to ride in the first two days of competition. Strapped up, to ease the concussion to her spine, Lita bravely guided Bay Reyner through Pattern 5 in Sunday morning's Rookie to place in the top half of an enormous class of 42. What can I say but "Well done Lita!" She'll be back at Kreuth soon, fully fit and ready to show to her full ability. TAMMY'S TRIUMPH The remainder of the show belonged to Tammy. She secured the top two places in the Youth 14-18 year old class and then achieved two outstanding runs in the Tom Winter Morrison Trophy Non Pro - Pattern 5. Having worked patiently and consistently with Magic, a talented horse but challenging horse, Tammy guided the horse to a comfortable 72.5 point and second place - just half a point behind the winner. Peppy Nic Tivio ran an equally proficient 72 to take joint third. |
Such huge achievements have been realised by riders not all of whom have much showing or even reining experience. They found themselves competing in one of Europe's most prestigious reining venues, proving their right to be there. I hope their achievements will inspire others to do the same.
Of course, the man who bought all these performances together is Ilan. He toiled with undivided attention, dedicating himself to producing the best result possible from every horse and rider. Niki, Ilan's wife, devoted herself to the care of the horses and competitors before and after each run - always there with a comforting word and an expert eye. Completing the team was Nina Scholmann (an invaluable member of the Mendip team since her stay at the stud last summer) who ensured the welfare of each horse. Despite some unexpected challenges John Calder the tour organiser kept everyone and everything together. Each and every one involved owes a vote of thanks to John. His input was so much more than organisation alone. We must thank him and the Mendip team for the opportunity for riders to better their skills, knowledge and experience - and for presenting them with a new level of understanding and competence in readiness for the season back home. New friendships were forged and a spirit of 'all for one and one for all' emerged with each spectator riding every stride of every team members' pattern. At one point someone was heard to say "Just how many people are riding that horse!?!" as a frantic chorus of clucks and kisses echoed around the stalls during what was nearly a trot out from a roll back in an early run. By allowing riders the chance to step outside their comfort zone and succeed at a European level, the tour has helped build the next step for the sport and raised awareness of exactly what is coming out of our grass root development. Early talks are underway for a 2008 pre season training tour to repeat the success of this year's trip. So keep an eye on the Mendip website for more information. |
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Louise
Talintyre - Following a good response to last months reminder about stallions and breeding we would urge you to make contact with Lou as soon as possible to book in your mare. Many thanks to all those of you who booked last month.
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Obsesed To Boogie APHA - Homozygous Black Tobiano. This exciting young stallion will Standing at the Stud for the 2007 season. Owned by Claire Ward - Kingslea Arabians |
All our stallions are swabbed,
tested |
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The Mendip Stud Club 'The Club' New date for the Club show is 19th May. All members are invited to participate. Show secretary will be Sheena Atkinson who will be able to forward you a schedule. Please email Sheena at sheenaatkinson@talktalk.net There will be a BBQ in the evening following the show for members and their guests only at £10 per head. We hope as many of you will join in to make this a successful inaugural event. Don't forget that Club Members get discount with the following suppliers: Western Boots and Saddles Company 10% on all products except saddles where 5% is available. Stockists of Cattleman's Saddles, Stetsons, all types of Western tack including show halters, spurs & straps and other show equipment and accessories.
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Arizonas 10% on all products including saddles. Stockists of Bob's Custom Saddles, Weaver Saddles, Kensington Horse Rugs, Resistor Jeans, Justin & Ariat Boots and Montana Silver.
Sprout Rocking Horses Somerset based manufacturers of unique hand carved wooden rocking horses as well as wonderful hand made oak furniture. Members are entitled to a 5% discount.
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March Horse N' Tack Ltd Our thanks to Jeannine March and March Horse N' Tack Ltd. who will offer 10% discount to members for 2007 on all clothing, rugs and other equipment. Saddles - 5% for saddles up to £2000 and 10% for saddles over £2000. Members discounts do not apply to special offers, items on sale, discount shopping days.
Suppliers of specialised western tack and saddles selling high quality western riding equipment including top brands such as Equiflex, Professionals Choice, Continental, Pullman, Wrangler, Bobs, Davies and many more. You can visit Jeannine
March's shop in Dunstable, Beds. any time or have a browse at her websites: |
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2007 West Coast Circuit Premiere Show 8th -
10th Two-day show at The Mendip Stud. NRHA, BR, AQHA including open super horse Class. For further information contact Jane Muir at quarterhorseshows@aol.com or call 01934 751258 or email info@themendipstud.com
Both shows will be affiliated to AQHA, NRHA and BR plus we will also have an open superhorse class. We will have sites for pitches from tack companies and commercial suppliers - these will be available for a modest fee - please contact us early for details. Stables allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Schedules will be emailed shortly by Jane Muir and will also be available to download from our website and the new website currently under construction for all West Coast Shows www.showwestern.com. Please use this form to register your interest. |
Download Schedule
Sponsors Wanted We are looking for sponsors for prizes, classes, rosettes and many other sponsorship opportunities. Please click here and register your interest in becoming a sponsor. |
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Name:
Tardees In Fashion Why
did you choose to live at TMS? How
did you get the job of lesson horse? So
Blue what's a typical week in your life like? |
Have
you had any show achievements? ●
High point intl halter 3yr old stallion
(03-open). Sooooo I earned: ●
4 performance wins; |
What
disciplines do you specialize in Blue? Blue,
what would be your favourite food? Do
you have a favourite client? What
would you like to say to anyone out there who might like to try Western
for the first time? |
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Please
click |
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Youth and Young Rider Clinics with Lisa
John
Our first youth day/clinic took place yesterday – we have two more this week and plans are being made for the summer half term and summer holidays. Thanks to Lily Fry and Angel for all the demonstrations.
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The day is aimed at an introduction for the very novice western youth rider age 9 - 15 The cost for the whole day will be £20 per rider plus lunch at £5.00 for both participants and parents. Maximum 6 participants. To register your interest in our future clinics please contact Lisa on 0797 707 0084 |
An update on the forthcoming novice youth days.
Early last month a decision was made to fix a date for a novice western youth day for the Easter holls. Thinking that we would have half a dozen local youths from the Somerset area eager to spend a day with us, you can imagine my delightful surprise when more than four days have all of a sudden been fully booked over the whole Easter period by children coming from as far away as Ireland.
I am thrilled and excited to think that we have so much support and enthusiasm for our sport. I have had stern words with my equine helpers Blue, Jarvis, MO and Splash and they have promised to help me give all the youths the best possible introduction to western riding… we'll see |
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I am sure that everyone who owns a horse is now looking forward to the summer and with it the longer evenings and more opportunities to ride. Life at the Stud has kept busy throughout the winter and the promise of an indoor school before next winter is a very welcome one. Celia Gadd who heads up the traditional section of the stud will be having a short break during the foaling season, while she also has a baby!! The baby is due at the beginning of May and so all being well she will be back in the saddle, and the school, very soon after!
Another exciting development is that Celia and her sister, Liz Snell who owns Equine, Canine and Country Recruitment are to launch a new magazine in September. The magazine will be called Equine, Canine and Country Life, West Country, and will cover all things equestrian, canine and country living with sections on all horse disciplines (including a monthly Western riding section) and property, events, rural crafts, careers etc. If anyone would like to contribute/advertise or just find out more about it then please contact Celia as below. There are some dates booked already for
lessons later on in the summer so if anyone is interested then please ring
Celia to book your place on 01934 751171 or 07779 716826 |
June 2nd Dressage training, specifically aimed at those competing in riding club teams on the 16th/17th at the Bath and West Showground, but all welcome. 2 people at a time for 45 minutes, concentrating on test riding if appropriate but happy to cover any problems/improvements necessary. Can cater for all standards/first timers or more advanced as necessary. £15 each. July 17th August 14th The
Mendip Stud Intensive Training Weekend Friday 29th - July 1st 2007 Chief
Instructor and Organiser: Celia Gadd Basic Itinerary Friday 29th Arrive with horses a.m. Settle into stables. Lessons commencing 11am. Some on own horses, some on other horses, lunging, stable management etc. 1pm Lunch - included. 2pm - 4pm Instruction continues. 5pm - Western Riding Demonstration by The Mendip Stud. The theories behind the Western approach, psychology of training and reasons for types of classes. 7pm - Local pub for tea. (Not included in price) |
Saturday 30th
Full day of lessons, flatwork, show jumping, lunging, position work etc. Also, 'have a go' at Western riding incorporated into the day. Groups of 3 to ride Western trained horses. 1pm - 2pm Lunch - included. 7pm BBQ - Included to those on weekend course. All others welcome at £15 per head. This is no ordinary BBQ. Huge range of food, licensed bar available. Tickets only please, numbers at least 3 days before if possible. Sunday 1st July Morning of lessons (if hangovers not too bad!!). Test riding techniques and show jumping. Lunch - included. PM Friendly competition - Groups will be split into teams, a dressage test will be ridden and judged and also a show jumping style competition for those who want to jump. Scores will be added together and prizes given… 5pm - Pack up and go home.. Total price includes stabling for horses including bedding on Friday and Saturday night. This will be in temporary stables at the Stud. Lunch included on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and BBQ on Saturday night. At least 5 hours instruction on own horse + riding others, lunging, stable management, join up practice and Western riding. £220 (10% discount for Wessex riding club or The Mendip Stud members) Limited accommodation will be available in the farm house by separate arrangement and camping will be possible in the lorry park. |
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Congratulations to David and Julie Dellin on the birth of their son
Lane |
Welcome to our new readers
Please
send in details of anyone else that you think might like to receive the
newsletter, or you can subscribe them online by using this
form. We value your privacy and will not pass your details to any third party. To view our Privacy Policy click here. |
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February Caption Competition Winner
Congratulations to Lita Pocock from Lincoln who wins a free nights accommodation at The Mendip Stud (date subject to availability) |
Easter Egg Competition
Just like in our Christmas newsletter we thought we'd celebrate with a little competition. Winners will receive a bottle of Champagne and passes for 2 to the sponsors tent at the 2 Mendip Stud shows this year. The sponsors tent will contain all sorts of goodies including sandwiches, cakes and all manner of liquid refreshment, both alcoholic and non! All you need to do is find
the 3 Easter Eggs hidden on the website, To enter please use
this
form |
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Rundown
editor Tally Wade reports on the trip to Kreuth.
European Champion Ilan Rosenberg, following
a week of intensive training,
riders David Brimson, Penny Brommersma, Peter Lane, Gill Parker, Lita
Pocock and Tammy Greaves dared to run their first pattern of the year in
one of Europe's biggest arenas in the Gut Matheshof Slide Away show in
Kreuth.
ApHC
An
interview with 'Blue' from
single one of them something
new… if I had to name one then its gotta be Disco Stu and his fantastic
shoulder wiggle, we did the Xmas fancy dress together where I taught him
how to ride a pleasure class… check out the pic.
