Happy New Year! We wish everyone success in achieving their personal goals this year and hope everyone continues to enjoy the horses and their riding sessions.
Weather - We coped well with the snow and cold conditions. When the water drinkers froze in the stables we had to go back to filling water buckets for all of the horses. Fortunately we didn’t have any burst pipes and were glad when temperatures rose again. But then there was rain - endless rain! Muddy fields and so, so wet everywhere. We are all so looking forward to Spring!
Staff - Jessie Potter left us this month to take up a position as a livery yard manager. Jessie had studied for and been successful in her Level 2 Apprenticeship with us as well as gaining her BHS Stage 2 Complete and BHS Stage 2 Teach. We wish her well in her equestrian career.
Clinics - we are continuing with our monthly Monday clinics in 2026 and are delighted that we will have a dressage clinic with Kate Cowell, a dressage clinic with India Durman-Mills and a Pole Clinic with Alison West running regularly each month. All bookable via My Riding Life. Open to riders on their own horses or on a Witham Villa horse/pony
Unaffiliated Dressage - this will continue in 2026, generally the first Monday of the month. The first show this year will be in February.
Affiliated Dressage - India and Nalla (Vanilla P) were reserve champions for the Elementary Gold class held at Onley EC. This gives them direct qualification for the Winter Championships to be held at Addington in April. A great result.
India and Fizz (High Hoes Epernay) finished in 5th place in the Prelim Gold class at Arena UK with 70%+. We were so pleased with this result as Fizz took the big atmosphere all in her stride showing a maturity beyond her years.
Verity and Gaya finished in 7th place in the Advanced Medium Freestyle Silver class.
Training - India took Eddie and Nalla to the P3 Podium Potential camp, which sadly didn’t work out as Eddie got very excited to be going out and travelling with another horse and just would not settle, so Verity had to bring him back home, drop him off and then turn round and go back to the camp!
Nalla was not bothered by any of it and was impeccably behaved throughout! These camps are very thorough and there is input regarding the veterinary aspect, farriery, physio, tack fitting, nutrition - horse and human, rider fitness as well as the ridden training.
Maintenance - the horses had visits wherever required from Chiropractor, Massage therapist, Salt therapy, Equine Touch, Farrier, Vet - vaccinations etc to ensure they are all kept fit and well.