Maintenance - During May we took delivery of our new paddock cleaner. This will save so many hours of “poo picking” as it will now become a one person job to drive the tractor with the cleaner in tow and will leave the fields in pristine condition.
In typical “Spring Cleaning” style we embarked on clearing out the large store at the dressage end. It turned into a much bigger job than expected, but is going to result in a much more useable and well organised space.
Stable Yard maintenance - thank you to Jim for coming and fixing the roof on the store, mending the shelving, cleaning the gutters and all of the general stable repairs. All maintenance is an ongoing task.
Field maintenance - we had to replace a large section of our post and rail fencing to keep it all in good repair and provide a safe environment for our horses when they are turned out.
Arena maintenance - our arenas are harrowed and levelled daily and the indoor school is also watered as necessary to ensure a dust free environment. Additionally we have an outside contractor as needed to ensure that the surfaces are evenly graded throughout. This addiitonal work was done this month
British Horse Society - Changing Lives Through Horses - we are in the process of becoming a CLTH centre and are currently receiving training from the BHS prior to launching the scheme here.
Horses - we said farewell to Romeo who returned to his owner after a two year loan period to Witham Villa. He was a fabulous pony for us and had a big fan club who were sad to see him go. A big thank you to his owners for letting us have him for the past two years.
Ceasar also returned to his owners after a shorter loan period to us. We wish them both well back home.
Poppy - after sustaining an injury a few months ago, she had been gradually improving, but very sadly went into decline and in the interests of horse welfare and in consultation with our vets she was put to sleep on 29th May. She was a superb pony for us here at Witham Villa and had been part of so many riders journeys, from beginner up to advanced riders as she was so well trained both on the flat and jumping. She will be so missed, but we are left with the most wonderful memories and she will be forever in our hearts.
Dressage yard - we have taken on some training liveries and look forward to working with these horses and riders and seeing them progress and develop.
British Dressage - India and Fizz (High Hoes Epony) completed qualification for the Novice Gold regionals following a trip out to Arena UK.
India and Nalla (Vanilla P) completed qualification for the Medium Gold regional class
India and Eddie (Escade) competed in the Inter II Under 25 class at Hickstead Premier League, winning the class and achieving the International qualifying score of 67%
World Class Programme India and Eddie attended the P3 training camp at Home Farm - an excellent two days with the opportunity of test riding the Inter II, working on test riding tips, and developing the piaffe and passage, as well as sessions or rider fitness and nutrition, and horse fitness, nutrition, tack fit etc. It was good to catch up with the other riders and their support crews.
BHS exams - congratulations to Dawn who passed her BHS Stage 2 Care and Lunge, an excellent achievement