March 2020

We had two horses qualified for the British Dressage Prestige Winter Regionals and are delighted that India and Izzy (Issey Magic) finished in 1st place in the Elementary Silver class, qualifying for the NAF Winter Championships. Ann and Eddie (Escade) finished in 7th place in the Advanced Medium Gold.

Charli - it was with great sadness and regret that we had to announce that Charli, one of our apprentices passed away on Saturday 7th March. She will remain forever in our hearts

Dressage Camp - Verity was back teaching again and we had a fab two days with like-minded people and their horses all working to improve their horse’s way of going and understanding of dressage. Flat work and then a pole work session with Ali to finish off. Delighted to say that one of the riders then went on to win her Novice class at her next dressage competition - well done Alison.

We held our monthly British Dressage competitions on Sunday 15th and Monday 16th March and were very pleased there were no storms this time! Lovely to see all the beautiful horses competing.

Witham Villa issued the following Coronovirus Statement
In light of such rapid developments recently with Coronovirus (Covid-19), we would like to communicate our status as a business and active member of the equestrian community, as well as the measures we have put in place to ensure we are doing everything possible to help keep our team, and all of our clients safe.
Currently our service to clients is very much business as usual, with our lessons and shows continuing as scheduled.  All of our members of staff will be observing increased hygiene procedures, especially with regard to hand washing.  WASH HANDS REGULARLY and for 20 SECONDS.  They will also be following  government advice regarding self- isolation if appropriate.

Lesson Bookings information – on the day of your lesson, if you or someone in your immediate household feels ill, exhibits flu like symptoms or a persistent cough or high temperature then PLEASE do not turn
up to ride.  We will cancel your lesson at no charge and you can simply rebook when you are once more in good health.

We are meticulously following any updates in guidelines from our governing bodies such as the FEI,
BEF and of course the UK Government, with any further changes to our policy being communicated immediately.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Please can we ask you to wash your hands on arrival and departure from the yard. Whilst here please maintain social distancing and try not get closer than 2 metres to another person. Please keep safe distances whilst waiting in reception. Please keep safe distances when using the café and viewing gallery.

We are very grateful for your cooperation and hope that by taking all advised precautions that we will be able to continue providing lessons as we all try to stay safe.

Thank you from the Witham Villa team, and please stay safe and vigilant.

UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS

Following advice given in the Prime Minister’s statement on Monday 23rd and subsequent communication from the British Horse Society we are now very sadly temporarily closed for business from Tuesday 24th March. The riding school horses have been turned out in small herds in the fields and are getting hay each day and receiving farrier or veterinary treatment if needed. The majority of our staff have been furloughed as we currently have no income. We are running on a skeleton staff and onsite family volunteers to keep us all safe and still make sure all of the horses are well looked after.

Facebook

We are posting daily updates with pictures of the horses and quizzes, keep fit ideas etc so do “like” the Witham Villa Equestrian Centre page and you can also request to join the Witham Vila Eq Centre public group where you can post your own photos etc.

JustGiving

We have set up a page for anybody wishing to make a donation towards the upkeep of the Witham Villa horses and ponies whilst we are unable to offer lessons. If you would like to donate then please go to:-

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/withamvilla

Thank you.

February 2020

February was a stormy month! Sadly we had to close for the day on Sunday 9th Feb due to Storm Ciara. This was very unusual for us as we have our lovely indoor school but conditions were just too fierce that day.

We kicked off our 2020 dressage competitions on 16th/17th February. Storm Dennis resulted in low entries for the Sunday but we were lucky to have a lovely day on the Monday so it was great to see our competitors and their horses back competing again.

Lots of fun was had by riders coming and taking part in our half term holiday special activities. The Witham Villa Holiday Dressage League is now very popular and special congratulations to all the competitors that day who braved the rain with smiley faces.

The BHS Riding Schools Competition Regional Final was held here on the Friday of half term resulting in qualification for a number of our riders for the National Final due to be held in the Easter holidays.

Congratulations to:-

12 & Under - Bella

13-17 - Connie, Maddie and Zara, Hannah

18+ - Kay, Ellie and Hannah

We hosted a BHS Safeguarding Course here ensuring all our staff are compliant with regulations.

Witham Villa Pony Club sent a team to the Pony Club Area 7 National Quiz Qualifier at Cannock and they finished in 3rd place. Congratulations to Ava, Bella, Molly and Leila and a huge thank you to Amelia Morris-Payne for training them.

January 2020

Happy New Year/New Decade!

We had an enjoyable time here at Witham Villa with a variety of events held over the holiday period.

2020 Diary Date Cards

This year we have produced a postcard for all of our special activities and also one dedicated purely to our dressage events - don’t forget to pick one up from reception so you can update your diaries and plan ahead.

Witham Villa Junior Trainee Scheme -

The Witham Villa Junior Trainees enjoyed a party day here on 2nd January. All of the trainees work towards their Pony Club badges, the Witham Villa Stable Management awards and the ABRS Teacher’s Helper Certificates. Minimum age is 11. To apply to join you need to be a member of the Witham Villa Pony Club Centre and be approved by the Pony Club Co-ordinator. You need to be a regular rider with us. Application forms are held in reception for anyone wishing to become a Junior Trainee

Thursday Morning Pole Clinic

Once a month Alison West runs a pole clinic here at Witham Villa. This is aimed for people on their own horses but would also be available for clients riding one of the Witham Villa horses. The clinics are enjoyed by all that take part - a good fun way of introducing gymnastic training for horse and rider. To book go to the Equo Events website.

Thursday Morning Dressage

This re-starts on Thursday 13th February Int. A, P7, N24 - entries via Equo Events

BHS Stage 2 Training Course for Stable Management Practical and Theory (not riding)

This course, run by Louise Mellor starts on 3rd February 6-8pm. Bookings via Equo Events

Adult Stable Management Course

A new course run by Nicola Monks started on 16th January from 6-8pm for riders wishing to learn more about looking after horses.

Dressage

We are looking forward to the start of our 2020 season of competitions held here at Witham Villa. Entries for our Sunday and Monday BD and unaffiliated competitions are via Horse Monkey from this year whilst all other Witham Villa special events continue to be through Equo Events. Our first British Dressage competitions run on Sunday February 16th - P13 and P14 and Monday 17th February P15, P17a, N23, N37a, E43, E59, M61, M75, AM85, AM98. Don’t forget to get your entries in!

News about Verity

Verity had a hip replacement operation on 11th January and is making a good recovery. However, due to this she has not been available for any lessons, but is hoping to re-start soon.

December 2019

Kimberley House Riding for the Disabled Group meet here at Witham Villa and it is great that the Rotary Club of Leicester have chosen them as one of their charities to support this year:-

Rotary Club of Leicester presents £2,000 of items to Kimberley House Riding for the Disabled Group to mark Association’s 50th birthday 

The Rotary Club of Leicester has presented Leicester-based Kimberley House Riding for the Disabled Association Group with £2,000 of equestrian items after fundraising to mark The Riding for the Disabled Association’s 50th anniversary year.

On Thursday 28th November Chris Saul, current President of The Rotary Club of Leicester, presented the items, including jodhpurs, riding boots, specialist reins and safety equipment to members of the Kimberley House RDA Group,  a founding RDA group which is based at Witham Villa Equestrian Centre in Broughton Astley.

£1,000 was raised via a summer funday at Witham Villa in June organised by Kimberley House and Rotary Club members.  The event included a demonstration by Kimberley House riders and children from the Pony Club based at Witham Villa, along with other equestrian demonstrations, stalls, a barbeque and raffle. The funds raised by the Rotary Club of Leicester via the funday were then matched by a grant from the Rotary Foundation. 

All members of the Kimberley House Group are aged between 8 and 14 years and attend Ash Field Academy in Leicester, a day and weekly boarding school for around 160 pupils who have a range of disabilities which can be combined with one or more needs of a sensory, communication, learning, medical or behavioural nature. Ash Field Academy’s Principle, Jenny Bone also attended the presentation, along with parents, carers and governors.  

Kimberley House RDA Group is run entirely by volunteers who prepare the horses for riding, the arena and assist with leading and side-walking riders who are less confident.  Volunteers also help with fundraising as the group receives no outside funding. 

Sarah Smith from Kimberley House RDA says: “We are so grateful to members of the Rotary Club of Leicester and everyone who supported the funday for providing these fantastic items.  Children have been riding in ordinary clothing which is not always suitable.  The new riding clothing will make their experience even more comfortable and enjoyable, with new polo and sweatshirts adding to the children’s feeling of being part of this special group.  The specialist safety equipment will also help the children to develop their riding whilst also making sessions easier for volunteers.”

We welcomed a new pony to join the Witham Villa team, his name is Bumble and he is already becoming a firm favourite with the children - check out the pictures on our Facebook Page

De Montfort University Equestrian Team train here at Witham Villa and have posted some excellent results in their BUCS team competitions so far this year:- A Team, second; B Team 1st with individual 2st 2nd and 3rd places; C Team 2nd; D Team 2nd. We wish them well in their future competitions in 2020

BHS Exams - We completed our Stage 1 training course and then went on to host two Stage 1 exams and a Stage 2 Teach exam here in December. Stage 2 Care training course starts here in the New Year - full details are on the Equoevents website.

Christmas - we had our staff Christmas lunch here at Witham Villa on 18th December and are now looking forward to all the Christmas activities to be held here over the holidays, if you haven’t booked yet all the activities are listed on Equoevents, the site that we use for bookings. We will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and on New Year’s Day. We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and Happy and Peaceful New Year.

November 2019

We held our final dressage shows of the year in November, culminating with our own Championship Show. It was lovely to see the delight on the everyone’s faces, especially the children with their sashes and prizes.

We have had a successful season with the Witham Villa dressage horses. Eddie (Escade) is qualified for the British Dressage Advanced Medium Winter Regionals, Victor (V) for the Elementary regionals, Izzy (Issey Magic) for the Novice and Elementary Regionals.

It has been lovely to see Harrison (Harry) out competing in the affiliated classes at Prelim level and see the progress from the start of the year to achieving scores of up to 65%.

Also just starting out is Jeanie (Lady Jean) so watch this space!

This year has also seen the Witham Villa Dressage League shows and the Thursday morning shows going from strength to strength. An ideal platform for anyone who wants to get started and progress in dressage with lots of help and advise available. We’ve had tiny tots through to over 70’s taking part and having a great time.

November also saw another successful 2 day dressage camp. It has been great to see the progress of the horses and riders that have come and enjoyed these fun educational days.

We are delighted to announce that Serina Gonchakov passed her BHS Stage 3 Teach meaning she is now a fully qualified BHS CCH (coach in complete horsemanship)

We continually work to upgrade Witham Villa and are pleased that work on the inside of the Indoor School is now complete - it has been cleaned, repainted and the surface has been upgraded.