C.E.C. WINTER 2010/2011 NEWSLETTER
We have long since said goodbye to the sunshine and light evenings and we are now in back into the colder, wetter (and even snowier) days of Winter. The horses are rugged up and the floodlights are on for lessons. The good news is that although everyone looks a little bigger under all their layers for the most part the lessons and hacks carry on as normal-we use the indoor school more and in the heaviest of snow may have to restrict hacking Please ask your instructor what to wear for your lessons if you are not sure how to keep warm and mobile! Dont forget your thick socks and gloves!
New Arrivals:
We would like to welcome a few new horses here on working livery. Cha Cha (owned by Eli) & Jack (owned by Jen) joined us in the Autumn (although having had a knock he is on the easy list). Next time you are on the yard feel free to ask one of the helpers to introduce them to you and may be they will become your favourite!
Away:
Once again we were well represented at many equestrian events this Autumn. Annie Ho has just returned from China representing Hong Kong in the Asian Games (a report will appear in the next newsletter) and we will follow her progress to London 2012.
CEC continues to provide horses for various events; this autumn the team were kept very busy taking horses and ponies to Penthalons in the Midlands and locally. In these events the horses are required to jump 2 or 3 rounds with a rider who has a very short time to get to know them. Not easy for the riders however it does show what willing genuine horses we provide.
Home:
Here at home we have been very well represented at some of the bigger shows by some of our more experienced young riders; they are nearly always placed and demonstrate just how far you can get with hard work and dedication. And we have had many young (and not so young) riders competing and doing very well at local Show Jumping, Dressage and Cross Country events. We have also taken a number of young horses out to shows as part of their education. It is really interesting to watch these youngsters being brought on from being very green (a horsey term for not knowing what they are doing!) and unsure what is being asked to confident and fluent rides. We have also had a few Pony Club events at CEC, many of our youngsters have joined Wimbledon Pony Club and as a result we are seeing more and more Rallies here at Chessington. In 2011 we hope to start a Pony Club Centre, this will give our younger riders even more opportunity to develop skills and increase their equine knowledge. Please keep an eye on the Website and notice board or you can speak to Steve.
Sad Goodbye's 
:
Sadly we have to say goodbye to some of our much loved horses and ponies. Llewy a children's favourite has been retired so he can enjoy a quieter life away from the school. We also lost two stable stalwarts. Mikey and Eddie were fantastic servants and helped many adults gain skills and confidence, in return we looked after them well into their twilight years and ensured they had the dignified end they deserved. Here at CEC we take great care of our horses when their working lives are over; in many cases we find quieter retirement homes where the horses can grow old in peaceful surroundings.
Other News:
CEC recycles & reuses! Please let us have any old duvets; they really do help keep the horses warm during the cold nights. We also use shredded paper for bedding (we have a shredder if you have large quantities you wish to recycle. Please can we remind people not to bring dogs to the yard. The yard has several dogs who are very good around horses and people, it is however their patch. Visiting dogs can upset our dogs and in turn this could worry the horses.
Horse of the Newsletter!
We haven't nominated a horse star for this newsletter, they have all been brilliant. Let us know if you think your favourite horse should be the CEC Star!
Well, thats the end of our Winter Newsletter. More to come in the Spring!!
C.E.C. SUMMER NEWSLETTER
A busy summer at home and away!
We have had a typically busy summer break (the horses are still wondering why it is called a holiday!)
At home: through-out the summer our team of instructors have been continuing with their regular lessons (groups and private) and hacks. They have also led an exciting programme of new and the more familiar events including:
- Beginner and novice weeks (daily riding and stable management)
- Fun days
- Jumping for the faint hearted / improve your canter
- Picnic rides / Day Rides (including Newlands Corner & Richmond Park)
- Combined (dressage & jump) training
- Musical rides
TREC (see below for an explanation)
New to CEC –TREC Thanks to Dianne CEC has seen its first TREC training and mini competition. TREC is a competition that has something to offer every horse and rider. It is a great way to build confidence! Some of our TREC Equine stars were Brin, Champ and Harvey. Please let us know if you would like more TREC events at CEC.
Away:
We have been successfully represented at many horsey events ranging from County shows to starter events and pony club. Some of the horses have been on a working holiday and a few have made racecourse appearances!
Polly & Slim won the B&C Handicap Class at the Kent County Show whilst Dotty & Georgia qualified for SCOPE – this is a great achievement; we will have updates in future newsletters.
Both Maddie & Storm and Annie & Henry have done fantastically well in British Eventing competitions – again we will be following their stories in the newsletters.
At a local level Mojo, Millie, Pudding and Lil Apollo all did really well at Vicarage (well done Holly, Chloe, and Luke). Later in August Champ, Copper, Rascal & Pudding all reached the jump off in their classes.
Riding for Heroes: earlier in the summer a few riders took part in what was billed as the largest sponsored ride ever! Over 600 horses took part in the fund-raising ride around Windsor Park which finished with a gallop up the famous Ascot race-course. Harvey, Patch, Dimple, Champ and Bandit were all very well behaved – no prize for guessing it was Bandit who crossed the line first!
There are more sponsored rides (supporting other charitable causes) coming up – see our website or notice board for details.
Pony Club Camp: some of our younger riders attended Pony Club Camp. An annual event where children and ponies spend a week away – the horses have temporary stables and the children are in tents – I think the horses have the better accommodation! Again our horses and riders did us proud – Catherine worked hard to get her C+ test, Catherine & Chloe were in the winning team and Pudding was nominated as the most versatile, all round pony (she is growing her own personal fan club!).
Well done to Cassidy & Amelia who competed in The Pony Club Tetrathlon & Show Jumping Championships.
It is so exciting to see so many CEC horses competing at all levels.
Retired footballers & horses: we provided the horses for a short sponsorship video. A group of five retired footballers had an intensive session learning to ride and then took to Kempton Racecourse. Jigsaw was the winner, with Harvey, Max, Champ and Patchwork proving lively (yet really well behaved) challengers.
New Forest: Patchwork, Toby and Lady spent three days in the New Forest (with Fiona, Denise & Sally). We were told they were visiting the area to see if we can arrange short riding holidays. From the photos it seems they enjoyed some fantastic riding and a good number of horse friendly pubs! The good news is we are now planning a short break to the New Forest – please let Donna know if you are interested.
Pentathlon – CEC continues to offer training on behalf of the Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain (South East Region). We will also be taking a team of horses to the British Pentathlon Championships.
Horse of the Newsletter!
He has had a fantastic summer and has been star (as usual!). He has done so much and whilst remaining a little grumpy in his stable he is working towards sainthood when ridden. He has looked after his riders in lessons and on hacks. He has ‘raced’ on Ascot and Kempton Racecourse – keeping his head and his riders. He then took to being a lead horse as he trail blazed the New Forest. A true and genuine horse star! There is only one winner – PATCHWORK!
Ever thought of owning your own horse?
We can help with everything to selecting the right horse through to the daily management. Currently we have a few horses for sale or if you let us know what you are looking for we will try to help! Please speak to Polly or Natalia (see website or notice board for details).
Working Livery: many of our horses and ponies are here on working livery. They are owned by their riders and used by the school on agreed days. The school gets to use some really talented and well schooled horses - Champ / Pudding / Millie/ Lil Apollo to name but a few – and their owners save some money on livery bills and know there horses will be worked when they don’t have time to ride. Please speak to Polly or Steve if you would like to have a horse or pony on working livery (see website or notice board for details).
We also have a few spaces on the main yard should you want to keep your horse on full livery.
Sharing a pony: we also have a range of horses that are looking for sharers -with a share you will have sole use of your chosen pony for two & half days a week (times to be agreed by school). Again please speak to Steve if you are interested.
What’s coming up!
Annie Ho – a member of our staff is off to compete in the Asian Games (representing Hong Kong). Good luck Annie.
More shows & sponsored rides
Wimbledon Pony Club rallies – we will be continuing to host more rallies here at CEC. The Pony Club offers so much to any young, up and coming rider. Please speak to Fiona or visit www.pcuk.org.uk to find out more about.
