hope in the valley news and events

Forthcoming events

SPRING TERM
JAN
Weds 11th	First Riding of Spring Term	Plumpton
FEB
TBA	First Aid Course
Mon 6th	Management Meeting	Sheila Blair Gallery, Plumpton
Weds 15th	No riding - half term
MAR
Mon 5th	Management Meeting	Sheila Blair Gallery, Plumpton
Tues 6th	Child Protection Course 9.30 to 12.30	Sheila Blair Gallery, Plumpton
Wed 28th	Last riding - Easter holidays

Group trip to Olympia

It was a day of breath-taking displays of horsemanship and shopping!

An early start gave time for fortification with hot drinks before tackling the fabulous array of shopping stands, where we got those last minute gifts for those left at home - family, dogs and horses.

Then came the show and, wow, what a show it was. The music started and we were swept up in a non-stop four hours of stunning entertainment: we had our hearts in our mouths for the "Winner Takes All" show jumping; we were thrilled by the daring of the display riders; we were delighted by the Agility Dogs; we loved the Shetland Pony Derby; we were enchanted by the Camelot themed Finale.

But the over-riding memory for us all, without exception, will be the wonderful horses – from the tiny, six-month-old Shetland (all hair and tiny hooves) to the top-class show jumpers.

I am sure I speak for the all the volunteers and riders and their families in the party, when I thank Tracy and Jenny for organising a brilliant Group day out.

Volunteer of the Year Award 2011
 

Every year Hope in the Valley invite their volunteers to nominate a volunteer (not a trustee) to receive the wonderful Volunteer of the Year bronze horse trophy - kindly donated by Lynn Flowers, a former volunteer. This year we are pleased to announce that Paul Jones is the worthy recipient.

Paul has been a volunteer with Hope in the Valley for eight and a half years. He is one of only a few men who volunteer for the group and comes early regularly every week to help set out the arena. He is very versatile when working in the school being happy to lead a pony, side instruct or side walk. Our riders and ponies respond well to his gentle, kind and quiet approach. In addition Paul often helps us out in the role of handy man – he did a lot of the paintwork to our new facilities and has even made a wooden gate that the riders use to practise for the annual RDA Walk in the Country Competition! Paul is also a talented calligrapher and very willingly updates our Donor Record book.

The award was presented to Paul at our Christmas Party on 07 December 2011.

2011 Christmas Party

The end of year Christmas Party was as usual very festive – the ponies looked splendid with tinselled manes and tails; volunteers took the opportunity to dress up as elves and fairies and Christmas music filled the riding arena. A beautiful Christmas Cake made by Jenny Brown was the centre piece of a table full of delicious things to eat and it was nice to see some guests who we haven't seen for a while enjoying the chatter and catching up with the news.

The children enjoyed mounted games and the awards for the best decorated Christmas hats went to Sam Goodwin and Brandon Whitham. After each riding session the Autumn Term Cups and certificates were presented, whilst Santa made several appearances giving each rider a gift from his sack.

Grade Badges Awarded

Hope in the Valley are thrilled to announce that 13 of their riders took part in the RDA Grade Proficiency Badge ‘Tests’ on Wednesday, 23 November 2011.

RDA National AGM 11th November 2011

Each year RDA National hold their AGM at Saddlers' Hall in London. Groups are invited to attend to vote on any Resolutions and to listen to a range of presentations. This year both Jan Abrahams and Shelia Camilleri attended. They reported back that it was a particularly inspiring and helpful meeting - the presentations covered Volunteer Management; the expansion of groups and an 'external' view of the Equine associations by a representative of Sport England. The meeting ended with the presentations of awards and it was pleasing to see that not only was the National Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Pauline Lane from the Cranleigh Group, but that one of the runner ups was also from the South East Region; Sarah Groom who last year founded the Eastbourne Area RDA Group.

RDA South East Region Conference 9th November 2011

The Chairman, Judi Singer, welcomed everyone and then introduced the first two speakers. Rebecca Kemp – RDA Volunteer Development Manager began by explaining the Value of Volunteer Management within Groups and Katy Downing who administers the Young Equestrian Leaders Award Scheme. YELA is a new award that has been developed by Riding for the Disabled for the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) in consultation with many of its Member Bodies to increase and encourage the number of young people volunteering in the Equestrian industry. Find out more here.

The last speaker was Mrs Jennifer Dixon-Clegg, SRN, FCRT Dip.(Hons) who is Director of The Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy and very much involved in Horses in Education and Therapy International. She gave a very interesting talk about The Role of Horses in Education & Therapy and recounted some of her own experiences in a lighthearted but inspirational manner.   This was followed by a presentation of awards for the year and Jenny Brown was presented with her award for 25 years with Hope in the Valley RDA Group.   Lunch followed which gave everyone a chance to talk to people from other groups in the S E Region.

Pony news update

The pony owned by Hope in the Valley, Heineken, has injured his leg somehow and in veterinary terms it is the collateral ligament around the coffin joint. This means that in order to help it heal he is confined to his stable for 8 weeks and then can only go in a small paddock for 3 months after that. So as you can see he won't be able to come along to Plumpton until he is better. The vet is confident that it will heal but as you can see from the photo he is still able to watch himself on the vet's scanner!

Volunteer Training Day & AGM 7th September 2011

Twenty seven volunteers turned up for our annual in-house training afternoon. Volunteers were split into two groups with each group in turn listening to a parent talking about autism and how it affects her daughter, one of our riders. Everyone, without exception, found this session fascinating and so worthwhile that many have asked for more input from parents. Meanwhile the other group spent time on ‘Effective RDA leading’ with Margaret Fogg and Nicola Cramond.  

The next part of the afternoon saw one group with Anthea Pell, the S.E. Regional Physiotherapist looking at what the physio is looking for in a disabled rider, and the type of horse suitable for our special needs riders. The other volunteers were with Lesley Morrill where we looked at what the instructor is looking for in an able-bodied rider and the horse that would be suitable for such a rider. On joining up to discuss our findings, it was very apparent that in essence the physiotherapist and the instructor have the same aims with only subtle differences in the type of horse that would be suitable for the different groups.

After the training session we held our AGM in The Sheila Blair Gallery at Plumpton. There were 38 Members, guests and volunteers at the meeting and they heard the Chairman, Lesley Morrill, give a very interesting report on the events of 2010/11. The usual formalities of voting in the Trustees and Officers were made without objections and a few minutes of reflection were held for Penny Lucy, our physiotherapist, who sadly lost her fight against cancer during the year. 

RDA Holiday

We were very fortunate that three of our riders were accepted on an RDA holiday in Rudgwick, West Sussex which took place in July. Sam, Jack & Beatrix spent three nights & four days ‘camping’ and riding RDA ponies from Cranleigh RDA Group.   Here are their thoughts:

 

Beatrix: “On the holiday we got up then went to the stables to ride, as well as tacking up, grooming and feeding the ponies. Then we got back to have lunch and do various activities. Afterwards we went swimming then had dinner and go to bed”

 

 

 

Sam: “I went on a riding holiday and it was brilliant. I rode a horse called Badger and he suited me very well. We went swimming quite a lot and we slept in caravans. The whole group sat for a bit to watch a film - it was the BFG. It took three nights to watch. Every day all of use went riding. Before our ride we each had a biscuit and a drink."

 

Results from National Championships at Hartpury

Congratulations to all our riders who qualified for the National Championships - a massive achievement in itself. Here are the results together with a great article from Jan Abrahams about the weekend. Why not join us next year?

Intro to Dressage - Walk Only
Sam on Barty 62.63% Came 7th Junior

Intro to Dressage - Walk and Trot
Deanna on Barty 55.79% Came 11th Junior

Countryside Challenge - Led and Sidewalker
Sam on Barty 74.5% Junior

Countryside Challenge - Led only
Deanna on Barty 74.5% Junior

Combined Training - Led and Sidewalker
Sam on Barty 68.57% Junior

Combined Training - Led
Deanna on Barty - 65.15% Junior Came 5th

Best Turned out Junior
Deanna on Barty 80% Came 4th
Sam on Barty 80% Came 5th

Freestyle Walk and Trot
Lily on Barty 67 points Came = 2nd Junior

Test 11 Walk and Trot
Lily on Barty 61.36% Came 12th

Horsecare

Lily 96%
Sam 94%
Deanna 47%

THE RDA 2011 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS by Jan Abrahams

Hickstead Dressage results

We had great results at Hickstead again. The weather was a blustery with an occasional shower but luckily not when our riders were taking part! The ponies looked so smart and the leaders scrubbed up well! Here are the results:

Lily on Rose - Test 11 (Grade 1-V (walk and trot) came 2nd and qualified for the National Championships at
Hartpury.  Test 13 I.D. came 4th, only 1 point short of coming 3rd which would have meant she would qualify.
Harry on Barty - Test EB Unled Escorted came joint 1st and shares the Bronze Horse.
Charlotte on Heineken - Test 11 - (Grade 1-V (walk and trot) came 6th.
Abbi on Rose - Test EB Led Junior came 5th.
Valentine on Heineken - Test EB Led Junior came 6th.
Beth on Barty - Test EB Led Junior was unplaced.

Well done everyone and a big thank you to all our volunteers - we couldn't do it without you. 

A sad farewell

It is with immense sadness that we heard that Penny Lucy, our Group Physiotherapist and Trustee, had passed away in May 2011.  For the last few months Penny has been bravely fighting ill health but sadly she lost the battle. 

Duchess of Cornwall visits Hope in the Valley

On the same day as Fun Day, which meant that many of our helpers and riders couldn't be there, we were delighted to welcome Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to Plumpton College.

 

2011 Fun Day news

We had a lovely day at Felbridge on 10th May, wonderfully hot and sunny. The results from Hope in the Valley riders were:

Sam - 1st in Countryside Challenge (Leader + sidewalker) - Qualified for the National Championships in Hartpury, 3rd in Dressage (walk only), and a Special rosette in the Combined

Lara - 3rd in Countryside Challenge (Leader), 2nd in Dressage (walk only), and 5th in the Combined

Jack - 5th in Countryside Challenge (Leader), 3rd in Dressage (walk + trot), and a Special rosette in the Combined

Deanna - 1st in Countryside Challenge (Leader) - Qualified for the National Championships in Hartpury, 2nd in Dressage (walk + trot), and 3rd in the Combined

All the children had great fun in the gymkhana games and handy pony winning loads and loads of rosettes!

Well done to all the riders and a speciall thank you to everyone who helped. Also thanks to the pony transporters and Georgie and Evelyn who cleaned all the tack on Monday.

Brighton marathon fund-raising

Linda Norman ran the Brighton Marathon this year to raise money for Hope in the Valley.She successfully completed the run and even claims to have enjoyed it, in spite of a recent injury. She is still collecting in her sponsorship, but so far it is over £300.  WELL DONE LINDA, AND THANK YOU!

Easter raffle is a hit

6th April 2011 marked the final day of riding of the Spring term and helpers, riders and their families enjoyed a special Easter sales table and raffle. The Big Prize was a gorgeous (and very large) Easter bunny donated by Lesley.  Also available were slices of a magnificent chocolate and orange Easter cake, made by Jenny, as well as carrot cake from the College. All the riders were presented with an Easter egg and some of our volunteers brought in real eggs - some mini Bantam ones from Margaret Fogg and some blue ones from Ginny's chickens.

The sales and raffle raised a total of £75 on the day, and the giant bunny? Well, he has now taken up residence with Jenny where he knows he will be well fed!

Generous donations to Hope in the Valley

On 30th March 2011 at Plumpton we had a presentation of a cheque for £850.00 from the 2010 Lady Captain of Lewes Golf Club. The ladies section raised this money over the last year by having sales tables and giving generously at their various events.

In addition, we have received a cheque for £2,000 from Firle Horse Trials. Lesley and her family organise the gate for this annual event, ably assisted by volunteers from Hope in the Valley, so huge thanks to Lesley for all her efforts which have secured us this generous donation.

Easter Party 6th April

The last riding of the Spring term gives everyone an opportunity to display the Easter Bonnets that they have made during the previous weeks.  The Easter Bunny usually makes an appearance with chocolately gifts for everyone, and this year we will also be having A GRAND EASTER RAFFLE. First prize is a rather gorgeous (and very large) fluffy bunny.

Another wonderful Christmas Party

Our annual party on 8th December 2010 was a great success.  Everyone braved the wintry weather and the riders thoroughly enjoyed the games, presentations of cups, trophies, medals and rosettes.  Tea in the Sheila Blair Gallery warmed us all.  Santa visited us and had a present for every rider!

Winners of the Most Decorated Hats:

1st and 2nd Session        -  Zachary

Winners of the Cups

Novice Riding Cup                                       George Snashall

Mary Gethen Cup for Improvement                Valentine Sharpe

Hamish Trophy                                           Cyril

Volunteer of the Year Award

This was presented to Georgie MacPherson.

You can see photos of Georgie and Cyril receiving their awards in the Spring 2011 newsletter

Donors visit Plumpton

Following an extremely kind donation of £1600 from Tyrian Lodge in Eastbourne, Lesley Morrill welcomed Karl, Eifion and Peter from Tyrian Lodge to spend one recent afternoon at Plumpton Riding School.  It was an heartwarming experience for them to see how much our riders are enjoying their lessons and the large numbers of volunteers at hand to make it all happen.
The money has enabled Hope in the Valley to purchase rugs, poles and silks (riding hat covers) for which we are very grateful.  The riders look very smart sporting their new silks!	Left to Right:  Beatrix riding Cyril, Lesley Morrill, Karl Young, Eifion Harris and Peter Hellier

Here are volunteers at fun day enjoying the sun!