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Cosford Grange Ride Report
The Cosford Grange ride, near
Telford in mid Shropshire, first
run as a training ride in 2008,
ran successfully as a
competitive ride on Sunday 27
September despite other rides
running in the area on the same
weekend.
There were many happy faces on
the day and great comments at
the end so we are pleased that
everyone enjoyed the ride. There
were 45 competitive entries and
20 pleasure riders. Unratified
results are as follows:
Three starters in class 1/80km.
2 completions (no grade) and 1
fail (lame). The speed was
11.82 kph (they rode together).
Nine starters in Class 2/64km.
Anne Anderson on Steele
Independent and Ann Harrison
on Deja Vue got a grade 2
and 1 respectively at a speed of
14.38 kph.
Camilla Mascall and Ray Davison
both got grade 1s at 12.23 kph
and 12.97 kph respectively. The
other speeds were 10.27 and
11.07. Two fails.
Two entries in the 50 kms. Lisa
Giovine on Granby Dominica
got a grade 4 at 11.71. The
other retired.
Six entries in the 40 kms. Two
failed the pre-ride vetting.
Best performances were Denise
Darville on Lisa Giovine's
Livia at 12.06 with a grade
1 and Rachel Tomlin at 12.00 and
a grade 1. The other 2 riders
rode at 11.88 kms/hr.
In
the 32kms, the fastest Julie
Kendall on Vlacq Alatar
rode at 13.26 kms/hr and got
Grade 2. Grade 1s were Carole
Levitt, Gerina Corcoran and Abi
Taylor at speeds of 11.29, 12.00
and 11.78. Three fails with
lameness. Other speeds were
12.72, 11.29, 11.50.
The novices fared better with no
fails. Fastest was Emma Handy
on Triple Trouble at
13.43 and a grade 1 and Adrianna
Coupe at 13.33 and a grade 1.
There were eight grade 1s out of
the nine novice starters.
Speeds were 12.8,11.78, 11.36,
10.79 and 10.27.
The weather was fine and
although there were some
comments about hard going after
all the dry September weather
there were also lots of lovely
long canter stretches which
brought smiles to faces.
Particular thanks to joint
organisers Helen Watts and Di
Latham for putting this new ride
on the calendar and also their
many helpers and supporters
without which the ride could not
have run. Special thanks to Sue
Evans for coming up with the
route in the first place. There
were many positive comments for
the ride map and credit here
goes to Sue Evans and Gary
Mascall. Thank you.
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Inter-regional Championship,
The Ridgeway Ride, Barbury Castle
7th to 9th August, 2009
Camilla Mascall and
Goldcrest Whitsun Dancer
Janet Fentiman and Spola From Old Hills
The
combined Heart of England/Cotswold team won, by a decisive margin, the
Inter-Regional Championships at the Ridgeway Barbury Castle Ride on 8th
and 9th August 2009. This is the first time that Heart of
England/Cotswold has won the Inter-Regional trophy. The team comprised
15 people and both groups were well represented with 8 from Cotswolds
and 7 from Heart of England. The role of Chef was shared by Olwen Law
(Heart of England) and Chris Hicks (Cotswolds).
All 15
riders successfully passed the vet at the end of what was a challenging
ride on one of the hottest weekends of the summer.
Heart
of England team members were Camilla Mascall on Goldcrest Whitsun Dancer
(80kms ER); Sally Farrall on Oxnead Wheatear (65kms CR); Janet Fentiman
on Spola Fromold Hills (50kms CR); Carole Levitt on Belmont Gold (50kms
CR); Barbara Elwell on Murtada (40kms); Khalid Al-Khayat on Barnshill
Warrior (40kms Novice) and Penny Feeney on Silvretta Grand Marnier
(40kms Novice).
A big
thank you to everyone who either volunteered or agreed to join the team,
some very late in the day. And commiserations to those who were on the
initial team list but whose horses had problems in the days and hours
running up to the ride (Sue Buckley, Natasha Dedicoat, Marion Drew,
Julie Neale, Julie Payne) and Josh Oakes who was unwell.
Being
part of the team is the best way of getting to know other riders and
also learning from those with more experience and we hope that, with
this success behind us, even more will be keen to be part of the team
next year.
Olwen
Law
Crewing Camilla
Crewing Sally
Sally and Oxnead Wheatear
The Prize Giving
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Ride Organiser’s Perspective
As many of you are aware, Heart of England Group of EGB is making a
concerted effort to expand and be readily available to its members and
provide more rides, training and information. The revival of the Cannock
Chase Ride is part of that initiative and somehow Helen and I found
ourselves volunteering to resurrect the ride.
We had a sticky start as the ride proposal was initially rejected by the
powers that be in EGB, but thanks to some lobbying, it was agreed that
we could re-submit our application and it would be put to the Rides
Committee. We got the thumbs up in early December, but as it was the
remit of the EGB Management Committee to reduce, rather than increase,
the number of rides on the calendar this year, we were informed that the
ride must make a reasonable profit if it were to run again in 2010. The
reasoning behind this thinking is that because of the financial
downturn, EGB are expecting fewer ride entries this year across the
board with members streamlining and only attending their favourite
rides, sacrificing some others they would normally support. Our argument
was that the Midlands has suffered a deficit in rides over the years,
principally because no-one has come forward to organise rides once
existing organisers have decided to hang up their boots, and that the
best way of introducing new members and keeping existing members is to
make available local rides.
The idea for this year was to put on a ride in the Heart of England area
and organised by our Group, whether purely social and pleasure or
national and competitive, every month of the Season. So far we have had
the Wyre Forest in February, Hopwas and Cannock in March. We have
Mortimer Forest to look forward to in April, Cirencester in June and
Cosford in September. We also have a ride in the making, probably for
August, and that will also be in Shropshire. We now need prospective
ride organisers and routes for social rides in May and July. Please
contact any member of the Committee if you think you can help. If you
have a route that you regularly ride and enjoy and a venue which will
comfortably and safely take 50 or more cars and trailers which is on
that route, we can provide advice and help to get you going.
We are very grateful to those of you who supported Cannock. The ride
appears to have been a resounding success judging by the texts, emails,
letters and cards we have received. There was an enormous amount to
organise in a relatively short time as we had to start from scratch and
make ourselves known to landowners and everyone else whose expertise and
services were required. We reached capacity by the closing date but did
accept some late entries to counteract the inevitable withdrawals and
sadly had to turn some away in the end as we wanted to keep to
manageable numbers for our first attempt.
There were a few hiccoughs behind the scenes but hopefully no-one else
noticed and where we fell short we will endeavour to improve for next
year if we are permitted to run the ride again. My worst moment was when
the gates along the drive into the venue were shut and locked and I
didn’t have a key. All the times I had visited Cannock Chase they had
always been open. The gate belongs to the County Council and I only had
a Forestry key. My concerns were short lived thank goodness and all was
resolved very quickly before any riders arrived.
My main worry for the future is ride helpers. Many of our helpers come
from friends and family who are neither interested in horses or
endurance and probably do so because they feel sorry for us, but without
whom many rides would just not take place. We are hugely indebted to
these people. Otherwise we have to beg, borrow or steal helpers and how
good it would be to have a list of willing helpers you could call upon.
It would certainly be one less worry for a ride organiser. I think we
need to look closer to home to tempt members and riders to come and help
at rides. It is actually very rewarding knowing that you are giving
something back to the sport you love and enjoy. Please all do have a
look at your ride programme for 2009 and perhaps forfeit just one of the
days you had earmarked to ride. It really is worth the sacrifice and it
is surprising how much you learn from the sidelines. You may even enjoy
it!
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those people who
did give up their time and offer help and encouragement to Helen and me,
to enable us to put the ride back on the calendar. You all know who you
are.
Di Latham
________________________________________________________________________________________
Wyre Forest Training Ride – Sunday 22nd February, 2009
 The day dawned fresh and slightly overcast but that didn’t dampen the
enthusiasm of all involved in organising this lovely ride. Organisers
and helpers turned up in full force, prepared to make it as good a ride
as possible for the 66 entries.
By 10am the weather was brighter and the carpark was full of lorries and
trailers and riders were busy registering and getting their bibs before
tacking up their horses and venturing out into the forest.
Wyre Forest is 6,000 acres of ancient woodland situated in
Worcestershire and Shropshire which is open to walkers, cyclists and
horseriders alike. The course had been marked the day before by Camilla,
Gary, Diane and myself with sawdust which seems to stand the test of
time. The route took in hard tracks, woodland tracks, the horseshoe
trail and designated bridleways with a road crossing thrown in on the
longer route. According to all, the going was good with plenty of
cantering opportunities and not too much mud to contend with.
 This
ride attracted many non-EGB members, who just wanted to try it as a
taster. Conversely there were many experienced endurance horses and
riders using it as a warm up for the beginning of the season….Carolyn
Edwards and Oakways Patchwork Girl, Barbara Elwell and Murtada, Camilla
Mascall and Kiz with David Richards, an endurance rider visiting from
Colorado, on Camilla’s advanced horse, Sundance. Carolyn Shakles on
Kaldon Sapphire Minx and Neil Pickering on Margaret McKiddy’s mare,
Bonnie Anne to name a few.
I am pleased to say that the sawdust markings were a success and
everyone I spoke to could follow the route easily. Judging by the happy
faces both horses and their riders had a very enjoyable time.
From a ride organiser’s point of view the Wyre Forest Ride is one of the
nicest rides to organise and, although I would have preferred on the day
to be in the saddle joining in, standing behind the registration table
and meeting everyone and enjoying their happiness was equally as
rewarding.
Thanks to all my helpers, Julie Neale acting as entries secretary, John
Latham as timekeeper, Pete Buckley for managing the parking, Gary and
Camilla for their help, support and route marking, Diane Latham for her
support and help with registrations on the day, Christine Liggins for
stepping in as first aider at the 11th hour, Jane and Lionel Sparrey and
Karen Abrams for marshalling.
Hope to see you again next year. More pics below in the photo gallery.
All the best for a great season,
Lisa Giovine
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Mince Pie Special - Monday
29th December 2008
 Thanks
to you all that ventured out and for making the ride a great success.
All your comments are very encouraging to us all, even described as the
Best Day of the Holiday by one rider. This ten mile route will form part
of the Cosford Grange Competitive Ride now scheduled for 27th September
2009, and especially designed for those of us North. of Watford Gap so
please support us then, when we hope to make more of you welcome.
Yesterday I took the landowner a really nice bottle of wine and I think
we'll be OK for another ride from this hard standing venue in the
future, same goes for the Seven Stars in Beckbury, Mr & Mrs Hadden like
the horses and they said they'd love to see you all again and I'm sure
any riding visitors to the area will be welcomed at this local Pub,
there are loads of good bridleways in the area that need riding and I
must thank John for sponsoring the mince pies & mulled wine provided for
us by the pub and which many of us had seconds off, so cheers for that.
It was good to see riders numbers almost doubled from those expected,
making for a good entry and I thought we were going to run out of those
lovely rosettes, which were so kindly sponsored by Belinda from
Snoggable Garlic.
Riders Helen Newton & Carley,Sue Hudson & ILPH Bahir travelling from
Nth. Wales to take part, lovely pic's thanks. Steve Bates commented that
it felt more like the start to the new season than the end of the old
and his Carolyn with Billy made off with a Tinsel Prize. Steve also said
how friendly every one was, which is nice and good for the organisation.
 We've
also made two new members for EGB's 2009 season ,which included
Charlotte riding Clare's Moonshiner, Clare was on her Crystal just out
of retirement, Charlotte a local vet and keen to get involved after she
was asked to vet at Euston Park earlier this year, she thoroughly
enjoyed herself riding Hooch and took home another Tinsel prize. Well
done Charlotte we hope to see you at our rides in 2009.
I thought it was good to see my two nieces in the saddle riding for a
change, as Cordelia is normally on the ground taking the photographs,
Elaine's new jet black friesian horse fresh out of the funeral business
was a stunning sight and turned a few heads, another barefoot horse on
the day and there were several of these and I heard no complaints, so
far.
Riding numbers increased when a load of race Arab's, including Dekota
Willow & Barnshill Warrior arrived, the last time I saw these two they
were ARO racing at Wolverhampton. It was good to see Sarah Emery and her
new youngster Bashir Shafeeq enjoying our good going and one to watch
for the future & good to see Abi & Jackie Locket out for a breeze up
with Zaranz & Dragoon, Sue Wms on her old mare Henna enjoying an outing
and Jody & Gilly one of the fastest times for the day,which including
the mince pie stop and good to see Julie & Bint Masra out again with
James another crewing on his bike & good to see Oriol & Pam Jordan made
an entry and able to test our flat fast going.
 The
riding times for the day were a real disappointment and it was obvious
from these who had spent most time in the Pub, rumour has it that some
folks enjoyed two or three glasses of hot mulled wine at the crew stop,
while horses had to put up with Cliff's sugar beet water.
Thank you to all those who providing the nibbles and thanks for coming
and making the ride a success, we hope we'll see you all again, thanks
to the helpers who turned out in the coldest of temperatures to make
this ride happen and finally a huge Thank You to Olwen for manning the
fort with her daughter in the bitter cold, we really do appreciate all
this help and could not have survived without you and not forgetting
your hot refreshments. Still plenty of mince pies going if anyone is
interested. Cheers. Catch you all next time.
Sue Evans
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inter-Regional Team Event at
Ludlow - 2nd and 3rd August, 2008
 If
you weren’t there you missed a great weekend in sunny South Shropshire.
The weather was really lovely and the camaraderie high for the five
teams who took part in the Inter Regional team championships at Ludlow
on 2nd and 3rd August.
The winners taking the silver platter were the North West team from the
Cheshire, N. Wales and Derbyshire groups. In second place were Wales and
Offa’s Dyke.
And the combined Heart of England and Cotswold Team were thrilled to
achieve third place. With a team of 12 riders we had entries at each of
the required distances.
Saturday started early with the ER riders setting off along the
racecourse at 8am. Abigail Taylor on Delorto Zaranz kept to the front
all day and won the 100ER.
In the 80kms ER, Donna Taylor on Sky Indigo and Jane Smith on Hmarr kept
up a steady pace to successfully complete. Also on Sunday was the 80kms
CR with Sue Buckley on Drysgoed Daydream and Frankie Turley on Lynvale
Myway.
Amazingly for such a wet summer we awoke on Sunday to another lovely
sunny day. Our riders in the 65kms CR were Carolyn Shakles on Benedic
and Danielle Brew on Kensington. David Whithard unfortunately having to
withdraw at the last minute due to a hard fall at the Malvern Arabian
Championships.
In the 50kms CR were Claire Blizzard (from Cotswold group) on Just
Charlie and Geoffrey Allen on Dukes Touch of Fun and in the 40kms ER
were Tina Griffiths (from Cotswold group) on Shareef and Lisa Giovine on
Granby Dominica. With these riders earning grades 1 and 2, by the end of
Sunday, when the rather complicated scoring was totted up, Heart of
England had risen to third place overall and a bronze medal for each
team member.
With just one Young Rider in our team, Danielle also won us third place
in the separate Young Rider result.
 In
the last few years, the combined Heart of England & Cotswold group has
climbed from fifth to fourth and now to third place, so 2009 could be
the year. If you would like to be a part of this fun team event do
contact someone from the committee.
This competition really does provide an opportunity for riders at all
levels to become part of a team. This year the team could comprise up to
15 people and obviously the more in the team, then the more points we
could achieve. Since the team members in the 40kms and 50kms classes
were restricted to novice or open riders and horses it’s also a chance
for those just starting out in their endurance career to join in.
The points awarded for each class are the same and so the result for the
novice riders and horses in the 40kms is as important as the 100kms ER.
Additional points are awarded for any young riders or veteran riders or
horses in the team to provide encouragement for the chefs to create a
balanced team.
It’s not just a chance for riders to work together but also for the
groups since most groups need to amalgamate to form a team. The chefs
are assisted by non-riding members, friends and family who provide
support, guidance and assistance to riders, whether its assistance with
crewing or just being there.
I’m sure everyone involved would agree that taking part in the
inter-regional competition is a great way to get to know other riders in
their region as well as from across the country. It’s also a way for the
more experienced riders and crew to pass on some of their knowledge and
experience. So, don’t be shy, if you are interested in being part of it
all for 2009, at whatever level, call anyone in your group committee now
and put your name forward.
Olwen Law
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