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Penny on Timmy                                                                                   Penny riding Gizmo at Barbury Castle 2009

Penny Feeney....

I am 14 yrs old, and currently have 2 horses, Lucy and Timmy. I have been riding for 7 years and have a passion for everything to do with horses.

Lucy is a 5 year old, 15.2 thoroughbred x appaloosa mare who I aspire to use for endurance, but I am unable to use her at the moment as she has a bad leg and is only walking out.

 Timmy is a 14 year old, 12.3 strawberry roan welsh section B. I did my first two endurance rides on Timmy and we both got a grade 1 first timeout. He was my first ever pony, who I have sadly now outgrown.

I moved to Helen Blair’s yard in November last year and the experience is fantastic. I keep both my horses there and have never been happier. Any guidance I need is happily given and the wealth of knowledge is overwhelming! We have a great endurance team at the yard and, even though I can’t compete either of my own horses for the remainder of the season, have been given the opportunity to compete other horses on the yard, including Gizmo (Silvretta Grand Marnier) - who I rode for the first time ever at Barbury Castle after Josh was taken ill – and Batty (Silvretta Acrobat) who I am hoping to take to the remaining rides this season. I am really looking forward to getting to advanced with Lucy starting next year.

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                                                       Josh on Gizmo

Josh Oakes....

Josh started riding as a young child, encouraged by his grandmother Sue Oakes - a stalwart of the endurance world for many years, but did not immediately become impassioned about it in the same way.  A work experience placement from school brought him to the North Worcestershire Equestrian Centre where his interest was rekindled and his confidence boosted to a degree which made him decide to embark upon an equestrian apprenticeship instead of continuing his further education at school.  With his riding coming on in leaps and bounds Josh took one of NWEC's livery horses to a local pleasure ride, accompanying Sally Farrall and Penny Feeney amongst others, and this was where his interest in endurance was ignited.

Josh was then given the ride on one of Helen Blair's home-bred Haflinger horses, Silvretta Grand Marnier - a ten-year-old mare who has taken to endurance with the same zest as her rider, having already completed a few rides as a youngster.

Fired by the challenges of getting home on time and in good health and rewarded by the close bond which builds between horse and rider in this sport, Josh and Gizmo (as she is affectionately known on the yard) have gone from strength to strength this year and are aiming for Golden Horseshoe next year.  This newly-formed partnership fit their preparation around Josh's work on the yard, taking long training rides over the hills after work and returning home at dusk.  Gizmo returns Josh's affection and looks forward to their rides as much as he does.  Josh often goes home late at night joking that he will be back in a minute to start his shift on the yard.  His days are long but his dedication to the horses in his care and to his chosen sport make it all worthwhile for him.

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Jodie Watts...

I am 19 yrs old currently working for "mac Wet" gloves, I have two horses, Gilly, a beautiful chestnut Arab mare,14.3 who I mainly use for endurance, she also does a bit of pony club. We have done really well in our time together representing H of E at the inter-regional's and coming first in the Golden Dragon at Red Dragon in 2007.

Milo is a 15.1 Connemara, I have done a bit of endurance with him but its "not really his thing!" he mainly events, dressage and SJ. I don't really have much time for any thing else! My aim this year is to go to the Golden Horseshoe, NOT A PLAN!!! just hoping!

Please can ALL our young riders contact me as we would really like our YR page to be the best on the web but I need your input, so what ever you want to see let me have it!!!

Photos would be FAB!! Also any funny stories etc. 

Contact email for Rosemary Attfield (YR Chef) is horseygranny.rudgwick@tesco.net  She is really happy to hear from all YR so please get in touch.

All for now so come on get typing so we can keep up to date with all you are doing! List of prize winners to follow after Sat AGM.

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