GOLDEN CASTLE NEWS

We’ve all been busy over the last few months. The GC summer competitions ended with the Trec day , we’ve been to Llangynidr for the show,  and to Tregoed for their first fun ride. Fiona & Angel  took part in their first Race ride and Sam has been bringing on her young horse  ‘Boo’ – before bringing on her next baby - due next month!
All our best wishes go with Sam as she starts her new family.
The long awaited trip to Spain has come and gone and all of our intrepid travellers have returned home safe & sound with many tales of their adventures .

Read all about it in our Spain Special Edition newsletter - coming soon!


BOO
Sam has recently turned her attention to her young horse Boo, who is now rising 4 years and a great big chap! Boo has come to GC to live for a while and,
standing at roughly 16.2 hh,  he’s already a good 2      inches taller than his mother TuTu!
His training has progressed to cantering in the school on a headcollar and he seems really willing and keen to learn .

Look out for Boo on the yard!

 

TREC RESULTS
1st        Elier  &   Jackie
2nd       Kally  &   Cath
3rd       Carly  &   Paula
4th       Rhi     &   Simon

WELL DONE !

FIONA & ANGEL
Fiona is well known for her involvement in endurance, however this year she took her efforts to a new level! The Robin Hood race ride at Southwells is held every year and draws competitors from all over the world. It is an epic ride covering 81 kilometres across varied and challenging terrain.
Angel was in excellent shape after a full season of competition and performed brilliantly.

Fiona and Angel came 3rd

Sad news again I’m afraid. It was with great regret that      one of our beloved school ponies, Dinky, was put to sleep this month after suffering an awful epileptic fit.
Despite being the smallest of the ponies, his cheeky character more than made up for his size. His single minded efforts to relieve himself of his bridle certainly gave us the run-around!
Rest in Peace Dinky – and Thank You.  
Goodbye also to Penny pony who recently passed away at the age of 29yrs after many happy years of retirement with Rosemary.

CAERPHILLY

The Caerphilly rides have proven very popular again this season with many outings to this beautiful area.
The rides are nicely varied – with some stunning woodland and quiet country lanes.
It’s been wonderful to have the opportunity to ride somewhere different.

Look out for more trips to Caerfilly in the Spring!  

SUNNYBANK

Our team have been cleaning up again at Sunnybank
in the Team Show Jumping and Hunter Trials.

Good job everyone.

Joiner & Leavers

Welcome to Jenny who has come to help out at the Yard and, not really new to GC but rather here in a new capacity,  Becky has also started work at the yard in readiness for Sam leaving us for a short while to have her baby. 

OUT & ABOUT...

TREGOED FUN RIDE

One fine October morning a group of us set off with our horses to take part in Tregoeds first fun ride. Unfortunately the sun deserted us by the time we got there and a fine mist descended as we tacked up. No matter! We donned our numbers and set out armed with 2 maps (no plastic covers to keep them dry though - Doh!), an assurance that the route was clearly marked and a keen sense of adventure. For many of us this was to be our first ride away from our own beloved hills to be undertaken without the watchful guidance of Fiona or Sam - so naturally a little nervous.
 Sam walked us through the gates and we were off. Unfortunately we soon discovered that many of the ribbons that were used to mark the route had been either blown away in the heavy winds the night before or eaten by sheep. Tied to small bushes and blades of grass as they were, they must have appeared to be part of the menu! Never mind, we kept up a brisk pace, trotting up the lanes and cantering at all opportunities. The canters up to the common were fantastic and by the time we stopped we were all smiling and fresh faced. We were also slightly lost! Well, not lost exactly, it was more a case of having no idea in which direction we were meant to go next.  We had been riding for about an hour and, knowing that we had only another hour to get back to Sam and the lorry, it was time to make a decision. The route was circular and after peering through the mist and inspecting our soggy maps Sarah and I concluded that we were nowhere near the half way stage. There was nothing for it but to turn back and retrace our steps. We were all disappointed not to have completed the route as planned - time, navigation difficulties and the weather were not on our side. Never the less we had a thoroughly enjoyable ride and hope that Tregoed will host another next year. We’ll bring a map case next time!
Thank you Sam for the transport and for waiting for us!
 Rose.

ROSE&MURPHY, JACKIE&ALI, MAGS&HOLLYWOOD, CATH&BLAZE, SARAH&MAV, PAULA&LOLA

LLANGYNIDR SHOW

This show is wonderful in that it is close enough to Golden Castle for our riders to hack there and back which is just what they did!
Everyone had a great day, horses & riders both, and brought home handfuls of rosettes.
Many Congratulations to all those who took part and well done to the ponies for being on such good form!