Golden Castle

News

The last month has been one of the busiest this year for competitions and activities at the yard with someone getting out and about every week – see the details across the page and below. As we move into winter we’ve also started a number of “house keeping” jobs, including painting the fencing, our own version of the Forth Bridge! Plans include the conversion of the caravan into a new riders’ lounge – somewhere people can go to sit down with a cup of tea or coffee, chat, read magazines, avoid the rain and change (not all at the same time…….). Look out for our new winter series of evening demonstrations and lectures and a new Thursday evening lesson for adults. Happy riding. Sam and Fiona.

Out and About!

Park Farm – September 29^th

Sam and Ali and Sarah and Ceri went clear around the 2’6 cross country course at Park Farm – thanks very much to Jackie and Rodney for taking some great photos.

Oliver Townend Eventer Challenge – Pencoed (September 23^rd) and Hartpury (October 6^th)

Chris and Maverick, Sarah and Ceri and Sam and Ali took part in the regional heats for this competition – qualifying for the finals on November 24^th in Maidenhead – see details of this exciting event over the page.

Mount Ballon success for Sam and Ice – October 13^th

The last event of the season, and Ice and Sam completed with their best dressage score and best cross country time for the year to take seventh place in the Novice section. Cross country was up to height and solid with some enormous spreads and tricky obstacles including a boat, jumped out of a lake. Ice ends the season completing 10 events and collecting 5 BE points. He’ll now have a break for a month and then start SJ and dressage through the winter to get ready for the new season in March 2008. A big thank you from Sam to everyone who has supported her this year – and looking forward to tackling Intermediate tracks next year!

Placings at Sunnybank – October 14^th

Becky steered Louis to a 5^th place rosette cross-country, adding a 9^th placing in the pairs with Gabriella and Dolly (time penalties for going too fast rather than too slow!). Good to see our young riders getting out competing and getting great results!

More Out and About over the page….

Horse and Rider – a thank you from Toffee and Rhianne

As most of you already know, I have recently moved to Milton Keynes to live with Rhys. And of course Toffee has come too. I would just like to say a massive Thank You to Fiona and Sam for everything they have done for me over the years. I started riding with Fiona when I was 5, shortly after she opened Golden Castle. I remember having my first lesson on Duke and being really scared! I rode twice a week for years, and then started helping out on a Saturday and eventually spent a few years working for Fiona and Sam whenever I could. They have taught me everything I know about horses and the experience I gained working for them is invaluable. We’ve had loads of fun and I will really miss everyone. I have to say thanks to Fiona for selling me Toffee, (I think) the best horse in the world! And this was all down to Sam who persuaded me to buy her when I was drunk! Their encouragement, advice and many lessons helped me so much with her. Toffee is now living 5 minutes away from my new house. She has settled in well at her new yard and is enjoying riding out around the woods. I have to say thanks again to Sam, Sarah and Dog for driving her all the way up here – I really appreciate it! Although I was a bit scared when they left me with her on my own!

Anyway, to Fiona and Sam, Thanks for everything you’ve done and the opportunities you’ve given me. I will be home to see you all soon, and I’m limbering up for some partying at the ball!!

Rhianne – October 2007

             Toffee sleeping at GC                          One day event at Stonar – August 07

Oliver Townend Eventer Challenge (OTEC) – GC riders secure places at the televised final!

The OTEC is an indoor competition combining show jumps with knock down cross-country jumps to create a challenging course of innovative obstacles. Regional heats are being held at 15 equestrian centres across the UK with the final taking place at the Berkshire Agricultural College on November 24^th. Horse and Country TV will be covering the final live and prizes include a training day with Oliver Townend (see www.oteccc.co.uk for more details). Our riders have taken part at two regional centres – with everyone qualifying for the final so far! At Pencoed on September 23^rd, Chris and Maverick took second place in the 2’3 class securing their place at the finals; Sarah and Ceri were placed 5^th. Two weeks’ later at Hartpury a 3^rd place in the 2’3 class for Sarah and Ceri gave them their ticket for the final and Sam and Ali took 2^nd in the 2’6-2’9 and the 2’9 – 3ft classes, qualifying them for the final in both. Sam and Ceri also completed one of only 6 clear rounds in the 2’6 – 2’9 class, with a 6^th place rosette. Obstacles include a hedge, gun barrel (that rolls if you hit it), roll-top (no wings, lots of run outs), plastic hedge, arrow head (no wings, very skinny) and water tray as well as standard show jumps. Time is tight and roughly 50% of riders were eliminated at the two competitions we went to for refusals and run-outs. It’s a tough course and presents the horses with tricky jumps in an intense environment. Lots of practicing to be done between now and the 24^th November including attending one last regional qualifier at Moreton Morrell in Warwick – a long way to go but worth the effort to give the horses and riders the best chance of doing well at the final. Sam will also be taking Ice there to compete in the 2-9 – 3ft and 3ft – 3ft’3 classes and Rhiannon is taking Bonnie for the 2’3 and 2’6 – 2’9 classes – so fingers crossed that we qualify a further two combinations of horse and rider! Logistics for the final include hiring a horse transporter to take the horses to Maidenhead – we reckon a 4am departure will be needed to get them there on time, with the riders leaving at 5am (bearing in mind this is the day after the Xmas Ball it’s going to be a long day……..). A lot of people have asked about coming to the final to support the team – the classes will start at 9am (junior 2’3) so our first class (adult 2’3) is likely to start around 10am and all support would be very welcome!! Good luck to Rhiannon, Bonnie, Sam and Ice at Moreton Morrell.

Christmas Ball – numbers growing!

A quick update – we now have 70 people booked to come to the Xmas Ball at the Old Rectory which is terrific – should be a lot of fun, food and wine and a great way to catch up with everyone. One thing we wanted to confirm about the Ball – the ticket price is the per head price being charged by the Old Rectory for a minimum booking of 50 people – no extras to be charged for or fundraising included – and covers the meal, wine at the table, music and the DJ. We’ll also be organising a “welcome and thank you” glass of sparkling wine – to say exactly that, especially thank you to everyone for their support this year.

Post Script - Liveries’ Suggestion for Christmas Gifts this year

Message from Sarah: A few of the livery owners have suggested that rather than splashing out on individual cards/presents for Sam and Fiona this year that it would be good to get together to get something longer-lasting for the yard –  the suggestion was The GC Riders’ Sponsored Jump. Sam and Fiona think this is a really lovely idea and one they would really, really appreciate – “keep us a lot slimmer than chocolate too……….” I know that Xmas is still a long way away but wanted to put the idea out there for people to think about.

Fun rides at Blaenavon (September 23^rd), Raglan (October 7^th) and Ross on Wye (October 14th)

Fiona and Toby and Michelle and Mouse took to the hills above Blaenavon for a circular ride taking in great views and an opportunity to ride in a completely new area. Raglan saw Marian and Louis and Sarah and Ceri have fun cantering across open fields and along bridleways with 30+ optional jumps along the way. Hoarwithy near Ross was the venue for the most recent ride – a 5km route with logs, steeplechase jumps and fences tackled by Fiona and Toby, Chris and Maverick and Sarah and Ceri. Often organised by local hunts, fun rides are a great way to get out and about and ride across country often taking in private estate and park land. 

More evening rides throughout the month

Four different groups enjoyed the now regular evening ride across the hill, followed by good food at the Vine Tree afterwards – a great way to make the most of the (still) light early evenings. One more to be organized before the clocks change!

Coming up – things for the diary

October 24^th – the last evening ride! Everyone welcome – last one before the evenings become too dark. Food to follow.

November 4^th – Oliver Townend Eventer Challenge – regional heat at Moreton Morell (Warwick) – one last chance to qualify

November 9^th and 10^th – two day trail ride from GC to Myndd Troed and back, taking in great views, long canters, log fires and good pub food. Places full for this ride but look out for new rides later in the year and in 2008.

November 24^th – Oliver Townend Eventer Challenge Final (Maidenhead) – three horses and riders qualified in a variety of classes – supporters welcome (yes it is the day after the Xmas Ball……)

Winter Series – Oct – December – dates to be confirmed. We are organising a series of lectures, demos and classes for the winter months. On the schedule are demonstrations of lunging (horses and horse and rider), jumping techniques and horse massage. Details to be posted on the notice board.

Thursday evening adults lesson – 5.30pm – new regular adults’ evening lesson – book with Sam or Fiona

Joiners and Leavers

New horse news……..many people already know this but Kate is officially Benson’s new “mum”. Mini has joined the stable of school horses and is enjoying her variety of work whilst Bennie is enjoying the attention from Kate – watch out for them competing next season.

Welcome to Mannie, Sam’s new horse. Mannie is a 16’2 bay TB gelding, 4 years’ old, and will be competing alongside Ice next season, starting at Intro level and building up to Pre-Novice and Novice whilst Ice moves on through Novice to Intermediate.

We told people last month the sad news about Cloud. Well Nickie and Dave have now found two new companions – Storm (an appaloosa mare) and Rogue (chestnut TBx mare) – we wish them lots of fun and happiness with their new horses!

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Goodbye to Rhianne and Toffee – so sad to see them leave but all for good reasons as Rhianne starts her new life in Milton Keynes with Rhys. They’ll both be at the ball (that’s Rhianne and Rhys, not Rhianne and Toffee) and Toffee is settling in to her new yard.

Out and about in pictures……

Ceri and Ali chill out at Park Farm!

Thanks to Jackie and Rodney for the photo!