Contact: Debbie King 01260 299888 / 07831 233277
                email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Page updated 29 June

Area Eventing Team Info:  

Cross country course Walks for Cheshire Shield and Area Horse Trials:

Click here for team details 

Please note there is a dressage practice on Wednesday 30 June for anyone wishing to run through their Area test.  8 places available for 15 min slots, starting at 7pm.  Cost £12. 

This will only go ahead if there is enough uptake.  Entries will be taken on a first come first served basis via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   

Cheshire Hunt North Beginners ODE - 12 June

Congratulations to East Cheshire members who did well at the event at Smallwood on Saturday 12 June.  In Class 4, section A,  Megan Gibson had the best Dressage (30 penalties) and went clear SJ and XC to win the section. In Class 4, section B, Maddie Beckett was second after the Dressage (30.7 penalties) and also went clear on both SJ and XC to finish second in the section.

Cross country training - change of date

The cross country training rally on 30 June has been brought forward to Tuesday 29 June.  All entries to Debbie King on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Scroll down for more info.

Cheshire Hunt South One Day Event (The Rose Bowl) - 9 May 2010

Cross Country Schooling Rallies

Somerford Park Farm, Schooling Field (80 acres)

For those aiming for Novice (3'), Intermediate (3'3") or Open (3'6") horse trials, and some sessions for those jumping 2'6".  Please indicate clearly on your slip which group you wish to enter and your level of experience.  All horse/rider combinations must be safe in open spaces.  Body protectors must be worn.  Please arrive 15 minutes before your time so you can warm up.

Cap:          £30 per rally
Entries:      To Debbie King, Somerford Park Farm, Holmes Chapel Road,  Congleton, CW12 4SW by closing dates (see below) 
Times:        See website or tel 01260 299888 between 5.00 - 7.00 pm on dates shown

Saturday 6 March:  Nov, Int, Open - entries close 2 March.  Times 4 March

Saturday 13 March:  2'6", Nov, Int, Open - entries close 9 March.  Times 11 March

Tuesday 6 April:  2'6", Nov, Int, Open - entries close 2 April.  Times 4 April

Tuesday 20 April:  2'6", Nov, Int, Open - entries close 14 April.  Times 16 April

Wednesday 5 May: 2'6", Nov, Int, Open - entries close 1 May.  Times 3 May

Wednesday 23 June: 2'6", Nov, Int, Open - entries close 19 June.  Times 21 June

Tuesday 29 June: Nov, Int, Open Area Teams only - entries close 25 June.  Times 27 June

Click here for Entry Slip

Welcome to the Spring season of training rallies. 

Thankfully the snow and frosts have gone and you have been able to start working your horses/and ponies, getting them fit and working on your partnerships. The cross country rallies usually fill quite quickly so enter early and clearly state your ability. Please make sure you wear a body protector and crash hat, and allow 10mins to hack from the yard to the cross country field (80 acre)

We are proposing to run some rallies aimed at the lower levels (2’/2’3” upwards) for new, or nervous combinations or those just wanting to build confidence. We aim to hold them in a field situated nearby the indoor school and arena at Somerford Park Farm,  there will be a variety of straight forward solid built fences enclosed in a fenced area, we will aim to run 1 per month from April onwards (if you are interested in this please e-mail me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or also contact Ann Holdcroft (01270 761217/07801585809).

We have held a couple of rallies on the 80 acre training field which have proved successful and well supported, being in the open space of the cross country schooling grounds where the rhythm you ride at across country is increased and you can put into practice the lessons learned in the technique  to a wider variety of fences enabling you to experience the feel of riding across country.

The rallies are not only aimed at members who want to be on teams they are there to gain experience and confidence safely, so that leads me on to making sure you are well equipped to take part make sure tack fits correctly and is safe with all stitching secure and that you and your horse/pony are safe in open spaces.   

I do recommend that horses/ponies are shod to help with grip and avoid slipping which could cause injury and sometimes a loss of confidence. If you have stud holes, studs are also recommended. 

As I mentioned before a suitable crash hat, body protector, gloves and suitable footwear are required. Most important will be a good level of fitness once we move to the open training ground for both horse/pony and rider remember you are not just a passenger. 

There will be rally dates advertised on our diary page but please look out for any changes due to cancellation, weather  etc. 

Please make sure you have a 2010 Pony Club eventing rule book (available from Debbie Garnsey) as qualifications and rules change each year. 

I will try to answer any queries: Debbie King 07831 233277or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Eventing 2010

We will eventually be looking to put this training towards competitions throughout the Spring and Summer. The various Pony Club websites for Area 5 are easy to access and will list the various branches One Day Events, these are just some for your diary:

1st May   Cheshire Hunt North One Day Event(Smallwood)
9th May   Rose bowl Cheshire Hunt South (Kelsall Hill)
4th July    Cheshire Shield East Cheshire & Area 5 One Day Event (Somerford Park Farm) (helpers will be required)
14th – 17th August  Pony Club Championships in Intermediate & Open eventing (Draycott)(helpers from teams required)
28th – 29th August Novice Championships (Kelsall Hill) (members will often be required to provide a helper)

Team competitions

The branch usually tries to send a team to the Rose bowl competition.  This class is aimed at intermediate combinations (BE 100 height) basically maximum height cross country of 1m and showjumping 1.05m.

We will then be looking for teams for the Area competition in July:

Novice:            Cross Country 0.90m, Show Jumping 0.95
Intermediate:    Cross Country 1.00m, Show Jumping 1.05m
Open:              Cross Country 1.10m, Show Jumping 1.15m

Teams

Any member wishing to be considered for teams could you e-mail me with the following: 

Class to be considered for i.e. Novice, Intermediate etc
Past competition experience & results
How long you have had your pony/horse
What your aim is
Height & Age of horse/pony
Please consider if you are going away during the holidays. (There is no point applying to be on a team if you are going to be away)
Names of your own trainers where possible. 

Unfortunately eventing requires good results at all phases (not just cross-country) and the standard is usually quite high in Pony Club.  The dressage phase has a huge influence on the final result and we are lucky in the branch that we have very good dressage rallies and training and also plenty of opportunity to show jump train. 

When I am looking for potential team members it helps if I have seen you at the various rallies especially the cross-country to assess you and your horse/ponies level of ability. Also when arranging the rally groups it helps to give me as much information on your slip as possible please. Also your e-mail address makes communication much easier. Thank you 

Contact: Debbie King 07831233277/01260 299888 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Eventing Championships - Draycott House - August 2009

Congratulations to the EC Intermediate Eventers, Sam Foxall, Louise Barnes, Leona Lock-Williams and Emily Barnes who travelled all the way to Bishop Burton College (near Hull) today to win the re-arranged Intermediate Eventing Qualifier - well done all.

Cheshire Shield Results 

Burton Cheshire Forest One Day Event - Smallwood - Saturday 13 June 

Congratulations to all our East Cheshire riders who competed at Smallwood on Saturday 13 June.  Alice Taylor won her section in the 2'6" class, with Olivia Cross 3rd and Jack Mantel 4th.  Polly Feather and Charlotte Howlett both won their sections in the 3' class, with Katy McKeown 4th.  Well done to you all.

The Rose Bowl - Kelsall Hill - Sunday 10 May

 Congratulations to the East Cheshire team of Sam Foxall, Louise Barnes, Edwin Brooker and Susie Wise, who finished a close second to Cheshire Hunt South at the Rose Bowl One Day Event at Kelsall.  Sam won her section and Louise finished individually 5th.  Polly Feather was 2nd in the 3' class.  Well done to all!

Cross Country Technique Rallies 

Here are some photos from the 2009 rallies.  For more photos see Eventing Photos page