HORSE TRIALS TEAM TRAINING 2009 

It seems such a short time ago that we were at Aldon enjoying our very successful area competition! For those of you who may be new to team training, here is a word of explanation. All the pony clubs are grouped into Areas with approximately 20 Branches in each area. We are in area 14 and every year we compete against all the other Branches in our area for a place at the Pony Club Championships held during the middle of August. Usually the two highest placed teams at Senior and Intermediate level go forwards. Novice Challenge competitors have their own separate Championships at the end of August. 

DO NOT FORGET: In order to compete in these teams both you and your pony/horse must have attended at least three rallies since 1^st July 2008. Camp counts as one rally. We hope, as always, to send teams for the Novice Challenge, Intermediate and Senior teams and sometimes we are allowed to take one or two individuals as well. This year we were also able to enter junior teams for the first time. This proved extremely popular and we hope to see juniors included again this year.Horse Trials (also called eventing) is a 3 phase competition consisting of dressage, show jumping and cross country. 

The heights are as follows: 

Juniors (12 and under on 1^st January 2009) - Height 2`6 – 2`9  TO BE CONFIRMED

Novice Challenge – Height 2`9- 3`

Intermediate – Height – 3`3

Seniors – Height – 3`7 

We are very lucky that Tammy Weal has agreed to be our team trainer once again. Initially our training will be indoors working on dressage (very important!) and show jumping but we will be out as soon as the weather allows and including some cross-country training. Look out for training dates in the next news letter.Once the horse trials season gets underway in March/April we will be entering  teams to practice at suitable competitions, but the winter provides many dressage and show jumping competitions in which to gain experience so do try to get out and have a go. Bobbie and I are always interested to hear about your results.

Of course, this all requires a lot of hard work and commitment, but it is also great fun and we are looking forwards to another brilliant year together.

If you have any queries, especially if you are new to Horse Trials, do not hesitate to contact either of us and we will do our best to help.  

Bobbie Middleton (01794 323323)

and Nikki Damment (01794 390924)