BYRDS HIGHLAND REGION
BRITISH YOUNG RIDERS DRESSAGE SCHEME
NEWSLETTER
Nov/Dec 2007 Issue 1
Welcome to our first Newsletter – we hope to produce these on a regular basis. If you have any questions about BYRDS in our area please feel free to contact Shona MacKenzie,
Springfield House, Corry, Muir of Ord, Ross-Shire
01463 870474 or mobile 077 1947 3814
We have been running various training sessions for some time now with different trainers and at Easter we held our first camp followed by Autumn Camp – a report of which is below.
AUTUMN CAMP
This October camp has been a great success thanks to our fantastic instructors Mrs Alison Fellows and Mrs Elaine Taylor. Also visiting us this time we had British Dressage’s Regional Development Officer for Scotland Mrs Cecilia Gladwyn visit our camp and see what Highland BYRDS have been aiming for and achieving.
Amy Logan & Phoebe Luisaidh Owen Wally
These riders were being lunged in order to work on their position.
PAGE TWO
Throughout the three day camp there were various training sessions including discussions on the correct turnout, boots & bandaging, and a very interesting session with Jenny Johnson a physiotherapist who works with both humans and animals. Jenny’s session included drawing on the horses with chalk and getting everyone involved in what muscle goes where and does what!.
Gemima enjoying being bandaged Jenny the physio
Also at camp there were sessions taken by Mrs Shona Mackenzie. In these the main focus was on the Scales of Training – the systematic training method by which we work to train our horses. This was greatly enhanced by fabulous cartoon drawn by Mrs Doreen Green which the campers would find enclosed in their take home packs. No apologies for reproducing this again – there is talk of producing t shirts with this cartoon on – watch this space!
The final afternoon of camp was spent on Practise Judging – where we hoped to help you to understand how judges mark and what the comments really mean. A huge thanks to Elaine Taylor, Ashley Reilly, Elaine Oliver and Bryony Ayers our very patient and fabby guinea pigs!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Please remember that you are entitled to attend any of the other Scottish BYRDS Events – you will receive a copy of the Scottish newsletter with all of the dates from Cecilia.
BD SCOTTISH REGIONAL BALL
Isle of Skye Hotel, Perth on Friday 16th November. Only a few tickets left. Tickets cost £42.50 each. Cheques made payable to British Dressage and sent to Scottish RDO Mrs Cecilia Gladwyn with SAE for return of tickets.
HIGHLAND REGION BYRDS 18 NOV 2007
OPEN DRESSAGE COMPETITION
We are holding our first competition on Sunday 18 November at Seaforth Riding Centre We have a wide range of classes from a Walk Trot only test right through to Medium and Music Classes so please try to enter and spread the word among all your friends.
All the profits from this show will be kept for use by Highland BYRDS Group. We are going to run a bottle stall and refreshments - please help us to help you.
Schedules at all the usual outlets or by email from or ring Jenny Owen on 07778 513982 who is taking the entries.
BYRDS TRAINING DAY - 21 DEC 2007
VIDEO ANALYSIS DAY
Working with Elaine Taylor and Shona MacKenzie. Volunteers needed for filming duties.
Come and ride through test have it filmed and then watch it back and discuss followed by the opportunity to work on areas identified and ride through test again.
Start time 10 am through to approx 4 pm – dependant on numbers. Please bring a packed lunch. Hot drinks provided. Cost £35 for the day – please note this is a Friday the first day of the School Holidays.
Forms and monies to Shona MacKenzie by Sunday 16 December please.
BYRDS TRAINING DAY
19 JAN 2008 – WAY OF GOING – OPEN DAY
Working with Allison Fellows, Elaine Taylor and Shona MacKenzie.
Come and work on your Way of Going – we will be having lunge sessions, test riding techniques and working on the Scales of Training.
Start time 10 am through to approx 4pm – dependant on numbers.
Please bring a packed lunch. Hot Drinks provided. Cost £35 for the day -
We are making this an Open Day where anyone who is interested in BYRDS Training is welcome to come along and watch and bring their trainer if interested. So please spread the word amongst anyone you think will be interested. We will be happy to discuss any questions anyone may have.
Forms and monies to Shona MacKenzie for 12 January please.
BYRDS TRAINING DAY
16 FEB 2008 – NEW TESTS FOR 2008
Working with Allison Fellows this will include looking at the new tests for 2008, and some the of BYRDS SQUADDING TESTS which we want to begin including in our programme of training etc.
Further details nearer the time. Please make sure that you send a separate form and cheque for each session. Cheques to be payable to British Dressage please.
SAT 1ST/SUN 2ND MARCH SCOTTISH WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS INCLUDING QUALIFIERS FOR NATIONAL WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS – GLENEAGLES, PERTHSHIRE
We are hoping to have a visit to at least one day of these Championships so put the dates in your diary – it will be a great chance to support our own friends and competitors and to watch some of Scotland’s best in action. There are Dressage to Music Classes from Novice level upwards which are always good fun to watch. More details to follow shortly.
EASTER CAMP – we will be running a two day camp during the Easter School Holidays we are just trying to get all the dates together to avoid clashing with other camps etc. Dates out as soon as possible.
Please keep in touch and let us have your suggestions for future training and events – if our first competition is a success there may be the possibility of running a further event but we need your feed back so it’s up to you – get in touch!
Shona MacKenzie
PS – Let me have your email addresses for faster communication and let me know if you know anyone else who would like to receive the info.
USEFUL/INTERESTING CONTACTS
Allison Fellows on 07919 598139 or
Elaine Taylor on 01349 865495
Cecilia Gladwyn - Scottish Regional Development Officer
Clochcan House, Auchnagatt, Ellon, AB41 8TD
Email:
Tel: 07778 114453
www.dressagescotland.co.uk loads of info on clinics etc etc
www.mundoleequestrian.com
British Dressage have a new website with loads of info and links
www.britishdressage.co.uk
Worth a look is www.horseandcountry.tv (sky guide 280)
NEW TESTS FOR 2008 – INTRO A (WALK & TROT), PRELIM 15 (LONG ARENA)
AMENDED TESTS FOR 2008
PRELIM 16 WILL BE CHANGED AND RENUMBERED PRELIM 19 (LONG ARENA)
NOVICE 21 AMENDED & RENUMBERED NOVICE 28 (SHORT ARENA)