Farley Hall Horse Trials

The Farley Hall Horse Trials is a British Eventing affiliated competition. The event runs at BE100, Novice and Intermediate levels. Novice and Intermediate are national qualifying levels where horses can win points and qualify for national championships. They also qualify to compete internationally by entering this level. The show sees entrants from amateur one-horse riders to multi-horse owners and international/Olympic riders looking to qualify their horses or gain experience.

On Sunday 25th June 2023 hundreds of horses passed through gates in the warm sunshine, to show their great skills off to the large crowds. It was a first-class show. The next major event in Swallowfield will be the Swallowfield Show on 27th & 28th August 2023.

Pétanque

Pétanque is a sport that falls into the category of boules sports, along with raffa, bocce, boulelyonnaise, lawn bowls, and crown green bowling. Rising in popularity, the number of clubs throughout the country and the membership has been rising steadily. One such club is based in Arborfield and My Wokingham found out more.

How many members are there in the Petanque club?

We have 14 registered playing members. There are a number of non-registered people who turn up on Friday club nights for a game weather permitting.

What is the appeal/how does it differ from bowls?

The difference between boules and bowls is we can play on any surface except grass, you can have your balls in the car and set up a game on any spare bit of ground.

It is scored the same as bowls but where they throw alternately, we would keep throwing until you beat the oppositions ball or you’re out of balls. People with disabilities can play even if you can’t bend down to pick your balls up like myself. I use a small magnet on a string as the balls are made of metal. Is it a very sociable club?

We are a very sociable club. We meet up on Friday nights for club nights and everybody is welcome. We play league games on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings, and we are the only club that provides food after the games. We also meet at the nearest place to where we are playing on Sundays for breakfast.

Is it for beginners as well as more experienced players?

Anybody can play, obviously there are players better than others but it’s all about practice and how far you want to go. We have club nights for anyone to come along and have a go. Our members are at all different levels and the more experienced are only too happy to help and teach.