ActiveSport
Equestrianism Julia Dungworth introduces us to the delights of pony club camp, and other news
Sticky buns and orange squash
August is about Pony Club camps. I remember many a glorious day sitting in Burghley Park sharing iced buns and orange squash with my pony, before another two hour ride learning to do rising trot balancing a bean bag on my head. Luckily things haven’t changed that much. Summer Camp is all about learning how to look after your pony properly, and having fun. The only difference now is that you can’t leave your pony in a big field with all the others because of health and safety. There are several different age groups catered for ranging from 4-18 years old. There will be a morning session of serious riding, then lunch, stable management, and then more riding in the afternoon. On the last day there is an eagerly awaited competition, with rosettes presented in the afternoon.
Well done Richard
Richard Jones from South Luffenham has made the long list for the European Championships in Luhmuhlen in Germany, to be held from August 29 to September 1 on Dinah Saunders and Sandra Martin’s 12 year old gelding Alfie’s Clover. Going on recent results, including being placed fourth at Bramham in June, Richard stands a very good chance of making the final team. There are 14 others on the list, including Piggy French on Trevor Dickens’ Badminton winner Vanir Kamira.
Hounds’ exercise
In August you can join some of the local hunts for hound exercising. This is basically quite a long hack - normally at the weekend - with a lot of walking, trotting and the occasional canter if you are lucky enough to find some grass or stubble. It is a great opportunity to get your horses and ponies out to see the hounds and have some fun with your friends before the autumn hunting starts in September. If you would like to know more, please contact your local hunt.
Vale View Equestrian Centre August 2 - 4
If you haven’t been to Vale View Equestrian Centre in Old Dalby, near Melton Mowbray recently, you really should go and have a look at their brand new massive outdoor school/cross country facilities. It’s perfect for this time of year when the ground has started to get firm. They have an enormous amount of new fences ranging from teeny to large, so can cater for all needs. They are also running their own unaffiliated three day event from August 2 - 4 with classes from 70-100cm. They boast a huge prize pool including Fairfax and Favor boots for the trot up winners! They have also started doing outdoor BS summer jumping for the first time this year, normally every second Wednesday of the month and some weekends. www.valeviewequestrian.co.uk
Shelford August 23 - 25 www.bede-events.co.uk
Keysoe August 23 - 25
www.keysoe.com Both Shelford horse trials and Keysoe run over the August bank holiday weekend, August 23 - 25, and host the hotly contested four year old qualifiers for the Young Event Horse championships to be held at Osberton at the beginning of October. Both events will be a brilliant opportunity to see some of the top young horses in our area. There will also be a chance to see some of the more experienced horses and, possibly at Keysoe, see some having their final run before Burghley as they have an Open Intermediate there.
August 2019 / theactivemag.com 63
63 horsesok.indd 63
24/07/2019 16:57