News and Results

4 December

VOTE for Sherwood Forest to win lottery bid

20 November

FREE Medical Armbands!

British Eventing have teamed up with Goodyear to produce thousands of safety armbands designed to help save the lives of riders. To get an armband free of charge go to http://www.mygoodyear.co.uk/safety/sportTheBand/.

28 October

WHTG Kelly Marks Winter BHS TREC at Trent Valley EC

Results from this spooky Hallowe'en themed competition, featuring a range of brilliant new obstacles especially constructed for the WHTG winter series, are now available here.

Photos taken by Patrick from Natural Expressions can be viewed and purchased online here.

A huge thank you to all those who generously gave their time to build/take down the course and judge.

14 October

The Lady Bower training day was a glorious riding day  – sunshine, blue sky (eventually), a slight breeze and fantastic autumn colours reflected in the Lady Bower reservoir. In the Dark Peak between Manchester and Sheffield, Lady Bower is less harsh/bleak than Kinder Scout but still with substantial hill work and stony tracks.

We parked at Bridge End car park and the riders were given two sealed envelopes and a pre-drawn satellite map for the first section. As we only had one adult steward, riders were given the distance of the first section, the correct elapsed time, and the next check point location. The satellite map was a surprise for a couple of riders who cheerfully said they were going to kill me ......

My sweeper rider bowed out the day before with illness, so I brought my horse Katie with me and rode as the sweeper. Once all the riders had left, I tacked up and went the quick, and flat, route to the first check point.  At the first check point we lost three riders – two due to lost shoes ....... and opened the first sealed envelope to reveal a Harvey's map and legend.

The Harvey's map had the route marked on it but also had a few grid references. Again, the Harveys  map was new to a couple of people and not liked by at least one more for its “lack of accuracy”. At this point I joined up with Amanda Renshaw riding Bill as her pair partner Andy had lost a shoe, and I “ghost rode” behind her... letting her decide where to go but being on hand to answer questions.

Once we got to the end of the Harvey's map which included the narrowest bridlepath gate I have ever come across, plus the worst cobbled near vertical decent, we moved onto the last map.

Described by Andy as a “childs squiggle” it was the route copied onto a blank piece of paper with north marked and the map scale. The instructions allowed riders to revert to their Harveys map to get home if they couldn't use the “squiggle” but actually it required taking bearings and measuring the distance counting paces.

As ever a training ride is so much more than what someone sets for you: it is the whole getting yourself psyched up, getting your kit ready, getting up early, getting to the venue, performing, having a laugh with your friends and building the bond with your horse. The other thing training rides give everyone is a chance to cope with the unexpected; Susanna's horse did not like the expansion grates on the Lady Bower Bridge cycle path and chose to be ridden in the road instead, Andy's new horse got used to mountain bikes, Amanda had to ride over the bridge and three horses had to go past the woman pulling a tractor tyre behind her!

Instead of charging for the training I asked riders to make a donation to the Edale Mountain Rescue Team. We collected GBP50 and they have already said “Thank you”. Not only do they do invaluable work rescuing injured people and finding lost ones but I aspire to be able to read a map as well as they can, in all sorts or weather, day or night!

Finally, thanks to Mike and Helena who escorted everyone over the Lady Bower bridge on the A57 and who found the most fabulous bacon sandwiches!

- Hils Stephens

30 September

2006/7 Kelly Marks BHS TREC Winter Series Presentation

30 September

Young Riders European TREC Championships - Kathryn Bean's Report

Switzerland was just amazing but a very long way and it took us 2 days to travel. We set off on Monday morning from York at 7.30am.  Ace driver Katie Morgan was driving Millie in her horsebox and I travelled with them to Dover.  The journey was good, Millie was a 5* traveller and we arrived at the overnight stabling in Dover at 4pm, meeting up with the other team members and Cheryl Wilson our Chef d’Equipe.  The horses had to be vetted in Dover and various papers signed at this point.

The following morning was a very early start as the ferry left at 6.15am – Millie went straight into the box and we left for the Docks.  It was all fairly straightforward – the only bad thing was leaving the horses in the cargo-bay for the journey but they all travelled really well and appeared not to notice they had crossed to France.

The journey was a long one, having to pass through all the various border controls but we arrived at Avenches, Switzerland in one piece after 14 hours.  To say the least we were all very tired and the horses very pleased to stretch their legs and eat in comfort.

The site area in Avenches was just amazing, everything so vast and very well looked after.  The indoor arena was huge and even fitted into it a large marquee where our meals were very well cooked and served, even then there was so much room.  Outside there was a driving school, stud and trotting arena, sand arenas for dressage and massive XC.

The competition started on Friday evening with the opening ceremony – ours was the smallest team entry but we all felt very proud when the National Anthem was played and we had to parade round.  At this point the times were given and Cheryl told us that the POR would be approximately 42k.

Saturday started very early with Cheryl feeding the horses at 4am, then Julia Knight-Jones drawing her map at 7am and setting off on the course, followed by Kate Ellison at 7.40am and me at 8.30am.  The course was very interesting, quite demanding and took approximately 8 hours to ride.  After this the team was in 4^th position and we were very pleased with this.

Sunday – again another very early start for Cheryl.  The COP was done in the morning and the PTV in the afternoon.  The PTV was so different, long and very challenging, with plenty of water, steep steps and a steep lead down.  A unique ‘S’ bend which had to be jumped up to, control your horse, do the obstacle and then jump down the step to get out.

Millie did everything and I was very pleased with her performance, she behaved admirably and I will always have the memory of that PTV with me.

All the girls were pleased with their performance until the end result which showed a gate penalty – naturally we were all gutted but we knew that we had all worked as a team and held the GB flag high and with pride.

Thanks to everyone for their support.  It has been truly fantastic and I won’t forget it for a long, long time.  The total mileage of 1,688 was worth it (York to York), plus the 90k we rode training and competing in Avenches – a lot of miles!!

Pictures of the event can be found on www.equiphotos.ch and www.trec.ch (French site) they take some looking through but they are certainly worth it. I was number 19,  Julia number 3,  and Kate number 11.

All you aspiring Young Riders out there, have a go – it’s great and well worth it – a fantastic goal to aim for.

Kathryn Bean

18 September

Newsletter 31 is out now in the Members' Area, including details of the 2007 AGM with guest speaker Beccy Broughton (International Endurance Rider) on 27 October and details of new events.

9th September

Young Riders European TREC Championships

Kathryn Bean and Millicent Millie represented GB and finished highest of the British riders. Unfortunately Kate Ellison (2006 Gold medallist) was eliminated for missing a compulsory flag on the PTV course so the GB team did not get placed.

A note from Kathryn Bean prior to the competition:

"I would just like to say thanks to the many White Horse Treccies for their good wishes and support for the European Championships in Switzerland next weekend.  The car has been unloaded from Cannock and the horse-box about to be loaded and then we away on Monday morning. A big thank you to WHTG for their very kind donation and to all those people who bought raffle tickets at the various Championships. It makes it very special when so many people are supporting you. Fingers crossed for GB!!!!"

White Horse Trec Group made a donation of £250 to Kathryn for travel expenses to Switzerland, raised through the Yorkshire Training Day, unmounted POR training and other donations.

8th September

British Riding Clubs National Dressage Championships, Lincoln

Ruth O'Keeffe and Double Dynamo represented the club in the Individual Novice Dressage after winning their class at the qualifier in June. Against stiff competition Ruth & Dom finished 6th in their arena at the Championships - well done!

2nd September

BHS TREC Championships of GB, Staffordshire

This event had a really demanding POR section, requiring great technical skill and rider stamina as our brains and concentration were tested all day!  The PTV course included some decent jumps too and two water crossings, although some obstacles were modified following protests from competitors!  After numerous scoring problems and a delayed prizegiving, the results were finally announced at 7pm on Sunday with many WHTG members in the top placings.  However, it was subsequently discovered that a number of the POR scores were incorrect, especially at Level 3.  This has resulted in revised placings being announced.  See BHS website for full details, but congratulations to Anna Weston, who excelled to win the Level 4 Championship including a new saddle.  Daniel Nolan was joint 1^st in Level 3, second place in Level 2 was Rachael Wilmot, with three of the top four Level 2 Pairs being WHTG members.  Several club members were selected for the England team and duly won the Nations Cup.  Unofficial prize for bravest performance goes to Liane Robinson, who had a fall during the POR and rode on Sunday with her hand sporting a bright pink bandage. 

28th August

Derbyshire Dales BHS TREC

Results here

Photos here

19th August

Epperstone BHS TREC

Results are now available here (MS excel)

Hannah-Marie Davies and her uncle Martin Davies notched up a win in the BHS TREC at Epperstone, Nottinghamshire at only their second competition. The event run by White Horse TREC Group on 19 August attracted maximum entries from far and wide as well as a number of locals. The Davies pair put in a good all round performance across three phases to win the Level 1 class. Hannah-Marie from Melton Mowbray was riding her new horse Hamish, and he soon took to his new job, having arrived just two weeks beforehand. Martin travelled up from Balsall Common in Warwickshire with his young bay mare Saffi. Runners-up were Jane Kirby and fifteen year old Alice Pollard, with Dawn and David Hardstaff in third, having won the 11km POR (orienteering) phase. 

The Level 1 individual victor was Suzanne Chamberlain from New Mills on her elegant grey Night Owl ahead of Marilyn Albon (Murphy) and Anne Ibbitson in a very close finish. Riders started the day by tackling a Control of Paces test requiring a slow canter and fast walk, and a rather spooky tree alongside the track made this an added challenge. Then onto the PTV obstacle course around the land of Nicki and Simon Smith.  Facing challenges representing those that can be encountered on a trail ride, competitors jumped straw bales, crossed ditches both riding and leading in hand, popped up a step, and showed handiness and training with an S-bend, rein back, bending and a gate to open and close. The forecast sharp showers were certainly that and the volunteer judges earnt praise for braving the conditions. Next up was the POR phase, riding through beautiful countryside which had riders commending the wonderful views, and some very enjoyable canters amidst farmland.  Well planned by Jenni French the ride showed off the area at it’s best, with the Level 2 riders taking in an 18km route. 

Sally Ingram (Shindig) and Elaine Carr (Monty) travelled up from the West Midlands to take home the spoils in the Level 2 Pairs just five points ahead with their excellent Control of Paces score of 68 points clinching the win.  Elaine and Sally were surprised to be called out first at prize-giving and remain unbeaten, with two wins from two starts for the duo.  They were particularly delighted with the goody bags they received, generously donated by Martin’s Farm Supplies.  Runners-up were local riders making their debut in BHS TREC, Lizzie Gough and Jessica Westgate.  Lizzie partnered the eye-catching piebald Millie and Jessica rode her 13.2hh chestnut Chloe, also winning the award for best Junior.  Third were club members joining forces for the first time, current Welsh Champion Daniel Nolan from Rugby, and Kathryn Bean from York riding her mother Paula’s young Highland pony Harry. Having represented GB as a young rider on another horse, Kathryn incurred a 50 point handicap but the pair very nearly defied the penalties, finishing just 9 points adrift of the winners, their PTV scores being particularly good.  

Di Skippon from Sussex brought her Quarter Horse Cherie and put in the best PTV round of the day, scoring 150 points. This combined with an excellent POR of 236 out of 240 put her ahead of White Horse TREC group member Rachael Wilmot, who was on her home ground, hailing from nearby Farnsfield. Rachael won the Nottinghamshire rider prize, a  private lesson kindly donated by Kate Turner BHSAI.  Sheila Rogerson from Ackworth was third on Rusty. 

The prize in the assisted class went to Emily Limb, from Rippingale in Lincolnshire, bravely accompanied on the POR by her father on a bike, with junior rider Lydia Davis also putting up a good PTV score on Saffi, before handing the reins back to Dad Martin for the POR. 

Prizes were generously donated by Aloe Animal, Martin’s Farm, Timmermans Coffee Shop, Khazan Equestrian, Nottingham Sleeper Company, TSW Ltd, and Kate Turner BHSAI. Thanks for superb organisation to Jenni French, Bridget Joyce and Sam Tacey and their partners.  Thanks to venue owners Nicola and Simon for allowing us to take over their land for the weekend and proving such wonderful hosts. The event was blessed with lots of lovely helpers – CP and PTV judges, locals who ran checkpoints for us and WHTG members who pitched in to lend a hand. Number crunching supremos were scorers Sam Joyce and Robin, with Jonathon Pritchard and his pony star score collectors. 

30th July

BHS TREC Scottish Championships 21-22 July 2007

7th July

DERBYSHIRE DALES TREC (14/15 JULY) POSTPONED TO 25/26 AUGUST 2007

Regrettably this event has to be postponed.  The fields for lorry parking and corralling are not useable at the moment due to the adverse weather conditions. New date Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 August 2007. Same venue, same classes.

Withdrawals of existing entries by 1st August will receive a full refund.  Please contact Jane Toft on 07931 243904 or email jane@white-horse-trec.co.uk to confirm.  If we do not hear from you, all remaining entries will be carried forward to the new date. For withdrawals after 1^st August any refunds will be entirely at the organiser’s discretion.

New entries will be accepted between 2^nd and 16^th August if sufficient space, on a first come first served basis.  All entries must be in writing with full payment.  Please use the existing schedule and entry form.

Overnight parking/camping and corralling will also be available at the venue the week after the competition for people going straight on to the GB Champs at Cannock Chase.

Contact Vicky Lowe for prices and to book on 01629 540998 or 07968 198870.

We will of course need helpers and judges on the new date – please contact Jane Toft if you can help out.

Schedule, directions etc here.

White Horse TREC Group members only:

Some of us are arranging to meet up at Cannock Chase on Sunday 15 July to ride in the area being used for the GB TREC Championships this year.  There will not be a set route, just an opportunity to get in a bit of practice!  Sarah Thurnell can supply Ordnance Survey maps and details of parking.  Tel: 07803 703395 or email sarah@white-horse-trec.co.uk

24th June

Area Riding Club Dressage Qualifier, Sheppgate Equestrian

Well done to both WHTG teams, everyone made a real effort standing in at the last minute, travelling a long distance or competing after a night of orienteering/judging!

We did very well - our A team came second out of fourteen teams, only missing first place by just one point. The B team didn't get placed but also tried really hard and it wasn't easy in the rain at times.

Ruth O'Keeffe (photo) came first in her arena and was the highest individual overall in the P13 section of 45 entries with a massive 72% and Fiona Thurnell was placed 6th in the individual riding test class.

Photos are available from http://www.peak-pictures.com

23rd June

After Dark BHS TREC Competition, Caythorpe

This event was great fun, with nine pairs tackling the full competition including the night-time POR, and another six individuals doing the fun class for helpers. Results are available on the BHS website here.

The rain kindly stopped for the duration of the competition, and everyone was back safely by 2.30am. Many thanks to all the helpers and judges, and especially Alex Wells, parents Sue and Geoff, boyfriend Sam and the TD Fiona Thurnell. Despite the muddy conditions a good PTV course was produced out of thin air by Alex with help from the venue owners, and Alex and Fiona did a great job planning a safe POR with plenty of challenges thrown in.

Anna Weston rode the PTV course on Jack with a mini video camera strapped to her helmet - the brilliant video can be seen on YouTube here, or below.

16th-17th June

White Horse success at the BHS TREC Welsh Championships 2007!

A small group of WHTG members made the long journey to the Welsh Championships, in torrential rain.

Fortunately the weather improved for the POR through the pretty coastal scenery followed by a hog roast.

The PTV course took a challenging, twisty route through a wood and stream, then out into the fields where a brand new ditch, series of drops and a steep staircase awaited!

Full results are on the BHS website, but placings for WHTG members include:

Level 2 Individual Champion Rachael Wilmot with Grindle
Level 3 Pairs Champions Sarah Thurnell with Barney and Helen Weston with Jack
Level 3 Individual Champion Daniel Nolan and Tammy
Level 3 Individual 2nd Mary Weston and Floss
Level 3 Individual 5th Alex Wells and Toffee
Level 4 Individual 2nd Lynne Mabbit and Spice of Life
Level 4 Individual 3rd Anna Weston and Caspian the Wizard
Teams - WHTG 'Aminnit' team (Sarah Thurnell, Rachael Wilmot, Alex Wells & Kathryn Bean) were placed third, with the Westons and Alex Pyper claiming fourth prize.

Photos of the championships are available from www.anthony-reynolds.net

1st April

Novices TREC Training at Hamley Hagg

A note from Peter, Paula and Kathryn - "As organisers of the above event we would like to say thank you to everyone for the very welcome complimentary feedback we received.  It was a very busy day and it all seemed to go very well.  The weather stayed fine for us but the wind was a bit strong.  The orienteering appeared to be enjoyed by all and the ride round was very welcome for most of the competitors.  Thank you to our volunteer helpers – and to their horses for taking part.  Having a lead rider was a good way to get everyone round a big XC course.  A special thank you must go to Katie Morgan for all her help and very good advice." Listed below are the set of speeds and times that were set for the orienteering section:

Start (CP1) to CP2 - distance 2.25km, speed 7kph, optimum time 20min
CP2 to CP3 - distance 4.25km, speed 8.5kph, optimum time 30min
CP3 to CP4 (finish) - distance 1.4km, speed 6kph, optimum time 14min
Overall distance 7.9km, overall time 64 minutes.

25th Mar

Kelly Marks Perfect Partners Indoor TREC - Brooksby

Results are available now - excel and pdf!
Well done everyone who took part, and thank you to all judges and helpers. Photos are available from Patrick Stubbs of Natural Expresions.

NB If you competed at Brooksby on Sunday and did NOT collect your individual scoresheet on the day and WOULD like to receive it, please send a stamped addressed envelope to: Events Secretary, 2 Burnt Heath Cottages, Long Itchington Road, Offchurch, Leamington Spa CV33 9AZ and we will post it to you.
If you DID provide an envelope on the day, thank you, and you will receive your scoresheet within the next day or two (these have been posted out).

18th Mar

Mandy Morris and Fred raise £300 for Comic Relief!

Today at the Indoor TREC at Solihull, Mandy and Fred donned their red noses along with a host of other red accessories to raise money for Comic Relief.

Red Nose Day aims to tackle poverty and social injustice in the UK and Africa. Since its launch in 1985, Comic Relief has raised over £425,000,000. A great big thank you to all those who have donated! As promised, here are the photos. You can still donate by clicking here, every pound raised goes to help someone in need, you can see some of the brilliant things that Comic Relief has achieved here.

Well done Mandy and Fred!

1st Mar

Raise money for Comic Relief!

Mandy Morris and Sarah Thurnell have entered the Indoor TREC at Solihull on the 18th March which is 2 days after this year's Red Nose Day. In order to try and raise money for this worthy cause they are hoping to get people to sponsor them and their horses to wear red noses whilst competing!

To pledge your support for this very worthy cause, please go here. Pictures will be available on this site after the big event!

11th Feb

Kelly Marks Perfect Partners Indoor TREC - Moorhouse EC

Many thanks to all the judges and those who helped to set up and dismantle the course. Results are now available here, and photographs are available from http://www.jtpix.co.uk/Equestrian%20Photography.htm

NEW - Justin has just let me know that he's going to be running a special offer not mentioned on his website:

You can have digital copies of all your photos from this event (full high resolution images) for £25, enabling you to make as many of your own prints as you need, and use them as screensavers etc. E-mail JT@JTPIX.CO.UK to take advantage of this offer!

29th Jan

SEIB BHS TREC League Awards

23rd Jan

Kelly Marks Perfect Partners Indoor TREC - Trent Valley Equestrian Centre