Ashford Valley Riding For The Disabled Group

Chairman’s Report 2011

 

Good evening everyone. It does not seem possible that it is a year since I gave my last Chairman’s report. Before I go over the year I would once again like to thank my committee, our volunteers and helpers for their continued support and hard work for the Group, and also Tim and Heather for continuing as instructors.

 

Now to quickly go over the year:

 

In June we sold Rosie who had never been totally at ease with her work in the Group. She has gone to a super home near Sevenoaks and she and her new owner Vicky are very happy with each other.

 

Sadly in December at the age of 22 Mr Moss had to be put to sleep. He had started having fits and was no longer safe to ride. Moss was a great character, not averse to giving his leader the odd rather painful nip. With the group for 10 years he was a great RDA horse. In 2004 he and Philip Coles finished 2^nd in Dressage Test 11 at the National Championships at Harpbury. From 2003 Moss was cared for by Brenda with diligence and love. He is much missed.

 

We were all very anxious about the impending sale of Blue Barn particularly as I had been informed that if one potential buyer was successful then the Group would not be welcome. Luckily for us this person did not go ahead with the purchase and we are still able to use Blue Barn not only for our fortnightly Monday evening sessions but also most of our monthly Sunday sessions. We now hire 3 horses from Willow Tree Riding School and after a long absence Hugo is back with us. We also still have Patch and Lucy loaned to us by Bev.

 

The Monday evening sessions continued well but unfortunately we lost some riders from who are apparently now riding during the day as it is very difficult to find carers prepared to give up their time in an evening. During the latter part of the year a new young instructor started training with the Group and is proving to be extremely good.

 

The monthly Sunday afternoon sessions were held in one of Heather Nestel’s fields for which we thank her. We were very fortunate in that the weather was kind to us and we didn’t have to cancel one Sunday.

 

Our annual Spring Ride was held on 16^th May at Sheerland Farm, Pluckley courtesy of Mrs Highwood. The weather was not great but the rain held off until the end of the last ride. Once again the picnic was very popular. Thanks go to everyone who helped.

 

We held our second show on 6^th June again at Saddlesdane Showground. Although not great in number the standard of the entries was very high, which was commented on by all the judges. I would like to thank everyone who helped either on the Saturday, the Sunday, or in some cases both. Special thanks to Joan, Brenda and Debbie who were kept busy with the public catering, Maureen and Lesley for producing an excellent lunch for the judges and Philip Coles and Jackie Goodsell for their stirring work in the secretary’s box, with so many entries being made on the day they certainly had their work cut out. The show made a profit of £762. This year the show is on Sunday 5^th June at the same venue and for the first time we are having jumping classes which Martin Rydderch who runs the Black Horse shows has agreed to organise and judge. A plea to everyone to do your very best to help at what is the Group’s biggest fund raising event of the year.

 

At the beginning of September we had our annual gymkhana which was held at Heather’s, for which we thank her very much. The weather was great and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. Jennifer Morgan won the Junior Section with David Tozer winning the Seniors. A big thank you to all the volunteers who came to help.

 

In November the concert with John Leyton took place at the Donald Sinden Theatre in Teneterden. Everyone who went had a thoroughly good evening and the Group benefited from a donation of £282.

 

That’s all from me and as there is no Secretary’s Report I now ask Philip Coles to give his Treasurer’s Report.