Month: August 2018

Why go to Burghley Horse Trials?

Date posted: 21/08/2018

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One of the most prestigious horse trials in the world The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is running from the 30th August to 2nd September this year. Set in the beautiful parklands of Burghley house, Lincolnshire, this event is well worth a trip.

Top riders from around the world will be competing and this will be a chance to see them in action before the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA in September.

The action starts on Thursday 30th with two days of dressage, but don’t forget the trot up on Wednesday afternoon, a great time to get a first glimpse of the equestrian athletes, as well as their stylish riders all vying for the best dressed rider.

Cross country day never fails to thrill and this year sees defending champion and world number one Oliver Townend as trailblazers, with Tina Cook second to go and the evergreen Mark Todd third out the start box. Take a look on the Burghley Horse Trials website for a full run down of this year’s competitors.

The final day is always a nail-biting affair, with the competitors show jumping in reverse order, but who will win this year?

As well as top class eventing, there is a whole host of things to see and do. With more than 600 carefully selected exhibitors, the shopping is also world class and it is definitely worth sending time in the shopping village. Don’t forget to visit Salamo where you will be able to purchase your Just Chaps Waterproof Riding Trousers, the perfect time to buy them. For all Pony lovers, take a look around the Pony Club stand where you will find their official merchandise, including half chaps and waterproofs.

Why not try out the new family fun maze at Discovery Valley, manned by volunteers from the Gurkha Welfare Trust or have a go at Dog Agility or watch one of the many parades, this is truly a venue for all the family. But be prepared the weather can be inclement, so take along your waterproofs!

How to look after the Pony Club Dad

Date posted: 15/08/2018

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This lovable breed is a common feature on the Pony Club circuit but is often overlooked to the point of neglect. Viewed by some as an unnecessary accessory, they are nevertheless very useful for heavy duty work and removing spiders from riding hats – so we must take care of them.

Here are some useful tips for keeping the Pony Club Dad happy and healthy:

Keep them fed and watered

Whilst normally hardy and requiring little attention, lack of food and drink can make the Pony Club Dad irritable and quite snappy – so make sure there are plentiful supplies of both. However, caution must be applied. Whilst the common saying goes “You can take a horse to water but you cannot make him drink”  and applies to most breeds – this DOES NOT apply to the Pony Club Dad. In fact, if you take the Dad to a watering hole he will not stop drinking until he feels the need to roll over and sleep – so always keep him on a short rein and have the crop ready if he is stubborn.

Shade and shelter

The Pony Club Dad has quite a short span of attention and frequently needs a sleep (see point one above) – so it is always best to have a quiet spot in the shade close at hand. Sometimes the best solution is to shut him in your vehicle. After a few protests he will normally settle down for a snooze and emerge in much better form for the evening chores

A good coat

These are creatures of habit and much prefer a filthy old coat to a brightly coloured new one – and it is best to humour them on this subject. There may come a point when this becomes a health hazard and then you will need to be firm and positive. If he really objects – see point one again and you may be able to slip on the new one while he is sleeping.

Lots of contact

Although seemingly quite tough, the Pony Club Dad is really a big softie and loves contact. There is some evidence that hugs might actually work better than commands and the crop – but this has not been scientifically proven as yet.

 

So there you have it. The Pony Club Dad is a simple beast. Just follow these simple rules and you will get many years of company and amusement from these gentle giants of the Pony Club world.

What are the Benefits of Horse Riding?

Date posted: 08/08/2018

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Horse riding is a skill that requires both physical and mental activity. Anyone who thinks that “the horse does all the work” has probably never sat on a horse! The benefits of horse riding are many – and each rider will have their own experiences and reasons for riding.

Physical

We all know just how important it is for us to take exercise and horse riding is a great way for us to exercise our body and mind. Horse riding develops balance and coordination. Your core strength and posture also improve. Muscles are strengthened and reflex reaction is accelerated. The cardiovascular system is boosted, helping to improve blood circulation. Riding a horse at walk uses 5 calories per minute and by increasing the speed of the ride more calories are burned as the intensity of the workout builds.  And the physical workout doesn’t stop when you get off your horse – as anyone involved with horses will tell you – looking after the animal is hugely physical too. Mucking out, grooming, sweeping, dealing with hay and bags of feed is another physical workout.

Mental

Horse riding brings many challenges. In the early days just staying on and steering is enough of a challenge. With practice great improvements will be made. Even the most experienced of riders will agree that their hobby offers a lifetime of learning. Whatever level you are at with your riding there will be challenges and concerns. Riders are not quitters!  Tenacity and patience are required to build confidence. Horse riders of all levels, will agree that they gain huge amounts of enjoyment from their hobby. Being out in the open countryside with your horse brings happiness and sometimes excitement! Many riders enjoy the solitude of just being with their horse. Others love group trail riding or team competition.

Riding can be seen as the perfect activity for keeping both your body and mind exercised. Anyone who has spent time on a horse cannot disagree with what joy it can bring. As Winston Churchill said “no hour of time is wasted that is spent in the saddle”.

If you’re thinking about starting horse riding but are unsure where to begin, get in touch with our team today and we can point you in the right direction.