SPRING NEWSLETTER

Dear Member

What a fantastic start to 2019! Two fabulous days in the company of Corrine Bracken and Adam Kemp at the newly refurbished Addington Manor EC. What more could one ask for? Those who rode went from strength to strength and for those of us watching there just weren’t enough pages in the notebook nor enough time in each day to get from arena to arena. The reports have been written, posted out and read so here’s to next year with the same two Coaches. I must thank Ann (Bostock) it is she who pulls together this magnificent two days each year, we just bathe in the wonderment as pearls of wisdom drop into our laps. I should not, of course, forget the sumptuous dinner – four courses – and the community singing led by the ever-indefatigable Tim Downes.

Whilst the daffodils have taken a battering recently, I notice primroses and anemones peaking out along the banks and the wild garlic is springing up, so it must be Spring. March brings us to the National Equine Forum held as usual at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers 1 Birdcage Walk near to St James’ Park. Even the address is interesting as is this lovely building. I was lucky enough to be sponsored by the F&l Assoc this year along with Sam C W and there, for BHS, was Oonagh Meyer who wrote the most interesting report afterwards, thanks Oonagh. lt’s been years since l’ve been to the NEF and a fair time since l’ve battled on my own with London’s Underground, but I managed it and how glad am I that I did. As you’ll see in Oonagh’s report there were very interesting speakers throughout the day. With Ann’s blessing I have invited Dr Andrew Hemmings to come to the Annual Dinner next year as his research on Equine Stereotypic Behaviour certainly threw a different light on the subject, as you may have seen in the article in Horse & Hound (L4/O312O79) about this presentation.
You can’t get far into a new year without something happening at Wellington Riding and it did. True to form David (Sheerin) pulls out of his hat another day of pure enjoyment for both the riders and spectators under the tutelage of Caroline Moore FBHS. Caroline is such a dynamic Coach and appears with some of her own portable fences like a whirling dervish. lf you don’t have access to the F&l Facebook (FB) page then do try to find a member who has, the photographs and videos put up by David give a complete flavour of all that took place.

20th March 2019
Does it stop there? No, it does not! Take a look at the F&l web site and you’ll find more dates, here’s a few:
Course Walks Badminton & Burghley
The Judy Harvey Day in May
May. Amy Bannister Bell has something planned – sure to be to do with racing.
25th June Trip to lreland
Ladies Day at Hickstead in August.
The Pammy Hutton Day in September
September 2-3 day Camp at Wellington Riding
December – who would like to go to Olympia? Let me know.

All these dates will be re-advertised on a regular basis as Alison keeps you informed via emails, FB and the web page.
And there’s more? Yes, so please who can organise something in their area?

ls this the time to tell you we have a new Rep for Scotland Jen Burnett? There now Jen ye will be sure to have to organise something now!

At this time of the year the annual insurance rears it’s ugly head. I must ask all organisers to put past our Treasurer Debbie (Follett) their costings for the ‘events’ they intend to run prior to advertising. Whilst the Annual Course is sponsored by the Association it would be helpful if other days broke even or added just a little to the coffers, and that should come from the fees charged to non- members NOT to members. Debbie is in touch with the lnsurance Company as I type checking the number of days, we have cover for, and increasing that number and so the fee.

Once you’ve decided on your ‘day’ then our Secretary Alison (Craig) will send you the Organisers pack and Alison or myself are on hand to advise on any queries regarding this pack. lt has EVERYTHING you’ll need, (well l think so) from horse and rider registers to advice notes re photography to accident report forms etc. lt comes via email and you can reclaim f20 towards printing and paper from Debbie.

So, as my local farmer would say” Come on now Lads will ye ever be getting tings on fire in your yard”

My thanks to all report writers, if you would send them to Alison on a.d.craig99@me.com and myself on then between us we can ensure it goes to Sam CW for the FB page, Sally Newcomb for the web page and Ali will press the button and send it out to all members. I feel we should be aware not all members use the FB page but all members wish to read about what’s going on.

As a reminder the F&l Associations FB page is a closed page. Between Debbie and Sam members are added as they pay their membership fee and apply to join the page.
There is a committee meeting planned for May so please send any thoughts regarding F&l to Alison and myself so we can itemise them for that meeting.

Sadly, as so many of you are aware, Clarissa Dawson lost her battle with cancer on Saturday 9th March. Donn Collins has written a very special obituary for Clarissa, it can be seen on FB, the web page and should come to you by email, as will the information regarding her funeral.

Finally, it just remains for me to say have a good Spring and Summer, coaching and competing with our good friend The Horse.

Best wishes Jillie