Spring Newsletter 2013
Since the AGM I don’t think my feet have hit the ground but my fingers are certainly getting plenty of keyboard practice at the computer.
Facebook has really taken off thanks to Sam Champney Warrener so if you’re a Facebooker it’s easy to go across to the F&I page and if you’re not, then the directives came through from Sam via Di Roberts (secretary) so have a look. Whilst at the same time Sally Newcomb keeps the web page up to date, and this is very easy to access. Profiles of your committee members can now be found on both the web page and Facebook and what a fascinating read that is a bit like the ‘horsey’ version of Rogues Gallery!!
Having made contact with David Prince editor of British Horse magazine we had our first article printed in the March/April edition. Jo Winfield has now taken on the task of sending David copy for each issue so please send her items for the articles no matter how big or small. This way we can keep ourselves in front of the public.
Sue Payne has been tasked with writing the history of the F&I Association and I know this is going to be a most interesting read for all of us.
Judith Murphy (treasurer/membership secretary) has gone through the membership lists and anyone not paying their subscription will no longer receive information. However, could everyone encourage Fellows & Instructors to join or rejoin the Association.
By the time you receive this newsletter the National Forum will have been reported on via the web page and Facebook, as will the first Training day of the year – Cross Country Training with Jeanette Brakewell at Boomerang E C, organised by Catherine Cawdron. Catherine will be organising another day with Jeanette at Somerford Park so we had better hope for some decent weather.
Darrell Scaife has moved across the members’ list into the Fellows category. Something we all congratulate you on achieving Darrell as it shows us this is a possibility with a lot of hard work and commitment. As the Dressage people tell us 10 is only excellent not perfection!
There are two items, which have really stretched my small brain. The first being to bring the F&I Association to Ireland as this is where I now live. It’s not yet complete but all the ‘Irish’ BHS Assessors are now signed up as members and I’m in the throes of tracking down Fellows and BHS I’s on this island of Ireland and inviting them to join. However this also means offering seminars lecture/demos and ridden training here and this is where the second problem has reared it’s head – INSURANCE. When I took the Chair in January there was no insurance in place for any training or other events organised by the F&I Committee anywhere. Whilst that may have been alright in the days of yore when I was last chairman I have to admit I did, to quote my youngest son, “get bent out of shape” over it this time and I know members of the Committee who’ve been bombarded by emails, will vouch to that.
After some longwinded phone calls to various people at BHS HQ, the insurers SEIB and with some help from Jo Winfield the BHS through the CEO Lynn Petersen have agreed to take us under their ‘umbrella’. SEIB have also agreed to extend the insurance to The Republic of Ireland albeit somewhat reluctantly, so we’re looking into Irish insurance for the F&I Association for 2014 for events organised here. Thank goodness my phone package allows me to call UK for free for up to one hour land line to land line.
Sadly, I must report the passing of William Miflin. There is an obituary below from Lizzel Winter who knew William.
So, now we look forward to the rest of 2013 and hopefully better weather this year, with plenty of competitions to attend with our best friend – the horse.
See you at Badminton, Hickstead or Dublin Horse Show.
Jillie Rogers
Jillie Rogers
Chairman F&I Association