Blue Ifor Williams HB505 stolen night of 13/5/11.  serial no. SCK40000030369484.  Distinctive damage to side of front ramp door where youngster bashed into it, 3 blue breaching bars and one black, left side adapted to carry smaller pony so has 3 heights for chest and breaching bars.  may have sticky patches where plaques have been removed from front and jockey door.  This trailer is currently advertised on ebay by someone called Ian – item no. 270749517046 – and located in Hayes Middx.  Spread the word please so that innocent parties don’t end up buying stolen goods and being out of pocket – the police have been informed but any further information would be greatly appreciated.  Call 03001231212 and quote cad7342 of 15/5.

Morvern of Turin Hill has been named BHS Scotland Equine Personality of the Year 2010 – please see the BHS Scotland website for a photo and more detail!

Trailtrow Eriskay won the 2010 Highland Pony Society (Scotland) Performance Award. Her points were mainly endurance with some dressage.  She was also best endurance and best home produced mare.

Not to be outdone, Morvern of Turin Hill was 2nd with her points coming from dressage and side saddle.  She represented BD Scotland twice in the Inter Regionals and Home International at Keysoe last year too.  She won the dressage trophy.

The date of the PRA AGM and prize giving has been announced as 1-4pm 3rd April 2011.  The AGM will take place in Great Linford , Milton Keynes.  Further details to be announced closer to the time.

Following a meeting at Hartpury International Team assessment day in November, the new British Endurance World Class Start and Potential Squad has been formed.  We were delighted to hear that one of the 23 horses and riders selected was long term PRA member Marjorie Grant and her fantastic Highland pony Trailtrow Eriskay.

Whilst native ponies frequently do well at the lower levels of Endurance it is highly unusual to see one competing at the highest levels of the sport.  This achievement is a testament to Marjorie’s skill and dedication and a wonderful reminder of the versatility and stamina of our native breeds.

To read the full announcement from endurance GB and team details click here

Go to the main PRA site and download the schedule from the Events page.  This competition is open to both members and non-members so grab your camera and have a go!  much less cold and muddy than most other equestrian events at this time of year

As the evenings are drawing in, most of us are competing less.  As you tuck your show gear away please don’t forget to submit your Performance Award spreadsheets or booklets to Gina before 1st January 2011.

Post is always dodgy over the Christmas period so if you are posting it in DO keep a copy and make sure you send it off as soon as possible.

If you are planning a competition very close to the cut off date then please ensure you contact Gina in advance and let her know!

This is just a quick note to remind you that the schedule for our members only video Showing Show is now online and can be downloaded from the Competitions section of our website www.ponyriders.org.uk

We have also extended the closing date for entries until 31/10/10.

For those of you who cannot face plaiting and grooming we also have our wordsearch competiton online at the moment.  Entries for that close 30/10/10 and should be mailed direct to natasha@parsler.co.uk

Don’t forget that ALL entries to our online and video competitions earn you points in our Participation league.

PRA members can now download the showing show schedule from the Competitions page of the members only site.  There are classes to suit all so have a go before your equine friends all get too muddy and hairy!

There is also a wordsearch competition to enter.

Don’t forget that all entrants gain points in the PRA participation league and the chance to win a lovely silver trophy.

On Sunday 29th August junior member Rebecca Parsler competed as part of Team England at Burghie for the endurance Home International.  Below is her account of the ride.

“I rode as the Junior rider, which meant I had to complete a distance of 50km at a target speed of 11kph. The route was around the countryside of Burghie, in the Scottish Highlands so a lot of the going was hilly, stony or boggy and it was fairly difficult to keep up the pace. The route had a map but was marked with different coloured ribbons, which often were hidden or behind trees, so I got lost a few times. The ride had a vet gate in it, which means you stop halfway and present to the vet who checks your horse for lameness, pulse and dehydration.  This does mean that you get a short break, but it’s a bit nerve racking as you may only go on if you pass the vetting.

I did the ride on Havannah, who is a 16 yr old 13 hand welshxarab pony we have on loan.  We did stick out a bit amongst all the grey arab racehorses but we completed the ride at a speed of 10.41kph and with a finishing heart rate of 38 beats per minute (good going as we got lost and had to come in at a canter!)  We were presented with a Gold award, which is only given if you have zero penalties for heartrate, speed or injuries etc. Over all Team England came 2^nd out of the 4 countries competing, only beaten by Scotland who were on their home territory.

It was a good competition, a fantastic team to be part of and an amazing experience all round.  I’ll never forget cantering across the finish line to the cheers of the team, madly waving the St George flag.

I would like to thank everyone who supported and sponsored me, especially Scottish PRA member Marjorie who we have never met, but nevertheless managed to sort us out B&B with a friend of hers for the whole family and 2 ponies!”

The latest PRA newsletter is now available to download from the members area of the website.  Two fantastic competitions to take part in