Whaddon Chase branch of the Pony Club are running a light hearted “virtual” treasure hunt as a team fundraiser and are inviting entries from anyone who would like to have a go!

A little bird tells me that thier team manager stole the idea from a very similar members only competition PRA ran in the summer.  Never mind, here is the opportunity for those of our members and thier friends who missed out on that one to have another go

You can find the details by going to their blogsite www.endurance-rider.co.uk

There are a few spaces on a special fitness training clinic running at Milton Keynes Equestrian Centre on 12th September.  We realise that this is extremely short notice but thought we would bring the event to the attention of members as it is not often we get an internationally recognised trainer in this neck of the woods.

The training will suit anyone who is interested in learning a bit more about how thier horses tick, regardless of competitive ambitions and novices are just as welcome as more experienced riders.  The only requirement is that you are able to canter confidently in an open space.

Vist www.endurance-rider.co.uk for full details

Natasha on Shine and Jim on Talisman pose ready for the off at Ludlow Racecourse.

Long term members Jim and Natasha Parsler recently added to their endurance riding successes by competing with the English Team at the EGB Home International.

They completed an extremely challenging 50km course in terrible weather at very close to the optimum speed.

Sadly the English Team was placed 4th overall due to the loss of the two advanced riders at 160km and 120km.  Nevertheless the experience was a brilliant opportunity for relatively Novice competitors such as Jim and Natasha to learn from some of the top experts in the country.

3 horses Stolen from the Bristol area over the weekend.  If any information email info@adesignlegend.co.uk

Frankie, Chestnut 16 hh about 10 years old.
Willis, Dapple Grey 14hh about 10 years old.
Beau, Marbled Appaloosa 15hh about 9 years old.

Here is a link to pictures of the stolen horses http://www.adesignlegend.co.uk/sale.asp.

<mailto:info@adesignlegend.co.uk>

The brand new PRA website packed full of information and with a brand new “members only” area has now been launched.  We showed a dummy run of the proposed site at our AGM in January and since then the committee have been hard at work behind the scenes adding content.

There are a few bits we are still working on but hopefully you will agree with us that the result so far is well worth the effort.  We are hoping that with our members spread nationwide the site will provide PRA with a centralised way to keep in touch.

go to http://www.ponyriders.org.uk and take a look for yourselves.

We’d love to have your feedback so please do contact us and let us know if there are any changes/additions you would like to see.

As the weather improves we all start thinking about scrubbing off the mud from our four legged friends and tarting them up for the season.

A top tip from showing superstar Lynn Russell is to use a shower scrunchie!  Just put the shampoo onto the centre of the scrunchie and scrub away.  It is excellent for removing loose hair and hard to shift scurf, plus it saves on waste as you use much less shampoo.

We tried this last weekend on Shine (our hairy Dales) and it worked a treat.

Horse Hero is a video website which shows how top equestrians look after their horses at home and at competition. They film at leading yards, often with high profile riders, getting a rare glimpse into their lives and finding out what they are really like away from the limelight. They also meet  ‘horse heroes’, do some fascinating yard tours, film top riders training their horses and get behind the scenes at major shows and events.  Around 20 new videos are added each month. The site is entirely free of charge!

Check it out for yourselves

http://www.horsehero.com

Jin Langstone is holding two lecture demos at Liscombe Park, Soulbury Leighton Buzzard Beds when she will be painting the muscles and bones of the horse on a live subject, and then freeschooling the horse around the arena to see the muscles and bones in action.

She will be painting the muscles on Friday 20th March and bones on Friday 8th May.

Both demos start at 6.30pm. Tickets £10 each demo, or £15 for both in advance. Please contact Liscombe on 01296 682991 for more details.

EGB Novice Regional Champions Jim Parsler and Cadenza Talisman competing at the Castlethorpe ride in 2008

Jim Parsler and his homebred 14.2hh Arab x New Forest pony registered with Endurance GB for the first time in 2008.  They managed to clock up a grand total of 275km during the season!  In January of 2009 this achievment was recognised by the Cromwell Regional Group of EGB when Talisman was awarded the Novice Championship.

This success was a complete suprise to Jim and his family but reflects the effort of years put into raising, breaking and schooling this promising young pony.  Needless to say the Parsler family are all delighted and PRA offer its congratulations for this well deserved result.

We are delighted to announce that PRA has managed to persuade three companies to sponsor the 2009 Best in Class series.

Chelwood Rosettes will be providing the qualifier rosettes, Jellybeanz clothing will be providing prizes for the finals and Performance Equestrian has donated the prize for Supreme Champion.

For more information on how this fantastic competition works go to our main website at www.ponyriders.org.uk