Some of you will have read in the January edition of Chiltern and Thames Rider (C&TR) magazine about the demise of Kingshill Riding Club, near Princes Risborough. Although many people seemed to want it to continue, it proved impossible to get a committee together, and the old committee had stood down after long years of service and they had struggled to find help to run events.

The editor of C&TR, Sue Mitchell raised a valid question as to whether riders now prefer to go to big show centres such as Patchetts, Addington or Milton Keynes, where entry fees are higher, riders can be anonymous and helping is not a pre requisite for entering a class - or to support riding at grass roots level, i.e. with the local riding club. She endorsed getting involved and helping make things happen. Hear hear!!

With these thoughts in mind, here’s how you the members can keep this Riding Club cantering along for your enjoyment and for the good of your horse:

• Write for a dressage judge for one class at either one of the Sunday shows or Evening dressage this season. This is a brilliant way to learn more about dressage and to see what the judge is looking for. Usually a warm option as well!
• Take on scoring at a dressage event, either for half a day or if really good at maths, the whole day. Again another good way to keep warm, and meet lots of interesting people as well.
• Be part of the arena party for a show jumping competition but especially the Riding Club Novice Area Show Jumping on 18th February.
• Be a collecting ring steward for an hour or more at an Area event – this year AGDRC are responsible for the Show Jumping at Keysoe on 18th Feb and the dressage phase of the Area Horse Trials at Milton Keynes on 10th June.

Please download, print and return the reply slip to Joanna Mears, Membership Liaison.

We are offering vouchers which can be used for club training or entries to club events to all those who turn out to help, and of course you will be entered in the draw for ‘Helper of the Year’ at the AGM.

All of the committee want to ride at club events as well as make sure they run smoothly so please do be willing to complete the ‘Help list’. It makes the committee’s job more pleasurable if all club members ‘do their bit’ (not just the same willing few) and seek to take on a small but necessary task before being asked. We all look forward to all our events being well supported by four legs and two this season.

Mary Cloake

Click here to download the offer to help reply slip.