From the Chair
The monsoon season should be nearly over by now, so fields and venues should be drying out nicely! What strange weather we’re having this year!
Our congratulations go to our newsletter Ed, Flick, who won the 82k endurance race at Wharncliffe Chase with Floriferouz recently, and received prizes and cash for her efforts – Well done Flick and good luck with your future exploits!
It’s great to see our members doing so well.
Please tell us if you’ve achieved something you’ve been working towards, even if you’ve not reached the dizzy heights, it may be a goal you’re proud of, and we’ll print it for all to see! This applies to all riders and their mounts, not just the competitive ones!
We’ve put a team forward for the North West Regional Challenge, so all the best to them. We have a strong 4 x 4 relay team for Lindum this year, the Derbyshire Dazzlers, looked after by their devoted Chef d’Equipe, Craig Chadwick.
So, “ COME ON YOU DAZZLERS!”
Apart from the Peak Ride (Flick will probably tell you more about that!) our Derbyshire rides have been a resounding success this year so far, with record entries and enjoyed by all. Thanks go to organisers, helpers and riders alike. We’ve got several more rides coming up, so get your entries in by the closing dates! Hope to see you around.
Jackie

Editor's Note
As you can see from the article below, this is probably my last appearance as newsletter editor. I really enjoy doing the newsletter but something has to give in an increasingly busy life, and I am afraid this is it!
The season has greatly improved from my perspective since the last newsletter. My horse is now going well and the Foremark Ride was an even greater success than last year with 120 entries. The only problem was when a loose horse was reported galloping through one of the villages... instant panic.... but Raynet swung into action to track its progress and Mick Lees chased it and eventually rounded it up.
Thank goodness, it turned out not to be part of the ride at all, but we managed to help to re-unite it with its owner who hadn’t even fallen off, just had the reins pulled out of his hands as he was leading it along – so not even an incident report to fill in!
I have plans to perhaps run Foremark as a race ride next year... at the moment it seems like a very good idea although next May I am sure I will be tearing my hair out and wondering “Why on earth did I say I would do that?”
Flick

Newsletter Editor Needed
After being involved with the newsletter for more years than I care to think, I have come to the conclusion that I need a break, and also that the newsletter needs a break from me!!
I feel that someone else could perhaps bring some fresh, new ideas to the job and that everyone could benefit as a result. Derbyshire is a great group with lots of enthusiastic and committed members and they need to be kept in touch with what is going on.
The newsletter will now be more closely linked with our website, which will be up and running within the next couple of weeks in its new, redesigned form, and I have put the newsletter into a format which is capable of being downloaded directly from the website and which will also be much easier to produce.
If anyone (or maybe even two of you) would like to talk to me about taking over, please get in touch. We now have an excellent PR/Publicity officer in Catherine Wheatcroft who is a regular contributor, and I will also submit a couple of articles per issue, so there is plenty of excellent back-up. All my contact details are to be found on the back page.
Flick

Annual Mileage Awards
The following two people were awarded rosettes at the presentation evening, but their names were missed off the list in the last newsletter.
160km annual rosettes were awarded to Annette Masterson on Remolino and Catherine Wheatcroft on Buster.

Newsletter Now Available by Email
If anyone would prefer to receive their newsletter via e-mail, just let us know. E-mail Rachel Dennet at rockfarmbandb@btinternet.com and she will add your name to the e-mailing list. The newsletter will soon also be available to download from the website. By choosing to have your newsletter electronically you will save the group both money and time so why not give it a try?

Inter-Regional Competition - Ludlow
The following have been selected as members of the North West Team.
100kER
Tricia Hurst – WFA Leena, Kay Counter – Eshamal
80k ER
Annette Masterson – El Sabio, Rachel Atkinson – Readwood Riff Raff, Harry Ingram – Chi Lin Tashiq
65k CR Sue Taylor-Green – Moon Magician, Katie Parkin – Vazar, Josie Ratter – Izaak
50k CR Sue Higgins – Sundance, Liz Finney – Marlak Romance, Brett Corcoran – Paddy
40k CR Rowena Butler – Troy 2, Jenny Lang – Merilyn’s I’m Randy Two, Pat Guerin – Zhiwah
We are really pleased to have managed to get together a full team of talented riders and horses and we are aiming to have a great weekend at Ludlow (as well as winning!)
We are also hoping to set up a Team camping area and all visitors will be welcome. We will welcome any support and encouragement which is offered over the weekend (bring a bottle!).

Lindum Team Spirit
The four brave and foolhardy members of this year’s Derbyshire Team Spirit team are as follows:
Jackie Searle on Nasser, Janice Clare on Sassan, Ruth Wood on Voski, Sarah Whiteley on Phineus. Team manager (as always) Craig.
WE WISH THEM THE BEST OF LUCK ON 26 JULY

The Parking Nightmare
How quickly the new endurance season is upon us, with lots of rides, new distances and different venues to look forward to. So I thought it would be a good time to remind everyone about the importance of sensible parking at venues.
Though most venues have a huge field to park in, it is often the case that competitors tend to park their vehicles too close together. This causes problems and risks, mainly that when tying horses up outside they get dangerously close to one another, it makes un-loading from side ramps impossible and horses placed too near to vehicles is a disaster waiting to happen.
It can be difficult to find a suitable place at times, but we should all take responsibility for leaving at least one car’s width between our vehicles. We can then ensure that no horses get kicked or vehicles damaged... because embedded hoof prints do not look good on the side of vehicles! There will always be someone willing to help direct or with moving into a space, as we are a friendly bunch after all. Take care and happy riding!
Catherine

Write me a Foremark Ride Report says Flick
Even though I have slept since then, I still feel a nice rosy glow when I think of
Foremark, not only because it was a beautiful ride, quite possibly he best I’ve
ever done, but for a far more earthy reason. 5 days prior to that I’d had surgery to
a portion of my anatomy “behind” me!, so it was with some trepidation that I
loaded horse and usual paraphernalia on to trailer and set off for Derbyshire.
Needn’t have worried tho’, lovely day, great venue and excellent going,
probably made all the better by a little rain in the week previous.
My thanks go to Flick and her excellent team, also to Bill Scott who gave me and Ziggy a couple of sloshes en route and again the Locketts for the cuppa!
The latter half of the route we enjoyed the company of Alison Harries and Orient Express, delightful riding companions, tho’ what with her bad back and my unmentionable we made a fine pair! Back to the vetting, heart rate high but it was my lads first ride after injury, whistled down the trot up, the horse not me. My action giving cause for concern and prompting comments of the more basic kind from those in the know – cheers Trace & companions! All in all a Grand Day Out.
Ps: Congrats for Wharncliffe Flick – it’s a lovely feeling isn’t it!

Non Ride Report...The Peak District
All washed out and nowhere to go... that was the situation on the Friday before the Peak District Ride. It was very upsetting to have to cancel, but the venue – that beautiful field just off the A5012 – was just too waterlogged and we would have left a lasting impression to put it mildly.
It was made doubly hard because I had ridden most of the route on Thursday morning, just before I marked all the roads, and it was riding perfectly so I really felt that I was letting everyone down.
Luckily I must have had a premonition because I hadn’t banked any of the cheques so although I had to let over 100 competitors know, as well as vets, Revcom, butty vans, photographers, etc. I didn’t have the unenviable task of refunding the entry fees, I just had to tear them all up.
Grateful thanks to Pat Guerin and Sue Taylor-Green who rang Cheshire and Lancs team members for me and also to Sue Cunningham who put the notice on the website and monitored the response – I think between them they saved me about 40 phone calls.

Inter Group Challenge
Sadly this did not take place at the Peak District Ride for obvious reasons but it will now be held on the first day of the Cheshire Autumn Frolic at the Delamere Forest ride on Saturday September 22nd.
Teams will consist of 3 riders in each class made up of 2 Adults plus 1 Junior/Young Rider.
There are 4 classes of 40 km Open, 40 km Novice, 32 km Open & 32 km Novice so each team will have a maximum of 12 riders and there is chance for everyone to have a go.
If you wish to be considered for a team please contact as below:
1 ) the Cheshire Team to Pat Guerin
2) the Derbyshire Team to Flick Edmeston
3) the Lancashire Team to Sue Taylor-Green

The Postage Experience
Everyone seems to be getting the hand of the new postage rates a little better now, but as a ride organiser I got a weird and wonderful variety of people’s ideas on how many stamps were needed on an envelope.
Just to help – if you are still in doubt – I have drawn up an easy-to-follow guide. The important thing to remember is that it is not just the size and weight of the envelope – it is also the width.
PAPER AND ENVELOPE SIZES
A4 equals the normal size of a letter – 210 x 297mm.
A5 equals half this – ie a normal letter folded in half – 210 x 149.
These two are the most normal sizes to use.
POST OFFICE LETTER SIZES
Small Letter = an envelope up to 240mm long and measuring no more than 5mm thick. This is any envelope up to and just a bit bigger than A5 and containing up to 12 A4 sheets folded. Present postage rate 34p first class
Large Letter = an envelope up to 350mm long and no more than 25mm in width which can contain up to 18 sheets of paper. This is A4 or slightly larger. Present postage rate 48p first class. You can buy Large Letter stamps from the Post Office. This is the safest size to use for return of ride entries, especially if you are getting more than one back in the same envelope.
Packet – anything bigger!

Try Something New Today...Le Trec 29th July
The South Wingfield & District Riding Club are holding an ‘Intro to Le Trec Pairs Competition on Sunday 29th July 2007 at Church Fields, Wessington. It is aimed at riders who would like to have a go at Le Trec and have some fun with their friends and horses.
The competition is open to rider pairs and consists of three phases...
Phase 1 – Map Reading/Orienteering
Pairs are given 10 minutes to study an OS map and plan their route onto a copy of the map. Riders are given an optimum ‘average speed’ for the entire route. Riders then depart at their allotted time and complete the route (approx. 5 miles), finding a number of checkpoints along the way. Penalties are incurred for completing this phase too quickly or too slowly.
Phase 2 – Control of Paces
Competitors canter down a 2m wide, 150m long strip as slowly as possible, then return at walk as quickly as possible. Penalties are awarded for breaking pace in either direction.
Phase 3 – Tasks
A maximum of 10 points are awarded for each task. These 8 tasks may include opening and closing a gate, dismounting/mounting (a block is allowed), trailer loading, rein back, low branches, a small jump and a pole maze to name but a few! Competitors are not disqualified if they cannot complete an obstacle but simply lose 10 points.
Pre-entry is essential and places are limited. For further details or an entry form contact Sarah on 01629 580193/07816 573 856 or email: pinfoldcottage@btinternet.com
If you are interested in joining this group, they hold a variety of events throughout the year including hacks, jumping & flat work clinics, talks from equine specialists, summer show and demonstrations.
Please contact Carolyn for details on 01629 534338 or email: carolyn.howe@w3z.co.uk

How to Use Your Horse as a Weather Guage
You’re walking across the pasture and run smack dab into a Shetland pony = heavy fog in low lying areas.
The horse swishes his tail and knocks you unconscious = icy conditions.
A 14hh horse appears to be about 16hh tall = snow with possible accumulation of up to 8 inches.
The ground looks wet but the hoof prints are dry = very light showers.
Your horse bites and kicks you = well that just means you were an idiot for buying him.
Your horse looks hungry because his big bale floated away = possible flooding in some areas.
Your sorrel horse has turned roan = snowfall with little or no accumulation.
He’s slow to leave the hedgerow even though you’re rattling his feed bucket = excessive heat warning.
The horse is hanging onto the fence with his teeth = blustery winds (or you have got a cribber).
The front half of the horse is wet and the back half is dry = isolated showers (or you have an endurance horse).

Crewing for Lady Felicity & Florjferouz at Wharncliffe Chase
... or Flick and Fonzie as everyone else knows them!
What a day – Flick asked me to crew for her with Paula so of course I said yes, thinking to myself it would be a boring day hanging around, so armed with book and flask of coffee I turned up at her house at some ungodly hour on Sunday morning and off we went.
They were doing the 82km race ride, so we got Fonz through the initial vetting and Flick was feeling rather nervous – “You will be fine,” I said, secretly shaking in my boots for her, and off they went. Well... I soon found I had no need of my book as Paula talked my head off and we had to go so fast between crewing points I thought Paula was trying to kill me. It is impossible to remember how
many times we were in and out of the car with water and slosh bottles, in fact we missed Flick at one check point altogether (what a c**p) crew.
They did really well at each vet gate and then came the last leg of the ride. Flick asked if anyone had gone through before her. “No”, I said, still not realising that she could be first... buckets back in the car and off we went, unfortunately taking a wrong turn on the way back to the venue. When we got
back, there was Flick and Fonz, Flick sitting on the floor, Fonz sorted out, both looking as cool as cucumbers. Thinking to myself what hopeless crew we were for missing her coming I said “Well done,”still not realising she had come first. When I was told, it was me who was leaping in the air and screaming with everyone looking at me gone out and Fonz looking as though he could have done it again!!
So very well done to you both and yes, I will crew for you again if you are daft enough to ask. It was a fab day.
Trish
P.S. Flick said that one of her ride photos made her look like a re-faced hamster with no teeth - I didn't believe iheruntil I saw it!

Forthcoming Events
JULY
15 Bakewell/Derbyshire 53km CR Jackie Rose 01246 450592
18 BHS/Erewash Riders fun ride (evening) – Elvaston Castle Ch Ann Lane 07835 253746
21 Shirley 24km SR Linda Reeves 01335 330208
29 Gwaenynog PR (Countryside Alliance) Denbigh 8-10 miles Choptional jumps Tel: 01745 816090. Entry on the day.
31 Horses, grassland and birds – a talk about managing horse pasture for wildlife. Cown EdgeFarm, Monks Road, Glossop, Tuesday 31 July 7-9pm. Book by contacting Catherine Gray by 24 July 01629 816247, e-mail catherine.gray@peakdistrict.gov.uk (no mileage points for this one)

AUGUST
5 Hardwick 24km SR Val Lancashire 01773 778758
5 Goostrey (Cheshire Group) 20/30km SR Andy Carnell 05602 822879
12 Goxhill SR (Lindum Group) 15, 19 or 25km Barbara Flint 01469 532949
19 Last of the Summer Wine (West Riding Group), Holmfirth 24km SR Julie Martin 01484 681423
26 Booth Hay - Amber Valley Ch Kate Chollerton 01773 857063

SEPTEMBER
2 Rotary Charity Ride, Ockbrook 9 or 12 mileswith optional jumps!!
www.churchwilnerotary.org.uk Rotary Club of Church Wilne, 235 Nottingham
Road, Borrowash, Derbyshire DE72 3FR
2 Croal Irwell/Lancs 65km CR Rachel Atkinson
9 Longendale 24km SR Rachel Dennett 01457 861086
22 Delamere/Cheshire 40km CR Lynne Gardner 01663 763702

OCTOBER
13 Carsington Water/Derbys 80km CR Flick Edmeston 01335 390631
28 Shipley 24km SR Carol Curtis Please note that Charity rides mentioned in this newsletter are not covered by EGB rules, nor are they run with EGB sanction.

Helper's Rota
This is the up-to-date list. Many thanks to all those people who have turned up and helped already – in some cases bringing extra people along to swell the numbers – those are the kind of people we like!!

BAKEWELL – 15 JULY
Sarah Burnley, Janice Clare, Jackie Haggett, Jackie Teeboon, Gillian Waterhouse, Marion Nicholson, Tamara Keeling, Toni Perry, Janice Price, Natalie Treadgold, Sarah Whiteley

HARDWICK – 5 AUGUST Jennie Doxey, Janie Firth

LONGENDALE – 9 SEPTEMBER Sarah Champion

CARSINGTON – 13 OCTOBER Liz Benwell, Julie Brown, Lesley Cantrill, Gillian Comley, Sarah Emery, Sarah Hotchin, Jess Hotchin, Nicola Humphreys, Kate MacDonald, Sylvia Plant, June Shaw, Rachel Walton

SHIPLEY – 28 OCTOBER Linda Brewell, Jean Collins, Charlotte Curtis, Diane Gillings, Heather Lilley, Catherine Wheatcroft

Tried and Tested...To The Limit
TROXEL HATS – I just want to say how good I have proved these hats to be. I went riding the other day and couldn’t find my hat in the car so I borrowed one. On leaving the yard I heard a crunch and thought I had run over a pop bottle but no... it was my riding hat!! I had run over it with 2 tons of car and although the hat was cracked inside, the outer shell was still intact. I am still glad my head was not in it though!!
Trish

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