News...
12/04/2008: We've got a wealth of new info coming coming your way today, encompassing everything from ride reports to news on the Severn Bridge tolls.
Info: HORSEBOXES TO CROSS SEVERN BRIDGE FOR £5.30
In a year that has seen increasing fuel charges, WATO legislation, and tightening restrictions on weight limits, finally, there is some good news for owners of horseboxes with living accommodation.
Traditionally, horseboxes over 3.5 tonnes have been charged as Category 3 vehicles on the Severn Bridge when coming into Wales. Currently, this charge is £15.90. James Broome, of the David Broome Event Centre, has looked into this and found a loophole in the Severn Bridges Act that determines the way that tolls are charged on the Severn Bridge.
“The Act states that, ‘A Motor caravan, or mobile home, is classed as a Category 1 vehicle. A vehicle over 3.5 tonnes is classed into Category 3. When a vehicle falls into 2 categories, the lower of the two shall be used.’ Initially, when Severn Rivers Crossing PLC were contacted, they were rather less than forthcoming on their charging policies. However, having now pursued the organisation for several months, they have conceded and will, from 17th March 2008, allow horseboxes with permanent living accommodation to cross the bridge as a Category 1 vehicle. This means that horsebox owners, whatever size their lorry, will only have to pay £5.30.”
Ynyslas Beach ride
For those of you who attended there are some pictures on www.tjimages.biz then go to the motocross section and there will be a section for Ynyslas beach ride
Report: Tack and Trash Sale Black Lion Lampeter
As predicted those of us who went to sell still managed to come back with more than we actually took! Thank you to all of you who attended and for those who didn’t you missed some real bargains and some interesting tack and trash. If members would like a repeat let the committee know and a location as though we took the plea to move further south we actually attracted more members from South and West than we did Mid and North ☺
Ride Report: First Ride (Forest of Dean)
Started the year doing 6 weeks of walking and then on to trotting and I thought we were going well.
On 9th March I set out at 6am to travel to the Forest of Dean a 3 hour trip. I refill with LPG at the Little Chef near Monmouth. I got out the car refilled the tank only to find the car door had part shut and locked me out panic, panic, till the brain kick in, I carry a key around my neck after just the same thing happened at the Red Dragon a few years ago.
I carried on to Monmouth and the venue. As my vet time was not till 10.50 I asked if I could go early as I wanted to get home before the gales started. This was granted and we set off a 9.46. Knowing I was doing the pink route to check point 3 and then the blue route, I still turned and followed for pink route for a few miles before I decided to turn back and go onto the blue route. We did the blue loop a second time and then back to the venue. On our return we walked past the muddy bit and I got off, my ankle twisted and I ended up on my knees, thankfully it was soft so no harm done. At the trailer washed him down got 44hr, good I thought but he was getting cold hr 81 so rugs on and that did the trick 45hr . I walked him round and he had a pee, we got to the vets and the wind pick up the tape was flapping and I thought I had get a giraffe not a horse the vet took his time and we scraped through with hr 58. Back at the trailer I put him in with a feed and water.
Had a bit of lunch my self and then over for my master card, not done come back later, so I went away. After 50 minuets or so still no cards infact no vet sheet or time sheet. I fetched the vet sheet from the vet steward and the time sheet from the starter and then got my master card so I could go home.
The journey home went well till at an island I missed the turn and had to go all the way around to find the turn again. Got home at 5.30pm a long day for one girl and her horse.
Anne Edwards.
Report: Quiz Night
‘I still say it was an Exmoor’.
Just over thirty people, members and friends, came to the Quiz Night at the Talbot for fun and chat. Edward had spent a lot of time putting the questions together, covering a diverse selection of subjects to test our knowledge and memories and how much we took in from current affairs. After ten rounds the winning team was Willy Wonka and the evil Oompa Loompas – Annette Longland, Martin, Caitlin and Andrew Theodorou and Carl Langley. A vote of thanks was given to Edward and “Alex the runner”, who also organized the raffle.The raffle raised £30+and was followed by the obligatory beverages and sweet cake. Afterwards many people stayed on to catch up with each others news. If you were there you will understand the title.
Glenn Hellman
Ride Report: Strata Florida
I must say that for January the weather was pretty good, however it was not pleasant with the wind and rain, but this did not deter many riders. We all boldly set out in our wet weather gear and tackled the ride. The ride goes up the road and onto the forest tracks which we all got blasted with the wind and rain and proceeded along sideways for most of this, unfortunately mums horse got cold and had to return home here (thats arab horses for you, don't like the wet and cold!) Having been left to ride on my own the speed increased as Shah dashed along looking for another horse to challenge to a race(He wasn't allowed). Then into the forest where I particularly enjoy it because I can steam full throttle through the forest. Coming out of the forest I spotted mum walking back to the venue and to the joy of both horses were reunited for the last section of the ride. Down the winding paths and roads back to the venue. Many thanks for all the effort put into this great ride.
Beti Gordon
Report: 2007 - a great year
The Big Do was a long time ago but,
I seem to have done very well this year with 4 Trophies 1 2nd 2 3rd plus 2 distance rosettes, but my story starts at the beginning of 2006, when cancer paid my family a visit. At that time we were told to get our house in order. So with great sadness and tears I sold the best horse I had ever owned Oakways First Class(Woody)who got grade 1s as easy as pie. He went after Margam 2006 ,so with hubby (Tony) not wanting to be fussed over I finished the year doing PR on my youngster Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta and to my amazement we won the pleasure ride trophy. At the Big Do 2006 I told Pat in 07 I would like to go for the Novice trophy as I had won it in 2000 on Hobo my first horse and in 2004 on Woody. Pat said go for the main Novice trophy but you need all G1s. So I planned out that if we got grade 1s I would only do 32k at Margam, to keep in the trophy rules. At Forest of dean 06 the final vetting Delta took fright and we only scraped through with hr 60. The second Forest of dean. was a little better hr 54, this putting the main novice trophy out of reach.
At Margam we did 48k instead of 32k and got a soaking to boot. The rest of 07 with rides cancelled and Foot and mouth I found myself doing 2 days at Ludlow and the following weekend 2 days at Cors Caron. 2 months rest then Red Dragon and Tintern. With hind sight and because the rules had been changed not many were getting grade 1, so if I had stuck to my first plan and done 32k at Margam it would have counted towards the trophy and we could have been 5th in the main society, but it wasn't to be and we came 9th. Not bad for an old girl like me, for in the 7 years competing one of witch was cancelled through Foot and Mouth I have ridden 4 horses and I hope to be ridding Delta for many more but you never know what is around the corner so live life to the full and enjoy your self.
Anne Edwards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/01/2008: This years 'Big Do,' held on January 12th was a great success - it was good to see so many of you in attendance and even better to see so many of you accepted the optional formal wear! Congratulations to all of us who won some of the many awards on offer, a full list of the winners is shown below:
Distance Rosettes
150km - 300km
Andrew Theodorou & Iolo (157km), Amy Theodorou & Amman Valley Solitaire (172km), Anita Gordon & Ibn Al Helal (186km), Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (189km), Kristii May & Vafiling Beauty III (197km), Annette Longland & Jamal (200km), Chris Jones & Aeron Little Grey Fergie (211km), Beti Gordon & Next in line at Grangeway (220km), Kim Sinnott & Dasallar (282km), Cath Rawnsley & Valmai (295km), Penny Rawnsley & Coedfryn Kiss Me Kate (295km).
301km - 450km
Martin Theodorou & Sea Emerald (322km), Dale Webb & Gigolo (323km), Glenn Hellman & Tatleberry Eleri (330km), Beth Langley & HS Ametista (370km), Alex Nicholls & Jimmy Mac (390km).
Over 450km
Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (686km), Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (694km), Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (843km).
Cumulative Kilometers
Over 1000km
Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (1001km), Martin Theodorou & Sea Emerald (1128km), Kim Sinnott & Dasallar (1199km).
Over 3000km
Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (3369km)
Over 5000km
Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (5097km)
Pleasure Ride Trophy (Highest Km in PRs in GB)
1st. Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (281km)
2nd. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (244km)
3rd. Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (180km)
Four Socks Cup (Highest non-competetive KM in MWG, excludes winner of PR Trophy)
1st. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (170km)
2nd. Alex Nicholls & Jimmy Mac (140km)
3rd. Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (131km)
Four Socks Junior cup (Highest non-competetive KM in MWG - junior under 12 years)
1st. Penny Rawnsley & Coedfryn Kiss me Kate
2nd. Ceri Davies & Pablo (111km)
3rd. Andrew Theodorou (48km)
Secret PR Trophy (Highest social & pleasure ride KM in GB - junior under 12 years, excludes four socks junior winner)
1st. Ceri Davies & Pablo (111km)
2nd. Andrew Theodorou & Iolo (48km)
3rd. Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (32km)
Daniel Thomas Trophy (Highest number of completed Novice CRs in GB)
1st. Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (10 rides)
=2nd. Annette Longland & Jamal, Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (4 rides)
=3rd. Andrew Theodorou & Iolo, Anita Gordon & Ibn Al Helal, Beti Gordon & Next in Line at Grangeway, Cath Rawnsley & Valmai (3 rides)
LLewelyn Trophy (Highest points for open rider & horse 7yrs and over competing whole season at open level)
1st. Alex Nicholls & Jimmy Mac (525pts)
2nd. Kristii May & Beauty III (318.5pts)
3rd. Christine Clinch - Arfon Mondy (130pts)
Rowena Award (Registered Native or Part bred most competetive KMs in Wales)
1st. Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (252km)
2nd. Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (88km)
=3rd. Christine Clinch & Arfron Mondy, Amy Theodorou & Amman Valley Solitaire (82km)
Charles Jones Trophy (Unregistered horse in Wales - most competetive KMs in GB)
1st. Andrew Theodorou & Iolo (110km)
Cleo Trophy (Highest competetive KMs in GB - registered Arab or paert bred)
1st. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (602km)
2nd. Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (510km)
3rd. Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (414)
Melba Trophy (Highest points in competetive rides by pony under 14.2h & rider over 18 years)
1st. Glenn Hellman & Tatleberry Eleri (398.5pts)
2nd. Christine Clinch & Arfron Mondy (130pts)
Megan Trophy (Highest competetive points - juniro under 14 years)
1st. Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (294pts)
2nd. Penny Rawnsley & Coedfryn Kiss Me Kate (187pts)
3rd. Amy Theodorou & Amman Valley Solitaire (150pts)
Bronyhelm trophy (Highest KMs in GB by juniorunder 14 yeare)
1st. Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (157km)
2nd. Amy Theodorou & Amman Valley Solitaire (124km)
3rd. Andrew Theodorou & Iolo (109km)
Obee Trophy (Highest points in 40KM CR - Open & Advanced)
=1st. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire, Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (199pts)
2nd. Amy Theodorou & Amman Valley Solitaire (150)
3rd. Christing Clinch & ArfronMondy (130)
Anne Pratt Award (Veteran Rider high points all classes in GB)
1st. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (2021pts)
2nd. Carol Jones & Ptolemaeus (1739pts)
3rd. Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (510.5pts)
Raffles Trophy (Veteran Horse or pony 16 years and over - highest points in GB)
1st. Glenn Hellman & Tatleberry Eleri (398.5pts)
2nd. Kristii May & Beauty III (318.5pts)
3rd. Caitlin Theodorou & Amman Valley Poppet (294pts)
Timekeepers trophy (Most 40Kkm CRs closest to 12kph in MWG)
1st. Amy Theodorou & Amman Valley Solitaire (11.8kph)
Slosh Bottle Award (Crew Award - highest total KM in GB)
1st. William Langley
Tyro ER Trophy (Highest points ER in 1st season in GB - horse)
1st. Kim Sinnott & Dasallar (580pts)
Kaybee Jay Trophy (highest points in ER in GB)
1st. Beth Langley & HS Ametista (1058pts)
2nd. Martin Theodorou & Sea Emerald (754pts)
3rd. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (730pts)
Harvey Trophy (Highest competetive points in GB Young rider - 14-21years)
1st. Beth Langley & HS Ametista (1058pts)
2nd. Martin Theodorou & Sea Emerald (794pts)
3rd. Kristii May & Beauty III (318.5pts)
Amigo Trophy (Highest competetive KMs in GB Young rider - 14-21years)
1st. Beth Langley & HS Ametista (322km)
2nd. Martin Theodorou & Sea Emerald (281km)
3rd. Beti Gordon * Next in line at Grangeway (120km)
Huw Evans Trophy (Highest competetive KMs in Wales)
1st. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire (362km)
2nd. Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (253km)
3rd. Glenn Hellman & Tatleberry Eleri (169km)
Iona & Catrin Davies Trophy (Highest points in welsh rides)
1st. Liz Cooper & Song of Fire
2nd. Kim Sinnott & Dasallar
3rd. Dale Webb & Gigolo
Saintwestwell Team Trophy (Teams of three highest points in GB)
1st. Three Degrees - Liz Cooper & Song of Fire, Caron Jones & Ptolemaeus, Anne Edwards & Cwrtycadno Abishann Delta (4975.5pts)
Hereford Horseshoe (Awarded to a non-member who has done most to help the group in 2007)
Non Jones
Non-members helpers trophy (highest points)
1st. Gareth Jones
2nd. Bet & Gordon Lunt
Black Horse Trophy (points for members helping at events & attending Mid wales Group Meetings)
1st. Pat Conn
2nd. Roger Lunt
3rd. Mary North
Veronica Lott Memorial Trophy (For the rider & horse who have successfully completed the most number of rides in Great Britain, in any class, from Social ride to ER, who has not won any other trophy. The object of this trophy is to reward the idea that 'To complete is to win.'
1st. Cath Rawnsley & Valmai (12 rides)
Caron Gambler Trophy, Dalton ATV Award & Cwmnant Claves Trophy not awarded.
