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SUMMARY OF EVENTS 2007
What a year this has
turned out to be for Merton Hall Livery Stables. Our first Show Day on 9th September 2006 was intended to gauge the popularity and support we could expect from this type of event. Our expectations and ambitions for
the Year 2007 have certainly matured and been met, having organised three Dressage Clinics, each presented by David Holmes, Chief Executive of British Dressage.
The first Clinic,
on Saturday 17th March 2007, was based on Flat work in order to focus on developing the natural athleticism of the horse through the scales of training.
The second Clinic,
on Saturday 12th May 2007, also included Flat work in the morning, similar to the previous show. In the afternoon there was Gymnastic Jumping and Gridwork to improve balance and suppleness of the horses over fences.
The third Clinic,
on Saturday 16th June, 2007, was the same as the Show on the 12 May 2007
The Clinics were
intended for riders of all abilities from beginners to more experienced riders with horses of any ability. This met with a huge response and places where taken up very quickly. This has prompted us to plan
more Clinics for 2008. David Holmes has very kindly agreed to come along again. Fredrik Bergendorff, European Event Team Gold Medallist and International Show Jumper, has also been invited to attend in 2008 and
give us the benefit of his experience. Dates for these Clinics have yet to be confirmed.
In addition to the
Clinics, three Dressage Shows were organised for 9 June, 28 July and 18 August 2007. These Shows were open to Riders from other stables and clubs and the overall organisation of these Shows presented Merton Hall Livery Stables
with a big challenge.
We would like to
offer a big thank you to Diane Thomas for all her help in guiding us along the right lines for some successful Shows.
It was a great
pleasure to welcome outside competitors to Merton Hall Livery Stables. These Shows were tremendously enjoyable and we look forward to next year's programme 2008 with eager anticipation.
As an incentive to
our own competitors to participate to the fullest extent, a Special Rosette was presented to the Competitor with the best cumulative score overall.
The biggest
pleasure of all for everyone at Merton Hall Livery Stables was to see the development of so many of our own competitors challenging for honours at the End of Season Show on Saturday 8th September, 2007. It was a very emotional time, I can assure you all. We hope for more of the same in the Year 2008.
A special thanks
goes to the following who did so much on the day to make the events successful:
Dean Lee and Leanne
Marriner for their organisation of the Gymkana.
Richard Simm and
Kate Belcher for Course Design and organisation of the Handy Pony
Anna Shreeves for
Course Design, Clare Downer, the Shreeves Family and all the other helpers in organising the Jumping.
Graham Thomas for capturing the day's events on camera
And finally to the
Judges Zoe Feeney, Sue Marlow and Sheila Hardy for giving up their time to come along and preside over the Events.
After the End of
Season Show a Rounder's Match was arranged which took place in the Home Field. The two Captains were Kiera Handley and Leanne Marriner. The Captains selected the Teams by drawing names out of a hat. It was
a lot of fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, albeit it was a fiercely fought competition. The day was rounded off with a BBQ and everyone had Pork Batches and a glass of Sangria or wine from a selection of
bottles brought by the Competitors.
A Birthday Cake was
shared out to celebrate Diane's Birthday.
Merton
Hall Livery Stables would like to extend a grateful thanks to everyone who had helped in the organisation of the Events, in whatever capacity that was, particularly Mel for her efforts with the refreshments.
Many Thanks
David and Sheila Harrhy
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