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History
Formed in 1973 South
Warwickshire was originally based at Pittern Hill Riding School near
Kineton before moving to Warwickshire College at Moreton Morrell. The
catchment area for South Warwickshire RC is quite vast with members
from Stratford, Banbury, Leamington, Rugby, Daventry and Coventry.
The club prides itself
on being friendly, welcoming and a club run by riders for riders.
Although competitive success is
important, the club's main objective is to provide training and
support at all levels and to have fun!
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Facilities
Although SWRC has no
permanent facilities, many of our events are based at members'
facilities, such as Woodlands Farm, Ladbrooke; Wood Farm at Ufton;
Lower Fields Farm at Napton; all of whom have excellent all weather
surfaces and parking facilities. The Club also makes use of local
professional yards in the area such as Lazy Acres at Stretton On
Dunsmore, Aston Le Walls, Warwickshire College, and this year it is
hoped to run some of our events on the all weather surface at the NAC
Stoneleigh.
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Club Competitions
SWRC runs a number of
Dressage competitions for its members throughout the year from simple
walk and trot tests for beginners up to Medium level if required. An
annual members show is also run to ensure that there are classes in
which every member can compete.
The club also hosts
Area 5 dressage competitions / Qualifiers for the Riding Clubs
Championships.
SWRC enters teams for all disciplines in all area 5
competitions. |
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Training
SWRC runs regular
training events every month for Flatwork, Show jumping and Cross-
Country, using accredited trainers in each discipline. The Club also
hosts one-off training sessions such as Dressage to Music workshops,
TREC evenings etc.,
Training sessions cover every level of ability from
complete beginner to more advanced riders. |
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Social Activities
SWRC has an active
social side to the club and regular events such as Fun Rides, Picnic
Rides, Xmas Dinners, Quiz Nights, AGM / Club Awards, and equine and
Rider demonstration evenings. In 2006 and 2007 we ran our first ever
‘Adult horse camps’ which were hugely successful and will become an
annual feature in our calendar.
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Further
Information
Please contact our
Membership Secretary – Ruth Jones on 01926 651931 or email
ruthalisonjones@aol.com
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SWRC Horse Camp, May 2011 - Foxhill Farm,
Eydon.
Having been to the S.W.R.C pre-season get together at the Green Man
in Long Itchington, I really should have known better.
Approaching the beautiful house and grounds of Foxhill Farm, my
enthusiasm wavered. The track wove its way up to the farmhouse,
twisting and turning between rolling hills hosting a particularly
well-stocked cross country course. Like most amateur (and probably
pro) riders, I have had my fair share of ‘challenging’ horses, being
challenged within an inch of my confidence. This smart yard looked a
little above me and my recently acquired confidence giving
7-year-old pony, Frank.
S.W.R.C and Lesley at Foxhill Farm had been ever so accommodating
with the idea that I wanted to share the weekend’s riding with my
mum, Ann. After everyone set up camp and familiarised themselves
with the horse barn and camping field (even if there were no tents
in sight!) the riders set off on a lovely sedate hack around
Northamptonshire’s glorious countryside. Our two instructors for the
weekend; Lesley and Kate, saddled up and joined in with the fun too.
The sun shone and everyone became acquainted with one another,
having a laugh and a canter along the way. With impeccable scenery,
well-behaved horses and stimulating company, mum came back beaming.
On
Friday evening, after settling the horses into their deluxe stables,
the women of the club (all but our one male camper, Julian) found
themselves a little lacking male company. Foxhill’s very own rugby
player come BBQ expert, soon satisfied the girls, proving not only
gifted in looks, but also in the culinary department too. Lesley’s
son, Charles took the girls in his stride, if a little startled at
having eight sets of hungry eyes staring at his BBQ’d sausages!
Great food, fantastic company and a few glasses of vino later; I was
thoroughly enjoying the evening with my new found friends.
Having opted to muck-out Frank, I made my way down to the yard after
a great night’s sleep in the lorry. The horses although calm and
quiet, were eagerly eye-balling me waiting for their breakfast. I
couldn’t believe how well they had settled in, it was as though the
horses had all made friends the previous night too! After the horses
were fed and sorted, it was our turn! The girls made their way into
Lesley’s country kitchen, big enough to house an army.
After an expertly whipped up cooked breakfast (courtesy of Charles
and Lesley). The morning ride was split into two groups, Lesley
taking one into the ménage to show jump and Kate taking the other to
work on some flatwork in the grass arena, followed by an
introduction to cross country. Now this was the bit I was
contemplating bailing out on. Dressage – fine, cross country – erm...
well that was another matter! Kate turned out to be the most
encouraging and engaging instructor, and after having years without
going over a single fence, she had myself and the group trying
water, ditches and steps to name a small selection of the course.
With heights from fairly small to decent sizes, all the group was
catered for, and all had an encouraging time whether they didn’t
want to jump or wanted to have a good go. The show jumping group had
a fabulous time in the arena, some of the girls jumping for the
first time since camp last year.
After a very civilised homely afternoon tea, the groups swapped
disciplines and headed out for a second go. Fun was had by all and I
was beginning to realise that it was not only myself whose
confidence was rising...
Saturday evening was pub night, so off we bundled in Lesley and
Kate’s cars to the local eatery. Yet again, with the chance to speak
to all the Riding Club’s members, fun was had by all. The drinks
flowed and food enjoyed, cementing the pub as a great suggestion by
Lesley. Back at Foxhill, some of the girls carried on drinking, but
the next morning they felt it! After a quiet breakfast we all tacked
up (some nursing hangovers) and split into a morning of show
jumping, flatwork and cross country. With a variety of exercises to
improve accuracy, position, lines and above all; confidence, the
morning’s activities put a wonderful spirit among the riders and
instructors as everyone embarked on the final ride of the day;
another lovely hack accompanied by Kate and Lesley.
As
we packed our things away, and sorted out the horses, I realised
that I had been wrong about Foxhill. Yes, beautifully put together
and professional it is, but inviting and totally novice friendly
also. Everyone was catered for; from the happy hacking Riding Club
rider, to the British Eventing Riding Club rider, and everyone in
between. Loading the horses on the lorry, no one wanted to leave, so
we decided to invite ourselves back in the Autumn for another
fun-filled camp at Foxhill Farm.
If
you are at all unsure about your abilities in jumping, flatwork or
anything in between, I would really urge you not to let this stop
you from going to camp in the Autumn. I went with the intention of
not leaving the ground, but left having jumped more than I have in
years, not due to pushy instructors; but due to genuine
encouragement and growing confidence.
Emma
Raymont
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South Warwickshire Riding Club – Summer 2010 Horse
Camp
SWRC Horse Camp 2010 was held once again at Grange Farm, Swalcliffe,
18 – 20 June, the home of Mike and Barbara Taylor, and the setting
for one of British Eventing’s superb cross-country courses, with
some spectacular surrounding Oxfordshire countryside.
It
was to be a weekend packed with an excellent mix of riding and
social activities for all levels. Our horses were well catered for
in individual paddocks, while the campers opted for an assortment of
caravans, trailers and horseboxes, but not a tent in sight.
Arrival on Friday was met with the on set of rain, but undeterred,
nine riders set off to explore the local bridleways, the views just
stunning and after a few initial difficulties with the map reading
we arrived back safely at the farm to prepare swiftly for our
evening dining at a local hostelry. Coinciding with an England
footie match, we had the restaurant to ourselves, which proved
hilarious.
The
following morning after a hearty home prepared breakfast we divided
into two groups for the days lessons. The ‘Fox Pitt Fillies’
instructed by Pippa Williams set off to explore the cross-country
facilities, while the ‘Townend Totties’ gained some fantastic show
jumping instruction from Sue Weatherburn in the ménage. The Focus
for the weekend was on position, balance and giving clear
instructions to our horses, our key phrase of the morning became,
‘Canter at the OWL!’
After lunch, provided by Barbara and her team, we set off again to
continue with our riding instruction, Pippa’s pupils were to prepare
for the following day’s One Day Event, having some excellent advice
on how best to tackle the many varied obstacles. ‘Townend Totties
were joined by Clarissa Dawson, who encouraged all the riders to
tackle a number of cross-country fears, gaining in confidence by
establishing a correct position and seat for riding across country.
Barbara’s wonderful hospitality was shown again on Saturday evening
as we were faced with yet more wind and rain, she hastily offered
her snooker room where we all enjoyed home made lasagne, with Tessa
the birthday girl providing thought provoking entertainment.
Townend Totties continued their lesson on Sunday morning with Pippa
concentrating on flatwork, while the Fox Pitt Fillies prepared for
the Swalcliffe ODE, with all four riders entered in the 2’9” class.
All
the riders thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful weekend and can’t wait
till next year to continue learning with their horses and
socializing with fellow club members.
Townend’s Totties
Trainers – Clarissa Dawson / Sue Weatherburn
Wendy Bleloch, Annette Falkingham, Louise Farrall, Tessa Heathcote,
Claudia Voegler
Fox
Pitt’s Fillies
Trainer – Pippa Williams
Rita Bagshaw, Belinda Glover, Julia Grundy, Shan Richards
Katie Irving – Photographer, Groom and Driver
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