Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance Night

Liz Howsley is organising a Pie, Pea and Bingo night to raise money for this vital rescue service. Bonsall Riders has had cause to use the service twice in one year and we would like to try to repay their brilliant work by raising some much needed funds.

The evening will be a family one and suitable for children to attend.

2009 Carnival Ride - pictures

Susie and Fern

Sandra and Gina

Liz on her mobile!

Jade on Hannah

Liz on Rusty with Jane Williams in the background delivering chocolate buns and hot chocolate to everyone!

You can see its very wet here... Not one of the most enjoyable, but thanks for turning out you lot.

Jain

Things you can ONLY say around the stable yard

Hope people don't find these offensive!! Came across them on one of the horsey websites - made me smile anyway....

Things you can ONLY say whilst around horsey people!

He won't come into my hands.
There's nothing like having 17 hands between your legs.
More leg less hand.
He needs a good 20 minute warm-up.
Relax your back, don't pinch with your knees ... go with the motion.... rock your pelvis......
When he gets excited he really foams up.
If he's not ridden 5 days a week he gets cranky.
I rode yesterday, but my best mate is riding him today.
Go ahead, ride him, you'll like it .... he'll be good for you and teach you quite a bit.
He can be ridden twice in one day.
Push!!!!
Go Go Go!!!
He's being a pig ... get his head up.
He bends to the left, but he's really stiff to the right.
He really over-reacts when I sit down into him.
Smack him if he refuses.
Clean it quick before he sucks it back in

Events around the area

Hey all - just thought whilst everyone was looking at the blog after Jain's e-mail I'd put some events I'd come across.

Sunday 19th July - Chatsworth ride - Endurance GB - www.derbyshire-egb.org.uk

Sunday 26th July - Le Trec competition - South Wingfield Riding Club - www.southwingfieldriders.co.uk

Saturday 15th August - Endurance GB social ride - Babbington / Strelley - www.derbyshire-egb.org.uk

Sunday 13th Sept - Church Wilne Rotary Charity Ride - Far Lane, Ockbrook www.churchwilnerotary.org.uk

Liz's Hen Ride

Liz post ride - a bit damp but enjoying her hot chocolate and marshmallows!

Pre ride - note the car park is dry(ish)

Caroline ready for more - well maybe not...

Sandra pretty in pink!

Hettie looking rather soggy...

The idea was a lovely picnic, sitting on the picnic rug with champagne -

we managed some very nice (soggy) food and hot chocolate...

We all had a wet time (whether on horseback or not) at Chatsworth bravely celebrating Liz Stoppards last few days as a spinster!

AGM Minutes 2009

AGM 14th May 2009

Meeting notes taken by J Holmes

Present:

Jain Holmes

Jane Williams

Liz Howsley

Hettie

Caroline Bostock

Caroline Bostock (Jr)

Susie Lear

Jane Briggs

Clint White (Glebe Mines)

Gary Goodyear (Glebe Mines)

Apologies:

Sandra Harris

Dee Shepherd

Liz Stoppard

Discussion:

Representatives of Glebe Mines Ltd described how the bridleway would change with the new Tearsall fluorspar opencast mine operations. Leaflets were handed out and we viewed the plans and have copies of these in our file. We discussed the formation of the 2.5m high soil bund (the tall soil barrier) immediately adjacent to the bridleway, how long this may take to build and how activities in the mine might affect the horses' behaviour. The soil bund will take several weeks to construct and will involve frequent soil movement by large vehicles.

Action points:

1. Bonsall Riders will have a contact person that the mine will text to inform of blasting.
2. Bonsall Riders will set up a communication cascade system to inform all members/ local riders (probably via a text and email).
3. Bonsall Riders will produce a "10 Top Tips Driving Near Horses" for HGV Drivers contracted by Glebe Mines.
4. Glebe Mines will put in horse friendly bridleway gates and anti-motorbike gates with further advice from Bonsall Riders as required.
5. Glebe Mines will organise for a Blasting sign to be put up on the gate nearest the Bonsall Moor road - the HGV entrance to the mine.
6. Glebe Mines will situate the barbed wire fence part way up the soil bund as an extra deterrent to horses. This has to be barbed wire to comply with Health and Safety Regulations.
7. Bonsall Riders and Glebe Mines Ltd will maintain open communication to discuss matters as they arise.

Chairpersons Report:

Jain talked through the past years achievements and events. These are recorded on this blog.

Secretary's Report/ Presentation of Financial Report:

Jane Briggs presented the financial report. We currently have £170 in the bank. We have made a loss on the pink vests but a £90 profit on the Fun Day last summer.

Election of Officers:

None - all remain the same.

AOB:

Jane Williams is writing in The Mutterings to ask if any landowner would be willing to let us ride over their land for the carnival ride.

Next meeting date tba in September after the Horsey Holiday.

2009 Carnival Ride

As part of the Carnival celebrations this year, Bonsall Riders are organising a ride and welcome all riders in Bonsall. We will have a relaxed ride through our beautiful countryside using some of the bridleways that have been restored recently. If you are not a confident rider, we can pair you up with some of our experienced and steady riders to accompany you.

We are hoping for good weather and to have some fun! Come and relax after a hard days work with us all.

Tuesday 28th July at the Cross, outside the Kings Head pub in Bonsall.
Gather at 6.30 p.m. – ride starting at 7 p.m.
This ride will take approximately 1 ½ hours. The route is TBA but will start up Dobb Lane and hopes to finish coming back down Pounder Lane.

The route will be way-marked and there will be Marshalls on route.

Entry agreement

• Horses should have public liability cover on their insurance.
• All riders will be expected to sign in at the start and collect their ride number and then sign back at the end of the ride.
• Members of Bonsall Riders will wear a club high visibility vest.
• Riders will be allocated to small groups and allowed to set off at intervals.
• As this is a large ride with varying levels of experience riders need to be considerate and keep their horses under control.
• Cost £2 (to go to the Carnival Committee) on the day.

For more information please contact Jain Holmes – chairperson of Bonsall Riders on 826991

Bridleways Spring Newsletter 2009

Sandra sent the Spring 2009 "Hackabout" newsletter, which is the newsletter for Bridleways.co.uk through to all members by email.

What is bridleways.co.uk?
Our goal is to enable horse riders to share information on where they ride within a central resource. This is achieved by providing a website that encourages riders to share route information and use the community forums. The basic idea is that local riders submit details on where they ride, so other riders can benefit from their knowledge and use the routes themselves. Each year the network of routes is growing but we do rely on the goodwill of riders to help, so if there are no routes listed in your area maybe you can help us.

What you can do
Users of the website can search for routes nationally and contribute to the service by submitting their own local or popular riding routes. The website also allows users to print off and comment on the routes included on the website. What we doWe spend a considerable amount of time researching and walking routes across England and Wales. We then share the information and photographs on this website.

Click the link in the title of this posting and see what the group provides. The newsletter is written locally in Derbyshire - Moorwood Moor.

Horsey Holiday going ahead

Liz H has organised the Horsey Holiday for members and to date she has 5 people and horse coming. There is one more space available.

They are going to a lovely spot in North Yorkshire called Levisham http://www.levisham.com/ This is the same spot that Liz and Sandra visited last year when they raised money for the TreeTops Hospice in memory of Pam. Their photos show fantastic bridleways and rides.

I am sure everyone will have a great time - thanks for organising it Liz - you are a star!

Bitting success and the TROT

Jane Briggs sent this on an email recently...

I took my DWB Branco to a bitting clinic with Dale Myler last month. Branco has unusually fleshy bars and a long standing hind lameness issue which has meant he's learnt to carry himself incorrectly to avoid the pain in his hind legs.He now needs to build up the correct muscles to support his hind joints which means working him from behind and on the bit, which I've found virtually impossible to do without getting in a battle! After a couple of hours with Dale and a change of bit together with a different approach to riding, Branco was going in a beautiful outline and working correctly. Liz Stoppard couldn't believe the difference! The before and after shots where amazing. I've now bought the bit (at great expense I might add!.......) and it's work in progress. I'm now hoping my hours of riding will be more productive and I will start to see a physical difference in Branco.

The TROT - Sunday 5th April was a great success. Around 30 horses turned up, it was quite a sight! It was a lovely warm day and the horses really enjoyed themselves. Hopefully they will have raised a lot of money for Cancer Research.


Happy riding,

Jane

2009 AGM

We are meeting as planned in the Village Hall at Bonsall on Thursday May 14th at 7:15 p.m. We will start the meeting by hearing from Clint White from Glebe Mines who will talk to us about how their work will affect the bridleway at Tearsall.

Please bring your chequebooks if you have not already paid your subs this year - only £12 - it's a bargain.

This is our agenda:

1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Chairperson’s Report
4. Secretary’s Report/ Presentation of Financial Report
5. Election of Officers
6. Any Other Business
7.Next AGM May 2010 date tbc
8. Next general meeting September 2009 date tbc

If you have any other agenda items, please contact me or bring them tomorrow. Thank you.

Carsington Ride

Thanks to Liz H for sending me some photos of the ride round Carsington. I understand it was a great one and everyone was well behaved!

Here are some photos:

March 16th Meeting Minutes

1. Treetops Hospice Fundraiser (The Ripple Appeal)
The Sinners' (the band that have been singing in) gig at The Imperial Rooms, Matlock in December 2008 raised £521.80 + to bring the total amount to £5156.80. Pam’s goal has been achieved. Well done to everyone who has been involved and contributed to the fundraising.

2. Bridleways
Dobbs/Pounder Lane – Liz Stoppard has organised the restoration of this bridleway. Please see the posting below for details. Liz has a plaque from the funders - Derbyshire Aggregates Levy Grant Scheme that will be erected somewhere prominent on the path. The final gates are being fitted this week too. The feedback from riders has been very positive to date. Thank you Liz and everyone locally who has helped in this project.

The green lane by Blakemere Pit (quarry) is still being monitored by the police. Call 0845 123 33 33 and report trespassers. The Peak Park are also involved in deciding how to manage the future of the pit.

Tearsall Quarry planning has been approved, which means the bridleway will be re-routed. Jane W and Sandra will contact the company involved at Tearsall to invite them to meet with us to discuss the re-routing of the bridleway and also safety issues around horses and the haulage traffic.

The 2009 bridleway project will be decided once we have walked a number of trails that are currently impassable. More information on this will come out by email.

3. Pink High Viz Vests
We have 10 vests to sell at £10 each. They have Bonsall Riders printed on the back, flashing lights for extra visibility and pockets for your mobile phone and sweets. They come in large or small (both roomy). We are printing out and laminating safety cards with contact numbers for personal safety and these will be included with every vest purchase. Contact Jain H to buy yours.

4. Personal Safety
We heard the dramatic story of how 2 of our members were involved in a riding accident over Christmas. It was a very serious incident and the air ambulance was called to airlift both individuals to Chesterfield Hospital. Thankfully both mother and son are well again but it triggered an important discussion about personal safety. These are the main points from the discussion:

• Always carry your mobile phone and have programmed in your "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) number. Paramedics will look for this number if you are unconscious.
• Have a plan ready in case you or your horse needs rescuing. We have people with boxes that have offered to rescue horses. Tell your spouse or family who they should call if you need rescuing and put the numbers near your home phone and in your mobile phone.
• Make sure you have your Bonsall Riders laminated Safety Card with you . Making decisions when you are injured or in an emergency situation is not easy and the card should help this.

5. Blog page
Please can you email me if you are not sure how to log on to the blog page and use it. I will happily come round to your house and go through it with you. I have put new features on to the blog - one of which will automatically email you when there is something new posted on the blog. If people subscribed to this it would save me 50% of my time in administration!!!

6. Website
This still needs updating and it would be good if it was a group effort and not just left up to Liz S

7. Holidays and Day Rides

• April - Moorwood Moor 10 mile ride. Contact Jane Briggs or Caroline.
• May - Carsington ride. Contact Jane Briggs.
• June - Chatsworth ride with a hen party champagne picnic. Contact Liz S.
• July - Bonsall Carnival ride. Contact Jain H.
• August - Frierden. Contact Susie L.
• August - Bonsall Riders mini event day. Details will be posted later in the year. It will include cross country jumping on Liz S land this year.
• September - Horse holiday weekend away. Contact Liz H.

8. AOB
Eques-train have a tabletop sale on April 19th at Idridgehay. £10 per table. We thought we could group together and sell our horsey items. I have quite a lot to sell. Contact Jain H if you want to join in.

Eques-train http://www.the-eques-train.co.uk/ also have a bitting workshop on 29th March.

Springwood Horsley Riding Club http://www.freewebs.com/springwoodridingclubhorsley/ have published their 2009 events leaflet.

9. Date of next meeting will be our AGM. Date and time tba but it will be in May/June.

Please post agenda items on this blog but remember the whole world can see us!

Bridleways restoration - letter to The Mutterings, Bonsall

Work is now complete on the restoration of Dobb Lane and Pounder Lane bridlepaths. Hundreds of metres of collapsed walls on the old pack horse trail, have been taken right down and rebuilt. The junction of the two lanes by the top of Masson hill is greatly improved in access and appearance. Go visit, it is quite beautiful.
Bridlepath gates have been put in, and the soggy piece of ground on Pounder lane has new stepping stones and two tons of quarry chatter to make it easier to cross. This lane is in use now for the first time in many years, due to low branches, fallen walls and boggy ground.

The grant obtained by the Bonsall Riders group is from the Derbyshire Environmental Trust. The Bonsall Field Barn Project wallers have been commissioned to do the work. This is a good illustration of how our village's groups collaborate and work together to really get things
done. The path is now suitable for mountain biking, horse riding, dog walking and hiking. I think it is one of the most beautiful paths in England, with its fantastic views from Masson Hill, lots of wild flowers, an abundance of hawthorn tree tunnels and hidden craggy caves.

The gate at the top has a special inscription on it. It is dedicated to our lovely friend Pamela Taylor Speck, who sadly died not long after we started work on the bridlepath.

It reads "To ride a horse, is to borrow freedom". Which is an ancient Bedouin saying.

For anyone who has galloped up Masson hill, the wind in your face and the sweet smell of the Bonsall summer meadows in the air, the quote describes the feeling perfectly.

We hope the path will be enjoyed by many for years to come.

Liz Stoppard

March 2009 Meeting

Our next Bonsall Riders Meeting will be held on Monday 16th March at 7.30 p.m. at Elizabeth H's house in Uppertown, Bonsall. Email me or call Elizabeth to get directions.

Obviously as this blog is open to everyone, we don't want to advertise the venue.