NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the final Newsletter for 2015. It’s that time of year again, cold, wet,
windy. Spring will be here before we know it along the 2016 season. We have all
had a brilliant year with some very good results from Tayside members.
Scottish Championships
The 2016 Scottish Festival of Endurance Riding (incorporating the Scottish
Championships) will be held at Brodie Castle using the hugely popular and fabulous
Darnaway route.
The dates for your diary are - 22, 23 and 24th July, 2016 - it will be a "must be there"
weekend !
Further details will be released [including the announcement of some new classes
alongside the normal tried and tested ones].
New committee members
We are looking for new committee members to join us! If you feel you are looking for
a new challenge or would like more information please let Jacqueline Walker or any
of the committee members know you are interested.
Tayside AGM
AGM on Wednesday 10th February at 7pm and speak to one of us. The venue is yet
to be confirmed.
CC AGM
CC AGM to be held on Sunday 21st February at The Queens Hotel, Perth at 11am.
Kettlehill ride,13th September
Downfield Farm proved to be a great venue again and 37 riders were all able to get
parked without too much trouble. The views are fantastic and for once it wasn’t
foggy/raining/blowing a gale so riders and helpers were able to appreciate it. The
ride was a month earlier than usual and the harvest was about a month later than
usual so the route had to be changed and there was less stubble. The first half of the
pleasure was mostly on grass and good going, with the second half being farm and
forestry tracks, but largely off road. The 30km route involved a few folk getting lost in
Balbirnie Park and an issue with scary pheasants for some, but on the whole the ride
proved challenging but enjoyable for all. Many thanks to Bob and Jane Prentice of
Downfield Farm and to the Burnturk Rural Riders for providing helpers and for all
their work throughout the year to keep the tracks open and in good condition.
Alison Irvine
Lomond Hills Ride Report
It seemed a good idea at the time, hills, woods, grass tracks and views to die
for….let’s do a SERC Lomond Hills ride Jo and I said back in 2012. Great idea so it
went into the ride calendar.
2013 - cancelled because the venue field was waterlogged.
2014 - venue field OK, Route marked, caravan in place, winds got up, driving rain,
bridges shut to high-sided vehicles, some entries called off but a few hardy souls
completed.
2015 – This was going to be our year, we would run and it would be a success!
Landowner permissions sought and granted, map printed off, route recces set up
over several weekends and evenings. All going swimmingly, extra tracks offered,
fallen trees to be removed courtesy of Falkland estate.
Jo and I set out one evening in her car to check one of these tracks, 3-4 k of superb
galloping grass track parallel to the access path for East Lomond. Took the three
dogs and drove along thrilled with the going and the views, particularly that of the
cows …..COWS!!! this field was supposed to be empty. We reached a gate, stopped
the car, thought better of playing cowgirls so parked, got the dogs out and threw
them over said gate as cows were coming at a run to get a good look at us. Left the
car and continued the route check returning via a circular path, singing the praises of
such a super addition - then we saw the car, or rather didn’t for it was surrounded by
cows (20) who had developed a taste for black Kias and licked this one so
thoroughly it was now “sludge green” both inside and out – we’d left the hatchback
open! Had to play Matador to drive the wee things away so dogs could return to car
and we could make our get away.
Never mind, it was worth it for the route addition wasn’t it? Uh uh! the tenant farmer
certainly wasn’t from Del Monte and gave a resounding NO. (Perhaps as well as one
of those cows turned out to be a bull.) RE-ROUTE.
Continuing weekend recces discovered 17 fallen trees down a vital track off the hill
and as it wasn’t a regularly used footpath the estate didn’t have it as a priority to
clear. RE-ROUTE
Getting short of maps so back to the photocopier. Marked route and sent maps to
Estate and Tenant farmer, five fields on the route now either, not yet harvested,
harvested and re-ploughed and seeded or - more cows. RE-ROUTE.
Finally managed an agreed route that provided 30k, Pleasure and Training rides –
Whoopee. My computer died and I couldn’t get G-maps to work on my tablet, Angela
to the rescue. She managed to do the mileage markers and letters for me and print
off the maps. Jacqui Mac’s phone line had a direct hit by lightening so no email for
helpers. – so far so good I thought, all going swimmingly. Managed to contact
helpers by smart phone – not so smart as some didn’t receive the info. Angela to
rescue again.
Final route recce by the Heidemanns and me in brilliant sunshine, far reaching views
and paths in great condition. Ride day minus 1; On to route marking by Jo, Alison,
and me. Bernie said he’d do it if he could use my quad, great idea we’ll be done in
no time I thought. Jo, Alison and I marked the woods/estate leaving the hill and moor
for Bernie and me on the bike. What fun, I’ve never driven it so fast or been on such
uncharted territory before, I normally stick close to home. We were getting on in fine
style, took strimmer and cut a swathe through the thistles to the gate onto the moor,
left strimmer under a bush to pick up later and set off across the heather to the
Maiden Castle Fort, marking as we went.
Drove up to the track between the two hills and realised that it was getting a bit misty
but carried on marking to the E. Lomond and back onto the W. Lomond fields and
track then set off to mark the route home across the moor. It was a bit dark and a lot
misty and we got lost, couldn’t see the any of the landmarks so parked and walked
the path til we realised we were lost again! Not only that but we’d also lost the
quad!!!
After some time floundering about we tripped over the quad and hugged it, got back
on and decided to retrace and return via the outward route – lost again, couldn’t find
the markers, decided to (illegally) drive down Falkland Hill road in the mist and dark
back to the Estate home farm, couldn’t get under a locked bar gate as Quad too high
so had to sit on it to squash it and inch forward under the bar. Arrived back at
farmyard and trailer to find Jo had got worried and come looking for us (7:30ish by
now). Loaded quad, remembered strimmer up the hill so whizzed off in car to collect
while Jo took bike home and Bernie dashed off to get warm. (Bernie is on the bike in
the photo – really)
Update to riders – Milnathort road closed by roadworks, A91 at Auchtermuchty
closed by roadworks, diversions in place. What can you say!
The day of the ride arrived and despite the mist lifting the previous evening it had
descended again – with a vengeance. RE-ROUTE
Sheila and Bernie to the rescue writing up the re-route on the maps and marking
them on the ground. Sheila was brilliant at talking everyone through the changes and
Bernie at tying marker tapes where required. 21 riders set off to undertake 30k,
Pleasure and Taster routes, thankfully the mist lifted on the hills so that the views
were there for all to enjoy after the tough climb up the road. Tokens (sweeties and
carrots) were collected and eaten and the checkpoint and gate openers were much
appreciated by all. Our vet, comp person, vet writers, runners and admin folk were
amazing on the day and helped keep everyone’s spirits up – particularly as a 5k
harriers race scheduled for another venue field took unofficial possession of ours
and “livened” the proceedings for a short while with bells, hooters, flags and
streamers.
Once everyone had vetted and collected their rosettes (Comps finished on gold with
one Silver, BC went to Jo McIsaac and Summer Time) clear up was rapid and the
ever helpful check point and gate keeper volunteers had de-marked quite a lot of the
route adjoining their stations all it required was for me to hitch up the caravan and
take back to my place. Nae probs I’d brought it along OK and even got it through the
narrow gateway and reversed it into position – no mean feat for me. Driving forwards
was obviously my Nemesis at this point as the caravan fell off the hitch, collapsed
the jockey wheel and detached the brake cable. Help in the form of the Estate
manager and a couple of passer-bys was at hand, the caravan was re-attached, the
jockey wheel sorted and the brake cable stashed inside the caravan. I made it home
safely to the comfort of my couch and a bottle of vino collapso.
1
Monday morning, bright and early, Angela and I met by the duck pond in Falkland
estate and set off up the hill to demark the moor and the track to W Lomond (Fiona
Wright was running and de-marking the E. Lomond track). The weather was sunny,
the views were fantastic and we sang as we went – until my exhaust fell off! Tied it
back on with a handy piece of rope and continued onto the moor where Dippy found
and rolled in a dead sheep…..she stank! Back to the duck pond where (if she’s
wanting a witness) I saw Angela nudge her into the deep end before wiping the
sludge of with a handful of leaves and a blanket.
Thanks to every single little helper and all of the riders and horses who rode and
commented on the routes.
So ends the tale of The Lomond Hills ride 2015 …………..was it fun? - YES, would I
do it again? - YES, it’s booked for October 2016 and everything is crossed for no
mist, no rain (no snow) and lots of good going, good weather and those views to die
for.
Patricia Garnett
Tentsmuir ride report
Yet another successful Tenstmuir ride took place in September. Lovely weather and
super tracks made for an enjoyable ride. Lots of successful gradings and milestones
were also achieved.
Tentsmuir Team Trophy Results:1st. Tentsmuir Toe Tapping Totties. (154.9)
Gemma Pearson
Nicola Price
Jill Calder
Alison Wilson
2nd. Les Cavalieres (138.21)
Alison Saunders
Suzanne Taylor
Lynsey Mclernon
Arlene Parvin
3rd. Bernie's Angels (109.87)
Jackie Henderson
Sheila Bruce
Lisa Maitland
Bernhard Heidemann
4th. Interbranch Bunnies (109.73)
Anne Scott
Tricia Garnett
Pamela Campbell
Sarah Lovell
5th. Tentsmuir Tornadoes (99.4)
Frauke Jurgensen
Morven Walker
Imogen Graham
Jane Howard
6th. Psyches New Biscuit Shape (91.22)
Judith Allan
Jenny Baird
Gemma Cooper
Jacqueline Walker
Well done to all riders who got Best Condition at Tentsmuir:81k Alison Saunders and Saunders Cavatina
60k Nicola Price and Strinesdale Sensational
51k Suzanne Taylor and Salsa Caramel
40k Alison Thorburn and Alfred
30K Jenny Baird and New Line Star
Ta-Ta Tayside and Tentsmuir
Heading to pastures new...Lochaber beckons and I am soon to be an Argyllie!
2006 and our first endurance ride at Glamis, in the pouring rain, seems like only
yesterday. Hooked from the start, I have to say I've loved every minute!
I will be sad to leave the branch and my Tayside chums but am sure we will meet up
at future SERC rides.
Organising Tentsmuir
With little knowledge about endurance I volunteered to join the committee to learn
more.
It was definitely a good idea! I have learnt so much especially since help and support
from the other committee members was always readily available. Maureen Smith,
Sheila Bruce and Karen Cassidy were frequently bombarded with my (sometimes
silly) questions and always gave me a sensible answer.
It was easy to organise rides knowing that there was always someone to seek help
and advice from. Having helped to organise Glenfarg, Abernethy, Blairadam and
Tentsmuir rides I have to say Tentsmuir is my favourite.
In 2012 I helped Jackie Henderson run Tentsmuir and continued after that. With all
the organising duties already documented by Jackie it was easy to follow protocol
and organise the ride. I loved riding through the many tracks at Tentsmuir forest and
managed to incorporate a few different tracks into the routes over the following
years. With two rides per season it was nice to offer a different route each time...not
always according to plan (having discovered a 3' deep trench once down the Polish
Camp Road, the day before the ride). Route changes sometimes happen!
Seriously organising the Tentsmuir ride is one of the easiest in the branch - There
are only two landowners to contact, the venue field owner and the Forestry
Commission. Dates for the ride are usually decided to concur with a low tide on the
beach to allow riders plenty room to have fun on the beach. A non-beach route
option is also provided for the pleasure riders. The first ride of the season offers
classes from taster, short pleasure(no beach), long pleasure, 30km, 50km and 60km.
At the end of the season there's an additional 40km and 80km class.
Once dates are agreed, permission for that date is then requested to the landowners
and once booked there is little else to do. The routes for Spring and Autumn will now
hopefully remain unchanged and follow 2015s' routes. This means current maps and
talkrounds should be unchanged for 2016. The Forestry Commission only allows
access to the track behind Kinshaldy Stables in Autumn, hence the reason for the
additional classes in Autumn, where there is more available riding track.
A courtesy phone call is made to Fife council and police to let them know we will be
riding on a small section of public road and also the Eden estuary country ranger.
All distances and ride times are added to the riders information sheet now along with
the standard SERC ride instructions so there is little to do for the organiser in
formulating the Tentsmuir Ride information, merely the date needs changed for each
ride and the Tentsmuir template is complete.
In Autumn we host the Tentsmuir Team Trophy which is for fun and teams of four
members from any branch can take part. Only stipulation is that they cannot be in
the same class. The results are calculated using the French formula with the winning
team gaining the most points. A trophy is awarded to the winning team along with
rosettes to 6th place.
The only other requirement of the ride organiser is to reccy the route a couple of
weeks before the ride and leave some notes in the forest to make people aware of
our forthcoming ride. Parking is free at Kinshaldy stables with designated horse
trailer parking.
Helpers
The ride requires an out of branch chief steward to oversee the running of the ride on
the day and two vets and a farrier along with the many helpers to make it a success.
Thankfully recruiting these individuals falls into the remit of the helpers coordinator
and chairperson.
Marking the route the day prior to the ride is easy with lots of helpers!
Demarking on the day of the ride with lots of helpers is likewise!!
Help please!!
Now since I am heading off in Summer next year, I am happy to help organise
Tentsmuir in Spring but would love for some new folks to help me out and perhaps
form an organising committee to run the future rides at Tentsmuir Forest. I have
copies of all the maps and talkrounds. Perhaps you would like to join me in the
forest for a hack or just meet up for a coffee and chat.
Jacqui Macmillan
Red Dragon Experience
By
Catriona Rowan
I have been involved in Endurance since the 1980s, and with the responsibilities of
family and work, I have never had the space and the horse to even consider putting
our names forward for the Scottish team, so this year, in my 60th year, I had a great
little 6yr old novice horse, Oronsay of Melfort and the time to devote to her for the
whole season.
This article could also be headed 'My horse's Novice year'. Last year we completed 4
Pleasure rides. We began with attending the assessment day in April, and then
training started in earnest. The first task was to complete our annual riding holiday,
140 miles across Scotland over a week. This is mostly in walk over hill tracks,
carrying saddlebags. The week following that we completed our first competition ride
together at Dunkeld (30k). A couple of weeks later, we took a day out to go down to
Lammermuirs for a super ride in the hills there (30). Next up was the Championships
at Seacliff where we completed 50k and achieved our Bronze Thistle final. Shortly
after that we were invited to become part of the Scottish team in October. Several
weeks prior to the trip to Wales, we did one more 30k above Abernethy. It was a
wonderful summer, Oronsay and I were getting to understand each other; there is
nothing to beat a good relationship with your friend who carries you over the miles.
Now to the Red Dragon. The preparation, packing and checking of lists was endless.
The pick-up and trailer were jam packed, luckily I did remember space for Oronsay.
The three best things I did were to organise a longer rear bar for the trailer to give
Oronsay more space at the back. Then I bought a bright orange lorry strap to tie
across the rear ramp to highlight my slow moving trailer to motorway traffic. Thirdly, I
packed two lightweight rubber mats for the concrete stable floor we were told to
expect.
We journeyed to Wales almost two weeks prior to the ride as we had a graduation to
attend in Plymouth and a willing friend in Wales who kept Oronsay for me, as well
as giving me B and B , and offering to crew . A valuable friend, indeed! The drive to
Builth Wells took a couple of hours and it was interesting to travel through the Welsh
hills on Wednesday, with a few days to settle in the horses before the weekend
rides.
The whole experience of stabling with all the other Scottish team members was great
fun and the camaraderie was second to none. It was interesting to observe the
English, Welsh and Irish team horses, all the tack and equipment: There was just so
much to see! Thursday was occupied with check point location, gleaning information
from Fiona and Nancy, our team mentors and guides.
Jo MacIsaac, Alison Wilson, Susan Menelaws, myself and Gail, my crew, were
sharing a chalet in a nearby holiday park. It was quite tiny but we managed to have a
good laugh together as we tripped over each other in the kitchen. Late night drives to
check on our mounts and early morning starts kept us busy for the five days. We had
opted to corral during the day and use our stable overnight as this meant we could
sleep without worrying about corral efficacy and escaping horses.
Friday was the busiest day, preparing our horses for the vetting, turnout and parade
of all the teams. Oronsay was gleaming, quite a lot due to Gail's traditional grooming
techniques, and we sailed through the vetting and turnout. Our parade mascots,
Cheryl the Heel'an coo and Rona the Haggis, were joined by Lucy dressed as a gillie
(very fetching, I must say!) with her lovely Highland Tessa sporting a toy stag.
Scotland won the turnout and parade rosette!
Oronsay was settling down and had fully recovered from the long journey down. I
was glad we had come early to give her a good chance to be on top form.
She was, we romped round the course. We set off on Sunday with Lucy and Donna
but just after half way, Oronsay decided that the horse ahead of us had to be
inspected more closely. I was getting pretty tired, holding her, so we set off up the hill
and left our crew to find the next checkpoint. The next few downhill miles were very
tough as Oronsay was on a mission, to go a lot faster than I wished. The third
checkpoint found me exhausted and praying for a nice, long uphill! Paula and Gail
held her bridle and encouraged her to drink while I snatched a glug of my bottle and
a bite of flapjack. What a great hill that was, a nice steady trot on a loose rein gave
me a chance to recover. Then I led her (she dragged me) down the last hill of the
42km Novice class. We finished alongside an Irish competitor, to settle both horses
down before the vetting. I left her and trotted in the last few hundred yards. My crew
were waiting so I was able to finish that water bottle while they monitored and cooled
Oronsay over her head, shoulders and tummy. It was my first experience of having
a dedicated crew and to begin with I was not sure how I would cope (too bossy,
unable to relinquish control, be ignored). In the end it was great to be more relaxed,
to have someone else tell me how her heart rate was dropping and to dip my own
head in a bucket! Everyone was fantastic and we vetted in about 20 minutes, got an
A for our trot up and a final HR of 42. A good result, a fair speed (10.6 or
thereabouts) and a horse more than ready to continue. Delighted! Within another
short time, Oronsay was relaxing in her corral with a small feed and an opportunity to
roll.
I reflected on my team Scotland experience. I had felt the pressure in the first few
days, not convinced my horse was fit, that I knew enough about how to manage her
on the ride. Once I was on board and heading round the course, I felt a whole lot
more confident. The help and friendship was second to none, the atmosphere had
its pressure cooker moments, seeing all the top riders and horses was illuminating...
would I do it again? Yes, definitely.
The event concluded with a wonderful prize giving and supper. Gail and I had
packed nearly everything into the trailer so I was able to set off for home the next
morning. 12 hours later, after a few half hour breaks, Oronsay was shooting off into
the darkness of her moorland home, shouting the news to her friends. To complete is
to win.
BTF - My first vet gate by Lorraine Laing
Having competed this year as a novice with my horse Tom we ended up at the
Scottish Championships at Seacliff having completed two BTQ’s with the aim of
doing a BTF which meant the dreaded vet gate. I really was apprehensive about the
gate as my knowledge of this was minimal. The most important thing of all was my
crew. Jacqueline and Alasdair MacMillan offered to crew for me and they were
brilliant.
Jacqueline calmed my nerves before I went to the start. Tom gets so hyper at the
start and started spinning around and rearing. I usually ride with a buddy but found
myself on my own this time. To my rescue came Karin Roger who hooked up with
me just after the start. Karin rode at a good pace and Tom was able to keep up with
Sky. Jacqui and Alasdair were at every available point with water etc to crew Karin
and myself and Karin’s husband also crewed me at other points.
Approaching the vet gate I became a little apprehensive but Jacqui was waiting for
me. Jacqui took over, tack off and heart rate taken we went to the vet. Then back to
the vet gate for a 40 minute halt. I did nothing in the vet gate apart from eat and
drink everything was done by my very experienced crew. Keeping an eye on the
time I tacked up for the off again. We were called to the start again luckily at the
same time as Karin so we were able to complete our ride together.
The second stage of the ride seemed so short somehow and we were back at the
finish in no time at all. Again my crew were waiting. Once Tom’s heart rate was OK
we vetted. We completed SC2 with a Bronze at a speed of 11.65 and scraping
through with a heart rate of 62. I couldn’t have done it without such a special couple
to crew for me.
I really don’t know why I was so apprehensive about something so simple.
Thank you Jacqui and Alasdair!!
Lorraine Laing
The Elusive STF
So in a moment of madness, after being eliminated yet again for HR at the Champs,
I decided that I would try for my STF with Smokey again. After 3 failed attempts in
2013!! How hard was I kicked at Perth Show....!! Lack of funds for fuel and entry fees
in 2015 meant I hadny done a huge amount of rides and time was running out to
squeeze many more in before my planned 80km.
Anyhow after having a wee chat with someone I decided to go for it, training at home
was upped and after a few G n Ts and a plea for crew on FB the entry was in.
Kettlehill was the only ride that I was able to fit in before I attempted 80km at
Tentsmuir and just put me in a panic as to how quickly I was going to be able to
present for the vet, Smokey has always has had high heart rates but I have no
intention of giving up on him, I know we can do this.
The date was drawing closer, The last few days before the ride all maps and talk
rounds printed, crew kit looked out, Friday and what has he done?? PULLED A
SHOE OFF ARGHHHHHHHHHH my farrier was in Stoneleigh with the Scottish team
so he wasn't going to manage to come and put it on for me. Panic!! But after a few
texts the panic was over the ride farrier was going to put it back on for me before the
ride.
The day arrived and off we went, shoe back on first, then of to vet. 48hr so off we
went to get ready.
Frauke from Grampian branch started out with us, and the first 30k flew in although
we did have a slight detour when we briefly went wrong, back to the venue and
ready for the first vetting, hr taken after a few mins it was 60 and dropping so I just
went for it, the weather was perfect for Smokey nice and warm.
VG1 50/46 and we were ready for the next loop although I was wishing we were just
doing 30k at this point with his 46HR lol, rode the next loop with Frauke as well, we
didn't get lost this time, and my crew Myrna was doing a great job for her first time
crewing.
VG2 I was feeling a bit braver and took the chance to vet quickly 52/54 this time gut
sounds ect all good and Smokey was eating and drinking well, something he can be
a bit funny with at rides. Time for the final loop, I waited on Frauke and off we went
Smokey trotted out of the venue, round the corner and off up the track towards the
forest, I turned round to see where Frauke was no sign of them, walked for a min or
2 to give them a chance to catch us but there was no sign of them and I wasn't going
to lose my chance of doing this. Smokey was getting tired and so was I but we kept
going and putting our best smile on when the photographer popped up on route.
Finally we were on the last few km of the ride, finally we turned the last corner into
the venue, we had completed the 80km, Just the final vetting to pass now. As it was
getting colder I didn't want to hang around as it was cooling down and the midgies
were out in force, so it was basically tack off a quick sponge down and off to vet, final
HR 55/58 and all other the same as when we had started, WE DID IT took 4
attempts but I didn't give up on Smokey.....!!!
So now we have to try again to get our GT next season? Who knows but we shall try
and shall keep enjoying our endurance even if we don't pass every ride.
Anne & Dream Magic aka Smokey
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year from the Tayside Committee
to all our members!