https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deeside-and-District-Riding-Club/1339552699
DEESIDE and DISTRICT RIDING CLUB
Hi all,
I can’t believe it’s autumn already. It has been just a little bit wet! We still have a lot of grass that has
goodness in it so let’s hope we won’t need so much hay this winter.
DDRC are planning to hold the Halloween Dressage in the indoor arena at Belwade, World Horse
Welfare at Aboyne, on 26th October. This is for everyone to take part in and support. You will be able
to warm up in the school and then just stand at the bottom of the arena while the test take place (nice
and warm and you can encourage others). We hope this is going to be a regular venue for the club.
Our AGM is fast approaching on 7th November. I hope we will see you there.
Kirsty
Sad loses
It has been a very hard year for some of our committee members with the loss of their faithful friends.
They were all such amazing characters and gave their owners (and those that had the privilege of
riding them) wonderful memories and experiences. Happy galloping up there in horse heaven Alfie
(Fiona), Skunk (April), Ted (Marissa) and Mr T (Carol).
http://deesideridingclub.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deeside-and-District-Riding-Club/1339552699
Is my horse fat???
He’s big boned
He’s always had a round bum
I like him to be a bit heavier going into winter *Please see further on
He’ll lose it when I start working him harder when the nicer weather comes in
He always looks a bit bloated when he’s been on grass
This year’s grass has been particularly lush
Do any of you recognise or even use these excuses for your horses being overweight? Last month
we had a wee bit of an eye opener with a visit from the World Horse Welfare along with their
weighbridge. There were definitely no horses under a condition score of 3 with quite a few being 4 or
more. It was very interesting to find out exactly how much our horses weighed and to find out how to
correctly condition score them. Let’s admit it most of us go on whether we can see or feel the ribs
forgetting about other areas such as the necks, backs and bums.
Fortunately there were no morbidly obese horses which means for those who do own a horse that’s a
wee bit rotund there is light at the end of the tunnel. With a bit extra management on our part we
could help our beloved pets loose those few extra kilos.
*Yes I do admit it’s coming into winter and it’s natural to want a horse to gain a little extra but vets
suggest that this means maybe letting them creep up to a condition score of 3.5 – 4. Most of the
horses weighed were that already so take care not to let them add on too much.
A few up us went on a little excursion to the WHW talk at Belwade where we were informed that yes
most horses naturally gain weight in Spring/summer but unlike in the wild where they would lose the
extra weight in winter, we tend to feed more because “it’s cold” and also rug up so they don’t lose
weight the way they naturally would in winter. This means that they just add to it in the following
spring.
Please don’t allow the knowledge you have gained be wasted, as we all know the saying “killing them
with kindness” and excess weight can kill and lead to long term damage in years to come.
http://deesideridingclub.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deeside-and-District-Riding-Club/1339552699
What’s been happening?
Dressage and Show
It’s a big shame this didn’t go ahead due to the weather but we will try for an earlier date in the year in
2015
Hamish and Kirsty clinic
This was a great day. It was so good to see a lot of faces there. It’s very interesting to find out how
much our horses weigh. And yes Foalie is the same as last year 237 kilos and 3 ½ condition score!
The club raised £70 with donations for World Horse Welfare.
Hunter Pace
What a smashing day! The sun shone, people came out in their droves, helpers were on form, there
were loads of tasty home bakes and everyone had fun. Thank you so much to everyone that made it
happen. We raised a fantastic £869.66 for ARI Therapeutic Garden. 
Dear Kirsty,
Please pass a huge thank you to everyone who supported the Hunter Pace on Sunday 28 th September 2014. As
you know the total raised was a magnificent £869.66 which, when added to last year’s total, takes your
donations for the Therapeutic Roof Garden appeal to £1,640.83.
I am looking forward to saying a personal thank you and to sharing an up-date on the Therapeutic Roof
Garden’s progress at the AGM on Friday 7th November.
Warmest Regards
James
Rev James Falconer
Healthcare Chaplain
Therapeutic Roof Garden Appeal
What’s on?
Halloween Dressage – Sunday 26th October at Belwade
Please come along even you are not riding or even offer a lift. Schedule attached
Flatwork Training with Niamh Meehan- Saturday 22nd November at Belwade- booking slip below
AGM – Friday 7 November 7pm – Cheese and Wine evening @ the Bothy
The AGM will start at 7pm with a short meeting, some cheese and wine and then a talk by James Falconer who
is the Chaplin at ARI. He has been the main driver for the fundraising for ARI Therapeutic Roof Garden. It will
be great to hear how things are progressing and get an idea of how the club can be involved in future. This will
be a friendly social evening and we would love to see you all.
Training
Training is to continue on a monthly basis over the winter, indoors at World Horse Welfare (the next is at the
end of November with Niamh)
Social
We are planning some social DVD nights over the winter. If you have any ideas or a DVD that you think folk
would enjoy please let us know.
Bring a Party to a Party – Saturday 13th December at Belwade
A few of us are planning to go to this as a Christmas night out and we’d love to see you there too. There is a
possibility of a mini bus from Alford way. It costs £25 per head for two courses or £30 for 3 courses with a
disco after the meal. Please let Kirsty know ASAP if you’d like to come so she can reserve places.
http://deesideridingclub.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deeside-and-District-Riding-Club/1339552699
Second hand stall- we have decided to stop the stall (over the winter at least). Please reclaim your goods from
Mosswood by the end of October or let a committee member know if you want them donated to a charity
Date for your diary
18th November
Indoor Cross country with Darel Scaife at the Cabin - BHS Scotland (Contact Kirsty)
COMMITTEE MEMBERS please feel free to contact any of us with your thoughts and ideas.
Honorary President: Barbara Winmill
Chairperson/Horse Welfare:
Kirsty Blackmore Email:kirsty@deesideridingclub.co.uk
Secretary: Fiona Black
Email: fiona@deesideridingclub.co.uk
Treasurer: April Fraser
Email: april@deesideridingclub.co.uk
Newsletter/Website: Carol Kyle
Email: carolk@deesideridingclub.co.uk
Training: Clare Adam
Email: clare@deesideridingclub.co.uk
Social Events: Rona Blackwood
Email: rona@deesideridingclub.co.uk
Membership: Marissa Wilson
Email: marissa@deesideridingclub.co.uk
----------------------------------DDRC hoodies etc. DDRC tee-shirts – (yeah! Now we can wear them), hoodies and jackets are
considered acceptable attire at DDRC dressage leagues. No more worrying about getting your posh
jacket cleaned once Neddy has slobbered all over it (or is that just Storm?). Of course posh jackets
are also very welcome 
go to http://www.gggear.co.uk
(Click ‘Clubs’ under ‘products’ on left hand side, then click ‘Deeside and District’
http://deesideridingclub.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deeside-and-District-Riding-Club/1339552699
DDRC Niamh Meehan flatwork clinic, Saturday 22 November
WHW Indoor Arena, Belwade, Aboyne
Please let me know asap if you would like to attend [c.adam@abdn.ac.uk or 07816458414], and
return booking slip with fee, by Mon 17 November to:
Clare Adam, Braeside, Leochel Cushnie, Alford AB33 8JS
Cheques payable to Deeside & District Riding Club.
Group lesson (1 hour): £15 members, £20 non-members
Rider
Horse
**Is there anyone attending that you could travel with as parking spaces are very limited?**
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Mobile no. (in case of cancellation on the day).........................................................................
Email (for times).....................................................................................
Disclaimer: I acknowledge that I participate in this DDRC event at my own risk
Signature...........................................................................
http://deesideridingclub.co.uk