Welcome Back From All at The Equestrian Centre
And a warm welcome to our new riders, both in the Junior and Senior School! We are very much looking forward to welcoming new members of all ages to Sidcot Equestrian.
Here at the Equestrian Centre it has been business as usual through the summer break. The School team has had a fantastic year and this is down to the dedication of our riders, trainers, parents and horses, so a big thank you and well done to all involved.
I would like to give a special mention to our Show Jumping team: Erin Crofts, Archie Stamp, Harriet Blair and Sophie Lee who were crowned British Show Jumping for Schools National Champions in August. This was a superb achievement for such a young team and a great result for Sidcot Equestrian which is going from strength to strength.
For the first year we have had students working towards their British Horse Society qualifications and I would like to say well done to all those students who passed their Riding Road safety exams (100% pass rate): Caoimhe Collery, Henry and Harriet Blair, Holly Cooke and Erin Crofts. Also, good luck to those sitting their BHS Stage 1 exam in October.
From Tuesday 11 September official training will commence on site with our School Trainers, Sophie Clarke and Holly Whitcombe. It will follow the same format as last year. For those new to the School and wishing to train onsite with their horse please call into the Equestrian Centre office where you can sign up to the weekly training slots on display. Times will be booked on a first come basis. I would also like to remind everyone that team members are chosen by the trainers from those children who train onsite. If any student is interested in getting involved, please feel free to pop into the office where the Zoë Aston will be more than happy to offer advice.
Our partnership with Urchinwood Manor will also continue and for those students wishing to ride, but perhaps not wanting the commitment of having their own horse, this could be the perfect solution for you. Again, feel free to call into the office where any of the staff members can provide information on what’s on offer or simply email equestrian@sidcot.org.uk.
Once the School has decided which competitions they would like representation at, an email will be circulated to all those that train. If your child is interested, please come along and familiarize yourself with the Equestrian Team.
Equine tutorials will be running for both Junior and Senior School students on a weekly basis for those wishing to develop their equine knowledge and in particular for those interested in taking their BHS exams.
I would also like to take this opportunity to let everyone know I am handing over the day to day running of the Equestrian Centre to Zoë Aston. Zoë has been working closely with me for the last year and is looking forward to taking on her role of Equestrian Centre Manager. I would like to wish Zoë all the best in her new position. I would also like to thank those parents who have continually supported the development of the Equestrian Centre, and to thank the students who have trained continually throughout the year. You are a great group of young riders and your dedication and team spirit throughout the year has not gone unnoticed. As evidence of this, I’d like to share with you something that was said to me only a few weeks ago, after the Sidcot team beat another Somerset School to the National title: “We couldn’t have been beaten by a better team, a fabulous bunch of children with great team spirit within their own team and great spirit in supporting other school teams. They are a credit to the parents and school.”
On a final note, I hope you will continue to support Zoë in her new role and I’m sure the Equestrian Team and department will continue to go from strength to strength.
Feel free to follow @SidcotEquine on Twitter where you can keep abreast of all our latest news. #RideAdveturosuly
Lorraine Curtin-Blair
Director of Equestrian Development