Championship news and dressage is back!

Hello all!

Sorry it's been so long, it's been incredibly busy over at L&D towers. However we're thrilled to report that last weekend we won the Osbaldeston Classics showing championships by a whopping 60 point margin. We're really pleased and would like to thanks everyone that came along and represented us. This weekend is the team showjumping event, so let's hope we can dominate that, too!

Here's Darren and Ann with our trophies...



In other news, Leigh and District's winter dressage series has returned for its third year, giving horse owners in the North West the chance to brush up their dressage skills from next month riding their tests in the shelter of our indoor school.
Once again, we're offering separate classes for beginner riders and green horses aged six and under, plus a choice of two prelim and two novice tests.
For those who become dressage members there is the chance to compete for an end-of-season trophy, while the test schedule has been co-ordinated to help horses and riders improve over the course of the season.
Leigh and District's dressage committee pride themselves on being the friendliest in the area and are always happy to answer questions from newbies and provide advice on everything from tack and togs to how to interpret the judge's comments.
The first competition will take place on Sunday, October 9th, at Landlords Farm Equestrian Centre, on Dicconson Lane in Aspull, Lancashire.
For more information, test schedule, membership and entry forms, email leighanddistrict@yahoo.co.uk.

Dressage results and fabulous gala day!

**** February results ****

After the postponement of the January dressage competition due to the heavy snowfall, we were thrilled to see that competitors braved the cold for Leigh's February dressage competition.

Karen Calderbank won the senior beginners' class on her pony, Gigman Sandypipit, while Holly Watson took junior honours on Carrwood Goldleaf.

The open prelim class was won by Debbie Dobson on her shire cross, My Gentleman. Abi Lilley and Euphoria Queen won both the junior prelim and novice classes. The elementary winner was Jackie Fare on Oskar.

Katie Hodson won the prix caprilli (dressage with jumping) on her Connemara pony, A Bouncing Star.

**** March dressage ****

The final dressage competition of the winter series will take place on March 20. The classes will be beginners prelim 4, open prelim 13, novice 30 and elementary 49. The competition will be a qualifier for the Veteran Horse Society dressage championships - currently the only qualifier for the champs in this region.

**** Dressage Gala Day ****

The dressage committee have just announced that they will be holding a Dressage Gala Day on July 3rd.

Riders will have the chance to improve their dressage scores in clinics with British Dressage listed judge Jenny Johnson, followed by classes in the afternoon including lead rein, young horse, beginners and prix caprilli, plus prelim, novice and elementary classes.

The day will also have qualifiers for the Veteran Horse Society dressage championships and the UK Riders dressage championships.

Details and entry forms are available on the Leigh and District website, http://www.leighanddistrict.co.uk

Winter Dressage - February 13th

Yep, after some snow-induced confusion we are back with the second to last of our Winter Dressage series. December's tests have now become February's tests to keep the increase in difficulty as gentle as possible.

Tests are:

BEGINNERS: Prelim 1

OPEN: Prelim 10, Novice 25, Elementary 49

PLUS! Prix Caprilli 2 (dressage with jumping)

There are several Prix Caprilli tests floating around on the internet. The CORRECT Prix Caprilli 2 is available to download and print off from the Leigh and District website.More details and entry forms are available from http://www.leighanddistrict.co.uk.

Deadline for entries is Wednesday, February 10th. Please ring between 8 and 10pm on Friday, February 12th for times.

We are also thinking about holding adressage day in July with qualifiers for VHS dressage and possibly the Fearns Farm Dressage Championships, plus two dressage clinics and potentially a chance to try your hand at medium level. If you like the idea of this and it could potentially be something you would be interested in, or you have any other ideas of what you would like to see included in a dressage day, please message me or email leighanddistrict@yahoo.co.uk.

Show clinics and dressage

There are no more places left for the January clinic with Julie Templetone. If you have paid for a place but haven't heard about what time your slot is yet, please email leighanddistrict@yahoo.co.uk

Places for the February clinic are also going fast! You can download a booking form from the Leigh and District website but if you are an M&M owner I would recommend texting first to check there are spaces available. Absolutely no calls before 6pm on weekdays please!

We are also now taking entries for the next dressage competition on February 13. Again, you can find more details from the Leigh and District website. It's a great chance to come and try your hand at dressage, and we have classes for everyone, from beginners to elementary.

For the March competition and the dressage day in July (details yet to be announced) I am considering holding a VHS dressage champs qualifier if enough people are interested. Please comment below to let me know your thoughts.

I am also thinking of organising two one-hour clinics at the July event if there is enough interest - again, comments below please!

Julie Templeton places going fast!

Just a quick note to say that places on the Julie Templeton clinics are going fast. The clinics will take place on Sunday January 31st and Sunday February 28th. Booking forms are available from our website and cheques should be made out to Leigh and District Horse & Pony Club.

Julie Templeton showing clinics

Top show rider Julie Templeton will be holding two showing clinics at Leigh and District next year to help people prepare for the new season.
Julie’s impressive list of wins and placings includes HOYS, the BSPS champs and the RIHS.
A gift voucher for a session would make the perfect Christmas present for any horse-mad friends or family who want to be in the ribbons next season.
The clinics will take place at Landlords’ Farm Equestrian Centre, Dicconson Lane, Aspull, on Sunday January 24th and Sunday February 28th.
Sessions will last an hour and each session will be divided into types, so it is relevant to each participant's needs. There will be no more than six horses in each class.
Each session costs £25 per horse.
For more information, ring Kat on 07833 523295 or visit www.leighanddistrict.co.uk