Spring 2026
The days are getting longer, the weather is improving and we’re looking forward to a great summer with our horses. This is the first EVRC newsletter; we’re planning a quarterly edition to keep you updated and entertained. If you have any news to share please get in touch.
News
We had three teams competing at Port Royal on Sunday 5th April (Easter Sunday) in the Open Area 4 Combined Training Competition. EVRC Diamond team won! Shaun Malpass on Arkamist proved that they’re as capable over jumps as on the flat with a score of 26.6, Amy Harris on Breena scored 34.1, Keeley Nundy on Sfumato scored 28.8 and Brogan Harrison on Westside Mayfair scored 36.1. Total team score of 89.5 put them 2 points ahead of the nearest challengers. Looks like a trip to Aston le Walls is on the cards! The other teams finished 7th and 15th, so we’ve plenty of talent coming up through the ranks. Kate Stringer came 2nd in her arena with 32.9 Well done to Brogan Hodgeson, Adele Barlow, Freya Pinwell, Izzy Hogarth, Eleanor Young, Harriet Hunt and Tiana Crombie for going out on a blustery Easter Sunday and representing the club.
There was much appreciated assistance from Philip & Elice on carparking duties, and Clare and Liz were busy with inputting results. Thanks to Jenni K, Jackie S, Kate S, Emma, Izzy, Zoe and Sarah H who helped with pole picking to fulfil our Area 4 helping obligations. Any that I’ve missed; apologies it isn’t intentional.
Upcoming events
On 18th April it is the AREA 4 Arena Eventing Qualifier at Richmond EC
On 22nd April there is Dressage at Thornton House Farm.
On 29th April there is flatwork training with Sue Joy at Thornton House Farm
On 9th May there is a Working Equitation Clinic with Clair Hair. For those planning to compete at Stubbley Hollow on the 10th it might be a useful revision session!
On 28th May there is dressage at Thornton House Farm
The committee are busy planning events, including the summer show on August Bank Holiday Monday. We are also looking for sponsors, so if you have any suggestions or would like to sponsor a class, please contact any committee member; their contact details are on the website. There is a range of social events taking place over the year and lots of training. Andrea is already starting to organise the quadrille training with the aim of taking a team to the national selection competition in 2027! If you are interested or even curious about quadrille, please contact her on 09393438494
We will be providing information about a range of subjects in the newsletter, including a little bit of information about the committee so that you know who we are and what our backgrounds are. There will be short articles on different subjects, so come back regularly and check the website for updates.
Enjoy the Spring!
Elice Wadsworth (Chair)
Just a thought…
As equestrians we spend a lot of time outside. Skin Cancer is now the commonest cancer diagnosed in the UK and exposure to UV light is a major factor in these cancers developing.
Rember to Slip, Slop, Slap!
Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat to reduce the risk of skin cancer. If you don’t want to use a heavy sunscreen on your face you can use a face cream which has a decent sun protection factor. A certain discount supermarket sells a cheap Day Cream called Rejuvelate which has a SPF of 30. When applying face cream remember to do your nose, ears, throat and décolletage. The bits that the sun catches are those most at risk. Riding hats or baseball caps may shade your scalp and most of your nose, but your ears are still vulnerable.
Successful treatment requires early detection. If you have a change to a mole or freckle, a sore / ulcer that won’t heal, a lump or red patches on your skin it’s worth getting it checked out promptly.
Take care of yourself
Elice
About Your Committee
Elice Wadsworth, Chair.
I am a Nurse, and I retired in 2024 after 39 years NHS service. I now do 2 days a week at Clifton Park Hospital and I still can’t find enough hours in the day.
I’m one of those pony-mad little girls that never grew out of it. Now that I’m much older, I can look back over my horse-life knowing that it’s been fabulous. Hacking, side saddle, working equitation, pleasure rides, eventing, hunter-trials, show jumping dressage, representing riding club in dressage, show jumping, quadrille and meeting so many people. Formal equine education includes courses at Bishop Burton (HNC) and Askham Bryan (FD), BHS stage 1 and Riding & Road Safety. Yoyo, my horse at the time was a bit naughty and I was told not to bring her for the Riding & Road Safety exam! I’ve seen and tried different horsemanship styles and regularly use elements of Natural Horsemanship. I’ve learned about different management styles; my horses now live out on a track with 24/7 access to hay and water. (I do have stables for them if it’s really awful outside)
I think that so long as we stay curious and are able to step back to evaluate the way we keep and use our horses, we’ll continue to improve their lives and our own. When you know better, you do better.
I will say that horses have also brought pain. Not just the inevitable multiple injuries – I love my air jacket – but also when we lose them it creates a big black hole. Abbey was a heart horse and I had to have her put to sleep in 2003. I still miss her. Tai is also a heart horse, a stiff, semi-retired 21year old Hanoverian. I know that eventually there’s going to be a day when I have to make the decision. A wise friend told me that it’s better to let them go a week too early than a minute too late. The grief is the price we pay for loving these wonderful animals.
So, enjoy the time you have with your horses and the friends that you’ve made along the way. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the greatest rider. It doesn’t matter if you’re nervous, prefer hacking, or only enjoy low level competition. What does matter is that you’re having fun and caring for these incredible animals to the best of your ability.
Take care
Elice