Summer 2026
The days are getting warm, the ground is hard, but it looks like there will be hay this winter. This is the second EVRC newsletter; If you have any news to share please get in touch.
News
After moaning about the lack of sunshine we had to cancel the June dressage at Thornton House Farm as it was too hot to trot. We have a duty of care for animals and riders, and it was definitely the right decision. Now we’re all having to be careful about not jarring our horses legs up too much as the ground has gone completely solid.
Unfortunately the Showing clinic has had to be cancelled as there was only one confirmed entry, but on the plus side Andrea gets a night off! Hopefully this wasn’t appealing to people as people already are happy about what classes they can enter and know what they should be wearing for different classes. See you all in August at The Show.
For those of you with Thoroughbreds, the recent Rider magazine had a feature about Thoroughbred Aftercare Program (TAP) clinics in the area. If you fancy going they are good value and well run. Elice has been to some of these and said that they are excellent. Lots of useful information, practical help, and subsidised training sessions. She was lucky enough to enjoy the amazing facilities at Home Farm, Kirk Hammerton. The keener eyed readers of the magazine will see a photo of her with her horse Ciara and Fi Harrison. Elice and Ciara have also featured on TAP YouTube episodes.
We’ve had the first of our Club Jumping Competition Clinics. Amanda Snowden was excellent; nothing gets past that lady! She had the riders concentrating on correct straight approaches and departures, and maintaining balance. Suitable for all levels but it’s particularly aimed at novice and nervous combinations. These are to prepare people for the competitions that are taking place at Port Royal this summer. Get 2 clear rounds at a level (40, 50 or 60 cm) and qualify for the national finals in October. See belowfor more information.
BRC Club Show Jumping Series – from the BRC website
The aim of this series is to create an accessible and inclusive SJ series for BRC riders who may be nervous about competing, have disabilities which prevents them from jumping higher or those who are new to BRC and maybe have never jumped before or for those working towards competing at BRC Championships at 60cm or above.
Clubs would run the relevant classes at their club shows for riders to gain qualification.
This series is open to non-members to take part in the club shows but to compete at the Final must have a valid club membership.
Qualification period 1 December 2025 – 30 September 2026
Finals – 10 October 2026 held and run by Bury Farm Equestrian, LU7 9BT
Dates for these events can be found here (please note this is not a complete list, but these dates have been submitted to BRC)
Classes
The heights will be as follows:
- cross pole/40cm
- 50cm
- 60cm
Clubs can run classes as one section or by splitting entries into assisted and non-assisted sections. At the Final classes will split if entries are sufficient.
The Competition
To qualify for the finals, competitors must complete two clear rounds at the relevant height to gain qualification.
At the finals the competition will be run under BRC SJ rules using a single-phase format, which will consist of 2 sections, the latter half will be used to determine any joint placings. Any club/area SJ competition and Working Hunter classes can be used to gain clear rounds provided the class produces a result within the class (i.e. competitors are placed).
The course must be a minimum of 8 fences. 40cm should be predominately cross pole fences. No fillers or combinations will be used in the 40cm and 50cm. Minimal fillers may be used at 60cm. One double may be used in the 60cm classes.
A BS judge and BS course builder are recommended for the club classes.
Clubs running these classes are encouraged to use #BRCClubSJ on social posts to allow riders outside of their club to find these classes and/or send BRC the date, classes, organiser and entry platform to be added to the BRC website.
Scoring
Scoring will be as per BRC SJ rules. Time limits and time allowed should be generous at both club classes and the finals to allow competitors to take their time around the course.
Speed will be 250mpm for the 40cm and 50cm, and 275mpm for the 60cm.
Faults will be as per the BRC handbook.
Eligibility
40 and 50cm
Combinations must not have completed a jumping phase at a BRC Championship (to include HT, AE, CC, CT and SJ) in the previous three calendar years.
60cm
Combinations must not have completed a jumping phase at a BRC Championship at 70cm or above (to include HT, AE, CC, CT and SJ) in the previous three calendar years. Combinations may not have been placed 1st – 10th individually in a BRC Championship at 60cm in the previous two calendar years.
Onus is on the rider to ensure compliance with the eligibility criteria to maintain the spirit of the competition.
At finals combinations may only compete at two consecutive heights. Should a rider qualify for both the 40cm and 60cm in the same season they will not be permitted to compete in the 40cm.
Assisted
One assistant per rider is permitted. Where an assistant enters the arena to help a competitor, they may move around the ring and be alongside the horse but must not jump the fences. Coaching & encouragement around the course is permitted. No lead rein allowed.
Dress and Tack
Hats to current BRC standard – please see the handbook
Correct riding clothes must be worn when mounted but competition dress is not required.
Spurs are not permitted, and whips must be padded if carried.
How to Enter
Qualification cards are available for purchase https://brc.bhs.org.uk/select
Competitor will need to create an account, then go to the event entry section and select Club SJ Series Qualification Form. The Horse and Rider must be stated on the purchase to be valid.
Qualification forms may be purchased retrospectively within 21 days of the competition (but not after the qualification period has ended), providing the result can be proven. Riders must be a member of a club to compete at the Finals.
The Qualification Form/Online Link will be emailed out to the person purchasing.
Qualification cards must be purchased per combination and are £6.00 each (this permits the combination to qualify at any height). Printing and posting are available for those who wish to receive a hard copy at additional cost. Competitors do not need to purchase a competitions pass.
For more information, please email brcentries@bhs.org.uk
The purpose of this series is to provide riders with the opportunity to experience the excitement of competition. The rules are, therefore, kept as flexible as possible but, please embrace the “spirit” of the rules. Please do not enter this series if you are capable of jumping higher, as it is not in the spirit of the competition.
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Upcoming events
21st July, Flat work training at Thornton House Farm with Adele Mason. One hour sessions, starting at 5, 6 and 7pm. Members £20, non members £25
Please contact Andrea to confirm that there is a space for you,then pay by Paypal, using the FRIENDS AND FAMILY option. The payment goes to evrctreas@gmail.com, and the reference is your name and the event you’re booking onto. Please be aware that we have multiple events running most of the time and it helps our Treasurer, Liz, if it’s obvious who’s paid for what. Thank you.
On 25th July we have a social evening at The Riders Retreat, Escrick Park. This is a fun casual evening. There are vegetarian options and if you have specific dietary requirements ask Nicola if these can be accommodated. Bring your own alcohol (if you’re not driving). It’s not a particularly late evening do, although contact Nicola Stevenson-Barr if you’re interested in bringing a horsebox and camping overnight.
On 28th July there is dressage at Thornton House Farm; Intro 1&2, Prelim 1&3, Novice 1&3 and Elementary 1&2. As ever, contact Andrea to enter. See the calendar page.
Other dates for dressage are 26th August and 17th September, both at Thornton House Farm. More details to follow
The committee are busy planning events, including the summer show on August Bank Holiday Monday. The show schedule is almost perfect, so keep an eye on the club website as that is where it will be first published. We have lots of sponsors but are still happy to take on additional 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.
As mentioned in the last Newsletter, 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
Information generally goes out on the club website first, so it’s worth coming back regularly and checking the website for updates.
Just a reminder…
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. Try a stylish rimmed hat instead.
Successful treatment of skin cancer requires early detection. If you notice a change in 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. Not worried about skin cancer? Just think for a minute how much skin you have and think about the potential for spread.
About Your Committee: this time we meet:
Heather Drabble, Secretary of Ebor Vale
I am not from horsey heritage. My son decided it was the sport for him, so after a year of watching him having lessons, usually in the freezing cold, I decided to get on and have a go.
I started riding at 40! Maybe not one of my brightest ideas.
As he progressed, he rode other peoples’ ponies and then we got a mother & son horse, which he loved but really an Irish Sports Horse wasn’t the steed for me. After an accident I wouldn’t have returned to riding if it hadn’t been for my friends’ trusty cob. We still had the trailer so started to taking Cobweb and Paddy out to Cob Club and Ebor Vale Riding Club events.
In a mad moment we then bought the trusty cobs’ younger sister Tinkerbell who was about to turn 4 at the time. It turned out that she’s not quite as straight forward as her sister! She’s quite a sassy lassy, and knows her own mind but has a very kind heart. So we are learning together. It’s a big challenge, so onward and upward!
We joined Ebor Vales’ quadrille sessions and after lots of practising I pulled Tinkerbell out due to her inexperience. Andrea very kindly gave me the opportunity to ride the legend that is Cassie and off we went into the National competition something I had never dreamed of achieving. It was a tremendous experience; terrifying, brilliant, unforgettable.
I thank Andrea for her generosity and opportunity I will forever cherish the memories for ever.
So never say never! Grab your “bottle” and go for it.
Heather