Conference noted::equitation

    There used to be a DEC Riding Club in the United Kingdom. However,
    on my last trip to Reading, I discovered it had been disbanded.
    So there must be some horse people left over there.
    
    By the way I have a copy of a British Horse Society publication
    "Where to Ride", which lists all the BHS approved riding stables
    in the UK. If anyone is going to the UK and wants to know where
    they can ride, send me mail and I'll dig it out. 

    Yes there are those of us 'over here' who enjoy activities associated
    with horses (and ponies).
    
    Although I've been working here in ACRE RD: Reading for nearly a
    year it's taken me until now to unearth this notes file.
    
    Besides discovering the joys of being a NOTES user I have just
    been chosen by an 8 year old Welsh Cob cross mare as a suitable
    owner. 
    
    CRUNCHIE, so named because she resembles a sweet of that name,
    is a 14.1 hands chestnut mare with flaxen mane and tail.
    My husband isn't too sure what happened, we were looking for a
    house ! (maybe there is some truth in the belief that programmers
    can't spell).  Anyway she flashed her eyelashes and he fell for
    her.  I can now enjoy the company of both.
    
    The full story would take too long to relate now, but for those
    who dream - don't give up miracles do and can happen.
                                              
    If ever anyone out there, is over this way, then please contact
    me.  Its nice to match faces to names.  I'm also prepared to
    try and arrange rides etc for visitors to READING (U.K).
    
    Under which NOTE number should I insert a request for advice
    on training my mare?
    
    Judy Harwood
    [ RYO 3/5 : Acre Road : Reading : Berkshire : U.K.]
    

    There are lots of us riders in the UK but I don't thing that very
    much riding is done through DEC.  Riding is an expensive activity
    in Britain and most of the DEC riding clubs I have come across
    foundered after they no longer got sports and social club grants
    to help pay for lessons.  If anyone wants info on riding in
    Basingstoke, though, I would be pleased to help.
    
    Alison

    
    There certainly are!  You can hear the merits (or otherwise) of
    various equine beasts being discussed all over the CSC (Basingstoke).
    
    I was amazed to learn that there has been a DEC Riding Club, I have
    worked for DEC for over a year and never heard a thing! 
    
    I have a 15.3 Palamino mare, 6 years old, who spooks at the silliest
    things.  She shares her lodgings with my friends skewbald, who she
    hates to be parted from but seems to take pleasure in biting.
    
    Perhaps we should re-open the DEC riding club, if only on an informal
    basis, to share news of events, vets, grazing etc. I would like
    to hear from fellow masochists!

    Yet another one, I've got a 15.3 grey mare who's going to have a
    baby next year, but she doesn't know it yet.  I've worked for DEC
    nearly a year now, I think it will be a great idea to reform a DEC
    riding club, as us girls in Viables are very keen on well presenting
    our animals for any occasion, we should set up a sponsored ride
    for charity, (that will go down well won't it!) Just imagine
    DREAMRIDE!!  Come on lets give everyone a shock and arrange some
    venues for this season.

    I've been working for Digital for over 13 years and I was a committee
    member of the riding club for a short time.  It folded about 3-4
    years ago due to lack of enthusiasm.  To most people if you like
    horses then you like anything to do with them, whereas there is
    such a diversity of interests within the horse world that organising
    a small club is difficult due to that diversity.
    
    I like the idea of restarting the club as an interest group and
    I think that it would work like that, anyone else interested.
    
    Mike.
    

    With regard to reforming the Dec Riding Club, we need someone in
    Reading to establish how many keen riders there are there, while
    we'll do the same here at Basingstoke (that is Karen Pewter and myself 
    Jayne),if the response is good, we'll arrange to meet at a watering hole
    somewhere in the middle. Please contact us here, or on kernel::
    
    A couple of Suggestions have been made already, firstly a sponsored
    ride and secondly and probably the most popular a Ride and Run!
    Look forward to hearing from you.

    
    Horses at Headquarters!
    
    I am working at EHQ in Geneva and have a farm over the border in
    France (30 minutes from the office). At the farm I keep my three
    show-jumpers (one retired), a brood-mare and foal and a guest horse.
    
    It's true that keeping a horse in Europe is generally very expensive,
    especially in Geneva where land is so scarce. However France has
    a lot of merit in that it is less than half the price, the equestrian
    culture is well developed and the livestock excellent.
    
    If anyone has a daughter (or son) who is interested in spending time
    in Europe, on a French horse farm 45 minutes from the French Ski-resorts,
    for a six-month period, starting September, I would be interested
    in talking to them, as I could use some help by then. 
    
    Also if you are in Geneva and don't want to keep a horse in a livery
    stable in town, but prefer a place with paddocks, barns and boxes
    in superb trail riding country 30 minutes from Geneva, please contact
    me: Sally-Ann Thomson @GEO, DTN 821-4834
     
                                                         
    
    
    
    
    

    
    Hi I am new to your equestrian conference, but I have read hundreds
    of your notes from 1986 onwards and now have a complete picture
    of what happens with horses on your side of the atlantic.
    
    I saw very little about Europe. I work at EHQ in Geneva, Switzerland
    - a very expensive little country to keep horses in. So I have a
    farm just over the border in France, where I keep 6 European specimens
    of our favorite quadruped.
    
    I have one French trotter, now 20 years old, who after being a mediocre
    trotter, became a superb show-jumper, eventer, puissance specialist
    and finally regional dressage specialist - quite a career, he's
    now having a well earned rest. Then I have a 7 year anglo-arab mare who's
    a bit neurotic, but jumps well. My old love, 15 year-old french-saddle
    mare, a very good-looking jumper, who's ready to breed. I also keep
    a brood mare and foal and one guest jumper, who's owner I am coaching.
    
    All this is a lot of work and if any of you know a young person
    who would like to come and Au Pair in France (very near excellent
    skiing) as of about September this year I would be interested in
    hearing from you.
    
    Also, all you European riders out there - why so quiet?? Who
    wants to come riding at the farm?? For a fee I am happy to organise
    weekend treks in the French alps this summer....aswell as one-day
    trail rides with picnics.                                     
    
    Looking forward to reading flood of replies...Sally-Ann Thomson
    @GEO  DTN 821-4834
    

    
    
    Hello Sally Ann,
    
    This may be more of a trickle than a flood, but it's a start. I
    don't know about Europe, but there are a few of us in the UK who
    participate in this notes file. It sounds like you have a lovely
    set up in France. I'm just going to look at the European OJP's....
    
    Anyway, welcome!
    
    Karen  (who used to be a Thomson too!)
    

    
    Hello Karen,
    
    It was awful lonely 'til your horsey voice came from the wilderness!
    Thomson's are all horsey of course....Hoping to find the right help
    enjoy your riding, maybe in France one day?
    
    Sally-Ann
    
    
    

SWISS HORSEFOLKS!!

HI,

I've read this notefile and I think it's a real good thing!

But isn't there anyone from Switzerland? I know that there
are many horses in Switzerland, but where are the riders??

I live in the suburbs of Zurich (Schwerzenbach) and my
mother and I have a 12-year old Irland-gelding (is this
the right word?) called Excalibur. We've been having him
for 3 years and I've been riding for five years, that 
means I have a lot to learn. It's not so easy 'cause his
a bit a minimalist, but on the other hand he can jump and
buckel like a young foul! That's why they all call him a
"sly fox" but he's not vicious only a bit nasty..

But last November I had tough luck. First I fell down 
while jumping, and I fell on some wood with my back.
It was real luck that I didn't hurt my spinal column,
I just couldn't move without imense hurt for some days.
Then when I was back on the horse again after 2 weeks
I fell down again (when he was bucklin) and (imagine..)
broke my little finger! These weren't the first times
I fell, but the first times I was hurt. My problem
is, that I always lean forward and then when he buckels
... does someone know about this problem?? Or how you
can train to sit traight up in the saddle in all
situations??? 'Cause after these accidents I'm still
a bit afraid of such situations.

I'd love to "hear" from (Swiss-) people who also ride
and have their experiences and have some advice for me..

Alexandra

    I am not Swiss, but I am concerned about your horse bucking you off.
    If he only bucks when your weight is forward he could be trying to
    tell you that the saddle is pinching his withers. I would try to get
    help from a professional to see if there is a simple answer to a
    dangerous problem. Dressage lessons could also help you sit deeper in
    the saddle and make it much more difficult for the horse to get you
    off.
    Sandy (short for Alexandria!)

    	
    
    	Hi, my name is Renate, I am looking for some friends who can
    	help me learn English better.
    
    	I am 23 years old and I have been into horses for about 12 years.
    	I own a bavarian mare, she's now 15 years old and I've had her
    	since 10 years. I prefer riding dressage (competitions) german
    	level M/S.
    
    	I've got the instructor licens and give lessons or ride other
    	horses sometimes.
    
    	Besides my horse and my dog (german shepard), I like skiing, 
    	travelling, reading, photographing, good eating..., too.
        	
        Please send mail to KBOMFG::RWERNER.
    
    	Thanks in advance,
    
    	Renate
              

    Hello,
    
    I have already replied to various notes in this file, but I've only
    just found this one.  It's ideal.
    
    I am also a UK rider.  I have a 15.2h bay mare called "Chancel".  She's
    a bit of a mixture but is actually 1/4 Dutch Warmblood, 1/4 Irish
    Draught, 1/8 Show Pony and 3/8 Thoroughbred.  She is now 10 years old
    and I have had her since she was an unbroken 4 year old.
    
    Just to confuse everyone.  I am in Sydney Australia on a working
    holiday for a year.  I work for DEC in Sydney but I didn't work for
    them in England even though maybe when I get back I might, who knows! 
    So as you can imagin I am missing Chancel like mad.  My parents have a
    farm in Cornwall so they are looking after her for me.
    
    I've only been riding here once simply because you "can't do your own
    thing" when riding at a riding school.
    
    Suzanne
    

    
    HELLO OUT THERE !!!
    
    I can't believe the last note was entered here in 1986.  Or am I using
    this system wrongly ??
    
    Welll just in case anyone is interested.  I work at the SDouth
    Queensferry Site and last year we made an addition to our family. 
    Josie joined us he's a 13.2 h.h. Welsh/British Riding Pony cross.
    
    We have never owned a pony before although my daughter had been taking
    lesson since she was three.  She is now a member of the Pony Club of
    Great Britain and has really learned to ride now.
    
    We keep Josie at a farm about 2 miles from the house.  He is in DIY
    Livery there along with around 12 other horses and ponies and he is
    very happy.
    
    Recently we started up a Pony Club Games Team.  It is hard work for the
    ponies and riders.  They have alot of new things to learn.  Not least
    how to ride races safely.
    
    I hope somone will be interested and write some replies to this.  I
    would be particularly interested in any tips on improving games
    techniques (We use the Prince Philip Cup rules issued by the Pony
    Club).
    
    I would also like to hear from other Parents of Pony mad children !!
    
    Regard
    Sandra McRitchie
    
    

    Hello Sandy and everyone else,
    
    I have been an occasional read only of this notes file over the past
    three years but beacuse it is mainly state side never got round to
    introducing myself.
    
    I work in the Ayr Manufacturing Plant (although not for manufacturing) 
    Scotland and have been horse mad for about 18 years.  I have owned my
    own horses in the past although most have been borrowed or i have just
    ridden for some one else. I have just currently given back the latest
    horse
    that I had on lone for six months. He was an ex-race horse called Ricky
    and was a bit mad to say the least!!
    
    I hope to buy something of my own again over the next year if I can
    decide what to buy!! Current specification lie at
    15 - 16 hands
    3 - 9 years
    Can decide wheither to get something warmbloodie or a very nice
    Highland
    pony that I have come across recently!!
    
    Not an easy descision when it is your own hard eared money and not
    your parents!! :-)
    
    I just thought I would let you know that we also have an equestrian
    club now on the AYR site.  I started it up a year ago and we nowq have
    a thriving membership of about 30 people who most did little or
    no riding before then.  So with a little bit of encoragement it
    can be a sport for anyone.
    
    Bye for now
    
    Michelle Alexander
    
    (Must keep in touch with the notesfile more often )
    

 
	Hello,
	
	My name is Clarissa Goetz and I work for an engineering group
	in Reading/UK. I moved to England 4 years ago from Munich, where 
	I also worked for Digital (I am German). So much for my work 
	background.

	I didn't ride in Germany at all, except once or twice when I was
	a child, at one of those "put your child on this pony and we'll lead 
	them around for an hour" places. I really enjoyed it and pestered my 
	parents for a pony, but I couldn't convince them that our back garden 
	was big enough. Also, I think they were just too worried to give 
	me lessons.
	
	I started riding here in the UK in March 1993 with a group of friends 	
	from work. Neither of us was experienced with horses or riding, and it 	
	took us a good 6 months to find out that the schooling we were getting 
	was not very good. In fact, the trainer was just a bit more 
	experienced than us. So we decided to look for other places around 
	Reading. We finally found one, and I have been going there since the 
	beginning of this year (I am by myself now). I am quite happy there, 
	except that I get a bit frustrated with the school horses. They are 	
	a bit numb, and I do want to learn to be subtle with horses. 

	Having started riding at the age of 30 (in a horse-mad country like 
	England where virtually everybody knows how to ride at the age of 5!), 
	I found it difficult to get to learn how to care for horses. Most 
	people I meet or have met here started riding when they were young or 
	even had a pony etc. So my questions as to how they learned how to  
	handle horses invariably are answered with "Well, I just used to hang 
	out at the nearest riding school after school". Well, there is a 
	riding school in the village where I live, and it is only 3 minutes on 
	foot from our house, but I don't relish the thought of hanging out 
	with the 10-to-13-year-olds there (and they wouldn't either, I guess). 

	This is where Judy Harwood (also contributing to this notes file 
	and owner of "Crunchie") stepped in! She has kindly offered me to 
	come round and learn horse care with Crunchie. So now I am also a	
	devoted Crunchie fan, and I have learned a lot in the last months. 
	Judy even entered me and Crunchie in a "Best Turnout" class at a local 
	event, where I got my first rosette ever (well, I know it was 
	Crunchie's really, but I was so chuffed that Judy let me keep it). 
	Never mind that the competition was generally aged 3 � to 15 and that 
	I was probably the oldest entrant ... I'm sure I was the proudest... 
	Anyway, this is where my horse "career" is at the moment, I hope
	it is going to lead to owning my own horse eventually. 

	It is funny to think that some of my friends are sorting out riding 
	lessons/ponies for their children, while I am doing the same for myself.

	Ho hum, call me a late starter,

	Clarissa

    
    Better late than never!

    Cruising the Easynet looking for hotel information on Valbonne/Cannes
    in the south of France, I came across reference to the "Club
    Bucephale". Under the auspices of the Digital Comit� d'Enterprise, I
    believe, in Valbonne, it organizes weekend riding trips and other horse
    activity. BONNET::VALBONNE Notesfile Note 3954 lists its various
    activities - all in French of course.