Written By Liz Hockey

Anthony and I have always found it a leisurely and chilled affair driving out with members from the Leicestershire and Rutland branch of the BDS whatever the weather or circumstance  and  I am pleased to say today was  no different. On arrival the weather was warm and muggy, threatening showers, we had tea and coffee whilst sorting ourselves out and getting ready for the off.

Bobs first time being in front he set off a bit sharp (which can be normal for him) but the unfamiliar sound of clip clop all behind him and nothing in front, poor Bob had a bit of a panic moment not sure if we were on a leisurely drive or a full blown trotting  race down the High Street.  Rounding the corner we had to pull over and Dawn Moore with Empress and Lottie took over and Bob slotted in behind followed by Alice Lockett driving Robbie and then Jane Stretton with Echo and normality was restored. 

We headed out of the village and towards Eyebrook Reservoir the roads were quiet for a Sunday so we had plenty of time to enjoy the views.  We rounded the bottom end of the Reservoir and headed towards the car park where we stopped for a drink and biscuit, the rain started to spot so a good opportunity to put on wet weather gear.  Setting off again back the way we came but this time at the end of the road turning right away from the reservoir along a single track road again being very lucky meeting only a couple of cars to the busier B road, a nice trot for about a mile along this road before turning back towards Great Easton, the spots of rain that arrived earlier had now gone and as we had climbed higher we had some really good views which took in the reservoir as a whole.  Heading back towards the village Dawn very kindly let us try Bob in front again as he was tired and settled he behaved very well.  Great Easton is a very pretty village and has plenty of homes and gardens that would not look out of place on a chocolate box.

The rain had gone and the sun had come out. With the Horses and Ponies now safely back and washed down and everything put away it was time to eat the feast that everyone had contributed towards. Overall it was a very relaxed and enjoyable day.

I must say thank you to Nigel for hosting us, and thank you to everyone for coming.  I am sorry we didn’t get to do the drive we wanted to do, but the one we did get to do is one of our favourites. We are already thinking about where we can go next time.  

A big thank you to Jane and Linda for all the help and support you have given us over the last 12 months from the early  days where we had never even been out in company to giving us the confidence to organise this event.  

...Finally! Please support this shop, or as the saying goes 'use it, or loose it' 

April 20th
The Easter Rally from Springbridge with a prize for best bonnet went down very well with members making a real effort. The prize was won by Alice Lockett a chicken and egg, Freda Martin had a magnificent hat with a birds nest on top complete with eggs and Dawn Moore had made Norman her Dad a very fetching hat

May 4th
Equi care Day, which Dawn Moore organised for Springbridge Charity was a great success raising £600, This was the first time Dawn had organised an event like this and she had some good stands, Yorkie was painted for the day and looked brilliant. A big thank you to Dawn for all her hard work.

May 11th
Trec went well although it was very muddy, Alice Lockett was 1st with Freda 2nd  Liz Hockey a new member brought their pony Bob and did very well for their 1st event

May 18th
Celebrating Harry, Yorkie and Apache’s 21st Birthday!
Short rally from Springbridge followed by a Hog roast, We had good weather and lots of old and new friends attended making it a great day.

May 25th
Rally from Burrough Hill Park, Unfortunately there was only 4 turnouts but the weather was good and we had a lovely drive followed by a picnic, Thanks to Sioux and Dave for arranging it.

June 8th
Although the ground was wet we managed to hold the showing classes and had a good turnout  Dawn Moore qualified her tandem for Addington and Alice Lockett with Robbie won the Juniors and also qualified

July 12th & 13th
Open Gardens Willoughby Waterleys, - Springbridge Stables will be open if you would like to call in for a drink

July 20th
Rally from Sutton Cheney organized by Freda Martin Tel 01455 213066  - 07776131477

August 3rd
Rally from Wartnaby organized by Sioux Gardner  Tel:07864287394

August 16/17th
Drivers Dream at Peterborough

August 24th
Springbridge Charity Dog Show organized by Rosemary Hall and
Tess Naylor.
Lots of Fun Classes – Temptation Ally, Agility, Best sausage catcher etc. Tel 0116 2865624

August 31st
Treasure Hunt from Springbridge Stables

September 3rd
Reading Carriage Sales

September 27th
BDS Show at Addington

September 28th
Carriage Boot Sale at Red House Stables, Darley Dale

October 5th
Trec from Springbridge  contact Jane or Linda

November 12th
Reading Carriage Sales

Exercise Vehicles, under 13.2hh:
1st - Freda Martin & Smarty
2nd - Dawn Moore & Lottie & Empress (Tandem qualifier) 
3rd - Jane Austin & Clibberwick 
4th - Alice Lockett & Robbie (young driver exercise qualifier)
5th - Esme Davies & Kinoulton Water Babe
Over 13.2hh: 
1st - Linda Jones & Kindale Culwich 
2nd - Sue Sheldrick & Rocky 
3rd - Liz Hockey & Bob
4th - Rosemary Hall & Davy 

Private Driving: 
Joint 1st - Jane Austin & Clibberwick March 
joint 1st - John Dobson & St Helens Aristocrat 

Veteran Whip: 
1st - Freda Martin & Smarty
2nd - Sue Sheldrick & Rocky 
3rd - Liz Hockey & Bob
4th - Esme Davies & Kinoulton Water Babe 
5th - Rosemary Hall & Davy
6th - John Dobson & St Helens Aristocrat

Young Driver:
1st - Alice Lockett & Robbie 

Ride & Drive:
1st - Linda Jones & Kindale Culwich
2nd - Sue Sheldrick & Rocky

Championship: 
Champion - Linda Jones & Kindale Culwich
Reserve - Freda Martin & Smarty

Concours d elegance:
1st - Jane Austin & Clibberwick March
2nd - Alice Lockett & Robbie
3rd - Sue Sheldrick & Rocky
4th - Rosemary Hall & Davy

Style & Performance:
1st - Freda Martin & Smarty
2nd - Jane Austin & Clibberwick March
3rd - Alice Lockett & Robbie

Harry (Craignant Satellite), Yorkie (Yorkin Madoc) Apache (Warrior II)  are the elder statesmen at the Springbridge Carriage Driving Centre, and stalwarts of the Springbridge Carriage Driving for the Disabled Group, but this didn’t stop them from letting down their hair to enjoy a joint 21st Birthday Party recently.

On a delightfully warm, sunny day Yorkie and Harry were joined by several other turnouts for a short drive before celebrating, Beryl Hall bought her pony Bubbles who is 26 years old he has been driving for many years with Beryl’s other Shetland pony called Billy they had attended many BDS drives and events over the years, it was lovely to see old members and some new ones on the drive. On our return to Springbridge we were joined by lots of other member’s, family and friends who all gathered at Springbridge including Terry Lowe who had been the British Driving Society Commissioner when Linda and Jane first joined many years ago, all celebrate this amazing achievement, many having travelled considerable distances.  As guests arrived they walked through the stables to congratulate the horses before gathering on the lawn with drinks to reminisce with stories about them all.  Many of those present had known Harry and Yorkie for most of their twenty one years, watching them mature from spirited youngsters to knowledgeable driving ponies setting an example for the next generation.  During the afternoon guests took the opportunity to spend a few minutes having quiet words with Harry, Yorkie and some of the other ponies.  These boys are clearly very much loved by a great many people, some of whom have personally benefitted from the Springbridge experience.

Dennis Cotterill and Bob Stretton were chefs for the day, expertly serving a magnificent roast hog which guests thoroughly enjoyed along with plentiful supplies of salads and dressings.  The dessert table caught everyone’s eye with a delicious choice from cupcakes to pavlovas – most with lashings of fresh cream! 

A highlight of the party was the stunning birthday cake featuring pictures of Harry, Yorkie and Apache. The official cutting ceremony was undertaken by Linda Cotterill great niece Frankie who is 3 years old with everyone enjoying a generous slice.  Guests took this opportunity to toast Harry, Yorkie and Apache and wish them well for the future.

Harry and Yorkie seemed a little bemused by the birthday cards adorning their stables, but were definitely looking forward to opening the huge number of gifts once their guests had departed!

We would like to thank everyone who joined in and made it a great day 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICTURES!


Written by Lesley Suggett

Springbridge Carriage Driving Centre were delighted to host the 2014 Spring Training Event for the British Carriage Dog Society, organised by Lesley Suggett.  This was the first time the Society had held training in the Midlands and has declared it to be one of their most successful events.

The weather was ideal – sunny, but not too warm and the paddocks at Springbridge were in very good condition and looked stunning.

Alison Burgess (Chairman, British Carriage Dog Society) led the training assisted by Ali Rummey, both having travelled from East Sussex.  Both trainers are experienced competitors in Carriage Dog Trials – ridden and driven.  In addition both have extensive experience as dog trainers with Alison currently the only Kennel Club Accredited Instructor for Carriage Dogs. 

The day began with a presentation on the history of the breed, exploring the earliest evidence of Dalmatians accompanying carriages.  The group then moved outside to begin on the ground training where a range of exercises had been designed to assist in preparing Dalmatians for accompanying either carriages or ridden horses.  All of the training was based on praise and reward for success.

After coffee the group were joined by Jane Stretton driving Harry (Craignant Satellite), a Welsh Section D pony to a Fenix carriage.  Delegates were delighted that Jane had chosen to sport a spotted shirt!  Jane and Harry were incredibly patient whilst newcomers introduced their Dalmatians to following the carriage.  More experienced delegates were able to complete more complex activities.  Carriage dogs often wear a bell on their collar to indicate location to the handler – especially if this is the whip.  Harry accepted this immediately with nothing more than a ‘what next?’ look!

After lunch, taken on the lawn, training recommenced with a circuit of activities planned to replicate participation in competitive Trials.  These included collecting heart and respiratory statistics, visiting the vetting area and practice for obedience judging.  Ekko, a Norwegian Fjord Horse from Springbridge, patiently walked the paddocks with each Dalmatian who was unfamiliar with horses.  This proved to be a very successful exercise with neither Dalmatians nor Ekko having any reservations about walking together.

Jane and Harry then re-joined the training and delegates were offered the opportunity for their Dalmatians to achieve Instinct Certificates behind the carriage.

Following presentation of the Instinct Certificates, a question and answer session completed the training.

Presentations were made to both trainers and the guest driver, Jane Stretton, with all delegates agreeing that this had been an excellent event.

Linda and Dennis Cotterill and Jane Stretton were thanked for the very warm welcome they had extended to all delegates and for their generous hospitality throughout the day.

Special thanks were extended to Harry who demonstrated the versatility of the Welsh cob in his patience and willing response to a new situation.   

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICTURES

Written by Lesley Suggett

Fundraisers at Springbridge Carriage Driving RDA Group recently held a very successful collection at the largest superstore in Leicester.

Asda offered the Group a fundraising opportunity at the Fosse Park store and generously agreed to a bucket collection along with a display to demonstrate the Group’s work.  In addition they specifically requested that one of the Group’s converted carriages be parked outside the store for the day.

The weather was favourable – a mild Spring day with only occasional gentle gusts of wind.  Dennis Cotterill delivered the carriage early with Linda Cotterill and Jane Stretton setting up the display of photographs and leaflets to share the variety of activities undertaken by the Group. 

Collectors worked in shifts from 9.00 am until 4.00 pm.  After a steady start the volume of donations increased as the day progressed.  By lunchtime collectors were very busy receiving donations and chatting to shoppers about the work of the Group.  Whilst donators were keen to support Driving for the Disabled, contributions definitely increased when they realised that all monies collected would support local people.

The Group were amazed and delighted to discover an amazing final total of £804.46 – the second highest collection at the store in the last year.  With no outgoings this was an excellent boost to the Group’s funds. 

The Group offers a heartfelt thank you to Asda Fosse Park, for their kind support and encouragement, and to the people of Leicester who gave so generously.