Welcome to spring everyone! And what a relief it is to get here...it's been quite a year hasn't it?! It feels as though there is hope that we can begin to get back to some sort of normality, which also means we can get out and about on our horses!!

We have SOOOO much planned for this year, it's going to be quite the summer! Fun (and wine) filled camps, loads of clinics, competitions and social events, we'll have it all going on. 

If you're not already a member, what are you waiting for? Join the best riding club around.

Go to the What's On section of the site to see latest clinics and events, or they can also be found on Webcollect - https://webcollect.org.uk/wbrc. Also if you aren’t already on our Facebook page why don’t you come check it out - https://www.facebook.com/groups/WokinghamandBearwoodRC/

We wish all our members and their families continued health and that you all stay safe. See you all out and about soon!

Further to the updated guidance from the government earlier in the week, BRC have reiterated the guidance from BHS on hacking and state that one-to-one training is now acceptable. They are clear to state however that BRC organised activities are not yet permitted, meaning that we are not yet allowed to offer you in person training or clinics. The committee have already started discussions on the types of training we may be able to offer once these restrictions start being eased however, until we have the say so from BRC, we cannot put anything into stone.
Sadly the National Champs at Lincoln have also been cancelled and there are changes to the FOH Championships going forwards to remove the Challenge element. These changes are hugely disappointing to all of us however our current priority is that all our members remain safe and healthy in order for us to be able to enjoy events such as these in the future.
There is however some good news as online BRC competitions are once again permitted so please look out for BRC Interdressage leagues in addition to dressage competitions run by both WBRC and other clubs.
As always if you have any questions do please reach out to the committee and if we don't have the answer we would be happy to seek information from BRC. We thank you all for your continued support in this difficult time and we hope to be able to provide you with further updates soon.
#staysafe
View the BHS Covid-19 update
View BRC's Covid-19 update

Here at Wokingham and Bearwood Riding Club we understand during this time that there is so much uncertainty with the future. With so many cancellations of events large and small it would be easy to lose heart, but during this time we need you more than ever to keep our wonderful club going.

We have no way of knowing what BRC will do in relation to the time your membership has been unable to be utilised however your membership to the club is important and we ask you to keep supporting us, whether that’s being patient and waiting for clinics to start up again, playing along with our competitions on Facebook or if you are in a position to do so, remaining a member in the future.

In the meantime we, the committee, have been working hard on how we can give back to you whilst hoping that you still feel a sense of belonging and club spirit through our Facebook page and newsletters. There will be ground exercises for the horses, top tips from trainers, welfare advice, throwbacks and photo competitions.

It’s important to keep connected throughout this time as we #stayhome and #savelives so please get in touch via Facebook or our contact page if there is anything we can help with.

We thank you for your continued support...

Jo
WBRC Chair

BRC FAQS
Visit the BHS website for the latest guidance for BRC members during the Covid-19 pandemic or view this BRC information document.

BHS Challenge awards
These awards are set up by the British Horse Society and run by BHS Accredited Professional Coaches for horse owners, riders and all those that care for horses, to promote training and education. There are awards at bronze, silver and gold for flat, jumping, lunging, rider fitness and horse care with training around your own horses. Find out more here.

BHS Online courses with Lisa
While lockdown is on the BHS have allowed the horse health and horse knowledge courses to be run on line as these are theory courses and are all at one level, also until the end of June without needing to be a BHS member.  I am proposing to start a Horse Health (equine first aid, wound management and minor ailments) online course as a 'clinic' for WBRC members at a discounted rate, to be run over 6 evening sessions of 2 hours on Zoom, leading to BHS Challenge Award certificate in Horse Health.

This is a fun way to update your horse care knowledge in an interactive way with other members, which includes use of videos, links and slides. Depending on numbers, the likely cost will be between £5 and £10 per week. Register your interest (no payment taken) on WebCollect and I will then send you full details.  Please register interest by 9th May and then I would like to get started a week or so later on a weekday evening. I am already running this course for non WBRC people and have run Equine First aid course as evening class for many years - everyone seems to enjoy learning and updating their knowledge. Hope some of you will join in!   
Lisa Oram.  BHS Stage 4 Teach, Care and Management.

Save the date...
Although all events to the end of May have been cancelled the following are booked into the calendar so please save the dates!

18th July OR 1st August (tbc) – Area Dressage Qualifier at Tweseldown
25th July – Area SJ Qualifier at BCA, Burchetts Green, Maidenhead
9th August – Dressage to Music Qualifier at BCA, Burchetts Green, Maidenhead

And of course not forgetting WBRC Camp running on 25th – 26th July at Boomerang. Contact us for more information!

From the committee...
As mentioned above your committee are working hard to ensure all of our members remain to feel part of the club so the following are excerpts of the content shared on our Facebook page recently. We will continue to add new content and for those of you who aren’t on Facebook, we will include some of that content in this newsletter going forwards! 😊

#Motivational Monday – Ideas for training at home
This week's exercise is pole/jump exercises that can be done in walk, trot or canter and only needs 4 poles, handy if you’re lacking poles. These are great exercises to get the horses thinking, keep them supple and also great for accuracy. So all get cracking with those ponies so they’re on top form for when we can all get back out competing and to clinics.

#TopTip Tuesday - Competition warm up brought to you by Keith and Shelly Doyle
Keith and Shelly Doyle were training people at shows before lock down and were shocked at how wrong people are getting the format of their warm ups... even really experienced riders.

#Welfare Wednesday  - The subtle signs of laminitis
Other subtle changes can be laying down more or seeming more lazy. Any sudden change in diet quantity, quality or type of feed/hay/grass can trigger laminitis. With current changes in horses' routines as well as quality and quantity of grass improving quickly, extra vigilance is needed. Prevention is essential as treatment can take months and is not always successful. Any type or breed of horse can get laminitis quickly if metabolism is disturbed with changes. Have heard of a few cases recently and vets are seeing more laminitis and colic currently due to changes in feeding, exercise and routine.

On 19thJuly 2019 Wokingham and Bearwood Riding Club headed out on a takeover of Boomerang Stables, Hungerford for our annual Summer Camp.

A total of 30 riders, 33 horses a handful of guests and a support troupe like no other attended on the Friday evening, while everyone sorted their stables and sleeping arrangements for the evening, the Chef (Dave Francis) was busy in the kitchen preparing the evening meal, the weather came on to rain but everyone had managed to sort their tents out before the downpour and headed into the canteen for dinner.

A quick welcome from the Camp Commanders, Leanne and Jo, including a special welcome to our 8 new attendees was first and then Pasta and salad was the order of the night with garlic bread that we couldn’t produce quick enough before it was gone!
With dinner out of the way and everyone in good spirits it was time to have a spot of fun…. When the words Beetle Drive was mentioned there were a lot of blank faces HOWEVER within a very short period of time we had some fast a furious dice throwing going on while everyone raced to draw a complete beetle and be the winner!  It proved to be a very funny and raucous game and as the winning people moved around the tables it meant everyone got to know people from other tables and was a great icebreaker!

Off to bed for everyone with a last quick check of the ponies.  An early start on the Saturday morning for some riders! 

The Saturday began at 8am which saw the first riders on board for the beginning of the dressage lessons with Kim Seaby one of our regular instructors for the club.  It was also the start of a busy day of showjumping and pole work lessons for the riders with Event Rider Bruce Haskell also a firm favourite in the riding club. The cross country also started at 8am with ever popular instructor and Event Rider Jamie Wright who was kept busy all day out in the Boomerang Jungle of the cross country course. The weather was kind to us with only a couple of showers of rain which didn’t dampen spirits at all! 

We had photographers on the cross country and showjumping courses in order to catch every moment of triumph and enjoyment. There were smiles everywhere from the campers and the support and camaraderie shown throughout was plain to see.

All the ponies were put to bed for a well earned rest on Saturday evening while the troops gathered outside the canteen for a wonderful BBQ provided by the chef and his team of helpers. There was salad, coleslaw, potato salad, burgers sausages, chicken, vegetarian options… something for everyone! Then came the puddings of cheesecake, profiteroles and gateaux… phew!

With everyone having refuelled and having satisfied tummies we all moved into the cookhouse with the log burner lit nice and cosy for a quiz. The team names caused a few giggles and everyone took part with great gusto, some even got dragged out of their beds to join in!

Off to bed just before midnight with the glass recycling bin jingling away ready for another full day of riding.

Up and at ‘em on the Sunday morning bright and breezy for the unlucky early riders. The dressage and showjumping arenas kicked off again at 8am with Kim and Jamie ready to put everyone through their paces. With Bruce out on the cross country this time at 830am... a cooked breakfast was supplied for everyone with eggs, omelettes, sausages and bacon in rolls which was much enjoyed by everyone.

Lunch was sandwiches with an array of fillings to keep everyone going throughout the day.  We had a very successful day until the last hour when we had 3 join the tumblers club and creating a small amount of paperwork however nothing serious and everyone got back up on board and continued the lessons… phew!

On the Sunday evening/late afternoon the annual Wokingham and Bearwood summer camp moved off “Wagons Roll” and left Boomerang for the final time this year. So many happy positive smiles and comments from everyone who attended.

The camp commanders decided to ask for some feedback from the campers so a few days later a survey was sent out to everyone who had attended to see if we could improve on any future camps... here is a little snapshot of some super positive feedback.

“Would it be possible to stay on the Sunday night too?”
“Nothing to improve”
“More quizzes”
“Just please do it again”
“Bring your own cutlery/cups/bottles to cut down on recycling”
“Quiet section of the camping area for the early bedders”
“Weigh bridge people back please”
“Disco on the Saturday night!”
“Safety netting and bean bags for when I bring the youngster”

We will take all of your comments into consideration for the next summer camp but all in all the feedback was hugely positive and everyone enjoyed themselves.
​
Unfortunately due to logistics we are unable to hold an Autumn Camp this year but we have been organised and our Spring and Summer Dates are already in... so watch this space!

All that’s left is for us to say a huge thankyou to everyone who took part in the weekend…. Wagons Roll on to the next one keep an eye out for the Spring Camp in 2020.

A huge HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your families and four legged friends! 😊

It's true to say 2017 was a bumper year for WBRC yet again and all the signs are that 2018 will be very much the same. The diary is packed already with LOTS of exciting clinics and competitions but... don't forget that if you want to join us at anything from today, you need to have renewed your membership. It's a bargain at just £25 for the year (prices held from 2017) and is super quick and easy to do using WebCollect. If you have not paid your membership online before, you will need to select join rather than renew.

Here are just a few important bits for this month's update. Keep up to date by joining our  facebook page and all clinics/training/events/competitions can be signed up for via WebCollect. You will find the full calendar of events here too...  below is just a snap shot!

Please also note that as we start the New Year there are a couple of changes to the hat and body protector regulations (see downloads below) - please check these carefully to make sure you are "legal".  You will be checked at all BRC competitions and we strongly advise that you are correctly equipped for all WBRC activities.

Suzy
WBRC Chairman

Bruce Haskell Jump Training - 13th January
Bruce is an International Event Rider, having competed up to 4*. He will be running show jump lessons on surface (Binfield), for all levels. Private, semi-private and groups available. Bookings and more detail on WebCollect. Only a few spaces left.

Fun clear round SJ Clinic - Sun 14th Jan 2018
* New date, postponed from 31st December - few spaces now available.
With Lisa Oram, BHS Accredited Professional Coach at Brooklands, Eversley.
Rosettes and free hot refreshments for riders and supporters. Instructed warm up, instructed ride round course and then two chances to jump clear rounds. On fabulous new huge outdoors school, or if weather poor, indoors.  £25 bookings and more details on WebCollect.

AGM evening with Jonty Evans - 20 January 2018
Birdshill Golf Club, Drift Road, Maidenhead £15.00 pp includes a two-course buffet meal. Presentation of prizes and talk with Jonty Evans, Olympic event rider.  Book on WebCollect now! Contact Leanne for further info.

Warren Lamperd SJ Clinic - 27th January and 24th February
Warren Lamperd is an BEF UKCC Level IV qualification through British Showjumping and has competed 4* eventing. Show jump lessons on surface (Binfield), for all levels, for groups, semi privates and privates. Bookings and more detail on WebCollect.

Flatwork with biomechanics clinic - Saturday 27th Jan 2018
With Lisa Oram, BHS Accredited Professional Coach, indoors at Pilcot Farm on great surface.
Biomechanics position correction to allow horses to work more correctly and straight.  Fixes for riders that are crooked or not in perfect balance or struggle to organise their body.  Based on Mary Wanless/Ride With Your Mind techniques.
Find out how a few fixes and help to understand cause of problems can make a huge difference in one session. Video feedback. More dates coming soon. Private or pairs sessions. Lunchtime/pm times.  Bookings on WebCollect.

XC schooling at Tweseldown - Saturday 3rd Feb 2018
With Lisa Oram, BHS Accredited Professional Coach.
Chance to school over flagged Eventer's Challenge course (80/90/100) and other fences from 75cm upwards. Groups of 4, £20 plus hire fee on day.  More details and bookings on WebCollect.

Winter show jumping qualifiers - Saturday 3rd March 2018
Area 6 Winter SJ qualifier at BCA on surface. Novice 80/85, Intermediate 90/95, 100/105, 110/115 classes, juniors/seniors.
Entries by 2nd Feb on WebCollect please. Club pay your prelim entry and then entry is final entry fee. Please ensure membership is done before 2nd February to be eligible and that latest flu vax boosters have been sent to Karen Woolnough.
Eligibility and more details on WebCollect.  There are several SJ shows at BCA before this if anyone would like a practice.

Checklist for competing at area qualifiers
If you are thinking of competing for WBRC this year in any of the area qualifiers then below are few points you need to be aware of. Any queries can be answered by team managers or you can look at the BRC handbook online for all the rules.  We hope to enter everyone that wants to have a go.

1. New aqua hat tags needed for 2018 (see download above)
   
2. 2000 label body protectors no longer acceptable - must be 2009 (see download above)
   
3. Eligibility of horses and riders - table in handbook and attached to entry section on WebCollect
4. 2018 membership must be paid before close of prelim entry
5. Prelim entries close three weeks before competition but team managers will need you to have done your entry on WebCollect at least a month before qualifiers to allow us time to put together our prelim entry to HQ. We cannot enter you until entry is paid, but if you have to withdraw before prelim entry then a refund is available, after prelim entry date refunds only available if we can fill space.
6. Horse's flu vax records must be correct.  Need to show initial course of jabs and then annual boosters always within a year.  Our flu vax pre-check database is held by Karen Woolnough and if your horse has not been registered previously on here then Karen will need scan or photo of pages showing horse's passport name, passport number and all flu vax.  If your horse has been previously registered and checked with Karen then please remember to send photo of page showing annual booster as soon as this is done.  Each line must be both signed and stamped by vet.
7. Please let team managers know if you are not likely to be available for championship if lucky enough to qualify. We will still enter those that are not committed to championship dates as area organisers need the entries.