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The Give a Car video competition could beneift The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust

May 16, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

This Trust needs to get as many people as possible to 'like' the video on YouTube (not on Facebook).

Please click on this link to view the You Tube video and then click on the 'like' button below the video if you wish too.

Once this task has been completed you have an opportunity to 'share' a post about the video on your Facebook page - providing of course you have a Facebook page!

There are some good Charities in the competition and so the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust will have their work cut out to win it, but we can but try. Please spread the word.

 

 

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Day one and Alastair is feeling good.

May 15, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

A wet and windy start to Alastair's bike ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in aid of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust but all went well and he is on target to complete the journey in 12 days.

As mentioned in previous blogs - Alastair's Mum and step father owned Aldaniti and his family have raised millions through this Trust for Cancer and Cancer research. Alastair is my first cousin as his father was my fathers younger brother. I received an email from him last night to say all was well and we wish him Good Luck as he peddles across Dartmoor today!

Nearer to home and I am on the look out for two Hunters - one middleweight that needs to take a decent hold going into fences and be brave and the other needs to be a horse with less bone who does not need to be so buzzy. Both must have hunted for a season or more and be used to going on their own as they will be ridden by Hunt staff. This website does not have many Hunters advertised on it and word of mouth tends to be the best way to find suitable horses.

I have a few 'super contacts' whose opinion I respect and tend to stick to them! Horses do react very differently to different riders and last season we ended up buying a lovely five-year old that had bolted when tried by another person. You would think that this was a very good reason for not buying this horse but the opposite was true in this case. The point I am trying to get across is that the rapport between horse and rider is very important and he has to suit you, so the opinion of others must be put into context.

I receive complaints from buyers that a horse is not as described. This is often true because the seller has NEVER experienced the behaviour that the horse is now displaying with his new owner! The new owner has reacted to the horses character in a different way and opened a can of worms that may never have been seen before! 

The better the rider and the more feel that a rider has, the less likely this will happen. It is no coincidence that those who know what they are doing can easily work through the early days of a horse, unfamiliar with its surroundings. Those who have less experience will not give the horse confidence and the nervous or stubborn reaction that manifests itself can be a huge problem.

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Weekend round up

May 14, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Chester Races was duly completed which in itself was a fantastic achievement considering the weather! The course held up and safety measures, such as certain long distance races being started by flag and cars not being allowed to park in the center of the racecourse definitely helped. The cars have to cross the course in order to get into the middle and would have churned up the course in doing so.

The ambulance did get bogged down on a few occasions between races but all in all a fantastic effort. 

We had the Clerk of the Scales staying and then a Stipendary Stewad on Friday night along with my first cousin Belinda and her husband John who arrived for the week end. Lots of jokes and 'racing' banter and news - it is so good to catch up!!!

I am feeling pretty tired this morning having produced 42 meals since Wednesday as well as attending meetings on Thursday and Friday with the businesses we help and all the other office chores!

News from Windsor Horse Show where Mrs B's bespoke stocks were in attendance. Mrs B has taken on smaller craft items such as purses, stud boxes, phone holders, key rings that are made by Rutherfords to sell on her craft stall and to compliment the stunning stocks that she is famous for. The weather at Windsor was OK but the stall holders did not report good business. Let us hope that people do start buying again as 'shopping' at horse trials and shows is a very important part of  the rural economy.

Another first cousin Alastair Nicolson (please click on his name to read my blog on Alastair) has started off from Lands End on his bike ride to John O' Groats in aid of the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. If you support giving to Cancer then please give to Alastair. 

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Chatsworth is cancelled

May 10, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Following a night of heavy rain Chatsworth has been forced to cancel their three-day event which was due to start tomorrow.

Chatsworth had stepped up to the mark when Badminton was cancelled and had scooped up all those wishing to be 'seen' by the Olympic selectors.

A rethink is taking place and other venues will now come up with alternatives - weather permitting.

Spare a thought for stallholders - many do not have insurance in place  to compensate for their losses when events such as Badminton and Chatsworth are canceled.  This is an economic disaster for them and we are talking of sums of around 15K and rising. Trying to get a pitch at these big events is hard enough and it is not a case of going elsewhere  as waiting lists can be full for years.

My day at Chester was soggy but a super 1st and 2nd in the Chester Cup for local top trainer Donald MacCain thrilled the home crowd. Tom Dascombe who trains at Manor Farm Stables which is part owned by Man United's Michael Owen ran a few of his footballer owned two-year olds in the first race of the day, which was sponsored by - guess who - Manor Farm Stables!

Sadly those who are owned by some of the best - (Wayne Rooney included) did not perform (last) - early days and the rain softened ground would not have helped.

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Chester races start today

May 9, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

In the olden days anybody and everybody dressed in their finest and set off to the Roodee at Chester for three days of top quality racing.  The racing is still top quality but those who watch it have changed beyond all recognition.

The country folk and farming community do not attend like they used too and the new racegoer is one who spends his money on the racecourse and actually watching the racing is not a high priority. This transition has taken racing into record profits and is testament to the way in which racing has marketed itself. The Jockey Club has done a fantastic job, and when you consider that we are in a recession, what they have achieved is even more commendable.

A view of High Moor at Middleham - surely a gallop with one of the finest views in the England? Horses trained at Middleham have a very good record at Chester and watch out for Gulf of Naples and Eternal Heart in todays Stan James.com Chester Cup.

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Positive feedback is always welcome

May 8, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

It is always good to hear positive news, especially when it comes from somebody who is well respected. In this case, well known hunt member Mary Wynne Jones asked Equiscan to take images of her 16 year old hunter Madge and the results have pinpointed the problem. Copies of the report that she received from a qualified veterinary thermograper (who are fully qualified vets) have been sent to Mary's own Vet, equine osteopath and chiropractor.

These professionals will be able to work off the report and images and  to give Madge the treatment she requires. Mary is delighted as Madge will be ready for next season and this diagnosis has pinpointed the problem and is 5 times cheaper than the proposed MRI scan. 

Mary is won over and will be spreading the word that Veterinary DITI is a very powerful non invasive test of physiology. It is a very useful application when looking for non specific and difficult to diagnose lameness.

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The first two classics of the season go to Ireland

May 7, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

A thrilling Qipco 2000 Guineas with Camelot trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by his son Joseph winning from a perfectly timed run. Joseph is only 18 and is extremely talented having ridden from an early age which included eventing at FEI level as a pony rider for Ireland. Sadly he is also very tall and so his days as a flat jockey will be numbered due to weight problems which will arise sooner or later.

The following day Homecoming Queen won the Qipco 1000 guineas by blazing a trail similar to Frankels win of 2011. She led from pillar to post and nothing could get anywhere near her. Her time was two seconds faster than Camelot the previous day and her winning margin of 9 lengths was very impressive  She was also trained by Aidan but this time ridden by Ryan Moore. Sadly an accident in the stalls led to Gray Pearl having to be put down and the half hour delay in wet conditions was not ideal for  any of these fillies.

My eldest daughter Clare was racing at Newmarket on Saturday and then went north with her father, who then had a winner at Hamilton yesterday.

Meanwhile younger daughter Skye has moved to Connecticut USA and is settled in the most superb facilities and beautiful countryside on an estate belonging to one of her boss's owners. The horses have all arrived from Florida and are having a few quiet weeks before their summer show season gets underway.

Nick and I are delighted that Sale rugby club finished sixth in the Aviva premiership and have qualified for a Heineken Cup place next season. They move to a new ground at Salford this summer and although we will miss the atmosphere at Stockport, the facilities are very basic!!!

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The Grand Opening of Ptarmigan Ltd at Edgemere Ltd

May 4, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Ptarmigan Ltd held a grand opening of their new store which is located  within Edgemere Ltd.

You approach their shop by entering the main entrance of Edgemere Ltd and then turning right and a large entrance has been opened up into the unit next door which is now a very spacious new shop.

Stephen O'Brien MP had been invited by Tom and Irene Lewis of Ptarmigan Ltd to cut the red ribbon and officially open the new shop. This launch was also the launch of Rutherfords of England at Ptarmigan Ltd as they will be their retail outlet in Cheshire. 

Many of Rutherfords bespoke items were on display and looked totally at home amongst the top end country clothing and shooting wear sold by Ptarmigan.

This is a win win situation for all and a huge bonus for everybody in this area.

Tom and Irene and their daughter Jane have worked extremely hard to get the shop ready for this grand opening.

Members of Edgemere joined them for the opening ceremony and the two shops compliment each other.

The next few weeks will be very busy as all the new stock will be arriving and this will include even more items from Rutherfords.

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The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust have been shortlisted for a prestigious Charity Award

May 3, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Good Morning!

                                                         
We have been literally BURSTING with excitement for the last few days, but have been unable to announce this exciting news until today! We are incredibly proud to be able to announce that we have been shortlisted for a very prestigious Charity Award!

From hundred of entries from charities across the UK we are one of the final 3 charities in the International Aid and Development category. This means that Heather and Anna will be attending a black tie awards ceremony on 14th June to see if we win this incredible award! To see the official press release please follow this link http://www.gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk/Pages/international.pdf

To see our information on the shortlist and to see who we are up against, please follow this link:
http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/charityawards/shortlist

Please share this wonderful news with all of your friends! We could never be up for such an incredible award for our work if it were not for our AMAZING team of supporters, volunteers, staff  and all the generous vets who have dedicated their time and knowledge and we would like to say a huge THANK YOU to every single person who has helped us along the way.
THANK YOU!


To find out more about our work, please visit our website at
http://www.gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk                    
If you would like to support us without it costing you anything, please visit
www.simplyfundraising.co.uk  It won't cost you anything, but it could change lives.

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Disappointment all round as news of Badmintons cancellation spreads throughout the equestrian worldd

May 1, 2012   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Many thousands of spectators look forward to Badminton every year and shopping is for many just as important as watching the horses!

Trade Stands benefit hugely from a good Badminton and its cancellation will have a serious knock on effect to all who have lost this revenue for 2012.

The bespoke leather company Rutherfords of England (website coming) has teamed up with a very well-known Craft exhibitor and we were all looking forward to the launch of their specialist selection of small handmade 'craft' items at Badminton. This is ongoing so all is not lost but Badminton is the place to be and the perfect launch venue.

Kingsland Equestrian were sponsoring at Badminton for a second year and Emily Llewellyn is their sponsored event rider. I text the news to their MD who is in holiday in Dubai - OMG - S...t was the immediate text reply!

Equiscan have been monitoring Polly Stockton's Badminton entries on the lead up this event and we were looking forward to providing you with DITI updates of their well-being. This test of physiology is proving to be extremely popular amongst the top professionals and 'case histories' achieved through monitoring horses over a period of time is very useful when bringing horses to their peak in terms of health and fitness.

This is the way forward and those who have grabbed this concept and are running with it are amongst the very top in their professions!

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