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Talygarn Equestrian Centre 2011 – 2012

Chris Rogers — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:04:29 +0000

Normally I like to write a blog looking back at last year at the end of the year, I don’t know where the time has gone but I cant believe we are half way through January already. This time last year was the big freeze and we had cancelled the team jumping at christmas because people couldn’t get their horses out of the stables due to the ice. This year we have had to cancel the team jumping because it has been so wet and parking would be impossible. We had many successes again last year with our students achieving numerous passes. We became a riding and road safety centre last year and our first 8 candidates all passed. We will be holding our next riding and road safety training and exam this spring. Two of our riders qualified for the area dressage last year with Carys and Buffy being placed 6th. Our Quiz team came 1st and 3rd at the area finals and 2nd at the championships in Warwick. We held or annual quiz last saturday for all Pony Club members to select the teams for 2012. There was a poor turnout for the quiz but those that came did extremely well and we will enter the teams for the area quiz in February. Our Pony Club Horse and Pony Care teams came 3rd and 4th in the juniors and the seniors came 2nd and qualified for the champs at Derbys where they came 5th. Talygarn Centre team Carys Morgan, Sarah Blake, Chloe Ellis and Robyn Edwards came 4th in the centre competition at the championships in derby out of 20 plus teams with Robyn Edwards winning best newcomer. The Fun Dog Show, Halloween Party, Christmas Gymkhana, Team show jumping, Camps and many other activities were a great success last year along with the Summer Open Day which gets better every year. After visiting a riding school in france which participate in vaulting I have wanted to have a go at putting a display together which I did for the open day last summer. It was a great success and I decided to take up some further training in coaching. This year we will be adding equestrian vaulting to our long list of already popular activities starting with taster sessions in February. We were very lucky throughout the summer with managing to hold all of our mini hunter trials in the fields and the show jumping and dressage have been very popular. With all the rain we have had this winter i am hoping there wont be too much left and we will have another good run this summer. On the holiday front I managed Morocco Greece Romania Singapore and Malaysia and I’m starting 2012 with Iceland and Belfast. The garden wasn’t as good last year although I did have an abundance of runner beans, lettuce, potatoes and the fruit trees did well. There are lots of photos on the gallery for last year and I’m sure there will be lots more this year. Keep an eye on the website for all activities and a belated Happy New Year

BHS Riding and Road Safety

Chris Rogers — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:58:23 +0000

I’ve been home from holidays one week and I’m already feeling like I need another one. Friday and saturday were busy sorting out a list of phone calls and a mountain of post plus the lessons and setting up for the mini hunter trials for Sunday. We were lucky with the weather on sunday and the Hunter Trials turned out to be a good day. Our first summer holidays activity was the Non Stay Camp which started at 10am Monday morning with 8 kids, going home at 9pm and coming back at 9am till wednesday 4pm. By wednesday we were all fairly tired but we had a show jumping competition that evening and would you believe, it was the busiest night we’ve had for ages. We didn’t finish until 10.15pm. I do like the show jumping in the outdoor school in the good weather, its a bigger school than the indoor with a lot more room for horses. I think people like to jump outdoors but still like to be on a surface and with entry fees only £6 a class its prob one of the cheapest around these parts. Today has been the mock for the BHS Riding and Road Safety exam tomorrow. We have eight candidates taking the exam so today we took four horses to the test route on the housing estate opposite the Ivor Arms in Brynsadler. We have practiced the route with the horses a few times but today one decided to play up, I think she sensed the riders were a little more tense and that affected her behaviour. Because we want the candidates to have the best possible chance we decided not to use her so the 8 candidates will ride the three horses. The exam will consist of a multiple choice paper with 20 questions. This has to be passed before the candidate can progress to the simulated route which is laid out in the indoor school and contains obstacles (the quad) and traffic lights. If the candidate is successful on this part of the test they can then continue onto the road route. In RCT it is essential to be competent when riding on the road as there is no provision for horse riders in this area and no bridlepaths. Next week Jen and I are attending a vaulting course in Northampton.

Talygarn Equestrian Centre – A busy start to 2011

Chris Rogers — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 01:08:24 +0000

Well I hope the rest of 2011 doesn’t carry on as its started as I don’t feel as though there is a minute to spare. Since the beginning of January We’ve run 2 Dressage competitions, 1 mini show jumping, 1 wednesday show jumping, 1 sunday show jumping, 5 college enrolments, 1 quiz to determine area teams and a variety of vets, back people, saddlers etc. All of this requires such a lot of organisation beforehand and after with updating schedules , course plans, dressage times, points, entry forms, Quiz questions, Half term programmes, college registers, mountains of paperwork and hours on the phone looking for dressage judges. Alongside of all this comes the riding lessons and students to organise. Just before christmas I had the bright idea of doing a days advertising on a site called Groupon. In one day we sold 266 lessons which I now have to fit in before April, consequently I have been spending virtually every evening when I haven’t been teaching on the phone. Ella who works part time for me has had to give up for the time being as her mother in law has been taken ill which has left me short staffed this week fortunately I have been able to find a few different people to stand in. I don’t really like have too much change of instructors as I prefer continuity in order to be able to assess progress but unfortunately theses things happen and there can be some positive advantages in having new people with different ideas from time to time. I am also trying to make some progress with becoming a riding and road safety centre and will update on that one when i can get it off the ground. We are sending two teams to the area quiz in half term and I will need some parents to come in order to get the kids there. On top of this the Guy that does this amazing website for me Monico Web Designs wants to update it and that gives me masses of web pages to rewrite. At the rate I am going you might see it by the summer and whilst I am on the subject of summer there is only 12 weeks left before I need to start organising the summer Open Day. Although the most stressful week has been this week just gone with Amelia and her passport, she got a new one last Monday, lost it Wednesday and we are flying this Tuesday. Which means I’ve spent two full days in the passport office this week – Monday getting the new one and Friday replacing it. Was nice to have lunch out twice in one week though and go shopping – every cloud has a silver lining as they say. Dressage went very well today, seemed to run very smoothly. Thanks to the Judges who were pretty good to turn up at such short notice and a big thank you to the writers as well. I’ve taken to writing everything I have to do down now as my memory is getting terrible. I’ve got a huge list to get through tomorrow and then I will be in holiday mode.

Talygarn Equestrian Centre 2010

Chris Rogers — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 02:34:01 +0000

Looking back over the 2010 it has been quite an interesting year It seems to have started and finished with snow and my dieting has followed the same plan as last year, although I am hoping to be a bit more successful this year. Quite a few horses have come and gone over the year. Polo and Lizzie were sold Storm and Athena went back to their owners Coffee has gone to Sharon. Harry, Winsten and Abi came on trial but didn’t stay. Trevor is on loan, Jimbob, Foley, Stuey and Diesel came this year, Angharad now owns Diesel and Amelia sold Destiny and bought Zac and she also has Jo Bailey’s Lily here. The Talygarn Pony Club Centre has had a very busy and successful year. Winning the Area Quiz and the Senior Horse Care. placed 3rd in the National Quiz in Warwick. 5th in the Horse Care Champs and the Overall Team winners of the Pony Club Centre Championships in Derby with Sarah Blake and Chloe Reakes both winning their individual sections. Carys Morgan rode Fred in the Dressage to Music at the Champs and did a lovely test to the music from Lady Gaga. The Pony Club Committee have all worked very hard this year running and organising The Fun Dog Show, Show Jumping and hacks to raise funds to run the Halloween Party The Annual Open Day turned out to be a lovely day despite threats of rain. The Displays included Show Jumping, Musical Ride, Bareback Jumping, 101 Dalmations by the Mini Pony Club, PoloCrosse and Gymkhana. We have also ran many competitions this year The Dressage series was very successful ending in April and has got off to a very busy start for 10/11 series. We are also holding some Pony Club Dengie Qualifiers during the Dressage series and Kate Owen riding Hannah and Carys Morgan riding Buffy have already qualified for the second round in 2011. The indoor Show Jumping and the Team jumping have been very busy with Talygarn picking up quite a few wins in the points series. This year we held the Summer Jumping in the outdoor school and that proved to be very popular. We were also lucky enough with the weather to be able to hold all four Mini Hunter Trials. We have had numerous students passing BHS & NVQ exams this year and Gareth Evans was also chosen by Yale College as Student of the Year Other Activities this year have included The E3 Schools Riding, Pony Days, Camps, Centre Days, Birthday Partys, and a Parents Quiz Night Unfortunately we had to cancel the Pony Club C test because of the snow but we did manage to hold the Child Protection Course and the Christmas Gymkhana which was a bit quieter than normal due to the weather but turned out to be a good day. There a lots of pictures on the Gallery from 2010 and beyond. Lets hope to make 2011 and even more successful year.

Student of the Year

Chris Rogers — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 07:55:47 +0000

Gareth Evans started riding at Talygarn 3 years ago with the after school activities E3 programme. Gareth suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome which is part of the Autism Spectrum and several years ago he became interested in horse riding when he saw a medieval re-enactment whilst on holiday. At Talygarn Equestrian Centre we run an outreach programme where students enrol at Yale College Wrexham but receive their training at Talygarn. Gareth enrolled on a course when he left school and over the last two years Gareth has achieved his NPTC Level 1 & 2, Horse Owners Level 1, he has passed the riding section of his NVQ and will complete the care by Christmas and he will be taking his BHS Stage 1 next year. Gareth has taken part in displays at the Open Day and rode in show jumping and cross country competitions. As well as being a student at Talygarn Gareth also has a part time job on the yard. This year Yale College recognised Gareth’s achievements by awarding him the title of Equine Student of the Year. Pam our internal verifier from the college presented Gareth with a certificate and trophy. This summer Gareth was accepted into the Sealed Knot Re-enactment society as a foot soldier and is hoping to achieve his ambition to join the Royalist Cavalry on horse back.

Winter programmes

Chris Rogers — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:36:00 +0000

Its hard to believe it’s nine years ago yesterday that 9/11 happened, I remember I was on holiday in Tenerife with a friend that had never flown before and was very scared she nearly passed out on take off and then mid week we had these images of planes flying into towers, needless to say it took a lot of persuading to convince her that it wasn’t likely to happen on the way home. Talking of time passing quickly summer seems to have come and gone and we are now into our winter programmes, Students start back Tuesday, Winter Horse and Pony Adoption starts next week. The Team Show Jumping as well as the Dressage series starts in October, entries are already coming in. Hacks are now being taken out on Saturdays by the Pony Club Centre Committee to raise funds for the Halloween Party (Oct 30th), nights are drawing in and it will soon be time for the Christmas Gymkhana as its only 103 days to Christmas.

Chloe Reakes

Chris Rogers — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:39:39 +0000

Every year in September we always lose one or two clients to Uni. This year we are losing Chloe Reakes. Chloe has ridden at Talygarn for 10years, starting in a beginner lesson at 9yrs old Chloe has worked her way up through every level. Chloe started helping out on the yard at 12yrs progressing to a Saturday job, she then became a part time student passed some BHS Exams and starting teaching. Chloe has been a Pony Club Centre member taking part in just about everything possible. Chloe has been a member of teams that have won the Team Show Jumping, the Area Quiz, the National Quiz, the Area Horse Care and the Centre Equitation Competition. Chloe has never owned a horse of her own but through sheer hard work and dedication she has become an excellent rider. Chloe is well known at the stables and will be definitely be missed. Last Wednesday we had a surprise party in the local pub and it was lovely to see so many turn up to wish her well. Chloe has always had an ambition to be a vet and we were all thrilled to hear that she has been accepted into Liverpool University. Here are some memories from the last ten years Chloe Reakes.

Another busy week

Chris Rogers — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:04:43 +0000

With less than two weeks to go before the Open Day there is still much to organise and its been another busy week. We have one more practice for the musical ride, the dress rehearsal next week and several other practices to get in for the other displays. The practices have been going very well but unfortunately we had a disaster last weekend when practicing one of the Gymkhana games and Zoe Hughes fell and broke her wrist. On saturday Jen came in the house asking if Paul Curnock could have a cold wet towel for a twisted ankle. I have to admit my first thought was ‘Oh No Emily can’t be injured she is in the Musical ride’, but it was ok is was his wife Kath. No sympathy there Kath just relief Emily that was ok but the next day I was panicked again when Emily fell off in the Mini Hunter Trials. I have asked her to sit in front of the TV for the next week. The Mini Hunter trial was very successful and busy but the ground was very hard. I’m glad to say we only had a couple of fallers and they were ok. Its good for us that England are now out of the football as the World Cup final is on the same day as the Open day although it doesn’t start till 7.30pm and we should be finished by 5.30ish. Mini Show Jumping on Wednesday was a bit quiet this week. The weather was good enough to hold it in the outdoors school. Kate Owen rode Hannah in two of the best jump offs I have seen in a while. Well done Kate. I think those jumping clinics with Amelia and Jo have really paid off. Last Tuesday I drove up to Warwick for Amelia to have a look at some horses. We went to a yard speciallising in competition horses with approx 50 horses. Amelia looked at some 4yr olds 5 yr olds and a 7yr old and eventually decided on the 7yr old which she picking up tomorrow. I am staying home as I have the students, the farrier, the sawdust, and the washing machine mechanic coming out. I also have to get to tescos and and organise the lessons for tomorrow night. Open Day Sunday July 11th gates open 1pm.

Easter Holidays

Chris Rogers — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:33:49 +0000

What a fantastic Easter Holidays we’ve had at Talygarn. The week before Easter Talygarn were placed third in Warwick at the National Quiz Final with our Centre quiz team. The Dressage finals at Talygarn were on April the fourth and Kate Owen and Hannah Centre member from Talygarn won one of the classes. Our Horse Care Senior team qualified for the Championships in Derby. This week was the finals for the Team Jumping series. Talygarn teams won the points for 4 out of the 5 classes with Glamorgan Pony Club winning the last class. There can’t be many riding schools that can put together 10 teams who have held their own competing against pony clubs and riding clubs, these riders don’t have any extra lessons or help its just what they learn in their lessons and their own motivation to be here and take part in competitions. All of the teams from Talygarn did well picking up placings and wins throughout the series. Team jumping pics can be found on the Gallery. Pony Days, Mini Pony Club and Show Jumping for Riding school clients have all gone well during the holidays. Mini Pony Club for 4 to 6yr olds will be starting back next saturday, and will be fortnightly from 2pm to 3pm. Kelly Galsworthy runs the yard every other Sunday and she’s brill, its the one day I don’t have to have anything to do with the yard and after such a busy Easter hols it was nice to have that day today. We built a chicken run Saturday night, well when I say built I mean put together from a flat pack. Although it was impressive we managed to follow all the instructions with Sharon’s help (Sharon wants chickens and hasn’t got any so she is trying to muscle in on mine) We did have quite a few screws left over so thats a bit worrying but never mind perhaps they gave us extras. I painted it with wood preserver today So now I just need to get the chickens. Jimbob has been hacking out over the hols and we have progressed to the main road now. I took him out for over an hour this morning with Libby and Freya and he is very good going over the motorway bridges although I had no brakes at all cantering behind Freya, I’m glad to say at least he stopped when she did. Will have to do something about that. Managed to get lunch in the pub, do some gardening and even went to my Salsa Class tonight. Back in Student/Lesson mode next week and Show jumping next Sunday.

Horses and BHS Exam results

Chris Rogers — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:16:13 +0000

There’s been a few changes since we got back and whilst we were away. Storm disappeared whilst we were away. I had asked her owners to look for a new home for her as she has not settled to riding lessons very well and is also difficult to turn out here as she fights with Phoebe and didn’t get on too well with the ponies. I gave them approx 6 weeks notice to look for a new home but when they took her we got an hours notice and she was in a lesson that night. Treat others as you would like to be treated I was always taught and I wonder what their reaction would’ve been if I’d given them an hours notice to move her. Murphy’s owners did a similar thing and whereas I thought it was time he left many clients were very fond of him and upset at not having the opportunity to say goodbye. Fortunately it doesn’t happen very often and most people are happy to leave on a good note and then of course they are always welcome back, ‘don’t burn your bridges’ was another saying I was taught and ‘you never know when you might need someone… I could go on for ever. We were straight into work on Sunday with a jumping competition which I was going to jump Jimbob in but as he had spent the week in the field I decided not to but I did jump him in the clear round on Wed, 2ft and fillers, thats the biggest he has jumped so far and he got his first clear round rosette. We have also made good progress hacking this week and he is now going out on his own with no napping. A new horse arrived by chance on Wed. It was brought down to jump around the clear round and the owner mentioned it was for sale. So straight into Storms old stable it went and has stayed for a few days trial. It is a 4yr old welsh cob approx 14hh called Foley. It’s been in several lessons and although a little green seems to be ok. Splash will also be going home soon but not sure when yet. We had some students take exams whilst I was away and their results came through this week. Jennifer Rogers and Medi Warburton passed their Riding and Road Safety, Kim Evans Adele phillips Carys Morgan and Amy Bartholomew passed their BHS Stage 1 and Gareth Evans passed his NVQ 1 Riding, Well done all!!!