Three x nine = nearly £1800 raised for Haiti by three nine year old horse riders

Anticipating to raise £1000 for the children of Haiti, twin sisters, Ella and Bethan King, along with best friend Molly Beard - and pony Cracker - raised nearly £1800.

Ella says, "We raised money for Haiti with your support by riding our sweet pony 'Cracker' who is the dear age of 16 yrs around Weston village dressed up in fancy dress!"
The Hertfordshire riders, all members of the Puckeridge Hunt Western Pony Club added, "Thank you again soooo much for sponsoring this cause."

Greenwich Park approved for London 2012 Equestrian Events

Greenwich Council's Planning Committee approved the temporary use of Greenwich Park for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events at a public meeting on 23rd March.

The application, which was agreed by the Mayor of London, was presented at Woolwich Town Hall. The democratic process was completed in an open and transparent manner with all parties able to express their views before the Board members, all Councillors working in open forum made their individual comments and then voted.

Once the Olympic and Paralympic Games are over the site will be restored to its former use and condition. An Advisory Group, to include the Council, Royal Parks, English Heritage, Natural England, London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and seconded Members when necessary, will be established to formally oversee the implementation programme and the restoration and enhancement of Greenwich Park.

Cllr Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said: "This decision means we can concentrate on working with LOCOG, Royal Parks and other key stakeholders to deliver a spectacular event in 2012.

"The planning application was subject to extensive consultation and generated a large number of responses. All this feedback has been carefully considered, and a number of planning conditions have been applied to address the issues that were raised.

"We will work closely with LOCOG to ensure these conditions are met and that we safeguard the Park and surrounding area to preserve its unique and special character."

Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the BEF said: "We have always been 100% supportive of Greenwich as the venue for the equestrian events at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"The granting of planning permission at last night’s meeting is very welcome news and we now look forward to seeing the plans develop into a reality. We are very grateful to the residents of Greenwich for the loan of their beautiful park and are confident that LOCOG have every plan in place to protect it, we are also confident that it will be one of the best venues that has ever been seen at an Olympic or Paralympic Games.

"Greenwich Council has been hugely supportive and positive about the plans and we look forward to continuing to work with them on providing a lasting legacy that includes both the equestrian community of Greenwich and beyond."

Hoof Teams up with Go London

Hoof has teamed up with Go London, the London branch of the Change 4 Life initiative that is working to get people in London to eat well, move more and live longer.

We are partnering Go London because Hoof's aim is very similar - to get more people off the sofa and away from their desks and to try riding in London. Horse riding is not only a great way to get away from the pressures and stress of everyday life, it's also a very good way to get fit, whatever your age and whatever your fitness level. Trot, canter or jump and you get a serious cardio workout - amble through London's parks and you get fit without any of the strain of a normal sport - but either way you're off the sofa and into sport!

 So come on - Hoof it off the sofa - Go London!

Learn to "Love Riding" with Local Celebrity Teacher Minette Rice-Edwards

How has your 2010 started? Did you keep those New Year promises about getting fitter and having a more balanced lifestyle? Have you been in good spirits or sluggish? Are your resolutions intact, or in tatters? If you fancy an easy approach to taking some action then an introduction to horse riding could be a solution for you.

HOOF Ride London goes under the lens

HOOF Ride London under the lens

Quizzed on camera, two of the brains behind HOOF Ride London explained the BEF London Olympic Legacy project and how you can use it to start, stay or succeed in horse-riding, in the city.



BEF Marketing Manager, Anna Greenway teamed up with BEF London Representative, David Gadsby as they were put on the spot and under the camera lens by Jo Metcalfe of www.horsemart.co.uk, the UK's leading site for horses for sale and fast becoming an online community of horse enthusiasts across the world with video postings, facebook and twitter feeds.



You'll soon be able to watch Anna and David in action from the Horsemart website and you can join as fans of HOOF Ride London on our own facebook and twitter pages.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000463749587

http://twitter.com/hoofridelondon

Equine and Human Anti doping Education Programme Launched

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) World Class Programme, in conjunction with British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping, will be hosting a number of regional education days throughout March and April for riders and owners to find out more about the new FEI Equine Anti Doping and Medication Control rules. The new rules will be introduced on 5^th April 2010.

 

The days, which are free of charge to attend and open to British riders in all FEI disciplines who compete or intend to compete in FEI competition, will help riders understand what has changed and why. The days will assist riders in making sense of the new Equine Prohibited List, the new rules surrounding stewarding and security at events and medication log books.  Equine anti doping and medication control is a hot topic throughout the world and it is vital that all riders fully understand the rules and the implications of falling foul of them, which could result in a 2 year ban from the sport. The days are also open to owners of horses who compete or who are intending to compete in FEI competition.

 

Human drug testing will be increased in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, so the education days will also cover human anti doping issues with input from UK Anti Doping (UKAD) and BEF Chief Medical Officer, Dr Peter Whitehead.  The rules affect all riders at all affiliated levels and with some “everyday” substances appearing on the Human Prohibited List, it is important that riders are familiar with what can and cannot be used.  Details about how to go about applying for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) or making a Declaration of Use (DoU) for riders that require a prohibited substance due to a medical condition will form an important part of the human anti doping session.

 

The dates and venues for the six days are:

 

Monday 22 March 2010, 0930 – 1630hrs

Blackwell Grange Hotel, Blackwell Grange, Darlington, Yorkshire, DL3 8QH

           

Tuesday 23 March 2010, 0930 - 1630hrs   

Ingliston Country Club and Equestrian Centre, Old Greenock Road, Bishopton, Glasgow, Scotland, PA7 5PA

 

Monday 12 April 2010, 0930 – 1630hrs      

The Pitsford Centre, Moulton College, Moulton, Northamptonshire, NN3 7RR

 

Monday 26 April 2010, 0930 – 1630hrs      

Aintree International Equestrian Centre, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 5AS

 

Tuesday 27 April 2010, 0930 – 1630hrs     

Barnett Hill – A Sundial Group Venue, Wonersh, Guilford, Surrey, GU5 0RF

 

Wednesday 28 April 2010, 1230 – 1930hrs

Hartpury College, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BE

 

This list of dates is also available on the BEF website – www.bef.co.uk

 

 

Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book a place, send an email entitled “Anti Doping Education” to Sophie Thomas (sophie.thomas@bef.co.uk) including your name, postal address, contact telephone number and the discipline in which you compete.  Emails must be received no later than 5 days prior to the day that you wish to attend.  Places will be confirmed by return email.

 

ENDS

Media enquiries:

Anna Greenway, Head of Communications and Marketing, British Equestrian Federation onanna.greenway@bef.co.uk or 02476 698877.

Polo & the Olympic Games - Facebook

Back the bid to bring Polo to the Olympic games by becoming a fan of their facebook page

Follow this link to become a fan (you'll have to be a facebook member first of course!)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Polo-Back-to-the-Olympic-Games/169933976647?ref=ts

Help make polo an Olympic sport

Even if you are not a Polo Player, help make this an Olympic Sport because it's unique in that men and women and children can compete on an equal basis, and is in fact one of the few true team sports.

There is a petition in place to support making Polo an Olympic sport for the 2012 Olympics. The deadline to sign is December 29 2007. Please visit the address below to sign the petition:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/olympicpolo/

Love Riding Events at Ham House Stables

This is a year of anniversaries for Ham House. The 400th anniversary of part of the original building and the 30th of Ham House Stables.
Ham House Stables is celebrating by holding a series of "Love Riding" events to celebrate. 

The aim of the "Love Riding" sessions is to introduce people to riding in a controlled and attractive environment.
 If you love the idea of riding, then give it a whirl!  Join local celebrity riding teacher, Minette Rice-Edwards, at her beautiful  Jacobean stables for a series of “Love Riding” sessions, beginning on Saturday April 10th, 2010.  The sessions will include:
A tour of the unique 17th Century stables, with their late Georgian interior plus an introduction to the 14 resident horses, with an explanation of their daily routines;
On-the-ground instructions about the basics of handling horses;
One to one preliminary lesson on an experienced horse – “getting to know the riding essentials”;
Full personal diagnosis of the rider’s position, and likely strengths for further development
Refreshments provided in Minette’s walled garden
Special offer price for Minette’s new DVD, “Understanding the Art of Riding”.
 No previous experience is necessary and the “Love Riding” groups will be limited to a maximum of six to eight people to ensure one on one attention.
The lessons will take approximately two and a half hours and costs just £40.00.They will start at 2.30pm at Ham House Stables
If you are interested please call Minette on: 07711 422 307 or email her at:minette.re@googlemail.com or see her website: art-of-riding.com