Sideways IN THIS ISSUE: The SSA Area 9 Newsletter January 2012

Transcription

1 Sideways The SSA Area 9 Newsletter January 2012 IN THIS ISSUE: A word from the Chairman Minutes of the 2011 AGM News and Events Our Members Hints, Tips and Facts Classified Help us help you

2 EDITORIAL Welcome to the first edition of Sideways, the new SSA Area 9 Newsletter! Sideways is a quarterly newsletter which every member of our Area will receive either by or by post, depending on their preferences. As well as giving you all the important information about Area 9, such as the latests news and forthcoming events, Sideways will be full of new features such as member portraits, hints and tips and classified... Work is still in progress and we are hoping that this new newsletter will grow with the Association to meet our members' requirements. In the meantime, feel free to contact me (my details are at the back of the newsletter) if you have any feedback on this first issue, or if you would like to contribute to the next. I hope that you will enjoy reading Sideways as much as I enjoy writing it! Céline, SSA Area 9 Secretary. A WORD FROM THE CHAIRMAN Dear members, I hope you all enjoyed the festive season and are now looking forward to what is shaping up to be quite a busy year for Area 9 (see the list of forthcoming events). Please, remember to keep checking the area website for updates as things do very often tend to happen at short notice. I look forward to seeing a number of you on the 4 th February when we hope to begin the new year with a dismounted get-together, at Burnpark, West Calder. Could I please also draw your attention to our decision to hold a Grade Test and Instructors Examination Day on the 22nd September It is going to require a lot Photo: Ronnie Galloway of preparation so please, consider taking part and help to make the day a success. I am looking forward to all the events scheduled and perhaps you might even see me up this year! Fiona.

3 MINUTES OF THE 2011 AGM Present: Marjorie Grant, Fiona Young, Bel Kay, Céline Moyes, Sarah Fleming, Yvonne Walkinshaw, Dan Moriarty, Heather Carstairs, Ann Stark and Violet Warwick. Apologies: Madelaine Moriarty, Caroline Mosley, Shirley Justice-Vose, Gillian Fleming, Mandy Law and Kathryn Hambrook 1. Adoption of the 2010 AGM minutes: proposed by Céline Moyes and seconded by Fiona Young. 2. Chairman's report delivered by Fiona Young. 3. Adoption of the 2011 accounts: proposed by Fiona Young and seconded by Bel Kay. It was also noted that Area 9 owns a side saddle which should be listed as an asset. Fiona Young was to contact Jane Kennedy regarding the current location of the saddle. 4. Election of office bearers: Fiona Young was re-elected as chairman (Bel Kay, Marjorie Grant), Dan Moriarty was elected as vice-chairman (Yvonne Walkinshaw, Sarah Fleming), Céline Moyes was elected as secretary (Sarah Fleming, Yvonne Walkinshaw) and Marjorie Grant was re-elected as treasurer (Fiona Young, Violet Warwick). 5. Election of committee members: Bel Kay, Yvonne Walkinshaw, Sarah Fleming, Shirley Justice-Vose and Madelaine Moriarty were all re-elected as ordinary committee members and the team was completed by two new members: Violet Warwick and Ann Stark. 6. National SSA business: Membership fees are going up for the year 2012 The National Side Saddle Show will be held at Addington Manor again in 2012 Postal vote will be made available for the 2012 National AGM As of 2013, there will be two junior age groups: 5-12 y.o. And y.o. Adult classes will therefore only be open to members aged 19 and over 7. Area 9 business: Entry fees for Area shows will have to be increased to 7 for members and 10 for non-members to cover our costs Clinic fees will remain the same for 2012 Other news and events are detailed below

4 NEWS AND EVENTS FROM SECRETARY TO VICE-CHAIRMAN After 8 years of service as Area secretary, Dan Moriarty was promoted to vice-chairman at the 2011 AGM. The rest of the committee would like to take this opportunity to thank Dan for all his hard work and his dedication to the Area over the years. The title has changed but don't worry, the man is still very much part of the 2012 committee. In his new role, Dan will be lending a helping hand to our Area chairman Fiona Young and keeping an eye on the new Area secretary Céline Moyes. Photo: Gary Moyes 2011 PERFORMANCE POINTS AWARDS Adult Open Equitation Salver 2011 Champion Reserve 3rd Ann Stark with Zigourney 13 points Marjorie Grant with Morvern of Turin Hill 12 points Céline Moyes with Angus 2 points Performance Points Trophy 2011 Champion Reserve 3rd 4th 5th Katherine Campbell with Megan 1205 points Marjorie Grant with Morvern of Turin Hill 1110 points Céline Moyes with Angus 825 points Caroline Mosley with Jack 325 points Madelaine Moriarty with Boston 315 points Best Newcomer Ann Stark with Zigourney Well done to you all!

5 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 4th February Social Burnpark, Cleugh Brae, West Calder EH55 8NB - from 2pm Come and have a chat with fellow members, bring any side saddle related items that you would like to sell or hire out and bring you habit and/or tack if you would like expert tips and advice. Please, let Céline know if you intend to come along. March Jean Marsden and Emma Green The Grange Riding Centre, West Calder EH55 8PS. Booking forms will be available in early February from the Area website ( If you don't have internet access, you can request a paper form from Céline. Please return your completed booking form no later than a week before the event. 33rd 2nd/3rd April: Roger Philpot saddle fitting and The Grange Riding Centre, West Calder EH55 8PS from Booking forms will be available in early March from the Area website ( If you don't have internet access, you can request a paper form from Céline. Please return your completed booking form to Fiona no later than Monday 26th March. 22nd April Area 9 Spring The Grange Riding Centre, West Calder EH55 8PS. Judge: TBC Schedules will be available in early March from the Area website ( If you don't have internet access, you can request a paper form from Céline. Please return your completed schedules no later than Monday 16th April th May Brechin Castle Equestrian Spring Brechin Castle Equestrian, Haughmuir, Brechin DD9 6RL. Side saddle judge: Miss M. Grant. For more information, please visit the following website: phone Val Blewitt on or ask Céline nearer the time. 19th May Fife Kinloss, near Cupar KY15 4ND. Side saddle judge: TBC For more information, please visit the following website: phone Joan Beveridge (show secretary) on or ask Céline nearer the time. 8th June: Angus TBC Side saddle judge: TBC

6 For more information, please visit the following website: phone Joan Keith (show secretary) on or ask Céline nearer the time. 24th June Royal Highland Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh EH28 8NB. Side saddle judge: TBC For more information, please visit the following website: phone the show secretary on or ask Céline nearer the time. 7th July Area 9 Summer The Grange Riding Centre, West Calder EH55 8PS. Judge: TBC Schedules will be available in early June from the Area website ( If you don't have internet access, you can request a paper form from Céline. Please return your completed schedules no later than a week before the event. End of July Border Union Show (date Springwood Park, Kelso TD5 8LS Side saddle judge: TBC For more information, please visit the following website: phone the show secretary on or ask Céline nearer the time. 22nd September Grade Test and Instructors Examination The Grange Riding Centre, West Calder EH55 8PS. Examiners: TBC SSA Member grade test and instructor examination syllabi are available on pages of your current members handbook. Booking forms will be available in early August from the Area website ( If you don't have internet access, you can request a paper form from Céline. Please return your completed booking form no later than three weeks before the event. 6th October Area 9 Autumn The Grange Riding Centre, West Calder EH55 8PS. Judge: TBC Schedules will be available in early September from the Area website ( If you don't have internet access, you can request a paper form from Céline. Please return your completed schedules no later than a week before the event.

7 OUR MEMBERS In each issue we will introduce you to a few of our members, so that we get to know each other a bit better. This quarter, we shall start with the office bearers. FIONA YOUNG, CHAIRMAN I joined the SSA in 1991 when the realisation of responsibility and lack of confidence took over and jumping became less of an attraction after having three children. I had had the notion to try side saddle for a while decided it was time to give it a go. I rode my old jumping partner Trooper for a number of years and competed in every class available back then, we had 14 county show and RC shows holding side saddle classes every year. Trooper and I never missed a single class in almost six years! In 1993, I was the very first recipient of the Billette Mackie Award and spent three days training with Roger Philpot at his establishment in Warwickshire. This is my third term as chairman and I have enjoyed developing Area 9 and organising various clinics and Photo: Alastair Aitken shows. More than that though, I value the many good friends have made through the SSA, not only in Scotland, but also south of the border. There is something special about sitting on a horse side saddle... it makes me smile! DAN MORIARTY, VICE-CHAIRMAN When Dan joined the association with his partner Maddie, little did he know that he would very quickly become Area secretary, a post he held for many years before his promotion at the last AGM. Dan is passionate about historical reenactment and beside his day job, he also has a secret vocation as Historical Costume Maker. Some of his fantastic work can be seen worn by Maddie at our Area shows and they both take part in Dan and Maddie on their wedding day various displays around the country. You might have spotted them as His Grace James IV and Her Grace Margaret Tudor at Linlithgow Palace in When Dan and Maddie got married, they naturally 'rode' down the aisle in medieval costumes, with all their guests similarly dressed up. The couple's horses Megan and Boston have their own fan club within the Area and Dan and Maddie often allow our mountless members to ride them at shows and displays, much to their appreciation.

8 CELINE MOYES, SECRETARY I have been around horses since the age of five and over the years, I have tried pretty much every discipline that horse riding (and driving) has to offer. I competed in show jumping and in dressage as a young adult but I am now mostly a leisure rider. I still enjoy trying my hand at everything, but side saddle this time! I am currently riding Angus, a 20 y.o. ex-eventer, who loves hacking, jumping and showing off his newly acquired side saddle skills. Angus and I learned side saddle riding together a few years ago and like the rest of the committee, we're hooked! We compete sideways at local shows both in side saddle specific classes and against astride riders in Photo: Gary Moyes general classes. However, our greatest achievement so far was to get placed fifth at the Open Equitation class at the Royal Highland Show in I have been a member of the SSA since 2009 and this is my first year as Area secretary. I have however been an Area committee member ever since I joined the Association. MARJORIE GRANT, TREASURER I have ridden astride since a very young age but it wasn t until I was in my mid twenties that I tried side saddle. I had my first lesson with Heather Carstairs and well, that was it, I was hooked. Heather then brought her own saddle to my house, where we broke my pony Seamus to carry the side saddle. He was well schooled and at 20 y.o., the side saddle gave him a new lease of life. We competed sideways with great success in all sorts of disciplines until he was Photo: Equinational Photography retired. Since Seamus, I have broken three of my own horses to side saddle and a few for other people. Two of them are still with me and will hopefully be out in Both Eriskay and Morvern have won the Open Equitation at Blair Castle Horse Trials. Morvern also competed at the SSA National Show in 2004 and 2005, where we won the Adult Novice Equitation Championship, Best Newcomer, some dressage and equitation jumping classes and the best home produced pony. In 2009 and 2010, Morvern also won the Open Equitation at the Royal Highland Show. I have been on the SSA Area 9 committee for many years and this is my second year as treasurer. I am also an SSA panel judge. If you would like to be featured in the next newsletter, please get in touch with Céline.

9 HINTS, TIPS AND FACTS Another new feature in the newsletter! In every issue, we will give you a few hints, tips and/or facts to help you know more about the elegant art of side saddle riding. This quarter, we will focus on the 'modern' habit. Here are a few tips gathered from our members over the years (these tips can be found in the leaflet Side Saddle: Helpful Hints and Tips, What to do and What to Wear compiled by Shirley Justice-Vose): Elisabeth, Empress of Austria A lint roller or sticky mitt is a vital piece of kit and is ideal for removing hair, etc. from your habit just before your class If you wear light coloured breeches under your habit, make sure they don't show Older aprons are much better lengthened by adding an extra waistband and moving the buttons than interfering with a deep hem which is there to ensure that the apron hangs correctly Ask a helper to check your turnout before you enter the ring. Attention to detail is the hallmark of a champion. Ensure than the collar of your shirt is a snug fit. Boy's school shirts with the sleeves removed work well. If you have any hints, tips and facts that you would like to share in the next issue of the newsletter, please get in touch with Céline.

10 CLASSIFIED FOR SALE Working Hunter saddle 18" havana by Specialist Saddles, designed by William Rollinson. Extra wide fit. Very good condition. Surplus to requirements. Can be seen or tried in Perth. 500 ono. Contact Marjorie Grant - marjorie.grant@tesco.net Side Saddle Habit Navy barathea, older cut, no makers label. Size 10-12, fit smaller lady up to 5'6". In very good condition and with lovely weight to apron. 275 ono. Can be viewed/tried near Milnathort, Perthshire, Scotland. Postage extra, if required. Contact Mrs Dorothy Thomson or johnlawrie@btinternet.com Tall leather brown boots: - One pair size 5 in very good condition One pair size 6 in good condition, with elastic gussets in the foot area One pair size 7, left leg in good condition but right leg burst in the ankle area offers Contact Fiona Young Black silk top hat 51/2 inch crown, size 57 cm (7 inches) Contact Fiona Young WANTED Size 16/18 habit Contact Marjorie Grant - marjorie.grant@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.. Size 8/10 habit for junior rider Contact Claire Newlands - cnewlands@talisman-energy.com 16.5" to 17" medium saddle Wide seat, long pommels, good condition Contact Contact Claire Newlands - cnewlands@talisman-energy.com If you would like to add an ad to our classified on the area website and/or in the next issue, please get in touch with Céline.

11 HELP US HELP YOU A CALL FOR FIRST-AIDERS After health and safety issues were discussed at the 2011 AGM, the 2012 committee decided that designated first-aiders should be in attendance at every event organised by the area. So... if you are a qualified first aider with a current certificate, could you please let Céline know (contact details at the bottom of the newsletter) so that we can compile a list of potential helpers for the year 2012? We will be asking for a couple of volunteers for every event it won't prevent you from taking part and enjoying the event, it will just mean that you have a little bit extra responsibility on the day! REMEMBER THE AREA WEBSITE Please, if you have internet access, remember to check the Area website regularly at: You will find all the latest information, as well as an up-to-date list of items for sale and wanted, lots useful links and plenty of photos there. Any last minute changes to planned events will also be displayed on the website first, so remember to check it out! CONTRIBUTIONS TO SIDEWAYS If you would like to contribute to further issues of the newsletter, please get in touch with Céline. We can't promise that we will be able to publish every article submitted, but we will certainly do our best! KEEP IN TOUCH Remember to keep in touch with your committee. If your details have changed, please let Céline know as soon as possible so that she can update the lists and keep you in the loop! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT!

12 CONTACTS SSA AREA 9 CHAIRMAN Fiona Young Burnpark Cleugh Brae West Calder West Lothian EH55 8BN Tel: SSA AREA 9 VICE-CHAIRMAN Dan Moriarty 2 Home Cottage Montgreenan Kilwinning Ayrshire KA13 7RL Tel: dan.moriarty@virgin.net SSA AREA 9 SECRETARY Céline Moyes 8P Fair-a-Far Cramond Edinburgh EH4 6QE Tel: Mobile: celine.moyes@yahoo.co.uk SSA AREA 9 TREASURER Marjorie Grant 24 Thriepland Wynd Perth PH1 1RH Tel: marjorie.grant@tesco.net Cover picture: illustration by Giovanni Nanni.