Easter Extravaganza 2022

Easter Extravaganza 2022

Hello ESPC family & friends

Wasn’t it fantastic being able to get out and about with just minor covid considerations over the 2022 Easter break

We kick started Easter with over fifty members attending our second Working Rally of the year. The wet weather didn’t dampen spirits with members and parents coming together to enjoy all things horsey. Apologies to those members still at school & college. Our next rally will be held at Montague, your Spring/Summer Pony Club venue, on Wednesday 1st June during half term.

ESPC training opportunities were abundant. There was Event training at Comphurst, Dressage at Pine Tree Farm, Judi Piper held a busy 80+ SJ training, and we had the Easter themed Funday at Crockstead this weekend.

Rebecca continued with her C+ and B group Stable Management sessions and the introduction of the eagerly awaited C training didn’t disappoint with not one but two, day long sessions entertaining members at Mayflower House. Our advanced Test candidates participated in an Area run program which included lunge test training and B Test guidance. Duncan Morgan was asked to be ride demonstrator of good practice for assessors at a B+ assessment training day, high praise of his riding technique.

Our members also had inter-branch Area training opportunities with SJ at Felbridge, Mounted Games at Sands Farm and TET XC at South Brockwells.

Many members put their skills to the test competing;

• Huge congratulations to Coco Isaac and Sophia Chambers for being victorious at two rounds of Area competitions earning the opportunity to represent Area 11 at the Pony Club BAH National Spring Championships hosted at Arena Uk Sophia and Fancy came a very respectable 12th in their Novice dressage section. Coco had phenomenal success qualifying for four classes with her two awesome ponies – 80cm arena eventing with Tommy and 90cm and 1m show jumping with both Tommy and Rose, Congratulations Sophia and Coco amazing personal achievements and your Branch is very proud of you. 
• Special mention to Coco and Lula Isaac who both had podium finishes at Area 11 TRI to qualify for the National Winter Triathlon Championships held in Nottinghamshire on 27th March. Coco finished 34th Junior (14yr and under) and Lula 33rd Open section against members 25yrs and under. Both marvellous achievements against top national competitors.
• Coco has been invited by the TET committee to represent the South of England at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, a unique opportunity and fabulous achievement, congratulations.
• Lots of ESPC members represented our Branch at three InterBranch competitions – Combined Training hosted by Eridge PC, Show Jumping hosted by Romney Marsh PC and TET & TRI hosted by East Kent. Congratulations to the many ESPC members who were placed or who achieved personal bests at these PC competitions.

Our attention now turnings toward the once a year Area 11 competitions in Dressage (Walk & trot up to Open test), Show Jumping and Eventing (80cm to110cm) and Tetrathlon (Junior to Open) Reward for a top placing at Area is qualification to the prestigious Pony Club Championships in August. To have reached the standard to be able to enter Area deserves high praise and recognition, a wonderful achievement in itself. Such things don’t happen without commitment and drive so dream big, plan your journey and sign up for our training opportunities over the coming months.

Enormous thanks to the volunteer discipline heads who work tirelessly organising opportunities and events for the benefit of our members, young and old and to the special parents whose daily commitment behind the scenes keep the business side of the Branch running – Helen our treasurer, Sonja our Website host, Jane our Facebook administrator, Amanda our Membership secretary and Becky our Safeguarding Officer. Many will be available for you to ask questions and thank in person at the Branch BBQ & Prize Evening on Friday 13th May at Montague.

We all look forward to seeing what delights the new season brings.

Best wishes, Clare
Proud to be East Sussex DC – well done everyone!