Halesworth and District Riding Club

North Suffolk’s new Halesworth and District Riding Club (HDRC) has set off to a flying start. Within just two months of launching, the enterprising Club has held two shows and attracted a total of 68 members. In addition, earlier this month it became affiliated to the UK’s official riding club body, British Riding Clubs (BRC).

The latest show jumping show, held at Phoenix Equestrian Centre in Spexhall on a 60m x 60m all-weather manège, attracted over 50 entries, with competitors enthusiastically complimenting the Club organisers for the friendly and professional atmosphere throughout the day. With separate horse and pony classes from 2ft to 3ft 6” there was something for every level of rider from novice first timer to seasoned competitor.

Members already include some local riders with impressive credentials. HDRC committee member Hayley Chilver has recently qualified her own Giggy G, a 16hh, 12-year-old warmblood gelding, for the PetPlan Area Festival Open Novice class. She also achieved qualifying scores with local livery yard owner Rose Hart’s talented 12-year-old Welsh Cob gelding Walden Landslide, whose usual job is as an all rounder for Rose and a show jumper and Pony Club mount for several lucky local riders. He won both his novice classes with over 65% at the recent Festival qualifier at Geldeston.

Hayley Chilver and Giggy G – click to enlarge
image credit Shots on the Spot

Hayley and fellow HDRC member Rose Hart have recently passed the prestigious level 2 of the new UK Coaching Certificate. This is a government-run scheme to help raise coaching standards throughout the UK. Meanwhile Rose’s daughter, 22-year-old HDRC member Emily Hart, has demonstrated her considerable teaching talents by qualifying for the British Horse Society (BHS) Young Instructor of the Year competition. This initiative was introduced by the BHS three years ago to give aspiring young instructors and coaches the opportunity to display and develop their coaching skills. The finals will be held in the autumn.

HDRC chairman Nicky Virgo said: “We are delighted that the HDRC has already attracted so many members, including Hayley, Rose and Emily with their admirable talents. It confirms that there is a real need for a very local riding club in this remote area of Suffolk. We are also proud to have achieved affiliation with the BRC so quickly, which means we can now field teams to compete in affiliated competitions.”

Laura Empey and Walden Landslide – click to enlarge
image credit Shots on the Spot


Halesworth and District Riding Club was set up by ten local riders from Halesworth because they were finding it tough to cover the costs of regular travel to their nearest registered British Riding Club around an hour’s travel away.

HDRC will be holding a dressage competition on 22 August and a show jumping competition on 19 September. It costs just £5 to become a member of HDRC for 2009. Membership gives you exclusive access to the Club’s programme of competitions, training sessions and social events. For further information contact the membership secretary on 01986 873810, email [email protected] or visit www.phoenixec.co.uk to download schedules.

HDRC Show jumping results 25 July 2009
2ft Ponies
1st Denise Baldry (Chocolate)
2ft horses
1st Linda Reed (Cor De Karma), Joint 2nd Valley Hayes (Doris), Joint 2nd Chloe Sadd (Ruby)
2ft 3” Ponies
1st Kendelle Jay (Mellors Mountain Shadow)
2ft 3” horses
1st Lorraine Webster (Sammy), 2nd Lisa Haywood (Scarlette), 3rd Chloe Sadd (Ruby)
2ft 6” Ponies
1st Lucy Fell (Bees Knees)
2ft 6” Horses
1st Laura Empey (Walden Landslide), 2nd Valley Hayes (Doris),3rd Chloe Sadd (Ruby)
2ft 9”
1st Laura Empey (Walden Landslide), 2nd Liam Brikkley (Josie), 3rd Krisstey Perryman (Foxy Lady)
3ft
1st Yvonne Proctor (Casper), 2nd Margie Gueterres (Summer Lovin), 3rd Miranda Proctor (Nik Nak)
3ft 3”
1st Becky Ling (Spellbound Tobias), 2nd Margie Gueterres (Summer Lovin), 3rd Bianca Moller (Grizzo)
3ft 6”
1st Bianca Moller (Grizzo)