5 Stable Close, Burghfield Common
Reading, RG7 3NJ

Dear Members

I have now officially taken over the role of District Commissioner for the South Berks and I am really looking forward to meeting those of you I do not already know. At the AGM it dawned on me how many of you I know with your hats on, on your ponies but don't recognise when you are dressed up in your normal clothes, if I don't know you and you see me out and about then please do take a moment to come and introduce yourselves.

I would like to thank Georgina for her hard work during the past 3 years, she has done a marvellous job and for those of you who are unaware she did it all for nothing - all members of the committee are volunteers and I would just like to echo Georgina in thanking all of them along with the Supporters Committee for the numerous hours they put in to make sure all members have a really good time.

The committee has got together in the last month to look at ways in which we can improve the South Berks for our members. Caroline analysed the feedback forms you completed over the summer and provided an overview on the tables at the AGM (if you were unable to make it we can email you one) on the whole you were really pleased with everything on offer at the South Berks. You said you might like us to offer some extra social functions such as the Olympia trip and we will speak to the Supporters Committee to see if they can re-instate this trip in the future. Please do not wait for another feedback form we are always happy to take suggestions on board for things you would like us to offer at any time. Fiona Shields has also offered to ease the Committee burden and will take over the running of the website from the New Year. We hope to post lots of results there along with rallies and training sessions, items for sale etc, but please let us know of any additional features you would like us to consider for the website.

We have plenty of training sessions and rallies planned through the winter and we hope you will try to attend and make the most of these sessions; they will help you improve your riding overall and also help those of you wanting to compete with your competition preparation for next year. There are stable management sessions running, you can use these to help you with your pony care and for those of you that want to they will help when taking your tests. Our Competitors meeting is on the 3rd April look out for more info soon, we will be launching a new sheet for you to keep a track of your competition record so that you can submit them prior to team selection. We have had a fantastic 2008 with everyone having a go, I hope to see lots of you out in 2009 - you don't have to be experts, the best way to learn is to be out there doing it!

If you would like to get in touch, you can email me at any time and I will respond as soon as possible I check my mail every day, please do not phone me during the day as I work and if you want to call me at home then I will take calls from 7-9pm only to ensure that my family stay sane!

I look forward to working with you all over the next few years.

All the best,

Nicki Honey