MINI XMAS RIDE On 30th December 2011, eight children set out on the Christmas ride from Old Farm, Padworth with three of the senior South Berks members Rhia Honey, Sophie Shields and Matt Hick leading the ride. We started out on a track where we split into groups depending on how fast you wanted to go. Then we came across a field and the speedy group went the long way and the lead rein took the short cut. We walked and trotted around three fields and walked many others. Towards the end of the ride we had an opportunity to canter – hurray! My pony, Soda loved it so much that he overtook Rhia who was leading us. We all met up on a track that led to an arena and some more children had a go at cantering in the school. Back at the yard the ponies were un-tacked and loaded whilst we all had yummy hot chocolate with cream and mince pies and biscuits. It was really great fun and we are very grateful to everyone who organised it and helped out and allowed us to use the land. There are some more pictures in the gallery. By Lottie Backhouse (7yrs old) RALLIES: Every year each member is entitled to attend 3 FREE working Rallies - Just mark FOC on your rally booking form Download BOOKING FORMS from the Rally and Training times calendar on the right. Booking forms must be received at least one week before the rally and seperate cheques must be sent for each rally Go to the rallies section for booking information. To receive your rally times by email please ensure that you are registered with the SBPC Yahoo Group by entering your e-mail address in the box below and clicking on the Join Now button below Next SENIOR WORKING Rally: 5th Feb 4th March 11th April 2nd May 23rd May 13th June 27th June Next STABLE MANAGEMENT rally: C & C+ Next RIDING AND ROAD SAFETY Training sessions: TBC Next DRESSAGE Training: 11th Feb 3rd March 7th April 5th May 16th June Next MINI/JUNIOR rally: 5th Feb 4th March 9th May 23rd May 13th June 11th July Next Novice SJ Training with Megan Fletcher: 21st Jan 18th Feb 18th March Next Int/Open SJ Training with Joe Harter: TBC Next XC Training: 12th Feb (Hold your Horses) 22nd April (Mini/Junior) Next Area 13 Rally 16+ Rally: 1st April 14th April Summer Camps 2012 Junior Camp 30th July - 3rd Aug Mini Camp 6th Aug - 10th Aug Senior Camp 12th Aug - 17th Aug SOUTHERN SHIRES BLOODHOUNDS Please contact Marc Winchester for details - telephone: 01264 336126 or mobile: 0788 7554497. Or visit the Bloodhounds Website KIMBLEWICK HUNT For further information visit the KIMBLEWICK HUNT WEBSITE BERKS & BUCKS DRAGHOUNDS A great way to have fun in the winter and encourage your horse to love jumping For details contact Mike Scholl on 01635 868607 Or visit the Berks & Bucks Draghounds Website VINE & CRAVEN HUNT For further information visit the VINE & CRAVEN HUNT WEBSITE BERKSHIRE COUNTY RC For details contact Mike Scholl on 01635 868607. Or visit the BCRC Website

NEWS URGENT CANCELLATION It is with regret that I am cancelling Sunday's rally (Feb 5th) at Amners Farm on the strength of the impending weather! If the forecast is correct, I feel we should not be contemplating travelling with a pony or two in a trailer, and even if the schools were rideable, I can hardly believe the temperatures would make it much fun for any of us. Many apologies for disrupting your weekend and for any disappointment. Look forward to seeing you all again soon. Best wishes and keep warm, Bridget ******************************************************************* HOLD YOUR HORSES CLINIC WITH MARK SMITH Mark is an experienced FEI rider as well as a BHSII accredited trainer, he is well known for helping riders with XC jumping as well as how to judge your pace and keep your horse balanced and in rhythm during your cross country round. Mark will run this as a 'Hold Your Horses' clinic teaching horses and riders the important skills of riding at the correct speed for your level of competition,how to adjust your pace and maintain rhythm whilst negotiating the variety of fences on a course. You will experience galloping over a timed distance, moving up and dwn through the 'gears'. This will be a an ideal start to the year wether you are just a bit rusty or planning to move up a level or want to say goodbye to your time faults EACH GROUP OF 2 RIDERS WILL RECEIVE 45 MINS OF TUITION. VENUE:GROVE FARM HARWELL OXON OX14 4DP SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12th 2012 £15 CLICK HERE FOR BOOKING FORM If you would like more information about Mark please see his website CLICK HERE This training is suitable for Junior and Senior members. RALLY AND TRAINING SESSION DATES AND BOOKING INFORMATION * = Qualifying Rally Bookings close at least one week before the rally any cancellations need to be notified before the closing date to enable a refund Date Type Venue Booking form Times Available Sunday 5th February 2012 Mini / Junior / Senior Working Rally* Amners Farm CANCELLED TBC Saturday 11th February 2012 Dressage Training with Fiona Harter Tidmarsh Stud CLICK HERE TBC Sunday 12th February 2012 Mark Smith Hold your horses clinic for Juniors & Seniors Grove Farm, Harwell CLICK HERE TBC Saturday 18th February 2012 Novice SJ with Megan Fletcher Bournefield Farm CLICK HERE TBC Sunday 26th February 2012 Inter / Open SJ with Joe Harter Bournefield Farm CLICK HERE TBC Saturday 3rd March 2012 Dressage Training with Fiona Harter Tidmarsh Stud CLICK HERE TBC Sunday 4th March 2012 Mini / Junior / Senior Working Rally* Amners Farm Coming Soon TBC Sunday 18th March 2012 Novice SJ with Megan Fletcher Bournefield Farm CLICK HERE TBC Saturday 24th March 2012 Inter / Open SJ with Joe Harter Bournefield Farm CLICK HERE TBC Sunday 25th March 2012 XC Training for 2ft 6"+ Boomerang CLICK HERE Starting in AM Sunday 1st April 2012 16+* Rally with Sarah Macdonald Fairoak Grange - Ashford Hill Coming Soon TBC Saturday 7th April 2012 Dressage Training with Fiona Harter Tidmarsh Stud CLICK HERE TBC Wednesday 11th April 2012 Senior Working Rally* Amners Farm Coming Soon TBC Saturday 14th April 2012 16+* Rally with Richard Waygood (subject to availability senior members under 16 may attend if working towards intermediate level) Fairoak Grange - Ashford Hill CLICK HERE PM Sunday 15th April 2012 Mini / Junior Games Rally* Amners Farm CLICK HERE TBC Sunday 22nd April 2012 Mini / Junior One day Event Experience Amners Farm CLICK HERE TBC Wednesday 2nd May 2012 Senior Working Rally* (Flatwork) Amners Farm Coming Soon TBC Saturday 5th May 2012 Dressage Training with Fiona Harter Tidmarsh Stud CLICK HERE TBC Wednesday 9th May 2012 Mini / Junior Working Rally* (Flatwork) Amners Farm Coming Soon TBC Wednesday 23rd May 2012 Mini / Junior / Senior Working Rally* To be confirmed Coming Soon TBC Wednesday June 13th 2012 Mini / Junior / Senior Working Rally* Bournefield Farm Coming Soon TBC Saturday 16th June 2012 Dressage Training with Fiona Harter Tidmarsh Stud CLICK HERE TBC Wednesday 27th June 2012 Senior Working Rally* Bournefield Farm Coming Soon TBC Wednesday 11th July 2012 Mini / Junior /Working Rally* Bournefield Farm Coming Soon TBC Click the link for the Pony Club Calendar - to see events in Area 13, select the date range and then click on 13 in area column Pony Club Calendar IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2012 Saturday 28th January 2012 Glitter Disco at Hillfields Saturday 25th February 2012 - AM Spring Farm Ride, Old Farm, Padworth CLICK HERE Wednesday 4th April 2012 - AM Easter Farm Ride, Eling Farm, Hermitage CLICK HERE Sunday 10th June 2012 Area 13 Eventing - Tweseldown Sunday 8th July 2012 Area 13 Showjumping - Eashing Sunday 15th July 2012 Area 13 Dressage Eashing Saturday 21st July 2012 Area Tet (Area 11 & 13) - Borde Hill 30th July - 3rd August 2012 Junior Camp - Hillfields Farm 6th- 10th August 2012 Mini Camp - Amners Farm 12th- 17th August 2012 Senior Camp - Boomerang 23rd - 26th July 2012 16+ Camp - Merrist Wood 10th - 12th August Polo Championships - Cowdray Park 16th - 19th August 2012 Pony Club Championships - Cholmondeley Castle - Cheshire 21st - 23rd August 2012 Tet Championships - Hartpury 25th - 26th August 2012 Novice Championships - Cheshire 26th August 2012 Mini Champs

PONY CLUB MEMBERSHIP Please remember to renew you membership before January 31st 2012 NEWSLETTER: To download the latest branch newsletter/newsflash click here: WINTER 2011 LETTER FROM THE DC: Dear Members As I write this it is almost dark and it is only 4.30pm. It is a difficult time of year for those with horses to care for, we seem to ride less but work twice as hard, many of us leaving home in the dark only to have to come home again in the pitch black. However, although we yearn for those lovely summer evenings and Bournefield rallies, all is not lost - there are lots of things we can busy ourselves with over these cold winter nights click here and I will tell you more..... DRESS CODE: To download a copy of the Pony Club Dress Code click here SWEATSHIRTS & PC CLOTHING Contact Frannie Mills who holds a stock of PC sweatshirts, South Berks jackets, rugby shirts, polo shirts and other merchandise. TESTS You can now apply through our website to take a Pony Club test. If you would like to apply, please click HERE or on the "tests" link on the blue sidebar and follow instructions For information on the latest Hat Rule click HERE For information on the latest Eligibility Rules click HERE For information on the latest Rule Changes click HERE For information on Equine Passports click HERE SBPC Colours If you have represented South Berks in any events this year and would like to order South Berks Colours to sew onto your sweatshirt, please contact Nicki Honey and she will order them for you RIDING FOR THE DISABLED NEWBURY GROUP - HELPERS WANTED Do you want to make a real difference to children with disabilities? Can you spare a couple of hours a week during term time? Are you interested in volunteering to become a helper for Riding for the Disabled? Knowledge of horses is not essential. We really need your help. To find out more call or email: Jo: 01491 671270 or Cassilda: 0118 9713036