It has been a busy year so far for Weald Harness Club. Members have participated in the Course Builders’ training given by Malcolm Brown who is a National and International Course Builder in March. The weather was not always clement, but we were able to get on the field to discuss and put out part of a cones course. Malcolm will definitely be asked to return for a follow up course.
Later in March, Toni Gallop presented her “Take the Stuffiness Out of Showing” talk which preceded the AGM. Both well attended and the catering supplied by the Butchers Hook Café was wonderful.
Poor weather put paid to the planned events outside at Old Hay in April, May and June. All was not lost as it was possible to hire one of the indoor schools at Bedgebury for training in May and June. Alison Drew offered use of her land at Bethersden, and two Have A Go evenings have been successfully held there with up to 8 turnouts each time coming to use the dressage arena, cones course and practice in an obstacle. Dressage coaching has been offered and taken up.
Two one day events are scheduled: one at Bethersden on 30th July; one at Lamb’s Farm, Brenchley on 19th August 2023. Schedules available on Facebook WHC page and on WHC website.
A World Cup type event is planned for 30th September at Lamb’s Farm and the schedule will be available shortly.
I am more than happy to offer dressage coaching at Lamb’s Farm or at Alison Drew’s Chequer Tree Fishery as the fortnightly Have a Go evenings have been so popular. Watch the FB page or website for details.
The Club’s President, Barrie Luck has recently been recognised by The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers, who awarded him a trophy. Congratulations to Barrie for continued involvement in all things to do with carriage driving and as a farrier. His interest in horses began at a very young age and has covered carriage building, stewarding, judging, being a farrier as well as having a huge depth of knowledge which he is willing to share.
Longstanding members of the Club may recall David Watts who was a past Chairman and who had been heavily involved with Brighton HDT and Indoor Carriage Driving as a course builder and steward. David and his wife Wendy were well known within the driving community and competed with their cob, Flyer. My condolences to the family.
Do let me know if you have news to share. I am taking time away from WHC next week and will not be able to attend the Club’s event at Bethersden. I will be in Holland watching one of my horses, Niall, compete with Diana Lindsay at Beekbergen. Former Membership Secretary, Frances Collings has agreed to step up and replace me at Bethersden. Thank you.
Jane Lamb, Chairman