Banwell Equestrian Centre

We had 7 sprightly youngsters joining us with their trusty steeds this year. We started with flatwork and jumping lessons for one group whilst the other had a competition about loading and travelling, swapping the groups around after refreshments. In the afternoon we ran another fancy dress dressage to music competition with the theme being Walt Disney characters. Everyone made a supreme effort and we had Tinkerbell, Mrs Invincible, Pocahontes (not sure on the spelling of that!), Arial, Tigger and others! Thanks to Madge next door for coming out in the rain to judge. After a tidy up and putting the ponies to bed, we had tea and then some un-mounted games to just about finish everyone off before bed.

The next day brought sunshine and each group had a turn on the cross-country course and then after lunch was the grand finale and the ‘express eventing’ competition. Everyone did really well and fun was had by all, even though Sophie had a few extra lessons in flying :-), well done to Sophie for keeping on a brave face!

After more cake and prize giving the weary souls departed with promises to return next year for more of the same. Special mentions to Lauren who’s finally got her own lovely horse Figgie, to Jodie who’s now doing wonderful things with her new horse Polly and to Josh for holding out so well being the only boy amongst the girls. We hope to see everyone next year!

Big thanks to Helen for giving yet another successful flatwork clinic on 14 March, especially as she had only recently broken some ribs and was in considerable pain when she arrived! Hope you are on the mend now! All those having lessons were very pleased with the progress they made and have asked if we can arrange another date for Helen to return. Watch this space for further information.

All had a great day, the weather was kind to us and although it was quite windy, the day stayed dry. We had 16 competitors, some from our yard and some from neighbouring yards. It was a great atmosphere with everyone encouraging everyone else. A special well done to Fiona who did her first ever dressage test and congrats for getting around the show jumping course, there are some great pics of you in the gallery Smile. Also, a special well done to Jo and Indibug who thoroughly enjoyed the jumping, even though they left a trail of destruction behind them, much to the cheers of the spectators! Thanks to all who supported the day – mum for cooking, Steve for photographing and to our close neighbours Jayne and Gus for letting us use their fields. We will be doing more show jumping and dressage at our summer show on 26 July, show schedules will be out in due course.

Banwell Equestrian Centre hosted its first Pony Camp on 27 and 28 August with 10 youngsters enjoying 2 days of fun and adventure. Ages ranging from 8-14 years. Both children and ponies alike were very well behaved and there was a good atmosphere of fun and frolic. The Wednesday morning saw everyone arrive at 9am with the first classes of flatwork and showjumping and stable management starting at 9.30am. A break at 11am with plenty of mum’s homemade lemon drizzle cake went down a treat (especially by Aaron). The groups then swapped over. After lunch came the fancy dress dressage to music competition. Everyone had made a supreme effort with their costumes and we had Spiderman, Moulan Warrior, Supergirl, Catwoman, ScoobyDoo & Daphne, Storm & other superheros! After the evening bbq we played some unmounted games and the evening was rounded off with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

A few bright sparks were up at 6am on Thursday, ready and raring to go. After breakfast we had two groups off doing the Find & Build Treasure Hunt and one group off on the cross-country course. After a mid-morning break the groups swapped over. Lunch was followed by prize giving with everyone receiving a certificate of attendance and others receiving certificates for best fancy dress, best show, quickest team on the Find & Build, most improved in the flatwork & showjumping lessons, and others.

Big thanks to my mum for all her hard work behind the scenes cooking and providing for us all, Sam for teaching the flatwork and showjumping classes and also to Sharon for instructing the younger ones Wednesday morning and for the judging in the afternoon. Also thanks to our helpers, Bec and Hannah – without you all it wouldn’t have been the success it was. x

Fun was definitely had by all and we look forward to seeing all the kids again at our next Funday! Stay tuned on the website for forthcoming events!

Banwell Equestrian Centre hosted its first Summer Show on 27 July 2008. We had dressage and showing classes in the morning and working hunter and showjumping classes in the afternoon.

What a glorious day, it must have been the hottest day of the year by far! We had lots of competitors and lots of horses and ponies all superbly turned out for the day’s events. Most people hacked here from the local area and some people travelled from as far as Shepton Mallet! The day ran very smoothly and Madge’s Big Bap Cafe came through with great food and refreshments to keep everyone well fed and watered – thanks Madge!

Big thanks to all our judges, especially Celia Lewis who took time out from her own busy competing schedule to judge the dressage classes and also to our old pals Lea and Julie who came all the way from Salisbury to judge the showing classes. Thanks to all that helped make the day the success it was and of course to all those that competed – we hope you enjoyed the day as much as we did. Hope to see you all again, same time next year!

If anyone would like to make any suggestions as to what events they would like us to hold here at B.E.C. then please drop me an email.

A very windy day dawned upon us and the attendees of the March Medley. However, we battled forward against the tempest and the groups put their horses through their paces in the flatwork lesson followed up with some flash jumping. Considering some of the ladies hadn’t jumped for some time, they all did fantastically well!

After a spot of lunch (including my mums famous lemon drizzle cake), the teasure hunt commenced. The group was split into 2 teams which headed off in different directions in search of clues. To continue with the Easter theme, the idea was to find clues which held a hidden number and these numbers could be traded for items to make an Easter Bonnet. The winning bonnet had to be worn without any of its adornments falling off which was quite a tricky task when you had to fix mini eggs to a straw hat!! We had our own special Easter Bunny hop in to judge the winning team – thanks Sharon!!

Please see all the corresponding photos of the day in the Gallery and keep an eye on the events section for up and coming events.

Ten participants joined us for a morning of lessons in show jumping, flatwork and stable management. We had some new faces this time and we welcomed Sophie with Babycham, Char with Breeze and Charlotte with Beauty.

After lunch we debriefed everyone on the rules of the treasure hunt and split everyone into teams. There was the two littleones on leadrein who had their own mini-hunt and two older teams. Each team headed off in different directions in search of the clues which were hidden around the yard and up and down the lane, ranging from bananas to lanterns! The hunters had to locate the clues which had numbers hidden inside them. These numbers corresponded to words on a word chart back at the barn and these words made up a sentence telling them where the treasure was buried. Tension rose as the two older teams arrived back in the barn neck and neck to start deciphering the numbers to words and all scrambled off to locate the treasure together! Congratulations to Rachel, Jamie, Sophie and Charlotte who were the winning team overall.

We hope everyone enjoyed the day, there were certainly lots of smiles around the table as we finished off with tea and cake. (Cake features a lot at Banwell Equestrian Centre!)

Ruth and Steve will have a break through April as they get married and go off on honeymoon but the next event is the March Medley (22.04.08) which is a fun day out for the adults. This will consist of combined training in the morning followed by a very creative treasure hunt in the afternoon!

More pony fun days will be scheduled in when Ruth and Steve are back in May, keep an eye on the website for more details.

A glorious sunny day greeted the 5 participants for Helen’s lesson. Unfortunately, Helen was unable to bring her supreme dressage horse to give a demo prior to the lessons as he is recovering from injury but she gave us a talk about the value of good flatwork and how what we ask our horses to do affects them.

Angela, Steph and Hannah then had the first 45 minute lesson. For us watching it was amazing to see how much all the horses improved by the end of the lesson. Rachel and Sarah then shared the second 45 minute lesson and again the horses showed excellent form. Everyone got a lot out of their lessons and thought Helen an excellent instructor who is down to earth, with a great sense of humour.

Big thanks to Helen for coming down to see us. Due to popular demand we are already compiling a list of people who wish further lessons with Helen, if you are interested please call Ruth on 0780 170 8606.