July in Shelley

           Ebony’s Blog

          Life at The Shelley Centre 

The Summer Term is now over, having finished with many of the riders undertaking our Countryside Challenge.  We redesigned it this year to include going up and down banks and through trees.  The aim of the challenge is to test the skills of the riders in guiding their pony through different obstacles, whether independently or whilst being lead.  The week was filled with laughter and riders went home with rosettes, or even cups.

Pictured is one of the Wednesday morning riders, Ruby Blu, with April, receiving rosettes from the coaches for her efforts both in the Countryside Challenge and dressage.  April is one of our longer serving ponies, coming to the Centre in 2015.  She is a New Forest, bay mare, 13.1hh and now 18 years old.  She’s a great pony for the right rider, who needs to be calm and responsive. She is easy to handle, great in traffic and just wants to please.   

The Centre held its AGM and social barbecue at the end of Term, during which awards are given to long serving volunteers, some having done 30 years with the Centre!  That included the outgoing Chairman, Jan Derbyshire who started as a volunteer with little knowledge of horses, progressed to become a coach and then took on the role of Chairman for 17 years.  She wouldn’t have stayed that long had the Shelley Centre not been such a fantastic place both for its riders and volunteers.  Perhaps this might persuade you to give it a try as a volunteer?

It's not too late to book tickets for our next fundraiser, the Family Music Day on 25th August in Stratford St Mary.  Come and relax in the sun, eat, drink, dance and enjoy American country and soul music in a beautiful setting.  Tickets available from https://bigdaysmallcountry.eventbrite.com   

Website: www.shelleyrda.com                                             Telephone: 01473 824172