Hayfield Equestrian Centre activites include side saddle awards, camps, exams and pony racing

TWO clients from Hayfield Equestrian Centre travelled to The Knights of Middle England Riding Centre, Warwick, to sit their Grade 1 and Grade 2 with Jumping Side Saddle Association riding exams.

Tanya Leiper and Sarah Duffield were accompanied by Hayfield instructor Lorna McLean - and both passed their exams with flying colours.

Lorna said both riders had put in hours of practice to prepare for the exams and said she was delighted that they were successful - the first time Hayfield clients have represented the centre at the SSA exams.

Lorna added: "We are all so proud of our riders and special mention must be given to the fabulous Hayfield horses that teach side saddle and enable the practice required to ride to this level."

Sarah Duffield, Hayfield Equestrian Centre instructor

Lorna McLean and Tanya Leiper.

Road Rider and Dressage Movements badges

Hayfield Equestrian Centre have a number of camps, riding sessions and training days coming up over the next few month.

Next Monday and Tuesday, 4th and 5th May, there will be two pony days for clients. On Monday, clients will take part in a Road Rider Day and on Tuesday the subject is Dressage Movements. The subjects are aimed at riders from beginner level upwards.

Staff at Hayfield will cover the Pony Club syllabus for these badges and and members will be awarded their badges. Non Pony Club members will also be able to take part but ca nnot be awarded PC badges.

To book contact hayfield-ec.ecpro.co.uk

Academy scheme launched to help with exam prep

Hayfield have now launched an academy scheme which is designed to support clients working towards ridden equestrian qualifications at a higher level.

Those taking part need to already have BHS stage 2, the Pony Club C Test or the Side Saddle Association Stage 2 or above.

There may be opportunities to attend training sessions outwith Hayfield, and to be eligible riders need to continue to ride in a regular lesson as well as an academy lesson as part of the Hayfield Senior Development Team.

The team will meet for ridden sessions on Monday evenings from 8.30pm to 9.30pm where the focus will be on exam preparation.

The team at Hayfield hope to run a similar scheme for junior riders, this is currently in the planning stages.

Quiz team win at national PC finals

A number of Hayfield Pony Club members took part in the Pony Club Dengie National Quiz Finals at Loughborough University recenty, competing against teams from all over the UK - Hayfield Blue team won their section while the Hayfield Red team took 10th place.

In an inter-area senior friendly competition at the event, some of the Hayfield quizzers took part - the Area 1 Thistles were 1st and Area 1 Highlanders were 11th.

Quiz team winners from Hayfield.

Hayfield quiz team members.

Pony camps in the summer months

Various pony camps will be held during the summer months and booking can still be made.

Bronze camps start on 7th July, 21st July and 4th August.

Silver camps are from 13th July, 27th July and 10th August.

Gold ad Platinum camp starts on 3rd August.

Race day in May at Kelso

PONY race riders from Hayfield will travel to Kelso on 31st May to take part in the pony racing at the racecourse.

The eight riders have been practising their race riding, working on their fitness and also attended a race meeting at Musselburgh Racecourse recently to experience a race day.

Regular activities at Hayfield

• There are plans to run polework clinics, the first one will take place on 15th May at 6pm.

• Paddock hacks for beginners, from seven years upwards, will take place on Sundays at 2pm.

• A showjumping training show will be held on 23rd May.

• Coffee and cake sessions are still being held for beginners ot those who wish to get back into riding after a break.

• Get Riding sessions on Sundays are also still be held.

Top book for any of the sessions or camps being run, go to hayfield-ec.ecpro.co.uk