Are you serious about losing weight in 2009?

On Wednesday 14^th January a new Community Weight Loss Challenge will be starting in Elstead, at 7 pm in the URC Hall. It will run for 12 weeks and take the form of fun and informative weekly meetings. There will be tips and advice on nutrition as well as positive weight loss coaching and support.

Weekly prizes will be given for every little bit of progress made.  And the biggest loser at the end of the challenge will win £300, (based on a group of 30 people), 2^nd and 3^rd prizes of £100. Join in the challenge for the full 12 weeks for just £35 or £3 per week.

Places are limited and need to be booked in advance.

Elstead Riding Club represented the West Surrey Area British Riding Clubs and won two Senior National Championship team titles and an Elstead Junior became 'Rider of the Year' at the Lincolnshire Show Ground in September.

Team Manager Penny Jann commanded Jenny Dutton (riding Jamambo), Annie Denton (Malingold Mercury), Heidi Reed (The Merchant of Venice) and Wendy Ducker (Moccachino) to victory in the inaugural "'Pro Feet' Senior Team of Four Dressage Championship".  Despite driving rain the four horses and riders performed a fabulous test together to win by seven marks.

More success came later in the afternoon for Jenny, Annie and commander, Penny when they teamed up with Niki Harridge (Red Fox), Tracy Negus (Ashling), Sarah Anning (Leybourne Patrick), and Miranda Hodges (The Snowman) where this time six Elstead horses and riders performed a test together to become "Magic Rural Riders Dressage" champions! By this time the grass arena resembled a ploughed field but the team rose to the occasion and smiled throughout the test that they had practiced to perfection.

The Elstead senior teams also performed exceptionally well in other National Championship classes. They came second in the "Magic Open Dressage Championship", fourth "Superflex Senior Style Jumping", fifth "'Pro Feet Pairs Dressage" (Annie Denton, Malingold Mercury and Sarah Anning, Leybourne Patrick), Eighth "Respirator Senior Novice Dressage" and tenth in the "Superflex Senior Riding Test" with several well deserved individual placings. In fact all the Elstead senior competitors returned home with a placed rosette, either team or individual!

Elstead Junior, Lili Dowden riding Mohill Moon, performed a very accurate test to win her arena in the "'Superflex Junior Riding Test Championship".  Lili was also awarded "Lincoln Rider of the Year 2008" for the best combined junior riding test and style jumping score. Other junior team successes were achieved in the "Superflex Junior Style Jumping" (second), "Pro Feet Junior Pairs Dressage" Holly Stuart (Rosehip Syrup) and Emma Harridge (Bickerton Merry Music Man) (third), "Superflex Junior Riding Test" (Sixth) and "Magic Junior Dressage" (Ninth).

Elstead Riding Club has been qualifying teams for the British Riding Clubs National Championships for many years with several National titles under their belt! However, 2008 has been Elstead's most successful year yet!