Twenty three Elstead Riding Club (ERC) members represented the West Surrey area at the British Riding Clubs (BRC) National Championships held at the Lincolnshire Showground over the second weekend in September. Throughout the summer Elstead had qualified for no less than twelve national team dressage and show jumping classes. Many individuals had also performed exceptionally well to qualify.

Junior members Holly Stuart and Emma Harridge, riding their very smart matching grey ponies, Rosehip Syrup and Bickerton Merry Music Man, had been training especially hard for months to perfect their pairs dressage test.  Their hard work and dedication was rewarded with an exceptional score and the title of BRC National Junior Pairs Champions. The Elstead juniors were a credit to the club, especially Lili Dowden, who for the third year running, came in the top two in the Riding Test.  This test is judged on the performance of the rider and each year Lili mastered a different horse.

The seniors were on a mission to retain two National dressage titles won last year (Rural Riders and Team of Four) both commanded by Team Manager, Penny Jann. The Rural Riders Championship dressage test requires six horses and riders to perform a test together. The ERC team of Jenny Dutton (riding Jamambo), Annie Denton (Malingold Mercury), Sarah Anning (Leybourne Patrick), Tracy Negus (Ashling), and two different members to last year, Sarah Morley-Boxall (Flying Fun Guy) and Marion Adams (King Rollo) rode a very accurate test.  Jenny and Annie joined Heidi Reed (Merchant of Venice) and Wendy Ducker (Moccachino) to ride their quadrille test very skilfully.  However, both teams had to settle for second place this year. Wendy and Chino had a superb championship as they also achieved second place in their dressage and third in their riding test arena.

Other higher championship places in the ERC team went to Heidi Reed (Merchant of Venice) who came fourth in the Medium Dressage and ERC Senior Pairs Dressage riders, Annie Denton (Malingold Mercury) and Sarah Anning (Leybourne Patrick) who were also awarded fourth place.

The Council is keen to set up a Recycling Exchange, giving residents the opportunity to bring along unwanted, but serviceable items, in the hope that someone else will want them. They in turn may find something that they need. We are asking for volunteers and ideas, so if you think you can help, please contact: