Hello, my name is Humphrey and I am a 16.2hh Irish Draught gelding. I arrived at the centre in July and am settling in very well. We have had a very busy summer which started with two of the ponies going to Hartpury for the RDA National Championships.
Group Chairman, Malcolm Haigh, transported Midnight and Rusty in a horsebox on the long journey down south. Sophie, Emily and Laura went too and did a very good job of turning the ponies out to a very high standard and helping the riders achieve in their classes.
 |
| Team Pegasus |
Junior rider Kaelin Fairgrieve was placed 6th in her Dressage class and Joshua Benkhabeb-House was 4th in his Dressage class and 5th in the Countryside Challenge Competition. This was their first time competing at the RDA Nationals and both did really well to be placed at such a huge event.
 |
| Derek on Midnight with Sophie |
Our two adult riders Derek Cleminson and Elizabeth Cockburn were placed 1st and
2nd respectively in the Championship Countryside Challenge class. Derek was also placed 5th in his Dressage class.
 |
| Derek was delighted to receive his trophy from RDA National Chairman Sam Orde |
After the excitement at the National Championships, we then had more fun by organising a Teddy Bears Picnic for our younger riders.
 |
| Hannah and Megan brought their teddies |
 |
| Storyteller Jim Grant shared his Northumbrian tales with the children |
 |
| The children had a teddy bear race |
The weather did not spoil the children's enjoyment. There were lot's of games and Jim Grant came along to tell his stories
https://storytellerjim.wordpress.com/
 |
| Our young volunteers enjoyed the bouncy castle |
 |
| Casper the pony showed off his jumping skills |
There was a bouncy castle and Casper the stunt pony came to entertain the children too...
and face painter Chimera did a brilliant job of painting a mask on RDA rider Oliver Crawshaw, pictured above.
In other news, the centre held an XLVets Equine Skills workshop on
‘Understanding the Horse’s Back’ with Gillian Higgins from
http://www.horsesinsideout.com/ and experienced vets Ed Chinn and Colin Walker of Alnorthumbria
Vets. If you would like to read more information about this, please click on the link above.
 |
| Mano, Laura's pony, got painted for the workshop |
A group of children came along to the centre in August from
http://www.usefulvision.org.uk/ for a morning of riding and pony care.
 |
| Domino enjoyed getting groomed by children from Usful Vision |
 |
| The girls had a riding lesson after learning pony care |
At the end of the holidays we held a clear round jumping competition which our riders and ponies really enjoyed.
 |
| Robyn on Chief |
 |
| Chloe on Chief |
 |
| Chloe received a rosette from Sam |
And throughout the summer, sisters Chloe and Emilie have been doing a brilliant job raising funds for our new arena surface. Well done girls!
 |
| RDA trustee Malcolm helped Emilie raise funds |
If you would like to support Morpeth RDA Group and help us continue to do the great work that we do, you can make a donation by visiting our website
http://thepegasuscentre.org.uk/
After a busy summer we are now excited to be starting a new school term...
and as the new horse, I am really looking forward to meeting all our riders!
