Petplan National Riding Schools

PETPLAN EQUINE OPEN DAY 

Sunday July 8^th saw another of the highly successful Petplan-sponsored Equine National Riding Festival Open Days – this time at Woodredon Equestrian Centre near Waltham Abbey in Essex.

In order to “gee up” her summer, our equine reporter Jane Clarke went along and found a huge assortment of activities and demonstrations of interest to horse lovers available – all free of charge.

Kevin Butchart, owner of Woodredon, a family-run and purpose built riding school with over 50 horses in residence, provided a most friendly and professional setting for a fine day’s entertainment, which attracted a crowd of around 300.

Included in the events was a fascinating coaching demonstration by International Show Jumper Annette Lewis in the outdoor school and a dressage training session by Russian student Sasha and his mount Boston, both new arrivals at Woodredon. The International League for The Protection of Horses also offered lectures throughout the day.

The British Equestrian Vaulting team gave an incredible performance of gymnastics on horseback in the indoor arena which had the more arthritic members of the crowd wincing in admiration at their agility. Later, the Foresters Riding Club proved hugely popular when they presented their Quadrille and “Dressage to Music” demonstrations.

One of the stars on show was “Trigger” the mechanical horse, on whom Jane enjoyed a full-speed gallop. “Although I have ridden for over 35 years and exercised racehorses at Newmarket for a while, I’m something of a lapsed rider due to lack of spare time over the past ten years,” she explains. “However, I’ve been bitten by the bug again – just through coming here today – and intend to take up my riding anew on a regular basis.”

Just what these Petplan Open Days are all about!

Audio interviews for this feature coming soon