TDRC February 2025 News
Finally, January’s wind-swept, wet, dreary days are behind us, and we can start to welcome longer and, hopefully, warmer and drier days. Many activities are lined up for 2025, so please keep a look out on this website and TDRC Facebook page & Equoevents.co.uk.
SUNDAY 9th Feb – Members Day at Stockland Lovell
A FREE event for all TDRC members with something for everyone!!
11:00-3:00pm. Light lunch 12:30-1:30pm.
We’d love to see you with or without your horse to chat about the exciting events we are planning for the year ahead and get feedback and ideas from our members about what you would like to see going forward. Or just come along for a cuppa and chat.
Dressage Quadrille try-outs:
TDRC has an entry into the Quadrille at the Winter Championships at Arena UK this year. This is a musical, themed (costumed) ride with four members doing a freestyle routine together, which will be orchestrated by dressage team manager Colleen Hoekstra-Knox. All levels and ages are welcome to try out on the day; no experience is needed! We will play with floorplans and see what horses work well together, and we are happy for you to have a friend nearby. You must be willing to travel to Arena UK April 25-27 if you are selected. Two try-out sessions: 11:00-12:30 & 1:30-3:00pm.
Clear Round Jumping
We will set up a course for anyone who would like to do a clear round, with most heights catered for, including ground poles.
Please register your interest using the Google form below
https://forms.gle.ukoksD3y4ByYFgq96
Dates for the diary (please book via Equo)
Wednesday 12th Feb
Discounted TDRC Members’ Training at Cordings Farm, West Buckland—individual (£35) or Paired (£20), including Freestyle or DTM practice. In-hand sessions are also available. £35 individual, £20 paired.
Book via Equo, or contact Colleen via thebeane@gmail.com or 07872595695 mobile or WhatsApp.
Sunday 16th Feb
Team TDRC Area 12 Showjumping qualifiers
Interested? Please contact Gems Gilbert, SJ team manager
Tuesday 18th Feb
Social Evening – West Buckland Village Hall. Colleen will provide a presentation on different aspects of conformation, dynamics of movement, talent, and likely predictors of long-term soundness. Learn how to evaluate any horse of various breeds for their potential in sport – Dressage, Eventing, and Showjumping giving you a look into their future and their likely ability at their chosen discipline.
Doors open at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm start, nibbles and drinks included.
Book via Equo or contact Colleen via thebeane@gmail.com or 07872595695 mobile or WhatsApp if you want to pay cash on the night.
£10 Members and £13.50 Non-members.
Friday 21st Feb
Paired Dressage training at Stretcholt Equestrian Centre, 5:30-8:00pm.
Members only. £27.50 per person.
Come and train out of the weather with friends!!
Wednesday 5th March
Discounted TDRC Members’ Training at Cordings Farm, West Buckland.
Individual (£35) or Paired (£20), including Freestyle or DTM practice.
In-hand sessions also available. £35 individual, £20 paired.
Saturday 8th March
Poles, SJ & Arena XC rally at Stockland Lovell
Sunday 9th March
Open Eventers Challenge
Saturday 12th April
Dressage competition at Comeytrowe Equestrian Centre
Sunday 6th July
Dressage competition at Heazles Equestrian Centre
Our amazing Dressage Coach and Vice Chair, Colleen, has been nominated for Riding Instructor of the Year 2025.
What other clubs can boast an International Grand Prix rider and trainer with bucket loads of qualifications in training and judging in their camp! How lucky are we??
Please vote for Colleen Hoekstra Knox at www.equestrianbusinessawards.co.uk/nominate
Update from Colleen on the Dressage Team
We have had several riders qualify for the BRC Winter Championships at Arena UK, 25-27 April. Huge congratulations to:
– Novice Junior Team: Hayley Walker (Intro 3), Charlie Winter (P1), and Claudia Knox (P2)
– Novice Junior Individuals: Claudia Knox (N1), Hayley Walker (P1 and P2)
– Dressage to Music – Prelim: Nicola Nicholls
– Dressage to Music – Novice: Claudia Knox
– Dressage to Music – Adv Med: Colleen Knox
The last of the Area 12 Dressage qualifiers – Intermediate – is taking place on 2nd Feb at Kings Sedgemoor EC. We have a mixed team of Juniors and Seniors from Prelim to Elementary level, competing for a spot at the Winter Champs as well. Best of luck to them!!
This year, we have put forward a Quadrille team for the Winter Champs too. We are holding team try-outs on 9th Feb at Stockland Lovell for anyone wishing to participate. Quadrille is a routine for four riders set to music, very like formation riding. We choose the theme, costumes, floor plan and music. Riders can be a mix of levels and abilities and everyone is welcome to try out. You must be willing to travel to Arena UK for 25-27 April.
Try-out session times are 11:00-12:30pm and 1:30-3:00pm on 9th Feb at Stockland Lovell (no charge), and we hope to see you there! Please book directly with Colleen or Emma-Jane or fill out the form on Facebook events page. https://fb.me/e/27KGbo8AM
Finally, regretfully, we had to cancel the first dressage competition of the year due to adverse weather conditions. Refunds have been given. We look forward to seeing our Dressage Divas again soon.
The TDRC warmly welcomes new members, juniors and seniors.
Take care everyone, and let’s hope 2025 is a great one!