Carr & Day & Martin- Coat Care Product Review

Carr & Day & Martin's unique new spray formulas

Everyone knows that the key to a good coat starts with good care. When it comes to horses, looking after their coat, hooves, mane and tail is of vital importance to ensure you can have the healthiest, happiest horse possible. Getting your horse or pony to look top quality for an up and coming show can be a long and stressful process, ensuring they look a star both in and out of the ring. Finding a quick and easy solution to getting a well groomed horse is something Carr & Day & Martin have found a solution for. One of the most reputable and oldest companies providing top quality horse care products dating back to 1765, Carr & Day & Martin have produced an innovative and unique new set of products to get your horse in the best condition possible, for the best value.

Constant brushing, pulling and grooming of your horses coat  without the use of products can leave a coat feeling dull and lifeless with a potential for thinning. Using a quality coat spray and mane and tail conditioner is one way to ensure this doesn't happen and your horse can look best in show at all times, whether out competing or simply on the yard.

The two products I have been lucky enough to put to the test are Carr & Day & Martin's Dreamcoat Ultimate Coat Finish© and their Canter Mane and Tail© both in unique spray formula with 360 degree mist action, leaving the ultimate shine and finish to your horse or pony.

Dreamcoat Ultimate Coat Finish© 

The Dreamcoat Ultimate Coat Finish© spray comes in a handy bottle formula in either 600ml or 1 litre sizes. On testing the product on some very different horses with varying coats, the formula gave a naturally shiny finish, leaving no grease or residue. The lack of grease or slipperiness makes it an ideal product to take to shows and can be used on the saddle area, without the worry of having any slipping or marks left on numnahs. Even after using the lotion, plaiting was not a problem as the formula detangled the hair and did not leave it too sticky to work with. The unique dispenser with it's 360 degree 'Equimist' spray made it extremely easy to use at all angles, getting at those tricky places such as areas under the belly and the lower legs. The spray is continuous, making it very simple to use and effective at getting even coverage where required, the spray did not drip when it was stopped or in flow, meaning less waste and uninterrupted coverage whilst spraying.

The spray dried extremely quickly making it a quick and easy solution when you are in a hurry to get your horse or pony looking top notch, without having to wait or use multiple products to get a show quality finish. With a clean and fresh smell, Dreamcoat offered an excellent finish without being too overpowering like many sprays, that can cause irritation to some horses. The spray was also effective as it did not make any scary noises or sounds that would frighten a younger or more green horse who are more sensitive during activities such as grooming. The bottle has a specially designed vacuum at the bottom to ensure no waste and you get the most out of every spray. The overall finish on all the horses tested was extremely pleasing, an easy to use, effective product that gave an effortless result in just minutes. Retailing at around £12.99, this product is certainly value for money, with two sizes available, perfect for having at home on the yard or as a travel solution when heading out to shows.

Canter Mane and Tail©

Another product that is equally as useful at controlling those pesky mane's and tail's is none other than Carr & Day & Martin's popular Canter Mane and Tail , now available in a unique 360 degree spray bottle formula.

This is a product I have used previously and have always been pleased with the results, but the new bottle makes it a top market leader for sleek, tangle free and silky soft mane and tail after every use. The spray is light and does not need to be used liberally as a small amount gives a lot of work, with an effective detangle that gets rid of any knots at the stroke of a brush. This makes grooming quicker, more effective and easier reducing the amount of stress and pressure needed on the horse in order to get out any particularly bad tangles. This reduces any breakages in the hair and left all my horses and ponies, silky smooth in a matter of seconds after spraying as the formula works quickly and does not leave any grease or oil.

The spray is best used on the mane when lighting spraying over the whole section and then using a comb or brush to work through. On the tail, hold the tail away from the horses body and section to get the best results spraying as required, then repeating the procedure above by combing or brushing through.

Retailing at a similar price to Dreamcoat© at around £12.50 in a 600ml measure bottle, this product will leave your horse looking immaculate, without leaving your pockets empty.

So if you want to look best in show, at the yard and at home, without using hundreds of products, Dreamcoat© and Canter Mane and Tail© offer the best of both worlds for a stress free grooming session every time.
For more details visit http://www.carrdaymartin.co.uk/

Head in the game- Just Togs Mizz Switch Riding Hat

With my University life coming to a closure, and becoming a recent graduate, the face of my DMU Equestrian Blog site is going to undergo some changes in the near future alternating to GBerrillEquestrian! However, the product reviews and developments through my own equestrian career, as well as following the fabulous work of local riders and the equine community in my home town will remain the same! As I have made the move to go freelance and continue writing, my equestrian pathway is full of lots of exciting new developments to come, these feature some equine product reviews coming soon from some brilliant companies and their brands including;

GBerrillEquestrian's brand new product testing assistant,
the wonderful Image, a 16.2hh, Ex-Eventer, Liver Chestnut
Gelding.

• Just Togs Mizz Switch Riding Hat 
• Carr & Day & Martin Horse Treatments
• Various Fly Veils, to stop the summer pests!
• Silver Feet Range Hoof Balm

And that isn't all... as I have recently managed to find myself two wonderful horses to school as a result of joining my local Riding for the Disabled Group, after being inspired by all the charity work I got involved with through DMU Equestrian, I will be using the lovely Gelding, Image to help me test to out different schooling techniques and equipment to help you get the most from your horse or pony.
So keep your eyes open and on my blog, and keep reading and sharing, I wouldn't be where I am today without the fantastic University support from DMU Equestrian and hope to continue my equestrian career, embracing DMU Equestrian wherever I go!

So I am ready to launch my own platform through DMU Equestrian, GBerrillEquestrian, I hope you enjoy my latest product review featured below!

Just Togs Mizz Switch Riding Hat Product Review

Although every rider is different, we all compete in different disciplines, school differently and have alternative aims and goals for our riding, one piece of equipment is always on top.... our Riding Hats. Having a good riding hat is vital for every single equestrian, whether a complete novice or British Eventer, we all need to be safe and enjoy riding comfortably with the best gear possible. Riding Hats today are more varied than ever, with the classic Jockey Skull and Peaked Hats being the most popular choice for the everyday rider on the market today. Brands have revolutionised the way equestrian's view hats, making them more stylish and in a variety of colours and shapes to suit everyone out in todays competitive market. As every hat is different, sometimes you cannot always get the brand you like as it may not fit correctly, so hat shopping can be a bit of a nightmare and is, by no means, a five second decision, but one that takes time and expertise to get the best hat, for the best price.

With my own hat due for an upgrade, I had always been a fan of the Classic Jockey Skull, with its versatility as I was able to add colourful silks for cross country and hacking, and the more pristine velvet silk to compete in BD. However, I made the decision to move to a fixed peak, not knowing where to start I went to a few local tack shops and soon found out that some of the more popular brands, such as the Competition Champion Ventair did not fit my head correctly and were not going to be a safe option to choose, with the Charles Owen Ayr8 being the next best choice, but again was retailing at a much higher price than I was looking to pay for general riding at £148.99.

The JTE Mizz Switch Hat, with interchangeable
colour dials, retailing at around £59

After some web research I came across the Just Togs Mizz Switch, advertised as a young rider hat, but coming in a variety of sizes from 52cm-61cm. This hat has the classic fixed peak and ventilated front strip, as well as vents on the back and sides for extra aeration inside the hat whilst riding. It comes in a black velveteen finish, perfect for smart showing and ease when cleaning. This hat meets the highest of safety standards with the BSI Kitemark and is approved by the British Pony Club, as well as being endorsed and featured in Pony Magazine. The unique and fun feature of this hat, is the interchangeable front vent dial, with six colour strips from plain grey and black, to funky pink and shiny blue that are easy to swop around depending on the type of riding you are doing. This custom feature is brilliant for both young and older riders as it allows you to create your own look and match your colour strip to your outfit to look extra coordinated whilst in the saddle. When trying out this hat, the feather lightweight feel was surprising, especially as the hat had a lot of padding and protection inside, including a removable strip you can take out and wash after those more sweaty schooling sessions. The 'cool on' ventilation system allows for a continuous flow of air through the hat whilst riding, aiming to reduce sweating and to do away with any moisture whilst keeping the fabric dry. The adjustable chin strap was easy to alter and the most ingenious and unique feature of this hat in particular is the adjustable size dial on the back. This allows the hat to vary from 3 sizes, the Medium being from a 55cm-57cm, allowing you to get the most secure fit possible by altering the tightness of the dial. As I am between sizes, this was perfect for my head, and the hat was secure without being too tight and was extremely comfortable whilst riding as it did not move around at the front whilst schooling and jumping. The quality, style and durability of this hat is outstanding considering it is extremely reasonably priced, retailing at around £59 on http://www.justtogshelmets.co.uk/  If you are a young, female rider, looking for a stylish, safe and saving savvy hat, then the Mizz Switch JTE is defiantly worth a try if you are looking for a classic fixed peak at a bargain price with a little something extra...

TOP RIDING HAT BUYING TIPS:

• Remember to always go to a professional tack store and hat fitter who has attended a BETA hat fitting course to get measured correctly.
• Make sure the hat has the safety BSI Kitemark usually found on the inside of the hat as a British Safety Standard mark.
• If you are unsure about buying online, always go direct to the retailer or reputable online tack shops.
• Remember, finding the right hat takes time, you are better off waiting and searching, than getting one that doesn't fit properly.
• NEVER buy second hand, it may look alright from the outside, but the damage on the inside cannot always be seen, you only get one head, being cheap won't pay off.
• Decide on a style you like and a budget, hats vary from around £20 for very basic, to £200+ for competition hats and more designer brands, be realistic about what you need your hat for.
• ALWAYS go for a brand that is trusted and reputable, if you aren't sure, don't buy!

Getting a grip with MacWet© Climatec Sports Gloves

MacWet Climatec Sporting Gloves

The MacWet© Climatec Sporting Gloves
(Black)

As many equestrians know riding isn’t just about having skill, talent and training hard, in order to succeed in any equine discipline, the right equipment is essential. Whether you are aiming to dazzle in the dressage arena, galloping your way through cross country courses, or simply enjoying the school with your horse or pony, the best and most efficient gear is a necessity for anyone entering the equestrian world. One of the first things a rider will learn from the minute they get onto a horse is how to handle and correctly hold the reins, one of the most important aids every equestrian has to utilise, literally right at their fingertips. Through having many instructors, and competing across various disciplines, one attribute has always remained a constant teaching, which I have aimed to reciprocate in my riding. This is the ability to keep consistent contact, with firm, but soft hands that guide the horse pushing them to come through and work onto the bit in order to get them listening and responsive to the aids. A key aspect to gaining the best contact comes from one of the most useful, and essential pieces of riding equipment… gloves.

Finding the right gloves is a battle many riders have to face, with a huge number of criteria to fulfil. These include the gloves durability, waterproofing, thickness, how well they fit as well as the general overall look and style of the gloves themselves. MacWet© sporting gloves have latched onto this concept and have created gloves that combine all the key elements, deemed essential to a multipurpose, and durable sporting glove. Using the latest technology, MacWet© have developed a glove that can be used in both wet and dry weather, never losing it’s grip or performance, with a range of sizes for a comfortable fit that enhances control and touch sensitivity. Retailing at £29.99 for the Climatec Sporting gloves, the gloves are a reasonably priced addition to any rider looking for a glove for every discipline that adapts to every type of weather. 

Having recently graduated from university, and heading home for summer, my drive to get back into the saddle after competing with De Montfort University and in the BUCS team was higher than ever. I decided to get back into the school and do some hacking to set me off for the season back at my local yard. After some hard training and a rather adventurous hack, I found the MacWet© gloves performance rather different from any gloves I have tried before. The fabric was light and flexible and was great for dressage schooling, as I never got sweaty or irritated hands. Incorporated into my schooling routine, I always like to make time for my true passion, show jumping. The lightweight and comfortable fit of the MacWet© gloves were brilliant at keeping my contact nice and supple, with the size fitting perfectly to allow me to have a supportive gripping glove to ride in. With the weather taking a turn for the better, the sunny country fields were the perfect opportunity to take a well-earned hack. The gloves ability and great feel didn’t alter an inch when I went out, and I even managed a successful gallop in the sunshine.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with the product and would recommend these gloves for anyone, in any equestrian discipline. The sizing allows for a precise measurement that fits, allowing for the best performance possible in any weather. The unique and top performance of these gloves hasn’t gone unnoticed, with top equine celebrities such as Royal beauty Zara Phillips who gripped on with MacWet at the London 2012 Olympics and top international British show jumper, Ben Maher all getting their hands on a pair. With a wide range of sizes, colours and styles, I would suggest that anyone who wants a great glove, for a great price to invest in these smart, stylish and multipurpose MacWet Climatec sporting gloves for an enjoyable equestrian experience.

For more information please visit http://www.macwet.com/ 

MacWet £29.99 Climatec Sporting Gloves

Glitz, Glamour and Gatsby- 2014 Annual Colours Sports Ball

The end of the year has come around faster than any of our equestrian's could've imagined, with tryouts and varsity seeming like they were just yesterday for our pony pals. The end of the year marks the annual Colours Awards Ball at De Montfort University, where all the sports teams gather together for an evening of ceremonious celebrations to acknowledge the sporting achievements of the year. DMU Equestrian were extremely excited to join the awards and were anticipating an eventful and enticing evening for all, with a hope to follow their success of winning 'Most Charitable Team' last year.

The ceremony was held at The Athena, in Leicester with the iconic 1920's theme of Great Gatsby, as the central basis for the evenings antics, with the interior of the building, and The Athena itself only adding to the feel of the evening ahead. The ball is an opportunity for teams to ditch their usual sporting ensemble of jodhpurs, football boots, netball dresses and swimming costumes, for a more elegant and sophisticated attire, with bow ties and ball gowns all round. The event is open to all members of the sporting teams, from weekly social members, to the BUCS league team competitors and is a chance for all the teams to get together and commemorate the individual and joint achievements of sport at De Montfort University for the academic year. The event was also a place that reunited some of DMU Equestrian's old girls who came back from their busy working lives on placement years to join the evening back with the girls from the club.

This year saw the biggest turnout ever for DMU Equestrian, with 3 tables filled with the fabulous ladies of the society, all dressed to impress and hoping for some successful awards from the evening. Unfortunately, the high level of competition and fantastic achievements from some of the other teams, meant the opportunity to follow on from last years successful streak was not meant to be for our dedicated equestrians. However, the girls had much to celebrate as they watched some of their other sporting teams gain some brilliant awards, with their very own celebrated DMU Hockey gaining their chairman, Matt Wooden 'Sports Personality of the Year', a supportive affiliate to the equestrian girls and committee from day one this year.

One of the winners of the evening
Zosia Grzywinska

The teams were allowed to nominate entries into the awards via an online ballot system, and also choose two members to gain an individual acknowledgment within their society. The awards for 'Outstanding Achievement' and 'Dedication and Commitment' in Equestrian went to Zosia Grzywinska and committee member, Charlotte Scott. Both have worked hard all year to achieve their own personal sporting goals, with dedication, both to the sport and to training. First year student, Zosia, has grown in leaps and bounds, and has gone from getting back into riding, to competing in her first ever show jumping competition on Witham Villa's Charm and gaining a 1st team place ribbon! A true example of how the club will support you, no matter what your ability is to achieve your own milestones. Charlotte Scott, member of the society for two years, gained her award due to her impressive display at this year's varsity match against Leicester University as she stepped up to the challenge of competing for the first time in a BUCS style match.

Despite not gaining an award for the club, the improvement of the society and their impact on the profile of equestrian sport at De Montfort can only be reflected in the brilliant turnout and fantastic achievements the girls have gained throughout the year. The lack of an award for 2013/2014 has only sought to drive next year's committee for success next year and they hope to gain more members, more rosettes and ultimately offer people joining the university the opportunity to try something unique and join their sporting family. With the society growing and developing more and more every year, the club hope to continue sharing their experience and keep the high level of motivation and dedication to sporting performance as high as they can at DMU.

Tweet us @DMUEquestrian and share your thoughts on the future of equestrian sport at university!

DMU Equestrian Team and Society 2013/2014

Sport and social media: The evolution for Equestrian activity?

In modern society today, social media has become one of the biggest influences on our daily lives and the way news in particular is spread, with the speed of the online world creating an instant platform for almost everything, with the added bonus (for the most part) of being completely free! Facebook is one of the most influential of these platforms with over 31 millions users worldwide with Twitter catching up with over 10 million users, 80% of which are actively engaging with the media via mobile devices. These statistics highlight how media is not only global, but instant and accessible almost everywhere, so utilising the online world is something every business should be taking full advantage of, as the online age never sleeps.

This is something that DMU Equestrian have sought to work on this year, engaging more actively with their participants via social media in order to keep everyone in the club updated, as well as the rest of the world about what goes on behind the scenes in equine university life. The online world is not the only accessible platform that DMU Equestrian have taken advantage of, at De Montfort University they are extremely lucky to have one of the best student newspapers, radio and TV department working for them as the Demon Media Strand. Demon Media have become an integral part of promoting and engaging with sport at the university and have aimed to focus on smaller teams and develop the social awareness through all platforms about the work that goes on in all De Montfort sports clubs. The team have worked with the budding equestrians all year to find out what really goes on in the equine world and what it takes to compete in one of our BUCS teams or simply get involved with the society. The engagement of social media platforms for equestrian activity is something that is evolving and getting bigger and better every year with Twitter, Facebook and blogging sites being amongst the most popular forms of social media. The Equestrian Social Media Awards have allowed this recognition to be acknowledged with anyone able to enter the awards and showcase their talent from blogging to Twitter usage by both amateur and professional horsemen and women. The judging panel consists of some of the leading professionals in the equestrian world from photographers right through to top class event riders who look at all the positive aspects the social media is promoting and creating for equestrian activity on a global scale.

The 2012 Olympics allowed a new audience to be introduced to the world of equine sport with Great Britain winning a total of 5 medals including the world including winning gold in both team jumping and dressage. The accessibility that the Olympics gave for people to come and witness the different disciplines from 3 day event to grand prix Paralympic dressage has moved Britain into the top rankings for equestrian sport worldwide. No longer the underdogs, British equestrian sport is at the height of success and the recent world record achievement by Charlotte Dujardin at Olympia has drove Britain to be one of the biggest threats and competitors in the world of all things equine. The 'celeb culture' has enabled smaller equine platforms to get the recognition they deserve and promote the sport and businesses that engage with equestrian mediums.

So how is social media helping university lead sport? The recent increase in Twitter profiling and the page status on Facebook has allowed university teams to expand their communication with other sports teams, universities both in and outside their own sport. This has created a level of support and activity that is positively promoting both BUCS competitive sports teams and friendly matches that go on with universities collaborating together to get more students involved in sport at their university.

Lizzie Mole, a first year student at De Montfort who has ridden on the B team for DMU Equestrian has witnessed first hand the influence that social media can have upon the promotion of sports teams and societies:

"Social media has really helped get our team heard about within the university, especially from our DMU Equestrian Twitter! More attention and support from the sports office and student union has allowed us to get a place in the Varsity 2014 promo video on YouTube which means even more promotion, which is crucial for a sports team that isn't as recognised or popular like Rugby or Football."

The team have not only worked with The Demon all year engaging with the online, newspaper, Demon TV and the famous Demon FM, but they have also expanded to work with local photographers and other students to get the most out of both the sport and the talent DMU has to offer. Zoe Walker, a third year student at the university has worked closely with the team and committee all year with the equestrian club being a primary influence for her final project. As a keen horse rider herself, Zoe knows the struggles and prejudices that equine sport can face but also the importance of involving more students in trying something new whilst at university. This acts as an example of how social media can be a mutual benefit to both sports teams and the people involved as well as other students who may just want the opportunity, like Zoe to photograph and profile something unique for free. 

"As one of the photographers for DMU Equestrian I have had my work seen by people who I would not have normally reached, the social media platforms also give me a chance to catch up on how the teams and society are progressing when I cannot make competitions or social events. I feel without the social media aspect of the club some of the members would feel a little out of the loop, so this accessibility to information helps keep everyone involved."

The profile of equestrian sport at De Montfort is better than ever with social media raising awareness and the standard of information and promotion of activity higher than ever before. The student population across all DMU sports clubs is enough to create a huge impact upon the recognition of smaller teams as much as bigger, more widely participated in sports. With the Vice Chancellor of the university being one of the most active Twitter uses at the university, the ideal scenario is set up and waiting for everyone to get out there and show off their sports team. Social media is free and accessible to millions with an endless capacity for good opportunities for all sports to take advantage of in order to make DMU a hash tag # we all recognise on a global scale. 

Keep up to date and follow us on Twitter @DMUEquestrian

VARSITY 2014: DMU V UoL

2014 Varsity Squad with Ross Harrison and Ian Warrington DSU President
Acknowledgements to Fletch Photography

After months of training, trials and trotting the day had finally come for the biggest match of the year for De Montfort Equestrian team, where they were to face their ultimate rivals, the University of Leicester. The battle was to take place away from De Montfort's home turf, and at Leicester's nominated training yard, South Leicestershire Riding Establishment just a few miles down the road from DMU's beloved Witham Villa Riding Centre. With the home advantage stripped away, DMU were more determined than ever to train in preparation for the Varsity match, with the last few weeks forming a basis of some intense pre-Varsity hard work. This included pilates sessions, with resident physiotherapist, Sara Smith, who taught the girls how to improve their balance and co-ordination on the ground in order to benefit their riding position when on a horse. The girls also took part in various levels of competition including the final BUCS fixture for the A team who competed at Nottingham Trent, as well as the recent friendly match that took place on home soil with both BUCS style dressage and show jumping tests judged by yard proprietor Verity Saul. The Varsity match is ran in the same style as BUCS with an independent judge for both phases and both A and B team compete as a whole unit so every single rider counts!


The 19th of March saw a very early start for our DMU team who travelled to Leicester's training yard together to compete, with the dressage phase commencing first in the morning. Varsity is ran slightly differently to an ordinary BUCS match as the rider's are allowed to choose who sits on which horse for both stages after them being shown, rather than drawing at random. A lovely selection of horses were given who were all willing to work for both Leicester and DMU. A classy and much improved performance was shown by De Montfort who rode exceptionally well through the dressage test, with some brilliant scores on the board at the end. Leicester however, stole the lead after the first stage of the competition and it was down to De Montfort to steal back a win in the final stage of the Varsity match, the all important, adrenaline filled show jumping round!

With some solid jumpers on both A and B team, DMU were ready to take back their Varsity title by giving it their all across the course. The jumps included stiles, doubles and spreads with some tight lines and plenty of fillers to set the standard high for both universities. The jump horses were varied from 26 year old ex-eventers to the pony of the day, Monty, who has competed in Fox hunters and BSJA classes, a favourite by the end for our very own Irish lady, Gemma Elliott. The display from both teams was one that was not to be missed, with De Montfort gaining plenty of clear rounds and successful scores across both A and B team. Every member of the teams finished the day on a high with plenty of supporters coming out in their DMU Equestrian kit to watch the girls perform on the day. A special thank you has to go to Ross Harrsion who works within the DMU sports office who came and watched both the dressage and show jumping, and really embraced the equine world alongside Ian Warrington, President of DSU who came to watch the show jump phase.

Sadly though, UoL managed to scrape the red ribbons taking an overall Varsity win for Leicester. DMU however, didn't lose their team spirit and finished the day with a smile and a successful 3rd individual placing for Georgia Aston of the A team and Charlotte Scott taking 8th for B team.

Charlotte Scott has never ridden on the team before and Varsity was her first major competition and she is an example of the improvement consistent riding can give.

"It was such a fantastic day, and above everything I'm so proud of how far personally I have come and everyone else competing this year. The improvement all round is amazing despite not gaining a win. A year and a half ago I hadn't ridden for a few years and I never imagined I would be competing in Varsity let alone being placed 8th so it just goes to show how much my personal training has paid off. This will be a massive highlight for me to take with me after leaving university."

The loss of this years Varsity does not reflect the hard work and dedication that has been shown by all the DMU Equestrian team rider's who have been training every week, alongside competing and completing various gym and pilates classes to improve every aspect of their riding capabilities. The 2013/2014 committee all competed and were extremely proud of every single member who took part and the efforts made by everyone who came and supported as well as our very own Demon TV who came and filmed for the day. It was safe to say Leicester took the win, but it was definitely a DMU day through and through whose supporting crowd outnumbered UoL even on their own home turf.

Varsity marks the end of the competitive season for DMU Equestrian who have worked harder than ever this year with some brilliant individual results and team scores, as well as extra BUCS points for the A team. A huge thank you to everyone who has took part in the teams, committee, fun days and supported us on our journey this year including Zoe Walker and Keith Fletcher who have taken various photos and videos for us. It is now safe to say Equestrian sport at DMU is here to stay, and a huge part of this is the support from DSU and all the staff who work to make us a better club and BUCS team. A final thank you to Vice Chancellor of the university Dominic Shellard, who has actively engaged with our club and given us the support and motivation required to get DMU sport performance levels higher and more successful.

Jenny Walker, Chairperson for the club was able to see all the hard work put into practice with the DMU display at Varsity.

"Despite the loss of the home advantage, both A and B team excelled expectations and rode to a higher standard than we have ever seen. Everyone arrived and left with a smile on their face and I am immensely proud of each and every rider. The hard work and dedication put in over the last few weeks in training really showed and the huge improvement that a final push in the last few weeks can have. DMU Equestrian has some promising young riders for the future of BUCS and Varsity!"

VARSITY 2014:

A TEAM:

Gemma Elliott

Georgia Aston

Clare Wilyman

Jenny Walker

B TEAM:

Gabbi Berrill

Charlotte Scott

Helen Whittle

Lizzie Mole

BUCS A team final cup match (Preparing for Varsity 2014)

After a successful year competing in the BUCS league, De Montfort A team were to ride in their last ever BUCS cup match of the season at Nottingham Trent University. The team have been competing solidly all year together and training every week in both dressage and show jumping disciplines with yard proprietor and dressage coach, Verity Saul of Witham Villa who has been getting them all into shape for the up and coming Varsity match against Leicester University. The final cup match was the last chance for the girls to have a go at riding the BUCS competition style before Varsity so the pressure was on to ensure a top performance from all riders.

Gemma Elliott A team rider (2nd year)

The standard of riding in this years A team league is higher than ever, with Sheffield, Nottingham, Nottingham Trent and De Montfort all aiming to secure, not just team wins, but individual placings which all contribute towards BUCS league points.

The team rode extremely well with lots of high scores for both dressage and show jumping with a wide variety of very challenging horses used for the day in order to test the riders to the absolute max. The fences were set at 90cm with a demanding show jumping course layout to ensure the competition bar was raised for the closing of the BUCS league. With a brilliant display shown by De Montfort the surprise of the day came from new rider, Georgia Aston who was placed 7th overall for the day, a fantastic personal achievement and result for the club. Georgia was extremely pleased with the result and feels her riding has really benefited from being a part of the University club.

"As the only fresher rider on the A team this year, I initially felt a little apprehensive about the challenging format of the BUCS competitions. However, I was supported every step of the way by my team and my riding has gone from strength the strength. Gaining an individual placing in our final league competition is something I would never have thought I'd have achieved at the start of the year, which goes to show that hard work and commitment really does pay off! Joining a team is the best thing I could have done as a first year, as well as achieving personal sporting goals, I have joined a network of wonderful people along the way which has made the transition to university life and enjoyable one."

Georgia Aston A team rider (1st year)

The BUCS league competitions are aimed at a wide variety of riders; those who have not competed who get the opportunity to join a team and experience the competitive world, rider's who want to challenge their skills further and achieve goals on a variety of horses and for those who may have lost confidence who want to get back into competing the BUCS matches are a fantastic way to experience a totally new world of equine competition.

Jenny Walker, Chair of the club is in her final year of riding for the equestrian team and has been a part of developing and expanding upon the positive work that has been put in place by every committee and team rider.

"Riding in BUCS has been the best experience throughout my time at De Montfort University. I have been fortunate enough to ride as part of the A team for three whole years and have loved every second of it! It has brought up many challenges for me, including competing against some of the best riders in the country, but I feel it has improved my versatility as a rider and given me a lot more confidence. The best part about it has to be the fact it is competed as a team, as generally in the equestrian world we are always competing individually. Having those three other riders by your side to praise and also push you is what makes BUCS a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I am extremely pleased to be a part of the rising success and journey to get equestrian sport bigger and better."

Jenny Walker A team captain (3rd year)

Both A and B team have been training very hard the last few weeks, not just in the saddle but also by par taking in local Pilates sessions ran by Physiotherapist, Sara Smith, that are especially designed for equine activity to improve balance, co-ordination and position whilst riding. The date has been set for 19th of March when both teams will head to Leicester University's yard in South Leicestershire to compete in the biggest match of the year. The B team and some intermediates will be setting off to compete at Sutton Bonnington Riding Club on Wednesday 12th of March to take part in some friendly show jumping all part of the preparations for Varsity 2014!

A final well done to De Montfort A team on their successful year competing and all the B team rider's for keeping up all their hard work training, which will hopefully see them return to campus with some red Varsity ribbons next week...

Keep up to date with all the latest from DMU Equestrian on Twitter @DMUEquestrian

Clare Wilyman A team rider (2nd year)

Cantering to confidence: BUCS friendly match review.

With Varsity just around the corner, the teams have been training hard to ensure the best possible chance for a win this season against rivals, Leicester University Equestrian club. Everyone knows the only way to secure a win is practice, practice, practice and De Montfort Equestrian team have embedded this motto into their training by holding a practice BUCS friendly match to get everyone in full competitive mode. This day incorporated some of DMU Equestrian's team riders as well as new intermediates who are hoping to secure a place on the team and Varsity squad next year and used the day as chance to build some confidence and have a go at a BUCS style competition in full show gear.

The successful riders of the day:
Emily Milner (6th), Charlotte Scott (4th), Lorna Stahly (5th)
Gabbi Berrill (3rd), Becky Shraga (1st) and Lizzie Mole (2nd)

The competition on 26th February, included six rider's from De Montfort, with three of the B team riders taking part to get some extra competition style practice before the up and coming Varsity match. The day included running through the BUCS dressage test on one horse and then completing a show jumping round of 80cm on another. The dressage consists of a preliminary style test with circles, change of rein, canter work, trot work and is marked for accuracy of each movement out of ten. As well as accuracy scores, the riders gain collective set marks that look at position, use of aids, impulsion, balance and harmony with the horse themselves. The day was judged by Verity Saul, proprietor and qualified List 6 Dressage Judge who has competed in all disciplines including representing the Northern Region at the BD Senior Home International. Keen to challenge the riders, Verity made sure her marks were a true reflection of the tests and show jumping rounds produced and put everyone at DMU through their paces to ensure the best results. The scores across the board were all extremely pleasing with some well executed tests ridden by all, including some brand new intermediates who haven't rode the full dressage test in months but produced some brilliant flatwork. The horses used included Breeze, a lovely bay gelding who has previously been competed in BUCS matches. Willow, a striking black mare who was ridden by Becky Shraga who also currently competes her in the Preliminary classes for British Dressage. The final horse used on the day was Charm, a sweet tempered, coloured gelding who is great for the more capable and also newer riders, he takes part in all disciplines at Witham Villa.

The show jumping round consisted of a simple six fence course designed to give the team riders a chance to show off all their hard work training, and the intermediates competing a chance to have a go at jumping a full course. The course consisted of a double, spreads and cross poles giving a variety of fences for the riders to tackle as every fence is scored out of ten as well as collective marks similar to dressage that are awarded. The results at the end of the show jumping were brilliant, with lots of clear rounds and high style marks awarded as everyone finished on a high completing both section of the BUCS competition. The horses competed were; Harrison, a favourite amongst the DMU rider's and a excellent jumping pony, Caesar a bay gelding who has been used for all BUCS competitions and Preston, a super pony who is used for all disciplines at Witham Villa.

All the riders who took part did extremely well and found it a real booster for their confidence and a nice relaxed chance to have a go at competing in a friendly environment. B team rider's Becky Shraga, Lizzie Mole and Gabbi Berrill took 1st, 2nd and 3rd placings with an excellent display of strong team riding from all. Charlotte Scott, Lorna Stahly and Emily Milner walked away with 4th, 5th and 6th individual rosettes and personalised certificates as a record of their completion of the day. Judge, Verity Saul was extremely pleased with the efforts from all the riders and the improvement in everyones confidence prior to the 2014 Varsity.

Lizzie Mole, B team rider was really pleased she joined in on the day gaining the top dressage score riding Breeze:

"The friendly competition at Witham Villa was a great day for everybody who came and rode. The atmosphere was relaxed and everyone achieved a rosette placing which was really rewarding and helped improve everyones confidence. It was a great opportunity to be judged by Verity as a top dressage rider in a friendly and familiar environment. I was really happy to have come second and be able to compete on some fantastic horses. Thank you to Gabbi and Becky for running and organising such a fun day!"

Lorna Stahly, a rider who hasn't competed at university before found the day has really motivated her to get back into the saddle:

"It was such a good day! Everything ran very smoothly and because there was no pressure it just added so much more fun to the situation. It was nice to get all dressed up in show gear and see how BUCS competitions really run, almost like a little dress rehearsal! It boosted everyone's confidence and love for riding."

The next few weeks will see the team actively training for Varsity with some more Equi-pilates sessions to work on balance, co-ordination and fitness, as well as some intense flatwork and jumping lessons before the big day. Congratulations to all the girls for their hard work and commitment this year with some brilliant results and buckets of confidence as a consequence of all their dedication to the club and the sport.

Tweet us @DMUEquestrian and keep up to date with the latest horsey happenings!

Getting ready for Varsity 2014 with Equipilates

DMU Equestrian have recently been training hard in order to prepare for this year's Varsity against Leicester University, with two teams being entered with eight of the best rider's from each university competing in the battle of the best!

In order to make sure they are all fighting fit, DMU Equestrian have taken an alternative approach to their training by improving things from the ground with Equipilates sessions. The sessions are Pilates but structured specifically to help horse riders improve position, postural awareness, balance and co-ordination whilst performing any riding discipline as a holistic exercise regime. The sessions are ran by Sara Smith, De Montfort University's very own physiotherapist who works at the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Centre Gym right on campus. As a rider herself, Sara specialises in working with riders to improve their position to help benefit their riding and give positive results from both physical and breathing exercises.

Equipilates is designed to improve the rider's awareness of their own body and the effect movement from the rider has upon the horse and the way they move underneath. Spinal alignment and leg position are significant elements to consider whilst riding and Equipilates exercises help to create a greater awareness of the signals riders give out to their horse from tensing up to body alignment. The Equipilates sessions are designed to create a greater feel for weight distribution and gives riders a chance to assess the loading of their weight and create a more balanced position from the ground, which can be reciprocated whilst riding. Small distributions or an uneven balance of weight can alter the movement of the horse and therefore create a less aligned and even movement from horse to rider and vice versa.

In the recent session provided by Sara, the DMU Equestrian students worked on becoming more aware of their body and the weight and balance that they distribute and trying to centralise this to create a more even centre of gravity. Other exercises involved stretching the various muscles riders use to allow them to become more supple and flexible, involving using various equipment to relive tension from areas such as the quads, lower back and hamstrings.

The session was a huge success with the team feeling a lot more conscious of how groundwork and exercises really can improve your riding! This training is all part of developing the fitness for Varsity amongst the DMU Equestrian team whilst giving a positive experience and something new for the club to take part in. Lizzie Mole, a first year student who rides for DMU B team found the session has really helped her to understand more about her posture and balance which she hopes to en corporate into her riding sessions;

"I loved doing the Equipilates session and I have felt it has benefitted my riding massively. We worked on breathing as well as tensing and relaxing muscles which especially useful for a rider who is on an excitable horse, or even feeling nervous before a competition. We were also taught stretches to strengthen leg muscles and help build on our flexibility. It was a really informative and good session, well worth the early start."

A huge thank you to Sara Smith for running the session, check out her Facebook page and if you would like anymore information on Equipilates or DMU Equestrian please don't hesitate to contact us.

SarahSmithPhysiotherapy
DMU Equestrian Society

DMU continue charity work with local RDA Arden group

Arden RDA the local Leicestershire volunteer group

The RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) are a charity with a difference. They provide positive care and therapy for people living with disability all over the UK with horses and ponies. With over 500 groups, working for over 40 years, with 18,000 volunteers the RDA are a charity that offer an opportunity for alternative 'Hippotherapy' for people living with both physical and mental disabilities. The RDA focus on giving exceptional care and engagement from instructors and volunteers in a safe and comfortable environment for all age groups whilst making it as accessible as possible.

The focus of the RDA is to make sure that the rider's gain a pleasure from working with the animals in order to potentially gain confidence, freedom of movement, enhanced physiotherapy, reach individual goals or build relationships. It has been noted by medical professionals that there are significant therapeutic benefits from the therapy provided for rider's with disabilities. The movement of the horse is transmitted through the rider's body to make them more supple and to strengthen core stability, improving balance, posture and co-ordination.

The girls at DMU Equestrian are now proudly part of the local RDA Arden Group which runs weekly sessions that the team at De Montfort are actively participating in to help local people to achieve their own goals through riding care and therapy. The volunteer scheme runs alongside the DSU volunteer awards system that allows students to log their hours for volunteering allowing them to receive an official certification from the university at the end of the year for all their hard work.

This is not the first affiliation the girls have participated in to do with the RDA, as the naked charity calendar produced by the society gives proceeds to local RDA group, Kimberley House that ride at Witham Villa, De Montfort's nominated training yard. The opportunity to volunteer is open to all society members as no prior experience is required as all training is given through the staff working at RDA to ensure safe and correct practice is executed by all volunteers to clients taking part.

Lybbi Hatton, a member of the society took part in the first training session with the Arden RDA group and was able to see firsthand the benefits riding can have for the disabled as well as other rider's. As a rider who is working on her confidence, Lybbi found the experience a positive reinforcement for achieving her own personal equestrian goals;

"As a person who has gained a lot from the positive benefits of horse riding and seeing the huge impact it can have on someone's well being. The RDA is a fantastic group that creates a safe and encouraging environment for children and adults with disability to learn to work with horses. I throughly enjoyed helping and seeing the faces of the children as they were riding, and how proud they clearly felt was a real pleasure to watch."

De Montfort Equestrian Club will now be making a regular appearance at the Arden RDA yard and hope to work up lots of volunteer hours for the DSU University scheme.

For information on how to get involved please contact us via;

Twitter @DMUEquestrian

Facebook 'DMU Equestrian Society'

DMU Equestrian at the local Arden RDA volunteer scheme

BUCS Banishing Britain?

This week has seen the controversial decision made to not send a British team to the World University Equestrian Championships ran by BUCS. This decision reflects the lack of support and funding given to university equine sports teams over other sports played within the BUCS university leagues. As a competing university, the topic has lead to many discussions between DMU Equestrian rider's as to the negative impact this has on not only university competitors, but Britain as a leading country in equestrian sport currently in the world.

BUCS, The British University and
Colleges Sport.

The World University Championships are ran in the same format of BUCS (British University and Colleges Sport) format league competitions across the UK. Britain has decided to not send a team this year on the basis that the style of competition does not help to positively develop the most elite young rider's who train for Team GB. The event was to occur in March in Abu Dhabi, where rider's are given an unknown horse supplied by the venue, with 10 minutes to warm up before doing a dressage test and show jumping round, the same display as in the BUCS league matches. The final round consists of a Prix St George standard dressage test and a 1.30m show jumping round.

Previous British winners in the BUCS world title includes top event rider, William Fox- Pitt who won the show jumping phase in the world championships. His reaction to the news Britain was not sending a team was that it was a "huge shame" as a rider who fully supports the university BUCS competitions and the positive development of young British rider's.

Team GB have had huge success
since the 2012 London Olympics

BUCS have stated that the competitions do not help improve the Olympic rider's in training and the competition does not fit in with their young rider development programme, hence the decision to abstain from sending a team. The lack of funding for university sport is reflected in this decision as sending a team would be costly, but Britain have already proved they are more than capable of bringing home the gold with a successful previous record at the BUCS worlds with at least one medal every event since 1997.

The format of the BUCS competitions is a controversial one, but it allows rider's to compete who may not necessarily be able to finance their own horse and encourages them to adapt to any situation by riding a variety of different horses. This is a huge shame pulling Britain out especially due to the recent success by Charlotte Dujardin and her world record at Olympia in December 2013 and Scott Brash becoming world number one for show jumping.

Jenny Walker, Chairperson for De Montfort Equestrian Society had this to say about the drastic decision not to send a team;

"It's a huge shame that we won't have a BUCS team to represent our country in the World Equestrian Championships this year. It's especially disappointing considering how much Britain is succeeding in all aspects of Equestrian disciplines, including lots of medals at the 2012 Olympics and recent world records set by Charlotte Dujardin. I have seen some of the BUCS young rider talent in our region alone and the standard is very high, which is know is reflected in BUCS leagues across the country. This is a huge step backwards in the world of student equestrian sport and hopefully we will gain a well deserved place at next year's championships and BUCS will alter their decision not to send a team."

The impact of this decision by BUCS is one that will have a knock on effect on the number of rider's who choose to participate in university equine activity due to the lack of support and closure of opportunities such as the world championships for them to take part in.

Let us know what you think via Twitter @DMUEquestrian or Facebook 'DMU Equestrian Society'

Remember to keep voting in the ESMA Awards 2014 for DMU Equestrian, Section 14: 'BEST BLOG' and help counteract this negative impact on university equine sport and get behind the fight for British success!

http://www.equestriansocialmediaawards.com/finalists-esma

VOTING NOW OPEN! 

Is 2014 the year for university equestrian sport?

The start of 2014 has started in success for DMU Equestrian as they have been nominated into the top 10 finals for the global Equestrian Social Media Awards. This is an outstanding achievement for the society who are delighted to be a part of these prestigious awards and are voting and promoting, hoping to secure a win for their club.

The hard work that has been inputted by all the members of the society, competitive teams and committee is what has driven DMU Equestrian to the forefront of sport at De Montfort, and being a part of these awards is only helping to raise the profile of university equestrian sport even more. The positive impact of these awards has only motivated the team behind DMU Equestrian Society to get involved in more activities outside of their home yard including some volunteering for the local RDA Arden group. This is continuing the hard work the girls have done with their naked charity calendar raising an amazing amount of money with a complete sell out this year! Alongside their charitable work, the girls have are preparing to start building upon their training sessions by trying out some fitness but equestrian style, with brand new Equi-Pilates classes. These classes are designed to work specifically on pilates that benefits the core strength and muscles worked hardest within horse rider's and aimed to benefit balance, strength and muscle ratio. The society are helping to support local Equi- Pilates instructor and sports massage therapist, Sara Smith on her fight to get equestrian's fitter and fighting ready for those competitive seasons to begin.

What's next for DMU Equestrian?

Becky Shraga B Team Captain

B Team Captain, Becky Shraga tells us all about the next stage of the journey for DMU Equestrian and gives us an exclusive insight into why De Montfort Equestrian team is the club to join, and the pony place to be. 

What has been your favourite moment so far since the start of the 2013/2014 academic year?

Being made B team captain and leading a very strong team into our first competition on home turf, where everyone member of the team’s dressage and jumping results had improved dramatically from the start of the year at try outs. This made me feel very proud of my team and showed how hard work and commitment can really pay off.

What is the best thing about being on committee?

Working in a close-knit team, who also happen to by my best friends is the most rewarding part of being on committee. I loved planning and executing the fresher’s fair. All our hard work over the summer thoroughly paid off, signing up more members than the last two previous years, which for a developing club like ours, is a huge achievement we were all extremely proud of.

Describe your DMU Equestrian experience in three words.

Fun, Exciting, Love

What other experiences can DMU Equestrian offer members besides riding on a competitive team?

British Dressage, Riding schools competitions, Gymkhana, handy pony days, RDA training, socials and much more…

What new things are you planning to try out for 2014 as a club?

RDA training, friendly competitions between B and C team, British dressage, local show jumping…

How has DMU Equestrian made your university experience the best it can possibly be?

I’ve made friends that I will keep for life, increased my competitive streak, worked as a captain with my best friends, competed in British Dressage and formed a strong bond with one the horses who I plan to compete with on a regular basis.

What personal goals has DMU Equestrian helped you to achieve or overcome?

I will now happily will sit on any horse and take what it gives me, can now jump a 95cm show jumping course after breaking my back 5 years ago.

What has been your most memorable night out with the club?

Going on a joint social with hockey, dressed in my DMU riding colours and jodhpurs allowed us to bond with the other teams and have a really fun night out. 

REMEMBER TO TWEET US @DMUEquestrian 

AND VOTE FOR US IN THE 2014 ESMA AWARDS SECTION 14 DMU EQUESTRIAN FOR 'BEST BLOG'

http://www.equestriansocialmediaawards.com/finalists-esma

DMU Equestrian 'BEST BLOG' FINALISTS! VOTE NOW!

DMU Equestrian's social media success #esma14

The Equestrian Social Media Awards #esma14

The close of 2013 marked the end of a very successful year at DMU Equestrian, with the naked calendar being a sell out, and two unforgettable home competitions for the BUCS league teams who compete for De Montfort. The club are hoping to continue this success and the positive development of Equestrian sport at university into 2014 and beyond, as a developing sport that has significantly raised it's profile at DMU and is proving to be at the forefront of sport at De Montfort.

The opening of the Equestrian Social Media awards for 2014 in December ignited a new challenge for the society at DMU as the nomination for 'Best Blog' allowed them the opportunity to showcase their developments in helping get more young people involved in equine activities at university level. The awards showcase how different types of social media are helping to raise the profile of equestrian sport and activities across the globe. The awards positively unite the equestrian world and DMU Equestrian are extremely lucky to be a part of the nominations this year, showing off their very own methods of getting equestrian sport out there and more and more people wanting to know more!

These prestigious awards have 17 categories including; best use of twitter, best blog, best use of Facebook, best use of media by a professional horse person etc. The public nominate entries into the awards and then the top 10 from each section are entered into the finals on January 20th 2014 in which two winners are decided, one by public vote and one by a specially selected equine panel of professional judges. Nominees are subject to strict engagement criteria such as how quickly they respond to comments, post original content and demonstrate good online etiquette. Top celebrities such as; world number one show jumper Ben Maher, Katie Price and Clare Balding are all entrants in the awards alongside amateur writers and equestrians. In the equestrian world it is a highly regarded award with some top magazine and television names entering such as; Horse and Hound, Horse and Country TV and British Eventing. This is matched by the just as expert panel of judges which comprises of top photographers, professional riders, magazine publishers, bloggers etc.

The support from everyone who has voted in the awards has highlighted just how far the society has come and how much impact it has had on people at the university and young people involved in the sport. The influence it has had over Equestrian sport at De Montfort University has been amazing, with a high readership level and active circulation around the university. The activity of this blog has raised, beyond belief the profile of equestrian sport at university and has acted as a catalyst for the engagement of young, educated people to get into something amazing. It gives the ins and outs, the ups and downs and the true dedication and motivation that people riding in university sport have and the level of success it can give to the individual and as a club at De Montfort. It was started out as a means of developing the training and activity of BUCS league teams at the university and has grown into something much more than that, with an outstanding level of support from students and staff at the university. It signifies the true impact that a small community can have on improving equestrian sport and how every single rider is valuable within the community on a social level as well as a riding one. It as enhanced the social media awareness of equestrian sport at university by positively reinforcing the benefits of riding and giving students something extra to work for. DMU Equestrian blog is a bout more than just horses, it is about creating and educating the university community about a sport that is now at the forefront of British sporting disciplines.

Thank you to everyone who has voted and supported us. We are ever anticipating the announcement of the finalists for 2014 on January 20th!

#esma14
DMU Equestrian for 'Best Blog'