Hayfield News - March 2007

This February everyone at Hayfield enjoyed the wonderful surprise of a visit from Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Rothesay.
The Duchess, better known as Camilla Parker Bowles, along with her husband Prince Charles are both very keen riders. Camilla's visit was specifically to meet everyone involved in a group of special needs children who are riding as part of a project which is the first in Scotland. The visit was kept very hush! hush! for security reasons and was a pleasant and private affair with the focus very much on the children, the ponies, the instructresses, teachers and the many helpers who lead the children.

The visit started with directors John and Caroline and the Lord Provost welcoming Her Royal Highness before moving on through the stables. As they walked and talked the Duchess stopping for a moment to speak to Splash who graciously accepted a royal polo mint. At the door to the big school John introduced the staff who he explained had arranged a short display of advanced riding skills. Camilla talked to everyone at length relating to their interest and passion for horses, asking at one point if the Pony Club teachings had changed much since her day. Retiring to watch the grand display John had a chance to explain to the assembled dignitaries that Hayfield had always delivered the same learning programme to all of their riders whether with special needs or aspiring to compete in top level competitions, which several do.

With the display at an end Camilla returned to the school door to chat to the riders. In particular she complimented Olly on Reece, assuring him that the muddle that he got into in the final movement simply made the whole show more exciting! Now came the main purpose of the visit - to meet the children, the teachers and helpers at reception and see what they do every week in the small indoor school and the fine progress they have made. At reception Camilla met Karen in the same way the children do every week before turning her attention to the very excited group of children who were dying to tell her all about what they could do and about their favourite ponies. Having talked to absolutely everyone it was off to show her what they could do riding in the small school front of all of the other schoolchildren who also ride as part of the project. With reporters, TV crews and just a heap of excited children and teachers the scene was set.

Following their usual practice they know the procedure well as Sadie assisted by Claire, Louise and Lauren was take charge of the show. The helpers, smartly dressed help the riders where needed to show off their riding skills to their best and to the joy of everyone assembled. Smiles all round and cheer from the children watching as Camilla herself led the clapped showing her absolute appreciation and joy. With the display of riding finished Camilla presented all of the riders with the certificates which recognised that they had achieved their first skills level. Most appreciated was the way that Camilla spent absolutely ages chatting away to all of the other children, parents and teachers interested to hear how the riding and pony care courses had helped so many children in all that they do.

With everyone happy much attention was also given to the stars of the show, the ponies and Busby, Buttons, Honey, Sam and Robbie could hardly have eaten another tip bit, polo or carrot (well almost hardly!). Finally John, Caroline and those who had put the project together retired to the lounge. Camilla of course being an avid horse lover knows full well the value of children learning to ride and take care of horses and ponies to children. Discovering that John's son Christopher was a professional polo player Camilla commented that although Prince Charles missed his polo, he was delighted that Prince's Harry and William had become such good players. Concluding the visit by saying how much she had enjoyed the day which was so inspiring that she now intends to keep a horse at Balmoral so that she can ride more often herself for pleasure. A hearty farewell followed before Camilla drove off down the road and past the golf course. Everyone agreed that it had been a wonderful visit with every child who met Camilla going home with a rosette from Zed and a great big smile on their face.

Jobs, opportunities and helping out.
Times of change always bring new opportunities to those who want to get more involved with Hayfield and this page will let you know how you can become involved - read on………..

Positions Vacant.
Receptionist. Applicants must be experienced and able to work weekday evenings after which the working times and days are flexible. - Ask Caroline Martin.
Instructor/ Instructress. In the fullness of time we are looking for an experienced person to fill this post. The applicant must enjoy teaching at all levels and looking for a permanent post which offers advancement. Applicant to apply in writing.
Opportunities to help.
Leaders - Helping Lynette, Olly and Anita on Saturday and Sunday afternoons take out paddock hacks can be fun (and can also be wet!). All we ask is that you can be counted on every week and we are happy for we will teach you what you need to know.

Second Escorts.
If you are over 16, have time on your hands, are a competent rider who likes the idea of eventually being qualified to take rides out we will consider taking you on, training you for the assistant ride leaders qualification. The exam will be held at Hayfield in the autumn, is recognised Internationally. Apply to John and expect a trial period.

If you lack experience or confidence.
That's where Hayfield comes into it's own! Join a junior stable management course or a British Horse Society Horse Ownership course in the evenings and gain a qualification at the end of it. Hayfield staff will show you how from which your confidence will grow.
You can learn a lot just helping out around the stables but you have to be accountable to be safe! The best way to be accountable is to ask a member of staff if they are happy for you to help them. If you are little then you will probably only get to sweep yards or fill hay nets as those are both fairly safe activities. But don't be offended if your offer isn't taken up immediately. Our staff will only take you on if they have the time to responsibly show you how with adequate supervision.. Until you are accepted why not join a stable management course or the horse ownership course which will help you learn more in the meantime. Anyone helping must be - A member, Neat, tidy, reliable and follow the instructions they are given by staff. No one helping comes under an "employed" status as this is your club and you are simply helping out. You must be picked up before the last member of staff leaves the yard.

Remember! Although the Club welcomes helpers they will have to be organised, accountable and reliable and have sufficient experience. If we cannot accept you for whatever reason don't worry for as you grow older or learn more your chance to apply again will come. - Hayfield looks after everyone!



John and Silver Flight (Blossom)

Horses from Poland.
Is the new horse really from Poland?
Well not this one, but there are four Polish horses on their way. This page though is not just about the newcomers but about all of the horses and ponies we love and tells us what they are doing right now. :

When John decides to improve our horse quality travelling 3,000 miles is nothing to him if it means he will find the right horses and so the new horses are here already!

After buying Silver Flight (stable name Blossom) as his personal event horse he then shot off to Poland and bought eight more quality horses for the school and clients who want to buy the horse of their dreams. Why Poland? Well strong safe horses with good paces are hard to find as John discovered last year, but Poland has them.

The horses which came over in the first trip are Alois, a handsome big grey gelding, well schooled and easy to ride, Heros, who is also a great schoolmaster and loves cross country! plus Hoga who is younger but has paces to die for and will be going directly to one of John's pupils to school and compete. Finally Ginfiz who is a medium sized six year old bay dressage horse competing at novice and intermediate level who is also for sale. They all arrived safely and after a couple of days to recover promptly jumped out of their field. The four others will come over later this spring and includes two lovely young horses which are finishing their training in Poland and another two, fully trained and chosen for the school. Apart from raising the standard of horses we learn on John's intention is to free up a few of the present Hayfield horses for summer hacking or for lease/ loan.


New horse update.
Jasper, you will all know well by now and some of you will have ridden the lovely large Piebald cob called Prince who has been showing his tremendous abilities in show jumping. Another Piebald pony (that's black and white) is Drummer who is Lynette's favourite and has started working well. Coming back to hacking now the spring evenings are here will be Emma, (the big chestnut), Sophie, Pom, Poppet, Libby and Erin who will be starting with easy going evening hacks round the park. Dilly is back up in the pony palace to work after a holiday in the doubles field and is looking fantastic! FreeB has gone over to our Equiworld sister club Midstrath for the spring. Penny has is now privately owned and lives in Brechin and Polly is with Kerry Sutherland and will be coming back for competitions and Pony club events.

Horse Loan/lease is a great success!

More than happy with life since she took Puzzle on a working lease, Wendy is making so much more progress now that she is able to spend more time practicing what she learns in the lessons.
This new idea to lease is another Hayfield first, designed to give experienced riders a chance to find out how life would be if they owned a horse learning to deal with the problems with help on hand from the staff and supervision throughout.

The loan lease fee is only available to members as it is subsidized and well below that of a normal commercial lease fee. A full lease giving sole use of a horse is £100 a week and a working lease (where the horse still works 10 hours a week) is £70 per week. The minimum period of lease is a month and there are a limited number of horses to be leased at any one time with each case being considered on it's own merits.

We feel that the experience of being able to lease will help prospective horse or pony ownership to learn all they have to learn BEFORE they buy. Our advice is to pass at least two of the BHS horse owners certificates if not three before you think seriously about owning a horse or pony. Stages 1 and 2 courses are running April to June and again in the Autumn.

"Those who are leasing seem to be enjoying their new freedoms!" says John, who thinks that this is one of the most important moves we have ever made. "It is tying in nicely with the BHS (British Horse Societies) four horse care tests where the successful student gains a series of certificates. Training is done in the evenings and starts as soon as we have 8 or 10 people signed up for a 12 week course. So why not get your friends together and have some fun while you learn. Our director, Caroline Martin believes strongly that people owe it to the horses to learn as much as they can about horse and pony care before committing to buying, owning and looking after them. John sees leasing as the ideal way to test the water learning with supervision. For anyone intending to buy then a lease purchase agreement in which the prospective buyer leases with an option to buy if they find that they get on with the horse give them a trial. Alternatively, they can walk away from the deal paying only the lease fee covering the trial period.

The final cherry on the top of the cake is that you can lease only at times which suit you. Best of all, if the rider is up to standard, what a fantastic present to give someone!

Lee Anne Perfect, Lynette and Richard join us.
One thing you can count on with Hayfield is that there is always people coming and going! As always its only when someone leaves that an opportunity arises for someone to join the team. Many of you will remember Lee Anne who comes back to help us with renewed vigor after some time "without horses" Yes! It's hard when "you have got horses in your blood!" Lynette is the cheery girl who has been helping Olly, Anita and John with Paddock Hacks and she has been riding Drummer. Richard was with us a little while ago and we are happy to say he is back helping on the yards. But where is Olly? Olly is down south in Sussex driving tractors and lambing sheep but he will be back with us at the end of May -
Although they are no longer on staff, Sadie, Hannah and Lauren are still with us in spirit and we look forwards to them popping in to visit or to teach from time to time.

Coming events.

Hacks, forest rides, day rides and beach rides.
If you are interested in any or all of these then send us your email and or mobile number and we will include you in all the notices we send out about new rides you can join. Send to Info@hayfield.com or just give your information to reception.

New Evening Hacks.
Wednesday - 6.15 for 6.30pm "A walk in the Park" will actually involve some trotting but riders must be capable of riding without being led. £20 paid on booking.
Tuesday - 6.15 for 6.30pm. "Play in the park" is for riders who are secure and confident in canter and jumping small logs (Blue +) £20 paid on booking.

The half price hacking offer.
With your very first weekday evening hack. Also the offer made in the Independent paper which we have extended to anyone who used to ride at Hayfield but has not been for at least nine months - so if you know someone who qualifies, tell them of the offer.

The Equiworld AGM.
Yes it's that time of year and the AGM will be at 8pm on Thursday 3rd of May. This year my son Christopher Crawford hopes to be there but much depends on when his polo matches and tournaments dictate that he plays in Oxford.

Horse ownership Courses.
Are great fun - a stage two starts on Monday 23rd of May and stage one starts on Friday 27th, - both at 7pm runs for between 60 and 90 minutes and costs £10 a night - 12 week £100 notes provided by e-mail and we have a 100% pass rate so far - with completion of the full course those who pass will receive a BHS qualification for the level gained.

April-May Calendar


21st April Physiotherapy Demo
May Ride out to Midstrath-Aboyne to visit Lucky and Molly.
Date to be decided after 14th £35 each G+ and over.
12th May Junior Show Jumping Night
19th May Adult Show Jumping Night
26th May Adult & Junior Dressage Night


June…………. Date to be decided-"Dig Orkney"
A group of 6 adult riders for a 4 day break to experience
the real Orkney-those interested see John.

Picture -
Chris Crawford with his lady friend Jesse

Stop Press!

The Daily Mail reporter who wrote that Hayfield had closed was very obviously wrong. John Crawford who's words he quoted from an interview last year? "I have had my fill" were taken out of context. John's comment in full was "I have had my fill of the litigious society we are living in".
In fact John thinks that young children of today are every bit as amazing as they have ever been.

The Funniest thing about all of this is that Hayfield has just been selected by the British Horse society and the British Equestrian Federation for the venue to host the Scottish National Equestrian Festival Open Day. Who are the sponsors? The Scottish Daily Mail!

 

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