2016 - F & I Association

Congratulations to Islay Auty FBHS

18 December 2016

Islay Auty FBHS was awarded a BEF medal of honour at Olympia. After receiving the medal she said: “The honour of being nominated for [a BEF medal of honour] by the BD board and it being endorsed by the BEF, I have found quite overwhelming and I thank everyone who made the award happen. I do…

Autumn Newsletter

21 October 2016

Dear Member What a fantastic year so far for the Fellow & Instructors Association. Di (our secretary) recently sent me a list of all days organised this year and it makes very good reading. We are a diverse group of people with that common interest – the horse. To just precis the dates, days have…

Philippa Mary Francis BHSI

10 October 2016

Members of the association will have been shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death from cancer on September 28 of Pippa Francis, aged 58. Not only was Pippa a BHSI, but also a BHS examiner from 1989 to 2003, BD dressage judge, Programme Area Manager at Warwickshire College for Equine and Farriery, Secretary/Treasurer…

Jo Knowles FBHS

8 October 2016

I am sad to hear that Jo Knowles has passed away. I first met Jo in the late 1980’s at a BHS Convention at Stoneleigh. I was immediately taken with her gentle, kind and knowledgeable attitude to everything. We talked about various things throughout the day and Jo was particularly interested in the Pat Smallwood…

Yard Visit to Carl Hester 6th October 2016

6 October 2016

You are greeted coming through the gate by a shimmering full size silver mesh horse – a taste of the magic to come! Guinea fowl and chickens wander around the outdoor school and grounds, a parrot raucously chats to you at the entrance to the school, and a variety of dogs wander in and…

BHSI Certificate Presentation

5 September 2016

Our latest BHSI Katie Partrick was presented with her BHSI certificate by Nick Turner at Burghley Horse Trials. Congratulations Katie

Burghley Course Walk with Nick Turner – Friday 2nd September, 2016

2 September 2016

Friday at Burghley dawned dry and clear and not too warm for our course walk with Nick Turner FBHS. This time it actually was a walk and not a march as Nick’s riders had all done their dressage on the Thursday! Nick presented Katie Partrick with her BHSI certificate with Burghley house in the background…

Have you considered taking the Fellowship exam?

31 August 2016

The Fellowship exam will be taking place on 21 and 22 February 2017, at Warwickshire College. The BHS Fellowship is the highest recognised professional standard across the equine industry and is internationally recognised. Taking place across two days, candidates will be assessed on coaching skills, practical demonstrations, theoretical knowledge, stable management and the history of…

Report from the RIHS

28 July 2016

The sun was shining as Fellow and Instructor’s Association members met in the BHS box at The Royal International Horse Show on Thursday 28th July. As the F&I’s newest member, I enjoyed meeting those who were there at morning coffee. Some members made themselves comfortable in the box to watch the show jumping action in…

Visit to Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle Racing Stable in Co Tipperary

30 June 2016

Eight very lucky members and ten friends were privileged to spend an amazing day visiting both Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle Racing Stable – brilliantly organised by Faith Ponsonby. At Coolmore we had two very able guides in Tom Harris and Tom Miller. These young men were both English, graduates of the Pony Club and…

Training Day with David Pincus

23 May 2016

F and I’s’ Training Day 23rd May 2016 with David Pincus, hosted by Carol Bennitt. Demo Riders Carol, Nina, Sarah, Mandy In Hand work Carol with 5yr old, PSG and GP This was an excellent day in every way. Our Hostess is so welcoming, kind, encouraging and supportive. Our Coach is tops. Open to discussion. …

Judy Harvey Coaching Day

9 May 2016

The weather at Judy Harvey’s (Monday 9th May) could not have been more different to last year when it poured with rain and Judy had put up a gazeebo to try and keep the spectators dry. This year it was needed to keep the sun at bay!!! Four BHSI’s rode with very different types of…

Badminton XC Course Walk

6 May 2016

A group of 12 members and their guests including three Irish representatives gathered at fence 2 for the annual course walk. This year we were lucky to have Eric Smiley FBHS as our guide. Eric began by explaining that there would be three groups of riders walking the course that day. The “oh my goodness…

F & I Association Newsletter April 2016

28 April 2016

As I start to write this newsletter I realise today is Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, what a fantastic woman for such a great age, and I understand still riding out in Windsor Great Park. I am lucky enough to be coming across to Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday 13th May with my very dear…

The Punchestown National Hunt Racing Festival

26 April 2016

It was the really keen racing fans who turned up for Faith Ponsonby’s picnic at the Punchestown Festival of Racing on 26th April, and as representatives of the F&I Association I can include Ann Bostock, Nick Turner, Faith and myself. The day was cruel weather wise with hail storms a regular feature of the picnic. …