CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
It is my pleasure and that of the Committee to welcome you to Keysoe International for this our 35th Anniversary AND the end of the 9-year Reign of Terror as Ann, Vice Chair and myself are due to step down from the Committee, having accomplished 3 X 3 year stints on this Committee.
As we started 2021 in Lockdown with the Virtual AGM we find ourselves back wearing masks and carefully socially distanced, but at least we are able to meet up. For your CPD points from the BHS – 6 per day go online to the BHS APC page and fill out the questionnaire.
Our thanks to Keysoe International for hosting us. Allow me to ask you all to acknowledge a very special person – Organiser Supremo. We can only guess at the work which has gone into preparing this two-day Annual Course in a new venue, because even I only have a small clue.
Regular contact with Keysoe International and with all of us here tonight.
Preparation of this wonderful programme booklet with David Sheerin – thanks David.
Menus planned and then carefully written out by Herself – more than once as there were changes!
Coping with the changes of plan, changes of horses, and changes of riders…. Not to mention keeping the dreaded Covid Hoo-Hah at bay with sheer common sense…. Have you all guessed??
Ann Bostock Stand Up & on behalf of a very grateful Association this small token of our thanks. A LARGE BOX OF LILY O’BRIENS CHOCOLATES AND A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE PRESENTED TO ANN.
Looking back to the beginning of 2021 our ‘zoom’ webinars continued apace, starting the year with Richard & Caroline telling us about their Training Philosophies on 6th January, as the Course was sadly cancelled. We continued with yet more interesting and educational themes, some presented by our own members, Eric Smiley, Ernest Dillon and Jo Winfield. Topics such as ‘How to produce a Power Point Presentation’ to ‘Hydrotherapy’ and ending only recently with Kylie Roddy giving us an insight into her first 5* event at Pau with the ‘Gorgeous George’. My thanks to everyone who organised these webinars, those who presented them, wrote the reports and to our wonderful Treasurer Jude who helped us to access them via zoom.
Then, as the country ‘opened up ‘we started to travel. HOORAH! We started in April with a great day at Talland, where once again it was a treat for those able to gather to hear Pammy’s words of wisdom. Next, across to Judy Harvey, in May, at Furze House. Brilliant – life is nearly normal. Lucinda Green coached groups at Stockley Farm Wiltshire – fantastic. And then the Royal International Horse Show, perhaps not the usual crowds or the ‘Razzamatazz’ but we were hosted to lunch by the BHS and it was well worth the journey across the Irish Sea.
Now we are almost back to a normal year as some members visited the Mount St John Stud, whilst others of us visited Newton Stud and Anna Ross’ Elite Dressage. So many people presenting, donated the fees we owed them to their own favourite Charities whilst others only took a token amount or refused payment. In a moment Jude will give you an overview of the money, in total, this Association has donated to Charities.
Please give me a moment to reflect back on the last 9 years.
There I was quietly watching Yogi as he helped riders with young horses down a related distance in the arena at Addington. One horse I seem to remember was hesitant. I then realised Jo Winfield was sitting next to me chatting to me. WOW! I trembled, but of course I didn’t listen as I turned back to watch the arena and the young horse ‘skipped’ down the fences. As usual I was over enthusiastic and squealed ‘YES’ – Jo got up saying “Thanks Jillie we were sure you’d take on the Chair”.
And so began the last 9 years. Thank goodness for Ann, Vice Chair, we have over the years spent vast amounts of money and time phoning each other, till we found WhatsApp! I have been so lucky with the Committee members; some have served their term and moved on whilst others have returned after ‘time out’. EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THIS Committee has been supportive not only of myself and Ann but of the whole ethos of the F&I Association.
What a fabulous band of professional coaches we/YOU are. The Facebook page has grown and developed under the watchful eye of Sam Champney Warrener. PLEASE STAND UP SAM, so we can cheer you.
Sally Newcomb, sadly not here tonight, tweaks our webpage, keeping it up to date and a useful tool to us all.
Amy Bannister Bell, has taken on organising our contributions for the F&I page in the British Horse magazine. And it continues to evolve under her watchful eye. PLEASE STAND UP AMY.
Danny will now read a ‘thank you’ from Helen Martin to all members of the Association. Ladies & Gentlemen as a small ‘thank you’ to Danny for chairing some of our webinars and discussion groups a BOTTLE OF BUSHMILLS WHISKEY IS IN ORDER.
I would now like to thank EVERYONE – all 217 members of the Association for your support and hard work towards Ann and myself. Sadly, Covid has slightly depleted our numbers from the 100+ for the Course and this evenings dinner. HOWEVER, we have had a FANTASTIC 9 years THANK YOU ALL.
Jillie xx