F&I Association Report: Irish Day
On Tuesday, the 23rd of May 2023, F&I Association members had the pleasure of being welcomed to the beautiful Kildangan Stud in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Ireland. Famously, Kildangan is one of 7 studs within the wider Godolphin Ireland Limited enterprise, founded by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai). Kildangan’s own history can be traced back to the 17th century,…
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Inspirational training from Judy Harvey. Judy gave us a great insight into why she’s been so successful coaching some of our best riders and trained horses and judges to the top of the sport. Judy has an exceptional way of creating a great atmosphere that gets riders and horses working in a supple and harmonious way, and her eye for detail with both horses and riders is outstanding. All the riders responded and rode to…
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The F & I association and their guests were very lucky to have 5* rider David Doel – who had just returned from an 8th place finish in the Kentucky 5* – present his opinions on this year’s Badminton course. His first look around the course proved to be very insightful and educational to see things from a rider’s point of view. Themes in Eric Winter’s 2023 course quickly emerged; the use of the undulating…
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There were no fair weather riders to be seen at Moores Farm on Friday 31st March , which turned out to be one of the wettest days we have seen this year. The spectator group enjoyed watching riders Helen Martin, Hannah French, Karen Whiston and Lauren Betteridge. All the hardy souls made it to the end of a full day, motivated and captivated by watching and listening to a master at work. Listen to the…
Read MoreReport on the F&I Social Media Training Session
A Brief Report on the F&I Social Media Training Session Delivered by Alan Raftery, BHS Social Media Marketing Manager 9 March 2023. I thought it might be worth giving members a brief report on the first of our training sessions, in case you haven’t signed up yet. You still have two more opportunities to take part! Alan spent an hour taking us through some really helpful and easy to grasp tips on managing your social…
Read MoreReport on F&I Study Day at Talland
On a very cold March morning with a forecast of snow on the way we arrived at the impressive facilities at Talland. Everyone had their warm coats, woolly hats and blankets to get them through the day. Talland staff very kindly provided tea, coffee and biscuits to help keep us warm. Some were there to ride, some to coach, some did both, the rest observed and got involved in discussion. Pammy Hutton FBHS and Islay…
Read MoreReport from the 31st National Equine Forum, Westminster, London
The F&I Association was represented this year by myself, Mandy Luesley and Carol Bennitt. Carol and Mandy were the lucky winners of their tickets at our Annual Course. Other F&I members present (in various guises) were Sarah MacDonald and Liz Eaton (that I’m aware of!) An impressively diverse range of presenters variously informed, educated, entertained and even moved a nearly full Institution of Mechanical Engineers hall for a pretty packed days schedule. NEF President, The Princess…
Read MoreReport from the Zoom evening 4*/ 5* Eventing
What another fabulous F&I Zoom meeting on Wednesday 1st March. 4*/ 5* Eventing was the topic, with David Doel and Kylie Roddy speaking from a rider’s viewpoint and joined by Nick Turner and Eric Smiley from a coaching perspective. Forty-five F&I members registered for this informative and interesting discussion, covering a range of topics aimed at the 4*/5* horses and riders. Picking your event abroad or at home? David feels that the sport is heading…
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Seven of us met in the beautiful Hereford countryside, Sheepcote Equestrian Centre, for a day of outstanding learning and understanding of the dressage horse from the turn of the century to present day. David and Serena Pincus were our generous hosts and mentors for the day, and tackled their subject with clarity, deep insight and huge knowledge, and with the wisdom of having “seen it all”. Tucked in the cosy cottage next to a fire, we…
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