Brae RDA have built a new riding ability centre in Dundee. Please read further, follow the link. RDA Letter
BHS have requested we publicise the following award: The British Horse Society Scotland Searches for Scotland's Most Popular Riding Instructor.

In 2005 BHS Scotland was donated a trophy to be presented to the riding instructor who is voted the most popular by their pupils. Yvonne MacFarlane BHSI from Falkirk received it from Pippa Funnell, for her work in 2005.

The Farney Grange Trophy is a valuable bespoke piece of artwork, which anyone would be delighted to have on his or her mantelpiece for a year, and the winner will be chosen purely by popular vote.

To nominate your favourite riding instructor, who must on the BHS Register of Instructors, you are simply asked to send their name and a short statement (no more than 50 words) describing why your instructor is the best.

This is a great opportunity for those instructors who are out teaching their pupils in all weathers in all types of schools. It’s not just for the upper echelons, but for the grass roots instructors where most of the BHS and Riding Club members and their horses get their education.

The instructor with the most votes wins. BHS Scotland Chairman, Annella Cowan said: "This trophy will recognise instructors who are kind, enthusiastic and inspiring and also those who pass on wisdom and produce results, anyone winning the Farney Grange Trophy will indeed be honoured and BHS Scotland is pleased to be able to administer such a positive prize that recognises excellence."

Nominations for the second winner should be sent to: Ms A Cowan, Newton Mhor, Methlick, AB42 8DR or emailed to amc@newtonmhor.freeserve.co.uk and should be received by the end of November. The award will be formally presented at the BHS Scotland AGM on 11th December.
Please log on to BHS Scotland website www.bhsscotland.org.uk and download the 'Are YOU Riding Responsibly' leaflet and poster.
The new Welfare regulations are now in place and they affect horse owners. British Horse Society Scotland offers free equine welfare advice as Welfare Act comes into force. The British Horse Society Scotland (BHSS) welcomes enactment of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 on 6 October - stressing that the key to protecting animals from unnecessary suffering is education. As Scotland's largest equine charity, BHSS has a network of welfare advisors ready to give anyone advice and practical help on horse welfare in Scotland. The Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act 2006 becomes law on Friday, 6 October.

BHS Scotland Development Officer Helene Mauchlen said: "The Act puts a duty of care on owners and those responsible for animals to ensure that the welfare needs of their animals are catered for. But, we cannot rely on legislation and prosecutions to prevent suffering. We need to educate the public about how to care for animals if you are responsible for a horse or pony you must know how to care for it properly."

As an educational charity, BHSS stands ready to help deliver the essential information to those responsible for horses.

Mrs Mauchlen said: "The duty of care means those owners who don't understand the needs of their animals will have to learn - and those who should know about welfare but disregard it will be committing an offence.

"The Scottish Executive says it will issue species-specific codes giving practical advice on caring for animals in due course but, meantime, anyone concerned about how to care for their horses can contact The British Horse Society Scotland and we can issue advice or offer practical health and assistance via our network of regional welfare advisors across Scotland."

She added: "It can be a fine line between irregular feeding and death from starvation, or between low-level neglect of a horse's hooves and grossly overgrown, painful, deformed feet. The new Act takes away the need for welfare organisations to wait for the suffering to start, before they can act."

The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act will also introduce the licensing of livery yards and animal sanctuaries and review The Riding Establishments Act under a raft of proposed secondary legislation over the next two years.

Anyone concerned about their horses welfare should contact BHS Scotland on 01764 654364 or email H.Mauchlen@bhs.org.uk

MEDIA CONTACT: Helene Mauchlen, BHS Scotland: 01764 656334 / 07808 141077 or h.mauchlen@bhs.org.uk

Notes for Editors:The Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act 2006 becomes law on 6 October 2006. To view the Act online, use the following link: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2006/asp_20060011_en.pdf
SDRC member Marjorie Grant went down to the 2006 National Championships in Lincoln and did incredibly well: She finished 4th out of 35 in RT9 with a score of 79.5%, which was only 8 marks behind the winner and she didn't stop there as she was placed 4th in E43 out of 20 competitors with a score of 191, which was only 2 marks behind the winner. It is a brilliant result for Marjorie and great to see a member of our club competing successfully at such a high level. Well done to Marjorie as we are all really pleased for her and wish her continued success in the future.
Events and schedules were last updated 18th October 2006. Please view the Events page for further information.
Senior Equitation 1 and 2 Training Course - Provisionally to be held at Auchlishie during Q3 2006 probably on Thursday evenings. There will be an examination at the end for both levels and successful candidates will be awarded a pass certificate and qualification. At Equitation 2 the jumping phase is optional. The course will go ahead if there is sufficient interest and it is hoped another for Equitation 3 and 4 will be held at the start of next year as well as a course for Horse Welfare 4. The course will be taken by William Harrison (BRC Examiner). Cost Ł15 per session. All interested parties should contact him on 01382 816 300 or 07718036563.
Brechin Castle Equestrian are holding the Horse Owners certificates 1-4 over the Autumn and Winter months. Check out their web pages for further information.
BHS Trec have requested Riding Clubs to display their newsletter. Please click on link for further details.
For Sale and Wanted has been updated on the 18th October 06. Is there anything you are interested in, would like to sell or that you want? Send the information to the email address and we will display your advert.
New item added to fun section on 25/05/06. We are looking for articles in the Fun section. Please submit your anecdotes.
NEED A TEST? Individual tests (for dressage, horse trials and riding test) are available from BHS Bookshop http://www.britishhorse.com , Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth CV8 2XZ. Please send a sae together with a note of the test(s) required and loose stamps to the value of 40p for each test required, up to a total of 4. If order for tests is over Ł2.50, please send a cheque and a sae. Please note that no stocks are held by the club and committee members cannot provide tests due to Copyright requirements. If you want dressage tests in a hurry there is a BD, BE etc... approved site that can provide you with tests instantly. Please visit http://www.dressagediagrams.com/ if you require tests in a hurry as they will make them avaialble on the web for you to save or print off.
If you wish to attend the SDRC social events and evening talks can you please phone the organiser to indicate your interest. This will help us with planning arrangements. Thank you.

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