HOLME VALLEY RIDING CLUB - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Training Officer
- Member of Committee
I first became a member of Holme Valley when I was 8 years old and took part in ever training opportunity I could with my brilliant pony Kenny. I attended my first Riding club championships when I was 10 years old participating in the pairs cross country where we came 3rd place. A few years later at the age of 12 I attended the championships again but this time the team won the showcross final at Aston le Walls.
I progressed on to do more eventing and this led to me buying my lovely horse Colin. We progressed up the levels in the British Eventing scene. We jumped up the levels to reach 2* (new 2* old 1*). We also turned our hoof to dressage on a number of occasions and competed successfully at Medium level.
After Colin's retirement I then moved on to buying an unbacked 3 year old from Ireland, that many of you know now as Larry. Larry has not always been the easiest of horse as I'm sure a few of you are aware after seeing me battling with him at Woodnook on multiple occasion. However, he is now showing true promise as a flourishing 5 year old and I will continue his training and development.
I am out competing Larry in all disciplines on a regular occasion. So if I see you or you see me out and about say hello, you can't miss me, Larry is huge!
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Member of Committee
Having ridden from a young age growing up in Cambridgeshire, it was inevitable horses would join me in the move to Yorkshire! Having taught at a local Riding School whilst at University I made many new 'horsey friends' and joined HVRC a number of years ago, competing on Binky, my now retired Appaloosa, on HVRC Show Jumping and Show Cross Teams.
Horses are in my blood, so when I got to 59 1/3 I decided had better find out if I still wanted to ride. After a short hack when I didn't fall off and wasn't terrified, I concluded that learning how to trot would be a good idea. So riding lessons commenced. I didn't expect to move house to accommodate the horse, I didn't expect to be the doting owner of two cobs and I didn't expect to be thinking about learning how to jump. But 11 years on - here I am.
The reason for riding lessons being part of the retirement plan was because I had been too busy working to indulge my passion for horses. My last job was as Chief Executive for a small organisation that provided HR services to Universities. Along the way I have been involved in the boards of loads of organisations, both large and small. I've been chair of the Students Union Board of Trustees, a mediation charity, and a health body. I'm currently chair of Holmfirth Tech, on the board of the Fair Traders Coop and convenor of the Holme Valley Vision network. I am a joiner and can't resist trying to organise people.
The Holme Valley Riding Club is important to me and my horses and we have benefited hugely from our membership. I have met some very friendly people, who have encouraged and helped me and the events mean the horses get to go somewhere and do things they wouldn't if they were just stuck at home. Being the chair of any organisation is a privilege and a wonderful way to meet people and learn. So encouraging other people to take on roles and coaching them, I see as part of the job.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the riding club.
Job Titles:
- Member of Committee
- Safeguarding Officer
I have been a committee member for just over a year, and I'm the designated safeguarding officer for the club.
I have been riding for over 55 years. I was a member of Rockwood pony club in my youth. Then my passion for eventing took over. I have been a member of British Eventing for over 30 years alongside the riding club.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Member of Committee
I am the club treasurer, and also look after the HVRC dressage competitions and Area dressage teams.
Job Titles:
- Training Officer
- Member of Committee
I've got a chestnut mare called Coco, we do lots of training and a few unaffiliated shows now and again. I'm hoping to do more and eventually do our first ODE.
Job Titles:
- Member of Committee
- PR and Website
I have been riding horses on and off since I was 5 years old. More recently I have been lucky enough to ride a variety of horses locally for some lovely owners, before they gifted me my lovely (and occasionally bonkers) mare Phyllis.
In the past I have successfully represented HVRC in teams at the Area qualifiers, and at BRC championships. I also try my hand at the majority of our local competitions. When I'm not working marketing Zoflora disinfectant, I enjoy training and competing both with the riding club and at unaffiliated level with varying degrees of success…. we always have a lovely day though!
If you've got any queries or suggestions for the website, drop me a line. I also look after the HVRC clothing orders, so if you would like some club kit please email me at vaoldroyd@gmail.com
Job Titles:
- Member of Committee
- Social Officer
I have recently joined the committee as the social officer. Quite a challenge for someone who is essentially rather shy and doesn't like crowds. But I love chatting and getting to know people.
I rode in my youth in Cambridgeshire, firstly just around the farm on my 10.2 welsh thelwell. Then got bitten by the competition bug aged 14, and joined The Fitzwilliam Pony Club and Huntingdon and District riding club. I had so much fun in the next 8 years. A move away from home meant I needed to put riding on ‘hold'. I always hoped to come back to it - but wasn't expecting it would be 35 years later!!
So I now have a very sweet natured 14.1 called Sky who I enjoy doing a bit of anything with - showjumping up to 70cm, very baby cross country and dressage (which Sky isn't a fan of). I enjoy the lessons, clinics and competitions put on by the riding club and even managed 2 clear rounds as part of a team recently. I, optimistically, still harbour ambitions of eventing. But I'm just so pleased to be having fun doing what I'm doing, as a few years ago I really thought my days of enjoying the thrill of jumping (even at 70cm) were behind me.
Being more involved in the riding club, is helping my confidence and skill as a rider, and in my role as Social Officer I'd like to encourage more people to make the most of all the riding club has to offer. I'd be pleased to hear from any of you with ideas for how we can develop our social side of the riding club.