All results will be posted soon.  

Penniwells took 10 riders to compete at the Greater London Region RDA Qualifiers 2010. They were held at The Arrow Centre, Dartford. Having had many hours of preparation and hard work from all, the riders rode their socks off and did the Centre proud. With many newcomers competing from Penniwells for the first time this year it was a busy time for staff, volunteers and ponies. All behaved impeccably on the day and the sun came out to give us the hottest Regional day in years! Riders representing Penniwells RDA were Ross Rose, Robyn Guinn, Courtney Hammond, Anthony O'Sullivan, Ben Kemp, Rachel O'Dell, Abbie Waller, Tracey Clutton, Sarah Flannigan and Mari Durward-Akhurst. All rode so well and you would never have known for some it was their first competition away from Penniwells. The ponies were Pod, Prince, Louis, Woody and Flossie.

8 out of the 10 have qualified to go to the National Championships held at Hartpury College in Gloucester in July. A fantastic achievement for The Centre. Well done to all who rode, helped and groomed on the day. It is the whole team that makes it happen.

Good luck to all those heading for The National Championships!

Full results can be seen on our competition page.

 

Well done to all at Penniwells on winning the RDA Fancy Dress class at The royal Windsor Horse Show 2010. An annual event sponsored by The Windsor Lyons Penniwells have attended regularly now for a few years. This is their 4th win.  The Flintstones was the chosen film for this year. Riders Anthony O'Sullivan and Chloe Butler rode ponies Louis and Flossie and dressed up along with staff Zara, Hannah, Lucy & Claire. Volunteers also dressed up were Steve, Matthew and Mandy. Huge thanks go to Pam Hooper for the ideas and making of costumes along with help from Viv who made the car! Sarah had the task of changing Louis from a piebald into a purple dinosaur and it all pulled together to look fantastic on the day. The sun shone and the ponies behaved impeccably.

Well done and a huge thank you to all involved in the day.

 

Congratualtions go to Michael, Sarah and Sue (Mike's Mum!) for all their hard work. They have had a fantastic trip to Belgium with Michael coming home as the top Junior rider. There was alot of preparation involved in the trip -  financial, logistical and for both Michael and vinnie to be fit. Many hours of hard work and fundraising have gone into making this happen and we hope it will be something Penniwells can build upon in the future giving many more riders a similar opportunity.

The GBR Team were really supportive of us going and we have all learnt so much from the whole experience.

Well done Michael and Vinnie!!

 

Mari Durward- Akhurst competed at the BD Winter Para Championships at Vale View Equestrian Centre last weekend and won the Grade 3 Restricted Championship with 64.44%. She rode her loan horse Waldminor owned by Jean Sharff. Mari, now 16yr old, has ridden at Penniwells all her life and is now on the Eastern Region Foundation Squad aswell as the BEF World Class Development Programme. Well done Mari for this fantastic achievement.

Mari is also looking for a new horse to loan or purchase - approx. 16.2hh. Minimum age of 8/9yrs and must have had some good arena experience - ideally trained to Medium level or above (Competed to Elementary). Mari is an ambitious competitive rider based at the Centre.  If you have anything suitable please contact Sarah at the Centre on 0208 2074525.

 

Please look for the April edition 2010 of Hertfordshire Life magazine - There is an article covering Penniwells - including the profiles of Michael Murphy and Mari Durward-Akhurst and their rode to competing through Penniwells.

Michael Murphy also appeared in February Edition of Pony Magazine - go to Pony Mag website and you can get you back dated copy! Or view the article online.

There is also an article in Trailblazers Magazine - April Edition!

 

A date has been set in anticipation of another great night of dinner and dancing. Put in your diary Saturday 27th November 2010 at South Herts Golf Club. Further details to follow later in the year! 

Penniwells now have a new haygain steamer to give the ponies a healthier and better life. It reduces the dust particles in the hay therefore minimising allergies and coughs created. Haygain have also supplied rider Micahel Murphy with a travel steamer and a further full size steamer to enable us to have one on each yard - Thank you Haygain.

 

Sarah Healing and Tina Kelly attended the Supra Regional Conference held at Sandown Park Racecourse. This was the first of these to be held for our region and it was a huge success. A complete sell out with fantastic speakers. Have a look at the RDA main site for more information. Thank you to all those involved in the organisation. It will be down to Greater London Region to organise this in 2013.  

Latest Fund Raising Project:

We are desperately trying to raise funds in order to purchase a hay steamer before the winter sets in. These hugely reduce the dust and spores in the hay allowing for a healthier pony through the winter months when they are kept in more. We require approx £1400 for this and so far have in the region of £400.

 

Saturday 28th Novemeber 2009 at South Herts Golf Club. £55 per ticket.  Black tie. Please contact the Centre for more details.  Tables of up to 10 max can be booked. 0208 207 4525.

This is always a great night with good food, wine and dancing. It is also one our major fund raising events of the year.

We also require raffle prizes to be donated along with Auction Items.

Please support us by buying raffle tickets even if you cannot attend the evening itself.

Book early as tickets do sell fast!

 

Sadly today we have had to say goodbye to another of our long standing ponies Ginger. He had been at Pennwiells since he was 3yrs old and owned by one of our Trustees Ernie Pearse. He has been poorly for a few weeks and we had to make the hard decision to let him go. He will be remembered in our hearts forever.

Thank you Ginger for all you have done and the joy you have given to many of our riders. xx

 

On Thursday of this week we sadly had to say good-bye to Migs. She had been at Penniwells for more than 15years and was full of character, having taught so many of our riders to ride. Migs attended the regional and National RDA dressage on many occasions with some great success along the way.  

 

Mari rode her own Miss Daisy 111 at the BD Para Talent Spotting competition held at Vale View Eqestrian Centre in Leicester. She rode Test 31 and then received a 20mins training session from one of the judges. They finished 3rd with 75.47% in their section which they were thrilled about. 

On the Friday of the same weekend Mari qualified for both restricted and open sections of the Winter Para Dressage Championships which again will be held at Vale View at the end of March. Mari won both her tests with scores of 67% in restricted and 62.69% in the open. Good luck to her at the championships.

Michael Murphy and Brockholm Royal Vagabond also attended the qualifiers at Oldencraig EC and won both their classes - Restricted on 68.74% and Open on 74.70%. He too will be competing at the Winter Championships in March.

 

 

 

Michael Murphy has once again qualified for the Para Dressage Winter Championships by winning the Grade 1a qualifier held at Patchetts EC. He rode his own Brockhokm Royal Vagabond. 

This year Mari Durward-Akhurst and Michael Murphy received awards at the British Dressage Supporters Club Annual Ball for having represented Great Britain at Millfield Junior International Competition in July 2008. They went with their families, Trix (Chairman of Penniwells) & Dougie Summerfield and Sarah & David Healing (Penniwells Organiser/Coach) to The Portman Hotel in London - It was a fantastic night. Awards were given out by Peter Store and Jennie Lorriston-Clarke.  

Penniwells Christmas Quiz at Penniwells RDA Centre on Saturday 6th December 2008. 6.30pm. Families welcome. Tickets available on 0208 207 4525.  

Tickets are now on sale for Penniwells 3rd Annual Ball to be held at South Herts Golf Club in Arkley on Saturday 15th Novemeber 2008. Cost = £55 per head, inclusive of 3 course dinner and half bottle wine. Raffle with great prizes and good music to dance the night away! This is always a great night that sells out quick so be sure to get your tickets now! Dress code: Black tie.

 

Well done to Mari Durward-Akhurst for making selection through to the final viewings to be held in November 2008. This is a fantastic achievement along with her own horse 'Call Me Daisy'.  We wish her every success in the future.

 

Mari was selected to attend the BD viewing trials held at The Unicorn Centre in Stowe-on-the-Wold on Sunday 28th Septmber 2008. This was her first Para outing with new horse Call Me daisy III. After a long and eventful journey to get there - the lorry broke down at Oxford Services and so we were towed to the venue - Mari and Daisy went on to ride their very best in front of the 4 selectors. At 14yrs of age Mari was by far the youngest there and did our Centre proud. She was one of 10 chosen out of more than 40 applicants to attend the day. If successful she will go on to take part in the final selction process in November. We wish her every luck with her future progression with Daisy.

 

 

Well done to both Mari Durward-Akhurst riding Cream of the Irish, borrowed from Lizzie Wooderson and Michael Murphy riding his own Brockholm Royal Vagabond at the Junior International Competition this weekend.

They rode in wind, sun, rain & thunder over the weekend! Both performed extremely well over the two days - Michael won the Grade 1a section and Mari finished 6th in Grade 3 section. A fantastic achievement for them both.

Both riders are coached by Sarah Healing who is based at Penniwells.

Other countries taking part came from Ireland, Australia, Singapore & Finland.

 

Well done to all those who took part in the qualifiers held at The Diamond Centre in Carshalton, Surrey on Wednesday 28th May 2008. Also a huge thank you to all staff and volunteers who helped to get them and the ponies there.

These are the final results from our centre:

Michael Murphy 1st & Freestyle 3rd & 1st Junior.Mari Durward-Akhurst Test 12 1st  & Test 32 1st.Abbie Waller 1st test 12 & 2nd (1st junior)test 32.Sally Forster test 13 4th.Naomi Wunsh test 13 5th.Anthony O'sullivan test 12 6th.Katie Yanitan test 12 3rd junior.Chris Mayor HP&R 3rd.Bobby Sammon HP&R 4th.Stuart Henson HP & R 1st.Louise Wilmot HP&R 2nd.            

        

Good luck to all riders taking part in our regional dressage qualifiers next Wednesday.

Louise, Stuart, Bobby, Chris, Naomi, Sally, Abbie, Katie, Anthony, Mari & Michael.

The ponies going are Oakfield Piod, Medhawk Mrs Miggins, Brockholm Royal Vagabond, Louis & borrowed pony Cream of the Irish.

 

 

SOME RIDERS GOING TO THE REGIONAL COMPETITION TOOK PART IN A TEST RIDING TRAINING SESSION ON WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL.

Waveney Luke came to Penniwells to watch our riders go through their tests and then followed up with about 20mins training to help them improve certain parts of it. All riders found this hugely beneficial and will take on board what they have discussed and learnt to improve their own scores on the day.

Riders taking part were:

Aaron Langley, Michael Murphy, Naomi Wunsch,

Mari Durward-Akhurst, Abbie Waller, Anthony O'Sullivan

 & Katie Yanitan

(Photos to follow)

 

Michael Murphy took Vinnie (Brockholm Royal Vagabond) to take part in the Spring Para Qualifier today at Patchetts Equestrian Centre. It was a really warm sunny day compared to the last outing only a few weeks ago in the snow! There was a huge number of entries for all classes along with a very high standard of horse and rider.

Michael took part in the Grade 1a Restricted section and rode Test 4. He rode a lovely test, making just one mistake where the pony jogged a few steps as he came back from the free walk near the end of the test. Michael recovered well though and finished on a score of 65%.  This was enough to win his section and qualify for the spring championships in May. We will be unable to attend these due to them falling at the same time as our RDA Regional Qualifiers to which Penniwells is taking 12 riders.

Well done to Michael from all at the centre and thank you to all those involved in making it happen.

 

 

Well done to Connie for passing the RDAI exam held at The Diamond Centre on Tuesday 8th April.

 Connie is a full time member of staff at Penniwells.

 

On Thursday 3rd April 2008 The Mayor of Hertsmere, Mr Saunders and his wife visited Penniwells. They met riders, staff and volunteers and then watched riders from Borehamwood Day Centre enjoying their session.

 

This award is given to riders who show great determination and courage in improving their skills. This can be anything form learning to hold the reins to taking part in a competition.

For 2007 the award goes to Rachel O'Dell - Rachel has ridden at Penniwells for as long as it has been on the site in Elstree. Recently she has taken part in both Regional and National RDA Dressage.

Sadly in 2007 Rachel missed out on competing at the last minuite but we felt so much hard work had gone into her preparation that this was a well deserved recognition of how far she had come. Rachel had managed to learn her test off by heart for the first time and was riding so well.

Well Done Rachel.

 

The Championships were held at Vale View EC in leicestershire over the weekend. Both riders were up against it working in in blizzard conditions.

Mari, a grade 3 rider again borrowed Cream of the Irish and went on to win the warm up test and finish 2nd in the championship test.

Michael, a grade 1a rider rode his own Brokholm Royal Vagabond and also won his warm test and finished 2nd in the championship test.

Both did extremely well and this is our best result yet at these championships. 

 

 

On Thursday 20th March we will be receiving a delivery of Easter Eggs - All have been donated through Knowles Funeral Directors for our centre. Matt came up to see us and find out what we do at Penniwells and will be bringing them up on Thursday. They have all been donated by local businesses and anyone who saw the details and dropped one in! A great idea for them to get involved within the local community. I would like to thank them on behalf of everyone at Penniwells RDA Centre. 

On May 3rd 2008 Seth is walking 127.5miles from liverpool to leeds to raise funds for Penniwells . Please sponsor him by going to http://www.justgiving.com/ and type in his name under 'sponsor a frend'. This will link you to how to sponsor him for this event. Thank you for your support. 

Please note we will be closed from Friday 21st March - Monday 24th March inclusive.

The Centre will re-open on Tuesday 25th march as usual.

 

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Michael Murphy took part in the talent spotting finals held at Vale View Equestrian Centre on Saturday 23rd February 2008.

Due to circumstances beyond our control we couldn't take the ponies they had entered and been practicing on and at the last minute had borrowed ponies from another source - Our huge thanks go out to the owners of the ponies.

Mari and Michael both rose to the challenge of riding and competing on new ponies for the day and rode very good tests. After the test is ridden they have a 20 mins training session during which time the judges assess them on trainability, empathy with the pony, knowledge of training and the skills they have. Charisma and a competitive nature are also taken into account.

Mari on a score of 75.5% - this was fantastic and she finished in 5th place.

Michael scored 86.6% and won both sections on the Saturday and 2nd overall.

Michael had all morning to sit and watch and wait for his turn to come! His time arrived and Mari worked in Alfie for him. He then warmed up and went in to do his test and training session. It went very well and the judges really loved it!

Sarah won the award for coaching the top riders on the day.

           Quote 'We've got the best coach in the world!' Mari & Michael

 

BRITISH DRESSAGE SUPPORTERS BALL 2008

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Michael Murphy attended the Annual Awards and Ball along with their families and Team Coach Sarah Healing. Penniwells Chairman Trix and Doug Summerfield also enjoyed the evening.

They received recognition of hard work and commitment to their chosen sport  for competing in their first Junior International Competition in July 2007. Well done to them both.

This could not be achieved without the support of Penniwells Team and the riders' families. Well done to all invoved.

              

Mari,Sarah & Michael           Carl Hester & Michael        With Anna Ross-davis

Sarah & Michael

 

 

After many years of fundraising and hard work with planners and local authorities we have now completed our new office space, volunteer room and reception areas. Well done to all those involved with this project and we look forward to our official opening day later in the year.