Jet gets his Gold Blue Peter badge

Back at the end of October 2010 Jet had a special visitor, Helen from Blue Peter. The purpose of her visit was to film the presentation of a Gold Blue Peter badge to none other than Jet. Only two animals prior to Jet have received this prestigious award and Jet received it to recognise all the hard work he has done providing rides and drives for disabled adults and children.

Helen arrived with two other members of crew (to do the directing/filming/sound). They filmed some shots on the yard and then filmed Jet taking part in a lesson. Sally W was teaching assisted by Clare. Jet was ridden by Lucy and also present were Starra and Philippa, Tawny and Kiara and Fergus and Georgia who were kept busy moving cups, throwing bean bags in buckets as well as having to steer their ponies and make them stop and go. Whilst they were busy Anne was talking to the camera telling everyone all about Jet.

Jet is 29 in 2011. He was bought as a result of Blue Peter's Rags appeal in 1987. Following 14 months of training to be a ridden RDA pony he arrived at Barrow Farm ready to start work. Jet had already established himself as a versatile RDA pony when Anne decided to learn to carriage drive in 1994. Having passed his RDA driving test he gave numerous drivers the opportunity to take part in an equestrian sport. Jet has now retired from driving but still continues to keep his old joints moving doing a few rides but he has more than earnt his semi-retirement from being one of the busiest ponies at Barrow Farm.

It is Jet's good nature and usefulness at RDA that led to him winning both at regional and national RDA competitions in everything from dressage, tack and turnout, working pony and rider to the mounting competition. Everyone at Barrow Farm agrees Jet thoroughly deserves his Gold Blue Peter badge.

Jet is an old hand at the filming thing, nothing special for him but there was an audience that had come to watch the ride and Jet receive his badge. The day also gave the opportunity for some of the Barrow Farm riders to chat to Helen Skelton about Jet and riding in general. Jet had his Gold Blue Peter badge pinned on his bridle with a round of applause from the onlookers but as usual he took it all in his stride.

Christmas Carol Service

Saturday 11th December arrived and the ice had finally melted, which was good news for the Carol Service as everyone would be warmer and the wouldn't be the worry of people getting stuck in the carpark. However, no ice meant that when the horses were turned out instead of coming in nice and clean as they had when it was frozen, they were really rather muddy..

As you can see from the state of Paddy in this photo, muddy ponies meant that Sally and Clare had extra work to do in organising the volunteers and arranging the transformation of the horses and ponies to mounts suitable for angels and kings. First of all there was lots of brushing to clean up the ponies and washing of hooves to ensure they were all nice and clean ready for the evening.

Then plaiting could begin, unlike when we are going to a show when the plaiting needs to be immaculate, today the only reason for plaiting was to give provide something to attach the tinsel to. Clare is very quick at plaiting and while she did Starra and Owly, Isobel and Sally B did Paddy and Nicco. Fergus and Molly who are hogged, have no mane to plait and therefore only get tinsel around their bridles and neckstraps.

Whilst some of us were busy on the yard preparing ponies, others had been busy in the school, dusting off the costumes and checking they fitted the riders. Headgear is especially important for Mary, angels, kings and shepherds alike and of course all this has to be prepared on top of the riding hats. It is also important that there is a stable for Mary and the donkey to go to.

Once all the ponies and riders were dressed up for the occasion it was time to get on. With plenty of help from the staff and with all riders safely mounted our enactment of the Christmas story could begin. With Tawny playing the donkey this year, Mary entered to the carol Little Donkey and so it continued until the angels, kings and shepherds surronded the crib. For two of our ponies, Rhia and Rocket this was their first taste of the Carol Service and although slightly daunting they both took it in their stride. For Nicco, who took part last year without a rider, his promotion to carry one of the three kings was well deserved as he behaved perfectly. Thanks to all our staff, riders and volunteers who make the carol service happen.

Donation to buy new horse

A big thank you to the Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund for the generous donation for us to buy a new horse. We are looking for 'Mr Perfect', a horse around 15.2hh, able to easily carry our heavier riders. If you think you have such a wonderful horse for sale please get in touch. Watch this to see how the search is going.

Winter is here!

Winter is here so most of the horse and ponies are now spending their nights in their stables - they still get time out to play during the day. It is not so much the cold but how muddy the fields are that determines the need to spend more time stabled. After all who wants to stand in the mud all night! Of course living in increases the cost of hay and bedding so any ideas for fundraising will be gratefully received.

A new Exmoor pony has arrived

As many of you will know Barrow Farm has needed another small pony for some time for the smaller children to ride. Anne has a particular fondness for Exmoor ponies, as they are compact, robust and cheerful little ponies that are ideal for RDA. Following a grant from the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund earlier this year the search has been on for a new pony and we are glad to say that after nearly a year of searching a suitable pony was found and not only that he is an Exmoor. Rocket arrived a few weeks ago and is settling into his training well, some of you may have even seen him on your rides. His workload will gradually increase as his training progresses. Rocket is now looking for sponsers (for more details follow this link). Watch this space for Rocket's very own page.

Quiz night a great success

The quiz night was a great success with seven teams battling it out in rounds varying from Family Fortunes to a Pirate themed round. There was inter-round entertainment from the magician the Great Ricardo and of course a scrumptious ploughmans supper too.

Barrow Farm would not be able to run without the support of the parents, carers and volunteers but with ever increasing costs, especially of hay and straw this year, we are always looking for new ways to fundraise. If you have any ideas please talk to Anne or one of the trustees. Also have a look at our fundraising pages.

Farewell to Jack

Jack has moved on to pastures new returning to his owner. A huge thank-you goes to Jack and his owner Rikki Perkins for 5 years of good work. For the highlights of Jack's time at Barrow Farm take a look at the News Archive pages.

Welcome back to the new term

The summer holidays sped by, first with pony days and then with a well earned rest for all the horses and ponies. September as usual saw the start of a new term of riding. We would like to welcome all our new riders as well as welcoming back all the regulars. Unfortunately one of the Columbus School rides is no longer riding but we have a new ride South View School at Witham on a Monday morning.

Felsted Showing Show

On the 18th July, Molly, Macie, Fergus, Starra and Jet enjoyed a day out at Felsted Show. In the sunshine Jet was particularly successful winning both his classes. Starra was a winner in the Family Pony class living up to his super 'star' name! The other horses all brought home rosettes in a variety of colours. The new horsebox meant that we were able to take more ponies for a fun day out.

Jack's Trip the National RDA Championships

On the weekend of the 10th and 11th July Lucy, Alicia and Jack the pony travelled to Hartpury in Gloucestershire to take part in the RDA National Championships. On the Saturday Lucy had a very productive day, winning the tack and turnout, coming third in the dressage and sixth in the combined dressage/countryside challenge. Sunday was Alicia's turn doing both dressage and freestyle dressage where the partnership of Jack and Alicia came sixth.

Open Day Success

A massive thank you to everyone who helped out in some way on our open day. The event was a huge success and the Essex Mounted Police were the stars of the day.

Our own riders, staff and our wonderful ponies strutted their stuff to an appreciative hoard of visitors and to top it all off - the sun shone on us all!

Professional photographer Gary of Sport in Pictures, clicked his camera throughout the day for us and took many shots of our horses, riders and police horses. To view the photos please go to www.sportinpictures.co.uk. Gary has very kindly offered to donate his proceeds to us - Thank you Gary!

Success at Oaklands

Well done to Alicia, Lucy, Emma and Stuart who went to the RDA Competition at Oaklands College on 9th May. They all did extremely well bringing home lots of red rosettes and Trophies. Both Alicia and Lucy have qualified for the National RDA Championships at Hartpury in July.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who gave up their sunday to help make the day a success.

Sport England awards Barrow Farm Clubmark Accreditation

We are very proud to announce that Barrow Farm has been awarded the Sport England Clubmark accreditation. This means that we meet the high standards demanded by Sport England in running our riding school. Our Clubmark gives parents, carers, riders and volunteers the assurance that we operate to high standards regarding coaching, duty of care and safeguarding and protecting young and vulnerable people, Sports Equity and Ethics and everything else that goes with running a sporting establishment.

It must be said that a lot of hard work went into preparing our portfolio for Clubmark and our thanks must go to one of our coaches, Kath Hatwell for all her hard work. The Clubmark will encourage us to continue to develop and aid in making applications to funding bodies.

Open Day

22nd May 2010

Come and visit us and meet the ponies and see our riders in action

Our special guests are The Essex Police Mounted Section who will be presenting their horses and officers in a fun and informative way

Fun stalls, refreshments, pony parade and staff riding display

10am - 4pm

Everyone welcome - free of charge

Kath joins our team

Welcome to Kath Hatwell a new member of staff for Barrow Farm. Kath has joined out team for two days a week, Mondays and Thursdays. She brings her experience as Essex County instructor and will we are sure be a great asset to the group. Her position has been funded for a year by a surprise donation from the Elsie Pepperel trust, which also enabled us to buy a much needed new muck trailer.

Three new editions to the equine workforce

We now have three working liveries, they belong to volunteers. Their names are Oscar, Nicco and Rhia. As they have owners who pay for their keep they will not be included in Barrow Farms Sponsor A Pony scheme.

Nicco

Rhia

Oscar

Good bye to No Trouble

Sadly we have had to say goodbye to our smallest pony No Trouble. She was at least 26 years old and was not eating well. She had lost weight and we felt her quality of life was becoming poor. Look out for Troubles page on our forthcoming Past Ponies page where you will be able to read about her eventful life.

On Saturday 16 May 2009 we will be holding an open day to celebrate Jet, the Blue Peter Pony�s, 20 years working with us at Barrow Farm. To show our appreciation of your support over the years we would like to invite you and your members/guests to this day of special activities for Jet and our riders. This will give them the opportunity to show you that your continued support and contribution is worthwhile.

Saturdays are busy days, with rides from 9 am to 4.30 pm with a break for lunch at 1pm. The provisional timetable is as follows:

There will also be a variety of stalls selling cakes, plants, knitwear and other items, a tombola and other games, as well as tea, coffee and a barbeque.

If you could come and help us celebrate it would be lovely to see you.

Barrow Farm News

On 5th October we welcomed a new member to the Barrow Farm team. Oural - a Camargue pony - he arrived on a very wet Sunday by horse trailer.

Ourals

Nothing odd there you think, but it might have seemed odd to Oural - as he had walked all the way to England from the Camargue in France. It was all part of a very special venture that united young people and the RDA. Learn more about Ourals adventure by going to www.sllassoc.com

Barrow Farm Success

On the 12th and 13th July Jet the Blue Peter Pony, three members of staff and two riders travelled to Hartpury College in Gloucestershire to take part in the RDA National Championships.

Both riders performed very well but the icing on the cake was a third place in the dressage for Emma Harris read her story in our next news letter.

Staff News

While we were sorry to say goodbye to Sally Dowsett after 8 1/2 years with us we are very pleased to say hello to Clare Skinner and Suzanne Brooke as our new trainee instructors.