Woodland Encounter

It may be a squirrel, it may be deer, or in this case, it is a small mob of free-roaming New Forest ponies (supplied by a local grazier) running loose on the heathland, that we encounter on some of our drives with disabled people, much to their delight! Ours too I might add. We are so grateful to Holton Lee for the privilege of being able to drive all over this lovely estate.

A Generous Donation

Simon Shave seen here presenting Wally Pitt with a very generous donation.

Simon had been saving up to go on holiday to America, but when he learnt that he could not go he decided to donate his holiday savings to three deserving charities, and the East Holton Driving Centre was one of them. Simon is supported by Dorset Scope in Poole and a number of their members enjoy regular carriage driving in the peaceful countryside of Holton Lee. Dorset Scope is a charity supporting children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and associated disabilities working in the county of Dorset.

Equine Hairdressing Clinic!

Signs of spring!! Our girls give all the horses' manes, tails and feathers a jolly good shampoo on a sunny Saturday morning. The warmer weather has all the horses shedding their winter coats in handfuls every day.

Remembering Paul Stevens

Paul receiving his prize from Sir Tom Lees in August 2008.

Paul completes a faultless round the cones driving Marmite at the first Margaret Newell Memorial Day in Aug 2008.

On Friday 3rd April we joined friends and family to say "Good-bye" to Paul at Poole Crematorium and to celebrate his very full life. Paul was much loved by everyone and brought so much joy to all who knew him.

At East Holton Driving Centre he will always be remembered for his skilful driving of Marmite, and although he could say "trot on" he always preferred "prrod on" and Marmite responded!

He was always so cheerful and bright, taking control of his escorts once he was in the driving seat and had hold of the reins, and very focussed on his driving. He would give Marmite detailed instructions for the entire route he had chosen, but keep the escorts guessing until he directed at each turn!!

Paul will be sorely missed.

Point-To-Point Fund Raising Event at Badbury Rings

John and I loaded the waggonette into Judy's horse box at 8 o'clock with a little help from Angela & Jenny who had kindly offered to feed and see to the horses for us, so we were in good time to unload in front of the RDA tent and park the lorry back in the lorry park. The wind was cold at times, but when the sun shone there was some warmth; all in all it turned out to be grand day out for an awful lot of people.

By 10.00 am the public were arriving and though the interest in our display was slow, it soon built up and the Tombola was drawing people in in droves. We were very well positioned alongside the collecting paddock so the huge crowds streamed past us to see the horses and back to the bookies and racing for each of the six races! The racing was very good with firm going.

With fourteen RDA groups in Dorset the tent was well staffed and we felt the day was very worthwhile. It was good to meet Ed Bracher (RDA Chief Executive) and Mrs Jane Holderness-Roddam (Chairman) who had come down to support the event.

Then The Snow!

Then the snow and big freeze came as forecast. Horses completely comfortable with it all. The snow settled on their backs is a good indicator of the insulating property of their winter coats and they were all warm at the base of their ears and between the forelegs, even Charlie Brown, the old man of the bunch. Extra hay was made available.

This was followed by rain and the field was flooded in the lower parts. However, with the recent change to a few dry days the ground is drying out nicely, and perhaps now we can look forward to the business of starting to work them. Judging by some of their antics they will enjoy a bit of work now.

Countryside Alliance Point-to-Point

On Sunday 22nd February Badbury Rings is the venue for The Jackson-Stops & Staff Countryside Alliance Point-To-Point meeting and the Dorset branch of the RDA will be there to raise awareness and money.

This year the Dorset Branch of Riding For The Disabled celebrates 40 years. There are at present 14 groups in Dorset and each of these groups has its own individual charity status, running under the national association's umbrella. Each group has it's own trustees and a wonderful band of enthusiastic , well trained volunteer helpers. East Holton Driving Centre is the only carriage driving group in Dorset.

We shall be in attendance all day with one of our carriages adapted for wheelchair users and would love to meet and talk to anyone, particularly anyone considering healthy outdoor voluntary work!!