Sally with Chelsea Burleson (and Mum!) at the Berkshire College of Agriculture – May 2007

Chelsea Burleson recently organised a fantastic indoor showjumping event at the Berkshire College of Agriculture in Burchetts Green.

The event raised a considerable sum for the group through entry monies collected, for which we are very grateful.

Brigid is elected our new President!!!

Much to the delight of the group, Brigid accepted the office of President, after the sad death of Lady Jinny Beaumont.

At the AGM it was unanimously agreed by fellow members that Brigid becomes our new President, after being Group Organiser for 25 years.

Brigid is committed to making sure the group goes from strength-to-strength. She said "I'm absolutely proud to be taking over from Jinny, she was the most amazing lady."

Brigid has been riding since her childhood in Kenya and still enjoys being involved with horses today

Joint 90th birthday picnic

Two of our longest-serving volunteers, Mildred and Dennis, both celebrated their 90th birthdays recently. We held a picnic in their honour in the Great Park in April 2007 and a great time was had by all ...

Dennis, Mildred and David enjoy looking at some old photographs of the group in years gone by ...

... and laugh at some fond memories

Elizabeth, Brigid, Sally and Sarah enjoy a joke

Lady Jinny Beaumont

Our President, Lady Jinny Beaumont sadly died recently. A Memorial Service was held for her at All Saints Church, Ascot on Wednesday 28th March.

Lady Beaumont (Jinny) was our President for many years. She was a lovely warmhearted person and she and Nicky (Captain the Hon. Sir Nicholas Beaumont. KCVO, who was Ascot's Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, looked upon our Group as part of the family.

They were involved for many years and loaned us WILHELMINA, our much beloved Shetland pony. Through them, the Group has been based at Ascot Racecourse all the time they were there and we still are, thank goodness!

Their hospitality and kindnesses to the Group will never be forgotten and Nicky, in his letters to us following her death, speak very warmly of her great love for all of us.

It was unanimously agreed at the AGM that Mrs Brigid Hamill becomes our new President. She was Group Organiser for 25 years.

All about Henry
by Sally

FEBRUARY 2007

When I was staying in Devon with Pat Dewdney, a loyal helper of the group for many years, I saw an advert in the Western Morning News for a ride/drive pony. I phoned the number which was Merrymeet near Liskeard in Cornwall, just 20 miles from where I was staying.

Pat and I drove over to see him, tried him out and agreed to buy him. He cost £1,000. I had no intention of buying a pony that weekend but he was too good to ignore. The people selling him for the owners were Luck Horse Transport and they brought him up to Ascot the following week. They were very fond of him and the owners told me that Henry was willed to them by a ploughman called Wesley who loved him too. Apparently, when Wes, who always wore a cloth cap, used to talk too long, Henry used to come along and tip his cap off!

He has settled in well with the others, and loves Casper who is also grey. Sometimes it is difficult to tell them apart, though Henry has a black spot on his nose which helps!

APRIL 2007

Most unfortunately, since Henry has been with us he has developed health problems which means that he will no longer be able to drive with our group, owing to safety reasons. We are extremely sad as he is a charming little pony and has a real rapport both with the other ponies - especially Casper - and with the humans.

We are extremely sad as he is a charming little pony and has a real rapport both with the other ponies - especially Casper - and with the humans.

JULY 2007

Another home has now been found for Henry and we are sure that he will enjoy himself in his new surroundings. We will be kept up-to-date on his progress.

Congratulations to Karen and Casper!

Karen negotiating Casper around the obstacle course at the Windsor Horse Show

Karen drove Casper in the disabled class at the Royal Windsor Horse Show for the first time this year on Thursday 11th May 2006. They won a fantastic fourth prize in the cones competition. The couple, attended by Sally, rocketed around the ring accompanied by much applause and "oohhs and aahhs" as Casper was by far the smallest pony in the class!

Many congratulations to Karen and Casper!

Major 'Tommy' Thompson

Tributes have been paid to the group's first riding instructor, Major 'Tommy' Thompson who also taught HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to carriage drive.

Sally said:

"He opened many doors for us – we were able to drive in Windsor Great Park and once a year in the private grounds of the castle. He was quite a hard task master and he kept us in order, but he did teach us a hell of a lot. He gave us a lot of help and instruction and had taught Prince Philip carriage driving.

He was an amazing man and we will always remember him."

Farewell to Rupert

We are very sad to have to report that Rupert's life recently came to an end. Rupert, aged 21, had not been well over the winter and his health finally failed in February. He was a great driving pony and had been with the group for many years, taking part in all the weekly driving sessions. He also participated in many driving events all over the country, sometimes bringing home a rosette or two! He will be missed very much by both the humans and the other ponies in the group.

Peggy Sue retires ...

Peggy Sue (aka Peglet) has retired to a new home in Surrey where she is loving life ... She is teaching Brigid's grandchildren how to ride and is also acting as 'companion' to other horses. She is a calming influence on the others and is thoroughly enjoying her retirement! We all miss her like mad but we have many fond memories of her time with the group.

The group recently played host to the children of Saxon Wood School in Basingstoke. We all had a great time and were then delighted to receive some letters from the children who clearly enjoyed their day! Here are some of their comments:

"Thank you for the lovely ride yesterday. I liked holding the reins and steering Casper. Sally let me hold the whip to make Casper go faster, it was good fun.
Yours sincerely, George"

"Thank you for taking us riding. We had a really nice time. We liked riding the horses. It was fun when the horses ran.
Yours sincerely, Zoe Barnes and Damian Sims"

"James and Kerry really really enjoyed it. We enjoyed riding in the carriages. We had a great day.
Thank you
Yours sincerely, Kerry & James"

"Thank you for helping us and hope you liked it too. The carriage was fun.
Yours sincerely, Matthew and Macauley"

We very much look forward to seeing the children again next year!!

Sally presents the Group's gifts ...

Mildred and David accepting them!

This is the second attempt ...

(Eddie isn't actually 8 feet tall – he's standing on a wall! Crafty ...)