Oldencraig Summer Finals

With the summer season coming to a close, it was the turn of Sue and her horse Jack to go out and compete for the final time in 2007. Having qualified for the finals of the Oldencraig Summer Dressage Series, Sue and Jack duly turned up on the 27th October.

Entered into two classes, the first being the Open Novice 33 Test and the second the Restricted Novice 22 Test, Sue was hoping that Jack would excel and end the season on a high note.

After a nervous start, the combination scored an excellent 65.68% in the first class finishing a respectable sixth; especially when you consider it was Open. In the second test they did much better finishing equal fourth with a score of 64.48%. The combination hope to go one better next year and move up to Elementary dressage. (Back to Top)

Goodbye Fire

On the 13th October we said good bye to one of the real characters on the yard. Fire came to us about two years ago with Kate and settled in well. Unfortunately with her it was Fire by name and Fire by nature, always having her ears back. Although once you got to know her she was a lovely horse.

She has gone out to grass close to the yard with a pony owned by a girl nearby. Still being ridden on a regular basis, we wait to she what plans Kate has for her next year. (Back to Top)

Tango & Coke

At the beginning of September the yard welcomed two new arrivals; Tango and Coke. By pure chance, whilst Emma and Kate were looking out for their new horse the stable where they found Bertie also had two new born kittens. Originally thought to be a girl and a boy, we offered them a home at Silverhill; it was only on their first visit to the vet's we found out they were both girls!

As you can see one is orange in colour, hence Tango, and the other darker, hence Coke. Much time has already been wasted playing with them. But then they are a whole lot of fun! (Back to Top)

Fun & Games

Before the season finally came to a close,  on the 9th September Pippa and Jemima went off on their travels once again, all the way up to Lincoln for the British Riding Club Championship. These championships are held annually and bring together Riding Clubs from across the country. With both senior and junior classes covering show jumping, dressage and showing, there was plenty of opposition for the Silverhill duo.

Riding as part of a team of four, Pippa and Jemima were entered into the Pro-Feet Junior Riding Class Team section. Whereas the senior sections had two tests to complete, the junior competition had all team members riding the same test. The competition was similar to a dressage test, but the marks were allocated on the riders performance, rather than the horses.

As it was the Sevenoaks Riding Club was rewarded for their efforts with an excellent fourth place; needless to say Jemima was delighted (and Pippa looked pretty pleased with herself!). (Back to Top)

Gloria

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing away of our favourite chicken; Gloria. She died on the 5th September and had been sick for a few days but no amount of tender loving care was going to stave off the onset of old age.

She was one of four chickens that came to stay about two years ago and outlasted the others by almost a year. Famous for her outing to Oldencraig with Blarney earlier this year, she will be missed by everyone including the Silverhill Ducks and breakfast will never be the same without her eggs!
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Pippa's Big Show

Pippa, one of the stars at Silverhill Stables, was out on the 26th August at the local Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show, the regions biggest annual country fair. With an emphasis on agriculture, horticulture, country sports the show has a very large section for horses including BSJA Show Jumping and qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show.

So the time was right to put months of hard work into practice by entering Pippa into the Open Riding Show Class. Although there were nineteen entries and some very good looking contenders, Pippa and her rider Jemima finished an excellent 8th place.

Not enough to get her into the final selection but a great result for a partnership that has only been together since February and whose first 'show' was in June! More good things to come in the future for sure. (Back to Top)

Oliver

On Sunday the 29th July we said goodbye to Oliver who left the yard and moved to Cloud Stables near Reading.

Oliver had been with us for well over two years and had just finished a trial run at Cloud where everyone had loved him. Having a lovely nature and was one of the nicest horses on the yard.

We all hope he has a great time being fussed over by everyone at Cloud. (Back to Top)

Delilah

And then on the 2nd August we said goodbye to Delilah who had been with us for the past eight years.

Although she is nearly 22 yrs old, she has been always keen to please her owners Alice and Kathy; dressage, show jumping and even fancy dress. She now heads for some well deserved retirement at a special home in Wales.

A true character, she will be sadly missed especially on the annual Christmas Ride in Paxtol. (Back to Top)