Back by popular demand in need of ‘guinea pig’

If you have always wanted to find out more about natural horsemanship methods, Guy Robertson will be giving a demonstration at the Northern Racing College, Doncaster on March 2.

Guy’s previous demonstration for the BHS proved so popular that he has been invited back.

Guy has worked in Australia, the USA and New Zealand and is now back home in Rawcliffe Bridge in East Yorkshire where he is working with horses and running horsemanship clinics.

He has based his methods on studying some of the top trainers in the world, including Pat Parelli, Craig Cameron, Clinton Anderson and Buck Brannaman.

He works on the principle that in order to learn, horses must have confidence and respect for their handlers.

He concentrates first of all on gaining control over a horse’s movement using ground work techniques to soften, supple and control the horse.

He then goes on to increase the level of control he has both on the ground and then under saddle.

Guy started riding at the age of five. He joined the Pony Club and tried a number of different disciplines and then he discovered Polocrosse, which became something of an obsession.

He represented the UK at this sport between 2002 and 2011, captaining the team for the last three years.

He now concentrates on breaking and training young horses and re-training problem horses.

He will be demonstrating his natural horsemanship techniques at the Northern Racing College and would like to hear from anybody who has a horse that might be suitable as a “guinea pig” for the evening.

Contact him at [email protected]. Tickets for the evening, organised by the northern region of BHS, are £5.

To reserve a ticket, call Alison Harris on 01977 795450 or email her at [email protected].

There is an opportunity to raise money for charity and enjoy a ride in beautiful surroundings in May.

Mount up for Manorlands is a charity ride in the Yorkshire Dales which is being organised by Sue Ryder.

It will be held on May 27 at the Coniston estate at Coniston Cold near Gargrave.

Riders will have the option of tackling some of the cross-country fences which are used during the annual hunter trials which are held on the estate.

There are three routes to choose from – a 16-mile endurance trek, an intermediate route of between eight and 14 miles and a seven-mile route.

All the routes will involve tracks, quiet lanes and bridleways up the dale towards Malham, before looping back to the start on the estate.

The majority of the funds raised will go to Manorlands Hospice in Keighley but people can opt to support their local Sue Ryder centre if they wish.

Sue Ryder fund-raiser Andrew Wood said: “Many of our supporters have been asking for a charity horse ride for some time, so we hope people will turn out for what should be a fantastic day.”

Riders who would like to take part but do not have a horse available can hire one for the day from Kilnsey Trekking and Riding Centre.

An equestrian car boot sale will also be held on the day of the event at the venue.

For more information about taking part, including maps of the routes, go to www.mountupformanorlands.org.uk or call the Manorlands fund raising office on 01535 640176.

A new Festival of Youth is to be part of Weston Park International Horse Trials in Shropshire, which take place at the end of the season in October.

The festival will be sponsored by the insurance company, KBIS British Equestrian.

Weston Park already host the KBIS under-18 regional series, Charles Owen Pony three-day event and national under-21 championship at this event.

Guy Prest, from KBIS, said: “We are delighted to be working with British Eventing and the team at Weston Park to help develop the Festival of Youth into what we hope will be a real celebration of young rider talent.

“It will provide a championship that will truly encompass the whole of youth eventing.”

Have an early Spring clean and help to raise money for neglected horses. World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool is organising a Rags for Nags collection and hopes to raise £1,000.

Unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags, books, CDs and old computer games would all be welcome, say the charity.

Please pack them into bin liners and take them to the farm during half-term week, February 11-19.

Items can be dropped off at the visitor centre between 11.0am and 4.0pm on either of the Saturdays, Sundays or Wednesday of that week.

The items will then be sold to a recycling company to raise much-needed funds.