Newcomers urged to join in the hunt after the big freeze

They are also keen to continue to attract newcomers to hunting and organise special days for first-timers.

The next Badsworth and Bramham Moor newcomers' day is being held next Saturday, February 6 at Bramham Park.

"It's a day designed to introduce people to hunting and to give them a day to remember," says hunt secretary, Jenny Tomlinson Walsh.

They produce a special information booklet for newcomers so that they know what to expect, what to wear and something about the traditions of hunting.

Even so, plucking up the courage to go hunting for the first time isn't easy.

"People are friendly and don't worry about jumping if you don't want to, there are always other options," said Jenny. "People are only too happy to answer any questions and once you get underway you will forget about any nerves. As you feel more confident you can start jumping. The riders and followers come in all shapes and sizes, are all ages and come from all backgrounds – they are a real cross-section of society."

To make arrangements to go along to the newcomers' day, find out about hiring a horse and to get directions, contact Jenny Tomlinson Walsh on 07977 627128 or email [email protected]. co.uk or go to www.bbmh.co.uk.

Muscles, Mechanics and Movement is the theme of a conference being organised by Gillian Higgins of Horses Inside Out in Grantham on February 13 and 14. Dr Hilary Clayton will look at the effect of the muscles on the mechanics of movement and on the second day, Andy Thomas, who is a physiotherapist, will look at how the position of the rider can influence the horse's movement. Gillian Higgins will also be explaining the work she has done, looking at how your horse moves.

Guest speaker at the dinner is Christopher Bartle from the Yorkshire Riding Centre.

A former Olympic rider and well known trainer, he is also coach to the German three day event team which won gold in the Beijing Olympics.

Gillian Higgins will be in Yorkshire in March, giving one of her Horses Inside Out demonstrations at Ledston Equine Centre.

In preparation for this she spends five hours painting the major bones and muscles onto her grey horse, Freddie, who then demonstrates how these work when he is walking, trotting, cantering and jumping. The event is being organised by Yorkshire Sport Horse and is on March 11.

For more information about the conference go to www.horsesinsideout.com.

British records smashed by Laura

LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER and Mistral Horjis had an impressive start to the year by smashing current British records in the Grand Prix and the Kur at the 2010 CDI-W in Amsterdam this week, where they came within just four per cent of the amazing partnership of Edward Gal and Totilas.

Laura and "Alf" were placed second in the Grand Prix on a record 78.04 per cent, which put the pressure on Gal and Totilas who finished on 82.17 per cent.

In the Kur, Laura set her sights on another British record and came second with 82.30 per cent – less than five per cent behind Gal.

"The freestyle was fantastic," said Laura.

"I played the music a bit lower as he (Mistral Horjis) has had issues with the music in the past and I just wanted to build his confidence.

"Well my strategy paid off because he stood still in the halts – some great progress."

Now, says Laura, she is definitely excited about the year to come.