EVENT REPORT-TEAM TRAINING/ SELECTION WEEKEND AT MELTON MOWBRAY 2007

Prior to attending the Team Training and Selection weekend for the first time this year I had lots of un answered questions. What would it involve? What standard was expected? How experienced would the other riders be? Who would be there? I am hoping that this report will be helpful for those of you who are considering attending in future years.

We were advised to arrive at the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) by 1830 on the Friday evening. I had been informed that we were allowed to bring someone with us to help groom so my husband came with me and my horse Wiebke. The 3 of us arrived around 1700 which gave me plenty of time to get the horse settled into the yard. Bedding and hay were provided; we only had to bring hard feed. After sorting out the horses we found our rooms in the Mess and proceeded down to the local pub where everyone had arranged to meet. Of all the people riding over the weekend half of us were there for the first time so it was an ideal opportunity for everyone to get to know each other a little better. After a few beers the Chef D’Equipe said a few words to welcome us and inform us of the plan for the weekend ahead.

Based on the information that we had provided the Chef D’Equipe on the ability of our horses and the standard of our riding, we were split into 2 groups for our first riding session. The ability of the horses and riders varied quite significantly. However the prerequisite to attend was that the combination of horse and rider could comfortably jump around a course at 1m. The first session was a flatwork lesson in the indoor arena. We were taught by the Army and the lessons were run independently to enable us to watch the other group. In the afternoon the lessons involved grid work.

Back at the Mess we had a brief meeting which gave us further information about the committee, the team and forthcoming events. More importantly though we discussed what we can expect to get out of the team and what the team expects from us in return. In true RAF style we finished the day with a curry in town!

Sunday commenced with both groups having a jumping lesson in the outdoor arena. This was followed with an informal ‘competition’ with the fences now at 1.05. The day was rounded off with 3 people taking the opportunity to take their horses over a few of the cross country fences they have at the Centre.

Before we went home the Chef D’Equipe spoke to all of us individually to de brief the weekend. I was really pleased to find out that Wiebke and I had been selected to join the team at Aldershot Show and providing everything ran smoothly there, the Stephen Hadley Training and possibly the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Even if I had not been selected to join the team straight away I would still have left feeling positive as it was an excellent insight. It was a weekend where I had some excellent training from some good instructors at a great location plus I met lots of new people who all have the same interest as me... Horses!

Flt Lt Elise Kidd on Wiebke at the Royal Tournament