Magenup Adult Riding Group

Magenup Adult Riding Group holds monthly clinics, closed shows and dressage days and, on occasion, open events too.

Our aim is to give riders a pleasant day out with their horses, the opportunity to learn some extra skills, compete if they wish, and meet other adult riders with similar interests.

MARG is also a member of ARCA.

THURSDAY UPDATE OF DOOM: 25th June 2009

Today, we have all received the message of doom for our clinic on Sunday from our illustrious treasurer, Helen. And I quote:

Hi there lovely ladies

I went down to the grounds this evening to have a look at the condition of the arena. There are areas where the going is still relatively firm, but there are also large areas of pure mud and as is, it would be impossible to lay out any arenas. I have also been in contact with the weather bureau and they are predicting very wild weather for Sunday. Based on this, the committee has decided to cancel our clinic on Sunday. The money you have paid for this clinic, will be carried over, so you won’t lose out. However, we will go ahead with the bookings for the second semester of four clinics and we’ll be at the clubhouse from 10.00am to 12.00, so please come along and do your bookings and stay for a chat. There will be tea and coffee available and if you’re really lucky I may even bake some muffins!

Enjoy sleeping in on Sunday (!!??!!) and we’ll see you later in the morning.

Helen

(If you are aware of any of our members who do not have email access, please could you pass this on to them? Many thanks!)

So. There you have it, folks. A trifle disappointing, I'll grant you, but if the weather is as woolly as they're predicting, I fear it is for the best. Don't forget to pop on your raingear and get yourself down to the clubrooms to lodge your nominations. We look forward to seeing you there. I'll be the one eating all the cakes. *\o/* And drinking all the coffee. :D

Sarah, MARG Vice President

MONDAY UPDATE (Short and Mute, Because I Have The Laryngitis): 22nd June 2009

The Closed Show photos have arrived! CLICKY HERE! I've uploaded a selection of shots, but since we are space limited here in the hallowed halls of MARG Online, the full range is on show over at Fast Paced Photos' website, which you can access via the link on the Gallery page. And while you are there, don't look at the shot of my bum that appears to showcase a load in my pants. The committee has already sufficiently mocked my poo-pants. *hides face in couch cushions* I also have some testimonials and stories and results from the day that I will be getting up as the week goes on and my head becomes less full of snot.

Also, this Sunday is our June clinic and on this day we will be accepting nominations for the second half of the year clinics. As per usual, you will need to pay upfront to secure your place. We'll have the timetables for the July - November clinics available from 8am on Sunday, and we are operating on a FIRST IN, BEST DRESSED basis. If you're particularly keen on getting a certain timeslot, we strongly advise you to attend the clubrooms earlier rather than later to pay and claim your spots.

Unfortunately we will not be accepting any nominations prior to 8am, Sunday 28th June, so please do not post cheques or email your nominations, as they will be returned to you. Once we have filled the nominations on Sunday, then any available spots left will be open for postal or email applications.

Don't forget to wander over to the clinics page this week and check your times and your allocated task, so you know where and when you're riding and what-not.

Last but not least, our Xmas in July event is fast approaching. CLICKY HERE for details. Don't miss out on the chance to spend some horseless time with your club members, and indulge in a great meal and a few drinks. See Caz at the clubrooms on Sunday for your ticket, or so help me God, I will goose you with my dressage whip. I mean it, people. *is menacing* It'll be loads of fun. I will be wearing a very silly hat.

That's it from me, folks.Till next time, happy riding!

Sarah, MARG Vice President

THURSDAY UPDATE (Fleeting, Like That Moment You Get It Right and No One Is Watching): 4th June 2009

I trust everyone had a great time at the Closed Show last weekend, or failing that I hope you at least got a good laugh out of the ridiculous, sweaty, fried-noodle mess that was my horse. Aaaaahhhh, thoroughbreds. Gotta love 'em. As soon as I get some photos from the day, I'll get a Show Day Write-up under way and post results. If anyone has any stories from the day they'd like to share, please email them to me, and I'll make sure they get included.

I've had a fiddle with the site tonight, just some minor requested clinic time changes, and an addition to the profile page. A big thank you to those riders who have helped me accommodate changes where they've been needed. Your flexibility and team spirit is greatly appreciated, guys.

Please don't forget we have our Xmas in July function coming up and tickets will be available at the June clinic. We hope to see as many of you as possible there, and it'll be a great night out, so don't forget to see Caz and buy yourself a seat.

Last but not least tonight, we have some member news from our very own Jessica Hoffren, who's accomplished a fantastic personal goal by attending her first ODE last weekend. Not only did she front up, but she took out first in the open E-grade. Here's what she had to tell me in her email:

"...Well, we ended up doing what we said in our profile last year... we did our first ODE at Baldivis on Sunday. Was a little worried since we haven't had hardly any practice. Cassie was a little excited first half of the day, but we managed to pull through even with a few minor tanties and scraped up well. Dressage went ok, had a little tantie. Jumping went clear and so did XC - no penalties. She gave her best in the XC and I was very surprised nothing except the water jump seemed like a big deal (coming from a horse who thinks people walking through the bush are out to eat her). She did a great job, not blinking an eye at the other jumps nor the people standing around them. All in all we ended up winning the open E-grade. I could not help smiling at the spelling error of her name on the score sheets... Shockholm Charisma.... yer....she is quite shocking sometimes.... ha, ha!"

On behalf of the club, a big congratulations to Jessica and Cassie - hopefully some photos will be forthcoming!

That's it from me tonight, folks. Until next time, happy riding!

Sarah

TUESDAY UPDATE (or How I Triumphed Over 786 Emails and Lived To Tell the Tale): 26th May 2009

How have I climbed out from beneath the shocking avalanche of Things That Must Be Done upon my return to Australia? SHORTCUTS, peoples! Also, DELEGATION. And coffee. Ooooh, and chocolate. There's been plenty of chocolate. *scratches head* Not much sleep, though...

Anyhoo... Rocksalt Sam has been a complete angel since I returned to Oz. I'm actually thinking someone may have switched Sam to another paddock while I was away, and this horse just happens to look a lot like him. In which case, I'm gonna keep the Sam clone, thank you very much. He BENDS around corners. *\o/* I hope you've all been similarly impressed with your steeds of late. *gives them all a pat*

Tonight's update includes a devastatingly handsome flyer for our Xmas in July night at Byford Tavern. If you don't come, I will have no choice but to randomly goose you with my dressage whip until you buy a ticket. Apparently it's part of my Vice Presidential Duties. DON'T THINK I WON'T. Details HERE. About the Xmas in July. Not about how I will goose you. I think the goosing is fairly self-explanatory.

I've also updated Natalie Williamson's profile on the Instructors page and revised the June Clinic schedule and the Calendar. We now have a second closed show on 18th November, so if you crash and burn in grand style at our Show on the 31st May (*coughsSarah&Samintofist*) you can redeem yourself at the last one. Or embarrass yourself further. I generally find I make things worse rather than better on my second trip out the gate, so y'all should feel free to go ahead and make tools of yourself too. That way I'll have company.

I think that's about it. I've got some member results to post from April shows and ARCA, but that's gonna have to wait until a bit later in the week. One foot in front of the other. Little bites of the elephant. In the meantime...

Happy riding!! Email me if you have any queries, rants, news to share!

Sarah

UPDATE: Wednesday 13th May 2009

Hi Y'all!

Well, I'm home after my adventures in Americaland, and it looks like I have plenty to catch up on! *eyes 786 emails of doom* Just for starters tonight, I come bearing a delicious menu of foody goodness. Why, you ask? Because we're having Christmas in July, that's why! Clicky on the NEWS page for more details.

In other scintillating gossip, our Closed Show is fast approaching on the 31st May...Get clickety on the SHOWS page for the program and all the latest.

I'll be updating the June clinic timetable in the next few days... please bear with me while I get up to speed on all the goings on in my absence. Looking forward to seeing you all at the Show, and in the meantime, happy riding!

Sarah

LIGHTNING QUICK UPDATE OF SPEEDY FASTNESS: Thursday 16th April 2009

Hi Everybody! I'm off on my adventures to Americaland tomorrow, and I still have much to do before I board the plane. But I wanted to log on and wish everybody luck for the ARCA Challenge, and remind you all about the MARG Closed Show that's coming up at the end of May. You can download the program by clicking HERE. Entry is free, and there are even some Western classes this time round!

Enjoy your April clinic, and I'll catch up with you guys upon my return. Emails will be redirected to Caz while I am away, and please feel free to contact any of the other committee members if you have any issues.

Happy riding, folks!

Sarah

UPDATE: Sunday 12th April 2009

Happy Easter, MARGites! I hope y'all are kicking back and your tummies are full of hot cross buns and chocolate. I know mine is. *pats belly*

Tonight I have a very special update regarding our long time member, Fleur Litster. We're very proud to announce that Fleur has just received her invitation to join the EA Para Equestrian Development Squad. To go to the next level, Fleur must head overseas to compete and gain selection to the Elite Para Equestrian Squad. This will qualify her to be considered for selection for World and Paralympic Games.

There's a fundraising evening to help Fleur realise this truly amazing dream, and you can read all the details over on the News page, and then download the event details. Congratulations to Fleur on this tremendous accomplishment!

That's it for now, guys. Don't forget, you can send your profiles through to me as of now. If you've mislaid the email with the profile template, you can download it on the Member Profiles page.

Happy riding, folks!

Sarah, MARG Vice President

RANDOM UPDATE OF NO PARTICULAR IMPORT: Thursday 2nd April 2009

I meant to get this done sooner but as it turns out, the April Fools Joke this year is actually MY LIFE. But tonight I'm all *thumbs up* and less squished beneath the mountainous piles of work I've been failing to keep on top of. Tomorrow it'll back to the grindstone, but tonight? Tonight is all about CHOCOLATE you, my friends. *nibbles*

Still, I have to sleep sometime, so this is a quick update mostly to say:

NOW THAT'S HOW YOU HAVE A CLINIC. *stands, applauds all members* The committee was absolutely THRILLED with the fantastic ownership and comraderie displayed at our second clinic last weekend. We had all hands on deck, all day, with people signing in and out and actually volunteering their services for any duties going begging before they left. So, so, so impressed.

Thank you, guys, for showing your club and each other the sort of respect and caring that breeds a happy, supportive environment for us all to enjoy. Keep up the great work!

Also, I've updated the clinics timetables (no changes, just added some newbies and did some general maintenance) and I've started uploading a couple of instructor profiles, more to go up as they come to me. Next week I'll send out a template email inviting members to submit a short profile and pic of yourself and your horse, and we'll start throwing those up in the members area. It'll be a gradual process, guys, because I want my decline into interwebz madness to be a smooth sail rather than a violent bungee jump. Softly, softly, catch ye monkey. I don't know exactly what that phrase MEANS, but my dad used to say it when he wanted me to stop tearing around like blue-arse fly. And no, thanks for asking, it never really worked.

Anyway. I'm gonna go try me some of that sleep thingy, see if it takes. AS YOU WERE, PEOPLES. Happy riding!

Sarah

ARCA CHALLENGE UPDATE: Tuesday 24th March 2009

SQUEAL!!!! Everyone go look at the SHOWS page RIGHT NOW. The details for the first ARCA Challenge are up there, along with the program and some information for those new to the ARCA game. Best news ever: IT'S FREE! You don't have to pay the entry fee, folks. The club is going to foot your entry bill if you decide to come along. SO COME ALONG! Please note, in order to get your free entry, you must send your entry form to the committee, NOT direct to the Challenge organisers. We'll need all entry forms in by April 22nd, in order to submit our group entry in time for the cut off. See the Shows page for more details on where to send.

EPIC UPDATE OF GARGANTUAN PROPORTION: Thursday 19th March 2009.

Dudes. So much to cover off. I'm gonna be sticking in some links so y'all have to change pages and pay attention and stay awake. There will also be random *jazz hands*, just to keep you on your toes.

*jazz hands*

CLINIC UPDATE: Okay, first off... I've updated the News page. Here you'll find a rundown on our first clinic, and some important information regarding the SIGN IN/SIGN OUT REGISTER and your ALLOCATED TASKS. Please ensure you read it thoroughly, because if we don't get everyone on board with the process next clinic, we're gonna start cracking the whip. We don't want to crack the whip. We don't even like HAVING a whip to crack. We just want to keep things fair for everyone, and make sure we all have a great day out with our horses. So have a read, and PLEASE... if you're unsure of what's required of you or if you have any objections, email me at the club address or phone a member of the committee to discuss further. We're here to help and are happy to address your concerns.

*more jazz hands*

COMMITTEE UPDATE: Secondly, March sees us farewell the very lovely Mel Waters from our committee. She's moving interstate, and we wish her and her partner all the best in their new adventures. On behalf of the club, Mel, thanks for your enthusiastic contribution to MARG. You and the gorgeous Romeo will be missed around these parts, hon. *stands, applauds*

On a brighter note, we welcome a new pocket dynamo, Lisa Wells, to our ranks. She attended her first committee meeting on Tuesday and frankly, I think she's juuuuuust crazy enough to fit right in. *beams* Welcome aboard, Lisa. We look forward to having you on the team.

The committee page has been updated to reflect changes.

*still more jazz hands*

INSTRUCTOR UPDATE: Jackie Bouter's AFTERNOON CLINIC ONLY has been cancelled for March 29th. If you were booked for her afternoon flatwork, you have been transferred across to Val Mayger's afternoon timeslot. All Jackie's morning clinics remain unaltered. See the Clinics page for the updated timetable.

*final jazz hands* (nearly done folks!) One more exciting proposal to throw into the mix...

MAGENUP ADULT RIDING GROUP
WESTERN GROUP
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

People wishing to join a new created WESTERN section of our adult riding club
Clinics held monthly on Sundays at Magenup Equestrian Centre Wandi
Clinics will run in conjunction with our English group
Ridden lessons, halter and show prep – if requested
Contact Carolyn for further information or to register your interest
tandc71@bigpond.com or 0418 915 669

Phew!! I think that's it for now. I have some other awesome news regarding the upcoming ARCA challenges, including dates, venues and how you can get ENTER FREE OF CHARGE as a MARG member, but I'm still fine-tuning that update. Besides, if y'all got through this one, you likely need a stiff drink and a lie down.

*claps you on the back* Well done. More from me soon. In the meantime, happy riding!

Sarah Dansie, MARG Vice President.

Update: Friday 27th February 2009

Hi all! We're nearly there. Our first clinic is right around the corner, and we're looking forward to seeing y'all out at the grounds. A few points to remember...

Check the clinics page and make sure you know when, and with whom, you are riding. We'll have a copy of the clinic times up on the day, but there have been some changes since original nominations, so PLEASE refresh your memory and make sure you know where you are riding and when.

Please make sure you come up to the clubrooms and sign in when you arrive. This enables us to record your attendance, but also gives us the opportunity to say hello and put some faces to names. Likewise, we ask that you come back and sign out before leaving the grounds, just so we know who has and hasn't been accounted for in the event of an emergency.

We will have a full canteen running on Sunday, and they will have drinks, cakes, steak sandwiches, hamburgers, etc available, so bring your loose change and your appetite!

If you are riding in the first session, please ensure you arrive in adequate time to attend to your horse and help us set up. Committee members will be at the grounds from 7:30am, and we need to get three arenas up and running by 8:30am. I can't stress enough how important it is that we all pitch in and help to get the gear out. Many hands make light work, guys.

Uniforms and blankets will be available for sale at the clubrooms on the day, for those of you who wish to purchase them.

The committee sincerely hopes you have an enjoyable and satisfying day with your horse. See you there!

Sarah Dansie, MARG Vice President.

Update: Thursday 19th February 2009

Hi Guys! WONDERFUL NEWS: The website issues that have been plaguing us since the start of the year are now RESOLVED. *\o/* I am doing my little happy dance here in front of my laptop. Y'all can't see me doing it, but trust me, I'm a sight to behold. No more uploading through a third party, so updates should come through a lot faster now. Anyway, see below for the hot topics in MARG-Land this fine day...

CLINIC CHANGES

Some very important changes have been made to times and instructors for the March 1st clinic. Click HERE to see if and how your slot has been affected. We endeavour to stick to the times and instructors you have nominated, however some alterations are unavoidable due to circumstances beyond our control. We try very hard to minimise the changes and only a few riders have been affected. If you have a specific and burning issue with your newly appointed time and/or instructor, PLEASE contact me to discuss and I will do my very utmost to accommodate your requirements. Communication, peoples. It's what it's all about. *snaps fingers, points*

COMMITTEE MEETING

The committee met on Tuesday night for our February meeting... don't forget you are welcome to attend our meetings if you have something to discuss or an issue you wish to table. You might even just be idly curious about what goes on behind the scenes, and we welcome your idle curiosity, because sometimes what starts as "idle curiosity" turns into "active committee member" and WE NEED THOSE. *hugs the committee members* Our next meeting date is posted on the Committee page HERE, so click for more info on how you can get involved. Don't be shy; we don't bite. Okay, we bite some things. But mostly just doughnuts. :)

That's about it from me tonight... expect more updates this week as we draw closer to the first clinic. In the meantime... Happy riding!

Sarah Dansie, MARG Vice President.

Update: Sunday 1st February 2009

To all our members who made it down today, WELCOME ABOARD! We look forward to sharing a great year with you at the Club. Please check in regularly at the site for updates and important information as it comes to hand, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the committee.

SUNDAY 8TH FEBRUARY IS MAGENUP'S BUSY BEE!

We need all available hands on deck to help us get organised for the year ahead, so come on down and lend a hand! Click here for the fine detail.

*\o/* For anyone who didn't make it down today during the registration window, I'm happy to report we still have some slots left, and will be accepting mailed applications until such time as the quota is filled. If you are mailing in an application, you will need to include the following with your membership fee:

Payment can be made via cheque, money order or direct banking. Payment enquiries are to be directed to the Secretary/Treasurer. General clinic enquiries are to be directed to the Vice President. You can find our contact details HERE, or email using the link at the bottom of this page. All mailed applications must be sent to Magenup Adult Riding Group at 1 The Bulwark, WILLETON, WA 6155.

If you are choosing to ride one lesson only, the cost is $35 per clinic. If you are nominating for morning & afternoon lessons, then the cost is $50 per clinic. Please note that you must pay for all four clinics in advance, and NO NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PAYMENT. You can see which slots are available on the clinics page here. Also note that while I will endeavour to keep the clinics page up-to-date, your first choice of time may already be taken. In this event, you will be contacted with alternate times.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at the Busy Bee next Sunday! Many hands make light work, guys. :)

Until then, happy riding!

Sarah Dansie, MARG Vice President.

Update: Sunday 25th January 2009

Happy Australia Day! I hope you're all champing at the bit, ready for Join Up day next weekend. I've just updated the calendar and clinic pages, so you can see all the dates at a glance, and also the costings to help you get organised for next Sunday. Please note that you'll need to pay for your first four clinics up front in order to nominate for your times. No payment, no nominations. Check the membership kit for more information on fees and joining.

The committee met last Tuesday night for our first 2009 meeting, and we're all very excited to be bringing you this 2009 program. We hope it will strengthen and deepen your bond not only with your horse, but also with some new friends at the club! I've been putting good old Rocksalt Sam through his paces the last couple of weeks after a looooooong spell off, and let me be the first to tell you all: WE HAVE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR THE NEXT OLYMPICS. If you're looking for the Vice President at the first clinic, I'll be the uncoordinated douchebag on the sideways-inclined chestnut thoroughbred. Point and laugh at will, but for the love of God, STAND CLEAR.

Anyway, if you have any queries about the membership process or the clinics this year, please feel free to drop me an email via the link at the bottom of this page. Likewise, if you have anything you want advertised in our For Sale or News sections, let me know and I'll get it up for you.

Happy riding, guys. See you all next Sunday!

Sarah Dansie, MARG Vice President.

Update: Wednesday 14th January 2009

Hi y'all! A very happy new year to all our club members. The committee would like to extend our best wishes to you and your families for the coming year. Hope you're all managing to squeeze in a ride now the holiday festivities have wound up.

I've officially taken over the role of webmaster as of this week, and - YIKES - I have some big shoes to fill. We're still ironing out some server issues, which mean I've been unable to update the site until now, but we should have those problems resolved in the very near future. I'm sure you'll all join me in thanking Beth Evans for the fantastic job she did in 2008 getting this site up and running, and then maintaining it so efficiently during the year. I hope I do all your hard work justice, Beth!

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be having a play around and familiarising myself with the site, so expect to see some truly catastrophic page errors. Rest assured, I'll be sitting here on the other end giving my laptop the horse-eye and frantically mashing the 'undo' button. If you click a link and something's not working, give it twenty-four hours and try again. If you're still having trouble, please email me via the address at the bottom of this page and I'll do my best to fix it asap.

Now, on to the important stuff...

JOIN UP DAY

Sunday 1st February 2009, 10am - 12pm, at the Magenup Clubrooms on De Haer Road, WANDI. MEMBERSHIP IS CAPPED AT 60 MEMBERS. We will be operating on a first come, first served basis, so be on time to avoid disappointment.

There have been some crucial changes to the way MARG will be running this year, so please ensure you have read the 2009 MARG Membership Kit carefully prior to the day. You can access the kit and the membership application form via the updated link at the bottom of this page.

We look forward to seeing you all on the 1st February.

Happy riding, folks!

Sarah Dansie, MARG Vice President

Updates- Sunday 26/10/08

Closed show program is now available on the Show page.
Trophy presentation day tickets are now being sold.

Insurance Note For Members Attending Other Horse Events: MARG is an EFA Affiliated club. So if you attend any shows run by the EFA or EFA Affiliated clubs then you are NOT required to pay insurance for the day. If you are sending entires in before the show day then send a photocopy of your membership card. If entries are on the day then take your membership card with you and show when you enter the show.

But please note, if the show is run by an AON insured club then you will be required to pay insurance. Some other examples of AON insured clubs are the Paint Horse Association, QH Association, Appaloosa Association. These clubs are NON-EFA AFFILIATED clubs so your insurance through MARG will not cover you for events run by AON Insured clubs.

MARG is proudly supported by Magic Browbands. Mel has kindly offered every MARG member 10% off ALL of her products. Just contact her either through her website or email her on mel@melodydesigns.com

Sarah Dansie