Strule Valley Riding Club held their Annual General Meeting recently at Omagh RDA.
Katie Clarke, Chairperson, welcomed everyone to the meeting. Alison Donnell, read her secretary’s report, detailing the club’s activities over the past year, which proved another busy year for members, with a variety off lessons with various instructors whom she thanked - Mandi King, Toni Donnelly, Penny Sangster, Chris Boges, Kyle Hayes, Ian McCluggage, Yvonne Chisholm and William Anderson.
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The club organised their annual shows during 2023 - Annual Dressage Show, Working Hunter Show to include NI Festival Qualifiers, Annual Summer Show jumping League, Indoor Derby and Christmas Show, followed by the end of year Christmas meal/ night out in The Aviary Bar, Omagh.
Before Alison passed over to her mum, Pearl to present her treasurer’s report, she announced the winner of the Dolly Mixture Perpetual Shield, which is presented to the member who attended the most club events throughout the year and the winner was Sandra Somerville.
All offices were declared vacant and the club were delighted to welcome Emma King to officiate for the election of officers and committee. Emma was a member of Strule Valley Riding Club in the early days of the club’s formation and went on to be vice-chairperson and chairperson.
Katie Clarke was proposed as chairperson for the upcoming year; Alison Donnell, Secretary and Pearl Donnell, Treasurer. Elected onto the committee were Gillian Hynes, Helen Badger, Alan Gilchrist, Naomi Elkin, Pamela Caldwell and Ami Kwasniewska.
Refreshments were provided by Pearl and a draw took place for free lessons. Winners of a free lesson were Gillian Hynes, Alan Gilchrist and Pamela Caldwell.
Next for the club is a Confidence Seminar and flatwork training with Heather Graham BHS, HSI and Centre 10 Advanced Coach in Sport Psychology at Omagh RDA on Sunday, January 28. There are a few places left for the flatwork training, which is open to British Riding Club members aged 18+. Everyone is welcome to the talk.
Moving into February, Strule Valley have Mandi King for flatwork/ polework training in the RDA and the committee will be meeting soon to plan the spring schedule for March, April and May.