Nags Club bulletin: 13 March

Students attract top SJ trainer

Fourteen first-year students from Brooksby Melton College have organised a show jumping lecture demonstration with top rider Andy Austin on 25 April as part of their National Diploma in Horse Management course.

Andy will bedemonstrating the importance of polework with his own show jumpers and explaining techniques to improve a horse’s way of going around a course of fences. There will be also be trade stands, a bar, and refreshments available on the night.

Theevening is open to all with advanced tickets available by post until 19 April, priced £16. Cheques should be made payable to Equine Elite and sent to The Business Dept, Brooksby Campus, Brooksby, Melton Mowbury, Leics, LE14 2LJ

Tickets are also available on the door at £18 per person. For further information contact Louise Sanderson (tel: 07866 140643).

Challenge for university students

The British University Sport Association (BUSA) National Equestrian Finals in showjumping and dressage take place at Field House Stables, Uttoxeter, next month (8-10 April).

Six student teams and 18 individuals from universities across the country will be travelling to Staffordshire to compete on unknown horses with minutes to warm up before competing.

Riders must be able to quickly assess a horse and adapt their riding to suit their mount. The final is a knock-out competition taking place across three days with four rounds in each discipline.

The dressage competition begins with a BUSA created test, before progressing through elementary 44 and elementary 56 to a final round at medium 75. The show jumping begins a 3ft equitation course, the second round at 3ft3in is judged on faults and style, while the two final rounds (3ft6in and 4ft) are judged on faults and time.

Welfare through knowledge

Two further friendly and informative lectures in the University of Bristol’s Equine Centre’s “Welfare Through Knowledge” series are taking place on 17 and 31 March in Langford, Avon.

“Care of your mare pre and post foaling” (17 March) and “Rehabilitation: helping your horse on the road to recovery” (31 March) are aimed at owners, riders and breeders.

Delegates can enjoy welcome drinks at 7pm prior to the lecture at 7.30pm. A question and answer session will complete the evening.

Advance booking is recommended and tickets cost £8. For further information please contact (tel:0117 928 9502).

• The university is also holding an Equine Centre Open Day on 5 July for potential students. To find out more visit www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/EquineCentreBecome a memberMembership of NAGS is free to all bona fide grooms and students. Benefits include: Horse & Hound subscription at £1 per copy, £3 discount voucher on a sack of Blue Chip Dynamic, 10% discount on Splash Equestrian equipment and clothing, no P&P charges from Equestrian Vision mail order and eligibility for NAGS-only competitions and offers.If you are interested in becoming a member write to: NAGS, Room 2018, Kings Reach Tower, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LS (tel: 020 7261 6993), or e-mail: nags@ipcmedia.comAnd remember, the club is open to all students, not just those studying for an equine qualification.

If you have any news or information you think would make a story for the NAGS weekly bulletin, please e-mail details to: kerry_bowness@ipcmedia.com