This last weekend was a first for me. I had the pleasure of officially opening the new Riseholme Feed Shop in Wysall, Notts, with its owner and manager Lindsay Redfern.
Lindsay and her team (as well as family) have moved their brilliant shop from East Leake to Wysall after years of hard work. Lindsay can now enjoy watching her business grow further from her home there, and it is now a very smart set up!
Although they do just about every feed you could think of, they are also a tack and clothing shop, so stock my sponsors Tredstep Ireland. It means we are quite spoilt having a one-stop shop just a few miles down the road!
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Anyway, Saturday was their official opening, and Lindsay made a speech that brought a tear to everyone’s eye. Loads of local customers came to support the opening, and there was mulled wine and mince pies throughout the day as well as great raffle prizes. I couldn’t stay all day — or I would have had too much mulled wine — but to be there to cut the ribbon and support Riseholme was brilliant.
I then headed to Vale View Equestrian Centre on Sunday for their arena eventing classes. These are a great, affordable way to get the event horses going and keep them interested through their winter work. I went for the last class of the day, the 1.10m, and took Holly (Riffala Du Buisson). She absolutely loved it, flying round clear to win! It’s nice to know she enjoys a little pipe opener, even in December.
Speaking of December, I cannot believe it is almost Christmas time. This year has gone by so quickly, and as an eventer I know that life will only pick up after the holidays as we will be getting ready for the season. Not only that, but we will be beginning to build our new yard at home in the New Year. I hope we can have an opening half as successful as Riseholme’s!
Lauren
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Event rider Lauren Shannon blogged on Horseandhound.co.uk from June 2011 until September 2014. Born in Brighton, she lived in America from the age of three to 16, returning to the UK to go to university after she finished school. After university she worked for Mark and Tanya Kyle before setting up her own yard in Leicestershire. Her best result to date was finishing 9th at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials with her top horse, Zero Flight.
