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Combined training [April 23, 2008]

The combined training schedule is now available to download.

Team news [March 26, 2008]

If you would like to be part of Team NERC in 2008, please contact us asap or complete the Team NERC form and return to Lea.

Saddle demonstration [March 17, 2008]

Hogholm Stables are hosting a Semiflex saddle demonstration.

Area 22 camp 2008 [February 12, 2008]

Area 22 are hosting the annual riding Club camp at Brechin Castle 10th - 12th May inclusive. Activities include: Flatwork lessons, Dressage Test Workshops, Jumping Lessons, Riding Test Workshops, Dressage to Music Workshops and Xcountry Training. All activities are optional, you pick and choose at time of booking what you want to join in with. Guaranteed loads of fun, evening activities include: Pilates for horse and rider, dressage to music demo and talk on how to get started. Further information can be obtained from Julie Robertson or nerc@btinternet.com or download application form.

BRC 2008 rule change [January 11, 2008)

You can download a copy of the 2008 rule changes. Main points to note are:

• Spurs that have a smooth rotating rubber or plastic ball on the shank (Impuls spurs) are now permitted for all disciplines.
• Juniors are now permitted to wear spurs in line with senior competitors.
• Dispensation for the use of nose-nets will no longer be be required from the BRC office.
• Horse eligibility for novice and elementary team competitions has been brought into line with the BD points system so horses can have up to 124 points for novice tests and 199 for elementary tests. Horses can now have up to 60 points for riding tests 6 & 7 and 124 points for RT 8 & 9.

Training dates for 2008 [January 7, 2008]

Training dates for 2008 at Fountain and Oldfold are now available. We will only run these sessions if the training is used and there is demand. If you would like any 'baby' jumping sessions - for novice horses or riders - please get in touch as we already have a few people who have asked for this.

Need an equine dentist? [February 14, 2007]

NERC member, Deborah Atkinson, has recently qualified as an Equine Dental Technician and is working throughout the North East of Scotland. She can be contacted via her website - www.chompingatthebit.co.uk

Strangles
One of our local vets sent the following information, which you may find useful.

Strangles is passed on by direct nose to nose contact, by sharing contaminated water and feed buckets and by contact with clothes contaminated with infected nasal discharges. It does not blow in the air. This means that the chance of picking this disease up at shows and events is quite small if the following measures are followed:

• Refrain from patting other horses - or "multiple patting syndrome".
• Do not share buckets and tack with other horses.
• Try not to let your horse graze the showground.
• Do not attend horse events if your horse has a snotty nose.

Strangles can be passed on from horses that may be in the early stages of the disease or from horses that may carry the infection for many months or years without showing signs of the disease.

There is tremendous movement of horses and ponies all over the country. This movement, combined with the increasing horse numbers in the area, means that the chances of strangles appearing in the area from time to time are quite high. This means that horse owners should get used to taking these control measures as a matter of course, and not just when they have heard of a case in the area.