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Margaret Dale – Chairman
Horses are in my blood, so when I got to 591/3 I decided had better find out if I still wanted to ride. After a short hack when I didn’t fall off and wasn’t terrified, I concluded that learning how to trot would be a good idea. So riding lessons commenced. I didn’t expect to move house to accommodate the horse, I didn’t expect to be the doting owner of two cobs and I didn’t expect to be thinking about learning how to jump. But 11 years on – here I am.
The reason for riding lessons being part of the retirement plan was because I had been too busy working to indulge my passion for horses. My last job was as Chief Executive for a small organisation that provided HR services to Universities. Along the way I have been involved in the boards of loads of organisations, both large and small. I’ve been chair of the Students Union Board of Trustees, a mediation charity, and a health body. I’m currently chair of Holmfirth Tech, on the board of the Fair Traders Coop and convenor of the Holme Valley Vision network. I am a joiner and can’t resist trying to organise people.
The Holme Valley Riding Club is important to me and my horses and we have benefited hugely from our membership. I have met some very friendly people, who have encouraged and helped me and the events mean the horses get to go somewhere and do things they wouldn’t if they were just stuck at home. Being the chair of any organisation is a privilege and a wonderful way to meet people and learn. So encouraging other people to take on roles and coaching them, I see as part of the job.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the riding club.
Layla Smith – Secretary
Having ridden from a young age growing up in Cambridgeshire, it was inevitable horses would join me in the move to Yorkshire! Having taught at a local Riding School whilst at University I made many new 'horsey friends' and joined HVRC a number of years ago, competing on Binky, my now retired Appaloosa, on HVRC Show Jumping and Show Cross Teams.
I then bought a lovely Irish Hunter, but seemed to spend more time on the floor than on board, and sadly after a few years decided we simply didn't get on well enough! I still have Binky enjoying retirement, but now have Claude too. He's only young, but has a sensible head and as I constantly battle with my nerves nowadays you'll probably see me in the secretary box more than on the horse! We are enjoying our dressage journey together though! :-)
I look after membership so if you’ve got any queries let me know.
Nicola Waterfield – Treasurer
I am the club treasurer, and also look after the HVRC dressage competitions and Area dressage teams.
Vicky Oldroyd – PR and Website Officer
I have been riding horses on and off since I was 5 years old. More recently I have been lucky enough to ride a variety of horses locally for some lovely owners, before they gifted me my lovely (and occasionally bonkers) mare Phyllis. She recently had a foal, Arthur, so i've been competing Bridget for the Mulligans for a couple of years now.
In the past I have successfully represented HVRC in teams at the Area qualifiers, and at BRC championships. I also try my hand at the majority of our local competitions. I enjoy training and competing both with the riding club and at unaffiliated level with varying degrees of success…. we always have a lovely day though!
Michelle Howland – Safeguarding Officer
I have been a committee member for just over a year, and I’m the designated safeguarding officer for the club.
I have been riding for over 55 years. I was a member of Rockwood pony club in my youth. Then my passion for eventing took over. I have been a member of British Eventing for over 30 years alongside the riding club.
My greatest achievement for the club was to attend the Festival of the horse championship in the show cross in 2012. A great day had by all. I now event at low Level 80cms and love the xc phase.
I am married, I have 2 grown up children who rode. Also 2 grandchildren. My eldest has had her pony for a year. So the passion of horses continues in our family. My current horse is Kitty, an 8 year old Irish sport horse. She loves jumping, however she finds the dressage a challenge.
Clair Hinchliffe
I was born into an equestrian family, so I’ve had a lifelong passion for horses. My current horse Blue loves to jump, and can also produce a lovely dressage test.
I am an active member of HVRC and have been on the committee for a few years now, regularly helping at local and area events. I enjoy representing the club at SJ and CT competitions and area qualifiers. We’ve also made it to the championships a few times.
Outside of RC activities, we also regularly compete at BS. Blue loves going to shows and always aims to please, often bringing home a rosette.
Rosie Waddington - Training Officer
I’ve got a chestnut mare called Coco, we do lots of training and a few unaffiliated shows now and again. I’m hoping to do more and eventually do our first ODE.
Wendy Yates – Social Officer
I have recently joined the committee as the social officer. Quite a challenge for someone who is essentially rather shy and doesn’t like crowds. But I love chatting and getting to know people.
I rode in my youth in Cambridgeshire, firstly just around the farm on my 10.2 welsh thelwell. Then got bitten by the competition bug aged 14, and joined The Fitzwilliam Pony Club and Huntingdon and District riding club. I had so much fun in the next 8 years. A move away from home meant I needed to put riding on ‘hold’. I always hoped to come back to it - but wasn’t expecting it would be 35 years later!!
So I now have a very sweet natured 14.1 called Sky who I enjoy doing a bit of anything with - showjumping up to 70cm, very baby cross country and dressage (which Sky isn’t a fan of). I enjoy the lessons, clinics and competitions put on by the riding club and even managed 2 clear rounds as part of a team recently. I, optimistically, still harbour ambitions of eventing. But I’m just so pleased to be having fun doing what I’m doing, as a few years ago I really thought my days of enjoying the thrill of jumping (even at 70cm) were behind me.
Being more involved in the riding club, is helping my confidence and skill as a rider, and in my role as Social Officer I’d like to encourage more people to make the most of all the riding club has to offer. I’d be pleased to hear from any of you with ideas for how we can develop our social side of the riding club.
Other Committee Members
Clare Hinchliffe
Most people probably know me better as Auntie Clare - I've been a committee member for Holme Valley for many years, and have ridden on many Area teams and been to Championships numerous times on my brilliant horse Alf, and more recently on my youngster Finn.
Wendy Mulligan
I've been on the HVRC committee for a number of years, and can be found helping at most events. I don't compete any more, but still enjoy watching my horses at local, area and unaffiliated competitions.
Amy Armstrong
I started riding horses when I moved up to Yorkshire from Essex in the early 2000’s. I started through a local riding school and moved my way up to loaning some horses before purchasing my own. In 2014. I then sold up 2016 and had a long break to pursue motorbikes instead.
In the past, I have competed in showing/ hunter trails/ show jumping and dressage. More recently, I have been lucky enough to ride for Layla and her lovely Claude. We do most of the training events hosted by HVRC and much more. We have been competing at 80 ODE’s in 2023. I'm hoping to tackle a few 90’s this year.
Savannah Dyson
People will probably recognise my overly enthusiastic bay mare, Beauty, before they recognised me. I have passed the reins to a loaner, and I'm hoping to start my youngster off competing this year after having a lovely break from the equine showing world. I'll usually be found around the showjumping ring, but I have occasionally attempted the dressage. It's not really suited to a horse that makes her own entertainment, so I have taken on competing my mum's coloured Ruudi. That way, the judge doesn't have to fear for their car. In previous years.
