Tolt Series 2012 Underway!

Our annual Winter Tolt Series held at Etal, Northumberland is now well underway!

January 2012 saw a great turn out of horses and riders and the competition got off to a flying start.

Many Club members participated in January as well as non-members and we look forward to the next event at the end of February.  Club members did a great job in organising the event and the help given throughout the Series is much appreciated.

25th February - 1pm @ Etal
31st March - 1pm @ Etal (finals day)

Spectators are very welcome and we look forward to seeing you there!

Club Social Weekend.....

Nine members enjoyed riding under the broad skies and on the expanses of smooth sand at Seacliff and Tyninghame situated on the East Lothian coast. Six of our group (Phil, Nadene, Alison, Amanda, Sally and myself) kept our horses at Patsi Dale’s beside the ruin of what was once a magnificent house.

Pat, Jo and Alison rode across from Castleton, the neighbouring farm on Saturday morning to join up for our ride. Although it was overcast the day was warm and humid.  Patsi helpfully described the route to the beach and with plenty of stubble fields to provide some small variations we soon found our way.

It was exhilarating to be riding on the Ravensheugh Sands which seemed to stretch forever. After a paddle in the sea we trotted and tölted along towards Tyninghame. The horses really enjoyed being in one another’s company as we swept along the vastness of the firm sand. We turned off the sand and through some woods to access the headland and St Baldred’s Cradle. We stopped for a picnic lunch at a clearing in more woodland with a view over the Tyne estuary towards Dunbar. For our return ride we decided to stay slightly inland and rode along forest tracks amongst beautiful Scots pines, their tall trunks glowing orange.

Following the wood we were back onto farm tracks and at Lochouses we joined onto some wide grass margins beside recently harvested fields on gently undulating terrain. The heat and humidity was being added to now by the sun making a glimpse through the clouds. The horses with their winter coats starting to grow, were feeling the warmth so the last stretch home was relatively steady although Pat’s horse Erpur at an amazing 32 years old knew he was heading home and kept up a sprightly pace bringing the others along with him. 

Sunday was a sightseeing day on horseback. Seacliff beach is situated just below Patsi’s house and has a stunning view over to the Bass Rock. We had some fun in the waves on the beach with this beautiful backdrop. At the western end the silhouette of Tantallon Castle beckoned and we departed the beach to ride on a cliff top path which gave us a closer encounter with the castle. Looking back down towards the beach we could see the tiny unique harbour carved out of the red sandstone.

It was a spectacular end to an enjoyable weekend. 
Gill Turton.

Congratulations to Club members!

Members of TIRC were competing at the British Championships for Icelandic Horses over the weekend (24th - 26th June) at West Tarf, near Edinburgh.

Well done to all of you who took part - it was a great fun weekend and you did a great job!!


The club had riders in all level of competition and each and everyone of you gave some fine performances - can't wait to see more of you on the track another time!

All-Ride 2011 @ Etal

We hosted our All-Ride event for 2011 during the weekend of 11th / 12th June @ Etal.

Many thanks to those that organised the event and hosted it - another fun weekend - despite the horrid weather on Saturday!

The endurance element was a wet one, but all riders came in safely, with the majority completing on maximum 100 points!  Many thanks to Frank for another well marked, excellent ride, with great Northumberland scenery.

The agility test was moved indoors, but remained a good test of agility with some good performances.

Day 2 - the speed test also had to be relocated, but we did not let that dampen spirits.  With a grid speed test instead of the straight track - I think it worked a treat and we saw some good speed that would be well received in a barrel race!

The oval track was passed fit to ride, so to the gait test.  Nice performances and at last some sunshine!!

Congratulations to Gill Turton, who was our overall winner, Alison Scougall in 2nd and youth rider, Aidan Carson finished 3rd.