WINTER NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our November Newsletter, packed with excitement as more and more Trailblazers members complete their first rounds, earning their place in the second rounds. However, don’t panic if you are yet to gain your second round qualification; there is still plenty of time for you to achieve that qualifying result, to take you one step closer to the 2016 SEIB Trailblazers Championships!

Whether you have already secured your place in the second rounds, or you are targeting your first competition, we have some fabulous top tips to help you prepare for competition.  BHS trainer, Scott Ponton, gives helpful advice to up and coming show jumpers, while renowned dressage coach and show horse producer, Jo Bates, has advice for dressage riders.

As the winter months are upon us and we face the long, dark evenings, it is a good time to consider your horse’s insurance, with some expert advice from our title sponsor and leading specialist equestrian insurer, SEIB Insurance Brokers.  Keep your horse comfortable with a timely saddle fitting check-up and some useful advice from Solution Saddles, and of course, keep him (or her!) cosy with Snowflake bedding.

For information on Trailblazers qualifiers, please click here. 

CHAMPIONSHIP DATES

Hot off the Press – 2016 SEIB Trailblazers Championship dates finalised! 

The 2016 SEIB Trailblazers Championships will once again take place at the impressive Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The Dressage Championships will be on 29 – 31 July, Showing and Working Hunter Championships on 30 – 31 July, senior and junior Show Jumping Championships on 3 – 6 August and Solution Saddles Combined Training Championships on 4 – 5 August.

With the superb facilities at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, finalists will enjoy that unbeatable championship atmosphere. To put the dates in your diary please click here (link to timetable page of the website).

We are also planning to repeat the popular ‘Master Class in the Park’.  Last year Adam Kemp and Geoff Billington wowed the crowds with their entertaining and informative demonstrations.

So get out and get qualified – this is the championship not to be missed!

TOP TIPS 

Be Prepared and Conquer your Show Jumping Nerves!

BHSAI Scott Ponton, show jumping trainer and SMP Events organiser from Kent, explains how to prepare you and your horse for your first show jumping competition, and importantly, how to conquer those pre-class nerves!  READ MORE …

 

Transitions and Accuracy are Secrets for Success in Dressage

Former Young Rider Dressage Champion and renowned show horse producer, Jo Bates, runs a busy yard near Banbury with her daughter, Holly, who also competes successfully in dressage.  Jo emphasises that with careful preparation, any horse can compete in dressage and gives some excellent advice on preparation and riding your test.  READ MORE…

Taking your horse to a competition?  SEIB have you covered!

For peace of mind when you head out to a competition, our title sponsor, SEIB Insurance Brokers, discuss the benefits of insuring your horse, your horse trailer or lorry, and you!  READ MORE…

One Saddle, Any Discipline, Any Horse

Solution Saddles introduce the new Smart Eventer, an all-round performance saddle suitable for both flat work and jumping at all levels.  READ MORE…

Getting a good night’s rest for your horse

Snowflake Bedding continue as a valued sponsor of Trailblazers for 2016.  During the Championship Finals, Snowflake will be supplying their Supreme bedding. Made from softwood, this premium bedding is dust extracted and very absorbent which makes it quick and easy to use.  READ MORE…

Keep in touch with Trailblazers via Facebook!

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

The 2015 SEIB Trailblazers Championships 

News, Reports and Pictures from the 2015 Championships

The new season is just around the corner - look out for Trailblazers qualifiers near you!

So the 2015 SEIB Trailblazers Championships is now behind us and we can look back on a hugely successful and enjoyable 7 days of competition.  There was great excitement as competitors and their families from all corners of the UK arrived to take part in what is recognized as a highlight of the unaffiliated competitor’s calendar of equestrian sport.  

The arena had the atmosphere of a prestigious Championship final, with flags flying high and the feature of a pillared entrance arch decorated with flowers into the competition arenas. Competition was hot from start to finish, with many happy riders and handlers achieving their own personal ambitions over the championships.  There were broad smiles in the prize presentations and from thrilled spectators, everyone enjoying the atmosphere that prevailed throughout the Championships.

The new season is just around the corner - look out for Trailblazers qualifiers near you!

Read Competition Reports HERE:.
DRESSAGE 
SHOWING - RIDDEN
SHOWING - IN HAND
SHOWING - WORKING HUNTER
SHOW JUMPING
COMBINED TRAINING

More Championship details on our website HERE. 

Master Class in the Park

Each Friday evening of the Championships saw the introduction of the new ‘Master Class in the Park’ and glorious sunshine prevailed for the Dressage master class, which was delivered by Adam Kemp.  Adam gave the spectators an informative, yet funny insight into what can be achieved for the rest of the weekend’s competition.

The weather could not have been more opposite for Geoff Billington, who hosted the show jumping master class, so he decided to stay dry by entering the arena with his umbrella up while riding his horse. Geoff delivered the master class for show jumping with his own unique blend of humour and knowledge, the spectators stayed until the end to see him jumping fences with poles at the very top of the wings for which he rewarded them with the chance to have photo’s taken with him.

If you missed the Master Classes, you can catch a glimpse of the action HERE.

The Insider's View

From our organiser’s point of view, most things went smoothly thanks to thorough planning. Everyone arrived and parking of horseboxes and trailers and siting of camping tents and caravans was achieved in an orderly fashion; the stables were good and all the horses settled in happily for their stay, which says a lot for the atmosphere as many of them have not stayed away at a show before.  The rings ran smoothly, mainly thanks to the dedicated team of stewards and helpers.

Take a look at our 2015 SEIB Trailblazers Championship Photo Gallery HERE.

  

Get Set for 2016!

Of course, there are things we can learn for the future and the new management team are not resting on their laurels as we already start planning for next year.  First round qualifiers are already underway for the 2016 SEIB Trailblazers Championships, please visit www.trailblazerschampionships.com for first round qualifier dates.

In addition, you can follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with our latest news and events.

Thank you to all the Trailblazer competitors, supporters, sponsors, judges, commentators and the team behind the scenes for making a superb Championships and we wish all of our Trailblazer members the best of luck for the rest of the year and look forward to seeing you again in 2016.

Read more ...

Prepare your horse for the winter season

With Carl Hester

Read more ...

Preparation is key to back health for 

horse and rider with Solution Saddles

Read more ...

Snowflake - Performance in Equestrian Bedding

Read more...

SUMMER NEWSLETTER

Get Set for the SEIB Trailblazers Championships!

Bringing you the latest news and information on the big event.

With schedule packs out, don't miss the close of entries on Tuesday 30 June!

Whether it is your first or fifteenth time at the SEIB Trailblazers Championship it is a very exciting time for all.  Riders have worked incredibly hard to qualify for their well deserved places at the Championship and we will all be looking forward to a wonderful time at Stoneleigh.

This year we are very much looking forward to the new “Master class in the Park”.  Adam Kemp, top international trainer will present the dressage master class on Friday evening 17 July. Meanwhile, Geoff Billington will present the show jumping master class on the Friday 24 July in his own inevitable style! The Master Classes will be free to watch for everyone at the championships.

More Championships information on our website at www.trailblazerschampionships.com

Prepare for Trailblazers Championships

Preparation is key to success at any event, and when the nerves kick in you can take reassurance from the fact that you have done everything you can and you are ready to compete and hopefully win! 

You have already spent a good deal of time and effort getting qualified for the finals, so good preparation will help to ensure that you remain calm and enjoy the whole experience as well as putting in your best performance.  Check out our tips to ensure you are ready for the championships, and download our handy packing check list
Read more...

Getting Results with Billy Twomey

Olympic rider Billy Twomey is currently ranked in the top 100 riders in the Longines World Rankings.  Billy has had great success with horses including Tinka’s Serenade, Diaghilev, Royal Du Rouet and Aminko.  He gives us his top pointers for success in a Championship environment. 
Read More...

Wow the Judges with Tips from Gareth Hughes

Team silver and bronze dressage medallist, Gareth Hughes very kindly gave us some tips for riders heading to the SEIB Trailblazers Dressage Championships.


Gareth has a lifetime of experience competing at top level dressage and along with Jane Brewers horse, Dv Stenkjers Nadonna represented Britain at the FEI European Dressage Championships in 2013 to take the team bronze medal and in 2014 the pair again represented Britain, this time to take the silver medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.Read more...

Turn your horse into a show ring superstar 

Leading show rider Lynn Russell offers some great top tips for grooming and getting the best out of your products to have your horse looking gleaming and ready for the show ring.

Read more...

Horsebox or trailer, SEIB Insurance have it covered. Read more...

Preparation is key to back health for horse and rider with Solution Saddles - read more

Snowflake - Performance in Equestrian Bedding Read more...

SPRING NEWSLETTER

Spring time, Show time!

Second round qualifiers well under way

As we move into Spring, the second round qualifiers are well under way and we are delighted that so many competitors have already secured their place at the Championships. There are still plenty of second round competitions to go to, so don't hesitate to get your Trailblazers membership and enter your second round qualifiers.  More details on our website HERE.

Exciting Future for Trailblazers Championships

Norman Bargh, a founder Director of the Trailblazer Championships and fellow Director, Wilf Hobson confirmed last December that they were delighted to be passing the reins over for Trailblazers to Kelvin Bywater and the team from Show Direct. Norman has agreed to remain as an adviser for the Trailblazers Championships.
Read more...

Trailblazers Championship Finals 2015

After becoming involved with Trailblazers last December we have been busy getting to know some of the members and working on the 2015 Championship Finals. Preparations are well advanced and you can read more about our plans for the dressage, show jumping, showing and combined training finals.
Read more...

 

Master Class in the Park! At the end of a day's competition, bring your seat, maybe grab a drink or something to eat, and sit back to enjoy a master class by dressage expert, Adam Kemp, or show jumping personality, Geoff Billington.   Read more...

Championship Goody Bags

We are also delighted to confirm that every competitor will receive a Championship goody bag from the Secretary's office.
Read more... 


TOP TIPS 

Get some top showing tips from Katie Jerram. Read more... Turnout Tips with Alan Davies - International Travelling Groom to Carl Hester & stylist to the stars Valegro and Nip Tuck, and NETTEX. Read more... Animal Manipulation expert, Nikki Routledge, gives advice on keeping your horse happy and in good health for forthcoming competitions. Read more...

December 2014 Latest Newsletter

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER (pdf)

Latest Newsletter June 2014

IN OUR LATEST FEATURE PACKED NEWSLETTER

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD JUNE 2014 NEWSLETTER (pdf)

Entries Close Soon…!

The closing dates for entries are:
Showjumping, Combined Training and Dressage - Tuesday 8th July
Showing - Friday 11th July
RoR Classes as per Trailblazers Discipline
Ways to Enter: By post with payment by cheque By post with payment by credit card – please telephone with your card details Online via the new Horse Monkey entry system – a service charge is made by Horse Monkey for entries online.

Visit Our How to Enter page for details

Stoneleigh

• Next Stop, Stoneleigh!
• How to prepare for the finals
• Championship checklist

Top rider tips

• Show your horse like a Professional - Lynn Russell
• WHAT IS THE DRESSAGE JUDGE LOOKING FOR? - Caroline Tupling
• JUMP THE BEST ROUND YOU CAN, AND LAP UP THE ATMOSPHERE - Val Attenborough

Plus

• ROR News
• Horse care and Insurance advice

Latest Newsletter

CLICK HERE FOR  Trailblazers January 2014 Newsletter Happy New Year to you all We are now on Facebook! Trailblazers-Championships and keep up to date with all the latest news New on our Website Trailblazers Centre Map CLICK HERE  Find all of the Trailblazers Centres on our NEW Google Map. View the Disciplines they run, their Contact Details and dates of 1st and 2nd rounds.