AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

September 2011

JULY JOLLY AT PINETREES

On Sunday 24 July many young holiday riders started their trip to the Algarve with a July Jolly at Pinetrees and the chance to win rosettes and join in the fun at Pinetrees, while also helping to raise funds for Riding for the Disabled in the Algarve. Riders from many nationalities including Finland, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, England and Scotland joined in the event and several newcomers are now persuading their parents to bring them back to Pinetrees during their next holiday!
The afternoon began with Equitation Classes of varying levels, from beginners to the more advanced, under the watchful eye of judge Pru Clayton Mead who came down from her own centre, Equusourique. Winners of the Classes were awarded rosettes, with extra special Prizes from the Sponsors of the event ... Equusorique, Eki Loulé, Casa Louart-Teresa´s Pottery, Juncalinho Restaurant ... for the highest places.
Madelena Gomes, riding Teddy, was the first winner of the day performing an excellent walk and trot on the lead rein in Class 1.... winning a riding lesson at Pinetrees Riding Centre. Pilar Sena was first in the walk and trot off the lead rein in Class 2 on Alinta with Louise Ridsdale, riding Spike as the winner of Class 3. They won a dinner for 2 at Juncalinho´s and a riding whip from Eki Loulé respectively.
In the advanced class, which also included an individual display by the horse and rider of jumping two small jumps or making a figure of eight in canter, it was Alice Gonçalves on Segredo who was awarded the red rosette first prize and a lesson from Pru Clayton-Mead (BHSII) ... a close run competition, with Alice winning by just half a mark from Charlotte Roth, from Germany, on Bombita.

The event continued after a fun game of Musical Chairs with a Clear Round Jumping event at which many of the riders excelled. The younger riders took turns in riding over Invisible Jumps and Cross Poles while the more advanced rode over a course of higher jumps. All competitors were awarded a rosette for a clear round.
Not only did everyone enjoy the event but it raised some €100 for Riding for the Disabled in the Algarve, who supplied drinks and snacks to competitors and their friends and family throughout the afternoon.

PINETRESS PONIES
Our five ponies ... Spike, Teddy, Alinta, Charlie and Eclipse have done a wonderful job this summer helping to introduce our young riders into the joys of riding and helping little ones to learn more and improve while here on holiday.

Charlie - Welsh Section B - with Christian

Alinta Safira - meaning the Blus Flame in Maorie. German sports pony 

^{Eclipse - Welsh Section A}    

Teddy - our Haflinger

SUMMER STUDENTS
Once again, we had a great team of students join us for the summer ... this year all the girls had worked for us in years past and they came back for more of the same ... working hard all day and riding their most favourite horses at the end of the day!
They were a joy to have around ... as we are sure all our riders would agree ... and we will miss them all terribly. Our huge thanks for all their help this summer.

We do have a couple of new students... Anna from Austria, Scarlett from England and Linda from Germany... coming for the winter and we will introduce you to them in our next newsletter.

Also, meet our new housekeeper – Adriana ....she used to be at school with Bev´s sisters ... what a small world! She is helping to keep the house in order and provide us all with drinks and snacks to keep us going throughout the day.

PINETREES HORSES
As many of you know, FALCÃO suffered with a respiratory problem which our vet, Nuno, felt was due to allergies in the environment from the pines around Pinetrees. So he has moved to a new home up in Silves and, according to his new owners Rod and Sue Frew, his problem has improved and he is doing very well. We are sure he will give Rod many enjoyable rides.
CHERUB has been on loan at Pinetrees for July and August. She has a lovely nature and has proved a popular and enjoyable ride.

Cherub is looking for a new owner . She is a Bay American Quarter Horse – 15hh. By Jose Tarideman, out of Hancocks Angel Bell. She is great to ride in the school or out on hacks. She is good to shoe, easy to load and to catch. She is quick to learn and has competed in many competitions including dressage , jumping and LeTrec.
Cherub is for sale, for personal reasons, for €3000.
Just call Deborah on 917 677 514.

PINETREES PROFESSIONALS – Many thanks to the professionals who have helped us
We now have a new Farrier, PAULO, who is Brazilian but has been in the Algarve for many years. He is married with two children.
Paulo has been working with us for some 4 months now and all our horses have ´happy feet´.

With Winter approaching it was time for us to think about log fires again ... and GAVIN STEVENSON-BENNETT, has done a very good job cleaning the chimneys of the wood burning stoves at Pinetrees. He is English and anyone needing his services can contact him on 281 326 551/968 386 896.

Finding good firewood is also important. Try JOSÉ FIGUEIRAS on 917565211 who is based opposite the Almancil cemetry and São Lourenço church on the way to Faro. He will deliver and stack the wood for you with a smile!

SUMMER RIDING. Unfortunately, the restaurants on the beach where we stopped for lunch or dinner during our ride outs have changed hands and we could no longer stop there. So, this summer, we introduced Picnic Rides, stopping at a quiet spot on the hill just above Ancão beach, where our riders have enjoyed some delicious sandwiches ... smoked salmon, egg, meats etc ... washed down with a glass of sparkling wine or water and with the a light sea breeze to keep them cool.

These rides have proved very popular as they are quite informal and friends and family could easily come and join in the fun. The Full Moon Ride on 13 August was particularly enjoyable as the evening was warm and light until very late. Everybody relaxed, eating and drinking while watching a wonderful sunset before riders remounted and rode home under the light of the full moon.

WINTER BREAKS
Why not think about taking a winter break and come and ride in a beautiful location in the warm winter sun. Enjoy relaxed hacks out through the pinewoods to the sea or improve your riding techniques in our school. We have horses to suit all shapes, sizes and abilities ... from Lusitano schoolmasters to friendly ponies. Home cooking, Portuguese wines and a friendly team. You will be amazed how much you can achieve in just a weekend! And all for under €500. For further information, just call Beverley on 00351 289 394 369 or email pinetrees.riding@world.net.pt

RDA STARTS AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER.

Riding for the Disabled in the Algarve needs active and fun people from all language groups to assist with its project. If you would like to help in a very worthwhile way and, at the same time, meet new people, we would like to hear from you.
At the end of September Riding for the Disabled in the Algarve will be resuming sessions for physically and mentally challenged children and young adults in a specially designed programme, using the horse´s movement to help with their problems.
Voluntary helpers are urgently needed to lead horses or walk alongside less able riders. Sessions are held during the school terms on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at Pinetrees and last for approximately one hour or, once you are really fit, you could even do two sessions in one morning!
We will be holding introductory training sessions at Pinetrees for both newcomers and seasoned volunteers. Do not worry if you have not had any experience with either horses or disabled people as we will be holding on-going training sessions to provide you with the knowledge and confidence to be of most help. Please do come along, meet the team, have a cup of coffee and hear more about our work.

If you would like any further information please do telephone
Sandie on 919060604 or Rosemary on 964027677.

THAT´S ALL FOR NOW EXCEPT TO SAY THAT ...
OUR OUTLINE PROGRAMME FOR OCTOBER 2011 IS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE 2011 October Programme >> AND IS FULL OF LOTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE HALF TERM HOLS. AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN BEFORE TOO LONG.

REGARDS

BEV GIBBONS and all the Team at Pinetrees