Social Events
Meon Dinner - Saturday 16 March 2013 at The George & Falcon, Warnford
Over 40 members and partners enjoyed a very sociable evening with nice food and lively conversation. There was quite a buzz to it all and Sharon Ede as the organiser was very good at coming round to make sure all was well. Renee Hawes took some pictures and you can see these on Photo Gallery
Beach Ride at Hayling Island - Saturday 8 December 2012
Organised by Helen Vernon and it seems they had a brilliant time. About 7 riders went and there was plenty of galloping up and down the sandbar. They were blessed too with beautiful weather - a glorious sunny morning. Sounds as though there will be a demand for a repeat performance soon!
MRC Social Ride from Stocklands, Liphook - Sunday 28 October 2012
Louise Nicholson kindly let us park at Stocklands (just by Liphook Equine Hospital). It was a really nice day and although in the end only 5 of us went we had a good ride (many more planned to come but they were thwarted by transport or other problems). Shown on the left are Pippa Griffin on Tolkein, Brenda King on Midnight, Helen Vernon on Speedy and Sophie Grabham on Helen’s Kreis (I took the picture from Warrior). We finished up eating yummy brownies and shortbread thanks to Sophie! They are standing under the very imposing statue of Lord Strathnairn with his palm tree helmet and equally imposing horse—both looked down on us very disdainfully! (picture in November Newsletter)
MRC Social Ride at Beacon Hill and surrounding countryside - Saturday 28 July 2012 at 9.30am
We had a really lovely two hour ride with great weather. The Woods kindly let us park in their field at Ashlands and Barbara led the ride. All 8 of us went together and the horses were all well behaved. We had planned to go up Winchester Hill but instead went via Beacon Hill with its outstanding views as Brenda King was keen to see a permissive bridleway. It was a good choice as it was a lovely place to go. Full write up in August newsletter.
MRC Social Ride at Roughay - Sunday 25 March 2012
15 of us had a wonderful ride at Roughay due to kindness of Mr Harry Trigg who allowed us to ride over his land. Pictures of us can be seen here We set off in two groups - the faster lot went with Barbara Wood and had some good long canters - as Cinda Suter said - 'it was like going on safari' as we went round the edge of Marwell and had free viewing of some of the wildlife. Penny Briggs led and other group on a gentler ride. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we were blessed with some brilliant weather and lovely countryside. Afterwards we sat with Harry in his garden and enjoyed our picnics.
Pre-Season Supper - Saturday 10 March 2012 at The Angel, Gosport Road (A32), Nr Privet GU34 3NN
32 of us had a great evening - all organised by Dick King. The food was exceptionally good value, the atmosphere was great with plenty of opportunity to socialise. The Angel proved a very successful venue for the supper.
MRC Social Evening incorporating The Annual General Meeting on Thursday 27 October 2011 at Warnford Village Hall
This was a good evening with many more people there than last year. After the official business of the AGM and the presentation of awards (see here for 2010/11 Season Trophy Awards) Rosemary Lang talked about the work of the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund. This was followed by an American supper and then Sharon Ede presented the Meon clothing available from Sew Equestrian, featuring our new logo. Members of the committee took part in a fashion show - pictures here Social evening oct 2011
MRC Fun/Social Ride over Bramdean Common - Saturday 23 April 2011
Rachel Walker organised a lovely ride for us and the sun shone. We set off at 10.30 and had a wonderful ride through a mix of countryside - bluebell woods, grassy enclosures, fields and almost always surrounded by amazing views. We ended up back at the common around 12.30 and enjoyed a picnic lunch in a shady spot while the horses munched their hay. We hope to organise another ride soon. Picture shows left to right: Sue (friend of Keri), Keri Barnjum, Roger Bradford, Penny Briggs, Rachel Walker, Chrissy Hughes, Ony Rogers and Julie Ayling.
Pre Season Supper - Saturday 12 March 2011 at The King's Restaurant, Kings Corner, Botley,
42 of us enjoyed a really good evening - there was an excellent atmosphere and a nice meal. Well done to Sharon Ede for organising it! Penny Briggs
Fun / Social Ride – Winchester Hill - Saturday 15 January 2011
(Pictures on Photo Gallery) Huge interest (16 riders) was shown initially in the first of our Meon social rides but by the time we had had a date change and then a change of venue we had dropped to 5: nevertheless we had a really lovely morning. Our group was led by Barbara Wood on a beautifully behaved Seamus and we set off from her house near Droxford at 10.30 on a very windy and rather overcast morning. Our group was Sue Francis-Stukings on Geaves (her daughter's ex eventer), Chris Tisson on Fig, Shirley Medgett on her young horse Harry and Sue's granddaughter Hattie allowed me to ride her 13.3" Max (who I ride out on fairly regularly with Sue).
We kicked off along the railway line and made our way to Winchester Hill. The horses were incredibly good - Seamus, Geaves and Max definitely know about the many possible gallops around this area but Barbara very sensibly decided to play it cool and we spent quite a lot of time walking but of course also had some faster times too. The views from the top of Winchester Hill are quite specatular, even on a grey day, and the going was pretty good. We headed home down the Hill and eventually made our way through Lower Peake and back to the Railway Line which we had started out on. We got back to Barbara's about 1pm, sorted out the horses and then sat down round Barbara's table to one of Janet Irving's delicious cakes and Laura Macarthy (who was involved in setting up the ride) dealt with coffees and teas.
We hope this will be the first of many rides so please watch out for the next one. We will never go out in a large group - we can divide into several lots if more than a few take part and perhaps into faster and slower groups. I can vouch for a really thoughtful leader in Barbara who always took the trouble to check what anyone wanted to do. Such fun and I hope you will join us next time! Penny Briggs