British Riding Clubs (BRC) is introducing new rules in 2020 regarding Flu Vaccines. From 1 March 2020 it will become mandatory when competing at Area Qualifers and Championships to have a flu vaccination within 6 month and 21 days of the competition. This does not mean vaccinations need to be done every 6 months; it means that the vaccination needs to be within 6 months and 21 days of the competition. For example, if your competition was the 22 September, you would need to have a vaccination after the 1 March (1 March - 1 September = 6months + 21 days = 22 September).
Local clubs remain autonomous and can decide what they will require for their own training and events. So for us, ORC has decided to introduce a policy of requiring an ANNUAL Flu vaccination for all horses and ponies that attend our events in the future. We realise that not all equines will currently have full cover – so for this year we are asking that they have at least started their vaccinations before coming to any ORC run events. You will need to bring proof that the course has started so make sure it’s recorded in their passports, or you can copy / take a photo of the relevant page and send in by email / fb message beforehand.
For horses travelling south, most events now insist on the six monthly vaccine, so ORC strongly recommends the six monthly booster for any horses travelling outwith Orkney.
We realise this is an extra added expense, however there is currently an Equine Vaccine Amnesty on offer where any horse getting their 1st vaccination in January or February, get the 2nd vaccine free. So this is a good time to contact your vets to arrange starting the course. Flett & Carmichael and Northvet are both taking part in the Amnesty.
This also seems a good time to remind everyone about ORC’s QUARANTINE rule regarding NEW horses into the county. All new horses must have undertaken a minimum of 14 days quarantine before coming to any ORC events. This also includes any horses that the new animal has come into contact with in the said first 14 days. As was proved last year, Quarantine, Isolation and good Bio Security measures, prevented a contagious disease from spreading any further.
If you have any questions regarding ORC’s rules/guidelines please ask, and your Vets will be able to give the best advice on vaccines etc.

 

A 2020 Calendar will be available soon - once we find some dates to have the Dressage Leagues - but in the meantime here's what's coming up in the near future:

Jan 11/12 - James Munro at Cruan

Jan 11 - Diane Walker Clinic

Jan 18 - Diane Walker Clinic

Jan 25 - Charity Arena Event

Jan 26 - Long Reining

Feb 2 - SJ League

Feb 8 / 9 - James Munro at Cruan

Feb 16 - Terry's Improvers Dressage

Feb 21-23 - David Gatherer

Feb 29 - Charity Arena Event

March 1 - OCDG Event

March 7 / 8 James Munro at Cruan

March 8 - Terry's Improvers Dressage 

March 14/15 - PC Rally

March 21 - Showing Clinic with Kim Hamilton

March 22 -  Winter Woolies Show

March 28 - SJ League

March 29 - Long Reining 

https://www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/RIDINGCLUB/documents/membership-form.doc

The new Membership Year started on the 1st of January 2020, so can you please get your membership fee sent in asap. Although the affiliation fees we pay to BRC and Area 22 have gone up, our membership fee is the same as previous years, and we think really good value! (If we say so ourselves!)

The club's new ORC Digital Bank Account is now up and running which means we can now check BACS payments online.

If you want to pay your Membership Fees via BACS then send to: 83-24-07 / 00242281 / Orkney Riding Club.

Please make sure you put MEMBERSHIP as the reference so we can match your payment to your form - and don't forget to email your form to me at: helenfoulis@btinternet.com so I know to add you to the 2020 Membership List. We will confirm your online payment once it's received.

Of course you can still pay by cheque or cash too if you prefer.

To hire the Riding Centre Arena please call Crantit Dairy (01856) 872542, preferably during office hours.  The Riding Centre bookings can be found on the Centre's website. 
All Hirers please note that NO HAYNETS are to be tied up inside the Riding Centre.
ALL POO must be picked up, and there are plastic tubs and gloves provided for the purpose, and the tubs can then be emptied into the trailer outside.
The equipment stored behind the sliding doors and under the kickboards are NOT INCLUDED in the arena hire. The Showjumps, Dressage Boards, WH jumps etc belong to the Riding Club and are NOT for general use. There are poles, blocks & jumpkins up on the side that can be used - all other equipment is off limits for private hires.As well as keeping the indoor arena clean, please make sure that any horse droppings are also picked up from the carpark areas, and if you've used the aisle or kitchen, make sure it's all swept clean, and any cups used are washed and tidied away.
After any event please empty all bins and take home with you to put out with your domestic rubbish, and make sure there is no food left in the fridge.