Welcome to WES ElevenTeam Page
For 2010 Programme of events see WES Area 11 Programme button.
Hello everyone
Sorry the rest of this introduction is much the same as last year but the programme is new.
I am John W Fyfe and I am, for the third year, your Western Equestrian Society representative for Area 11 which encompasses the Borders, Central,
This seems to bring with it certain official responsibilities including
Promoting the Society
Organising and co-ordinating activities for members
Acting as a liaison between the area membership and the Council
Enforcing the Society’s health and safety policy
Overseeing the area funds
One of the difficulties in any leisure organisation is that the organisers spend so much of their leisure time organising behind the scenes that they have little time or energy to socialise with those they are organising for. (A lot of ‘organisings’ there, but you get the drift.)
In recent years, Area 11 activities have been run, mostly behind the scenes, by a dedicated group of volunteers that some members did not know and if they did know them then they did not have a clear picture of what they did for the members.
This year I have again brought that group and a few others together in what I call ‘The Eleven Team’ and I am about to introduce them to you. Each of these folks has a particular expertise to bring to bear on the apparently difficult task of increasing people’s opportunities for the enjoyment of western riding and for the fellowship it can bring with it.
In western riding, a guiding principle is that you cue your horse as to what you want it to do then release it to do it because, most likely, it can do it quicker or better than you could.
If it works for horses then it should work for The Eleven Team!
The Eleven Team – who are we and how do you contact us?
WES Area 11 Representative
On the Committee of Western Riding in
Retired Architect and Leisure Consultant
I keep my 13 year old Quarter Horse gelding, Chance, and my 2.5 year old Foundation Quarter Horse colt, Red, at my home at 51 Blackford Glen Road, Edinburgh, together with Hebridean sheep, pure bred poultry and white doves.
My role in the Team is to keep it all together, I think.
I can be contacted on 07957 555 989 or 0131 664 9715. Failing those two try 0771 201 6677 and Margaret Stark will find me. You can email me direct at john.fyfe@weseleven.com
WES Scottish Areas Co-ordinator
Past Area 11 Representative
WES approved Western Riding Instructor
WES Show Manager
She is on the Committee of Western Riding in
Kayreen is a Senior Care Worker, having spent many years working with children with disturbed behaviour. She is also an artist and riding instructor.
She brings to the team a wealth of experience in WES organisation, First Aid knowledge, Show Management, Health and Safety assessment and implementation of safety procedures.
She has, a Highland pony called Sorrel and four other horses. She keeps them at Balgone Estate near North Berwick, East Lothian.
For The Eleven Team, Kayreen will be managing all aspects of the WES All Area Shows in
Past WES Area 11 Representative
Retired Accountant and author of the ‘Tenderfoot’ articles you may recall from earlier WES magazines
His Quarter Horse gelding, Doc, is kept at Oxenfoord, near Pathhead.
For the team, John will promote the interests of the members and western riding in general through publications and publicity. He will need help in collecting news and views so be in touch.
Email your draft copy or thoughts to John at john.roy@virgin.net. If you are sending photographs it would be best if you sent them to photographs@weseleven.com. We have Photo Shop here and John’s PC will not be tied up quite so much. Also, with a view to promoting western riding and increasing WES membership, let us know of any magazines or other publications to which you think we might usefully contribute.
John will also be the ‘Keeper of the List’ of the DVDs and tapes and other media on various aspects of horsemanship. This list will have attached to it members’ opinions as to what value the DVDs and tapes have been to them as learning tools. If you have a favourite training video tell John about it. If you have one that you feel is totally misleading tell him also.
Successful performance class competitor
Professional singer
Her current Quarter Horse mare is called Millie and is kept at Guildhouse Farm, Braehead,
For the team,
She will represent us at shows and demonstrations throughout the country.
Very new member
Sue is an Equine Veterinary Surgeon with 32 years experience in caring for equine illnesses and ailments.
Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the team and through it to the membership. We would like you to suggest topics that you feel would be worth exploring on behalf of the membership. Sue and John Roy will consider how best to distribute the information.
David is an IT specialist.
He has a Quarter Horse mare called Candy.
When he is not competing, David does a sterling job as the announcer and commentator at our shows. He sets up the music and manages the public address system but, best of all, he keeps the rest of us calm and smiley when times get tough.
Personal Assistant and now retired from her own Secretarial Services Company, Margaret has a five year old Quarter Horse mare, Gucci, and an 2.5 year old Foundation Quarter Horse colt, Smokey. She keeps them with John’s horses at Blackford Glen.
As John’s PA, it was inevitable that Margaret became the ‘Secretary and Information Officer’ for the Eleven Team. She can be contacted on 0771 201 6677 or by e-mail as shown below.
By e-mail please contact the team and myself at the following addresses.
To contact me direct use john.fyfe@weseleven.com
To join the Western Equestrian Society use join@weseleven.com
To contact Margaret use margaret@weseleven.com
To get answers to questions on any aspect of western riding use answers@weseleven.com
Well, that’s “The Eleven Team”.
We are here primarily to make membership of WES in Area 11 more rewarding for you, if we can, but sincerely hope that all western riders and potential western riders in
What we think you should do is:-
1) Meet us and let us get to know you.
2) Tell us if you think we’ve made a bottom of something.
3) Encourage others to become western riders and join us.
4) Have a great time enjoying the company of your horses and the fellowship of likeminded Western Riders.
Best Regards
John
Answers from answers@weseleven.com
Contact us with questions on any aspect of western riding.
Q. Alicyn asked “ What differences can I expect, if showing in hand at the AQHA show on Saturday 20th September 08 and the WES show on the Sunday the 21st September 08 “
A. Sharon Nimmo answers as follows:- “ Saturday 20th Sept AQHA show has All Breeds classes so you will be able to show your Appaloosa filly. The principle of showing western is similar to showing English...it is the looks, conformation and turn out of the horse that is being judged and you can touch/cue your horse with any part of you to set up, you should also be appropriately and smartly dressed for your class. If you are showing western style then smart trousers/jeans, cowboy boots, a western type shirt, a belt and a good Steston hat are a start. If you don't have a western halter set then show your horse in a leather head collar and leather lead. At the judges request you will walk, trot and set your horse up for his/her inspection (this could go in any order). If you want to show at higher levels you will have to be ready to invest quite a bit for a show outfit. Usually in halter classes the horses are shown in a line nose to tail instead of side by side for the final judging. Please check out the following web site ...www.hobbyhorseinc.com ...this will give you and idea of the standard you can go to with showing attire!! Sunday's WES show has what is called 'Showmanship' this is not the same as halter showing but is in-hand and open to any breed. It is the handler who is judged on their ability to complete a short pattern with their horse, before setting up for a final inspection by the judge, you should not, at any time, touch/cue your horse with any part of your body for the entirety of the class. Training as well as knowledge of the rules of Showmanship are important if you want to avoid disappointment!!! “