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Repairs to trails in autumn 2008. The Association  accumulated enough funds (around £7500) in 2007 and in 2008 to make it worthwhile carrying out further repairs to the trails in the wood. Bucks County Council  kindly gave us £2000 to repair one 60 metre long very boggy patch in the western bridleway just before the old bike pits. Work is now complete and the edges of the trails have been topped (bracken and other undergrowth cut) which prevents trees growing up and encroaching on the trails. The trails have never been better!

List of liveries and riding schools now added to this site. Click here

New jumps for September 2009. The mini cross-country field next to Hodgemoor has been equipped with a new jump combination, the Colour Combo, with a single bar leading to an inclined triple. The height of both is adjustable; useful if you are out doing some cross country training. Many thanks to Alison and John Adcock for the aging materials and to Marcus for mending and painting them. Remember that members can rent the mini cross-country field at any time, £5 per person. £10 for non members. Several groups recently have had their picnic there and stayed many hours. Terrific. Call Susie 01494 872447.

Membership need to ride in the woods
After 18 months' consultation, it was decided in October 2007 to make membership compulsory for riding on the permissive trails in Hodgemoor Wood. Following the contract (download a copy) between the Hodgemoor Riding Association and the Forestry Commission for our use of the wood, it is indeed now obligatory to be a member if you want to ride on the permissive trails in the wood. With a modest membership fee of £15 (or £10 for a standing order), the time had come to encourage all local riders to participate in maintaining the trails in the Woods. You can look at the reasons for the decision in the consultation paper. Contact Susie Bicknell 01494 872447 or email susie@hodgemoor.org.uk or download the membership form and standing order mandate form in the blue column to the left..

Current Links
Map of the Mini Cross-Country Course with new jumps in 2008 Remember that members can rent this XC field at any time, £5 per person. Call Susie 01494 872447
Riding by Permit Only: Consultation Paper Click here to down load
What is Le Trec?
Agreement between us and Forestry Commission, complete text (new July 2008)
AGM Minutes October 2008

Some of our previous events: 
Saturday 18 April 2009 10-13h. Unaffiliated Le Trec Competition
Saturday 28th March 2009: Wendover Woods Ride: Box to near RAF Halton for a rare opportunity to ride in picturesque hilly woods with views of the Vale of Aylesbury. Half a dozen riders has a terrific 2 hour hack.
Saturday 3rd January 09 @11am - Clinic. SUE EDWARDS (British Eventing Accredited Trainer, 3 Day Event & Dressage Rider, Member of B.E Coach Development Program). 
Christmas holidays: Accompanied ride to Penn and Common Wood. 3 to 4 hours round trip from Hodgemoor in two groups (sensible - walk and some trot - or confirmed - walk, trot and canter uphill or on the flat). Bring your own refreshments for half way stop. Date to be set according to your availability, demand and weather. Suggested days December, Sat20, Fri26, Sat27, Mon29, Tues30, Wed 31, January Fri2, Sun4. Usually meet 09.30 at Widmer Corner ( map ). 
Sunday 28 December 2008: The Livery Crawl also known as the Mince Pie Drive round the Liveries. 
Saturday 13th December 2008 @ 11am- Sue Edwards lecture / demo. SUE EDWARDS http://www.widmerfarmstables.co.uk/ 
Tuesday 2nd December 2008 @ 6.30pm at Widmer Farm - Veterinary care lecture in association with The Chiltern equine clinic
25 October: Widmer Halloween on Horseback, open to all, £3 per entry, fancy dress, gymkhana games and clear round jumping. Enquire of  francesca@hotmail.com
8 August 2008: Combined Dressage and Show jumping at Highclere Farm, Seer Green. Evening event 5.30 to 8.30.
5 July: Pimms and Ponies BBQ, Homefarm Orchard, Chalfont St Giles. Mounted games at 6, BBQ at 7
17, 23 and 30 August 2008: Sunshine Dressage Challenge at Oldefields 
20 July 2008: Unaffiliated Dressage at Windmill Farm. 
Sunday 9th December 2007: Christmas Dressage Day... at the newly refurbished indoor arena at Waylands 
Wednesday 14th November 2007: Hodgemoor Business Forum and Unusual Xmas Present Party!
Our event in the Memorial Hall in St Giles on Tuesday 13th November 2007 was both useful and fun for everyone.  Check out the info in the download here.
Cross country jumping, Sunday 11th November 2007
26 August 2007: TREC event 
2 August 2007: Dressage Challenge 
12 July 2007: Dressage Challenge
7 July 2007: Fun Evening; Horsing Around and BBQ
24 June 2007: Ride to Penn
21 June 2007: Dressage Challenge 
Sun 4th March 2007: Cross Country jumping clinic led by Sacha Hamilton
1st January 2007: 3-hour Penn Ride, 2 groups. Lots of support and a good time had by all. Thanks!
2006
1 October 2006: 3-4 hours BHS Ride in Wendover Woods. 
7 September 2006, 6-8pm: Moor and Fell Ponies Mini Cross Country Jumping in the middle field at Hodgemoor.. 
24 August 2006, 6-8pm: Mini and 2'6 Cross Country Jumping in the middle field at Hodgemoor. 
13 August 2006: Le Trec. Richard Hill on Guinness wins
Despite the heavy rain, a dozen riders cam to compete in Le Trec at Hodgemoor. 13 obstacles were completed, plus the control of gaits (cantering as slow as possible and walking as fast as possible). Our apologies for the delays around 11 a.m. due to the rain and to so many riders arriving at the same time. Winner was Richard Hill riding Guinness, with an 82% score, only 1 percentage point above a group of 3 riders separated by a tie-breaker based on positions in the obstacles  and then the control of gaits. They were Amelia Longman (2nd), Olivia Sullivan (3rd) and Simon Thornton (4th). Rosettes to those four which you can pick up from Homefarm Orchard anytime. All riders are improving; the lowest placed rider at 68% would have placed 2nd in our first Le Trec in 2004. You can look at your individual scores and the full results by clicking here. The 2004 results are also available here. Let us remind you that we are willing to organise another Le Trec this year if there is demand; please also let us know if you would like to do the third discipline, the orienteering (and hour or two hacking, depending on how good you are with the map).
1 July 2006. Saturday. Evening Ride to Penn with refreshments halfway.
21 June 2006: BHS Summer Solstice Ride at Kensham Farm, Cadmore End, near High Wycombe. 
4 June 2006. Sunday morning. Cross Country Clinic with Sacha Hamilton 
Sacha Hamilton held a cross country clinic on the Hodgemoor course over the 2ft 6/2ft 9 jumps.  We will also organise a schooling day for those wanting to practice over the lower course. Contact Susie@hodgemoor.org.uk or phone 01494 872447.
21 May 2006. Sunday.  Native Pony Dressage Day  at Windmill Farm
Committee member Georgina Blair is busy this year.  Not only has she done the Treasure Hunts, but she also organised this open event to give purebred and part-bred natives a chance to compete against each other, and to encourage dressage newcomers to have a go with their “hairy” mounts. There were 5 classes: a walk/trot test, Prelim 7 and 10, Novice 21 and 24. The Prelim 10 and Novice 24 classes were qualifiers for the Chiltern & Thames Rider 2006 Dressage Championships.
23 April 2006. Sunday morning. Treasure Hunt In Hodgemoor. 
Georgina Blair fabulated another hunt on April 23rd, this time with a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory theme.
2005: Various TREC, cross-country and ride events
Thanks for your support!
4th November 2004: Hodgemoor honoured by BHS
Today Susie and Marcus Bicknell were in the Saddlers Hall in London to receive the British Horse Society "Access Award 2004". The new BHS President Noel Edmunds made the presentation. Susie and Marcus were accompanied by their guests Brenda Wickham (our local BHS champion of access) and Audrey Holbrook (who young riders at Aescwood raised so much money over the last four years to help the renovation of trails in the wood). The BHS citation stressed the way all users of the wood have benefited from better conditions, including walkers.
14th July 2004
Show Jumping demo & Clinic by Lana Craker, Wednesday,  at Waylands Equestrian Centre.
Friday 18th June 2004    Another Fun Jump
Following the success of the Easter Saturday Fun Jump, we had another one on Friday 18 June.  You can look at a description of the course and a plan by clicking here. 
13 Feb 2004    Another bridleway cleared
Jonathan Clark of Bucks County Council reports that their contractors have cleared a route on the entrance to Whites Hill bridleway next to the gypsy camp. This is on the A355 ½ mile South of the Magpie Public House, and a favorite spot for riders crossing from Seer Green to Coles Hill.  "Some vegetation should also have been cleared on the verge. Maybe list it for a crack of dawn Sunday morning ride (like us cyclists) to avoid the traffic."
12 Feb 2004    Another £3000 raised
Audrey Holbrook's young horse riders have now raised over £3000 in their 2004 sponsored ride campaign.The photograph and article in the Bucks Advertiser today are excellent -  excellently written, positive to our cause and heart-warming. Don't miss it. Our congratulations to Amber Gunn who raised the highest sponsorship at £345 and who will have the new North route (see last newsletter on www.hodgemoor.org.uk)  named after her. And our continuing thanks to Audrey Holbrook whose efforts beyond the call of duty sets new standards for us all to follow.
10 Feb 2004   March Pleasure Ride
The BHS is organised a Spring Pleasure Ride near Wendover on Sunday 7th March. 
July 2003 Trails opened
The renovated trails in Hodgemoor Wood were officially opened on July 8th in the presence of senior officials of Brett Environmental, Chiltern District Council, Bucks County Council, Forest Enterprise, the Chiltern Society and others. With thanks to our many partners who have complemented our own fund raising with financing for the work in the wood. Press release