Committee

Name & Position

How to spot us...........

I have lived in the Biggar area for 10 years, joined the club in 2000 and have been a committee member since 2004. Hopefully you can recognize me and my horse Desmond from this photo.

Being on the committee involves a measure of hard work and commitment and is made worthwhile when an event runs well and we are all enjoying ourselves.

My attitude to horsemanship is that it should be fun for human and equine and that we should all aim to do the very best for these animals we are privileged to care for (oh, and not worry so much about the mortgage repayments).

PDRC is a strong and successful club but please let us know if we are not catering for your interests.

See you around and about - I'll be the one on the cheeky, bright orange horse crying over my Dressage score.

Email: Lisa

Jan Currie - Membership Secretary

A clinical pharmacist, currently working in husbands small chain of pharmacies. Woke up one day and realised I had a burning desire to learn to ride. Have been riding for around 4 years now and loving every minute of it except the ones where I fall off! First horse a bit of a disaster but second looking more promising. No great aspirations except to become the best rider I can...oh and to still be riding when I am 80 (next year)

Email: Jan

Kirsten McPhillips - Team Co-ordinator & Webmaster

I have been riding since the tender age of 3 and I blame it all on my dad's encouragement!! I have been part of PDRC now for over 9 years where I have been involved in all activities and joined the committee in 1999!

Although I am the team co-ordinator there is more to PDRC than winning and being placed although we do have a very good track record which is encouraging for us all. Our aim is for members to get as much out of their membership as they can and enjoy what they are doing, so if you fancy a go in a team or individually please do not hesitate in contacting me as there is something for everyone.
Likewise if you have any ideas for the website please send me your opinions, ideas and photos.

Look out for me on a normally dirty grey!!

Email: Kirsten

I joined PDRC in 1999, attended one Show Jumping competition organized by the club at Jumps, won the Open and the next thing I know I'm in the Open SJ team and the Equitation team for the Area 1 competition!I turned up, not knowing anyone and had all the wrong tack for Equitation jumping! But help was at hand from the friendly and approachable team members and I very quickly felt part of the team.Kirsten organized me with a snaffle and told me to get rid of my martingale and gag – argh!!Think that was the beginning of my Equitation jumping career, because 6 years and another horse later, Asti and I won the Equitation Jumping Final at Blair 2006 (Pictured).

I have been on the committee for 4 years in total (as I had a break for a year or two to concentrate on being Secretary for the Young Farmers) and became Press Officer last year.I am looking forward to writing about all your achievements as part of the Club or doing your own thing.Look out for PDRC news in the local press and the Scottish Equestrian magazines

Similarly to our Training Co-ordinator, I too successfully managed to mix boys with horses - much to the dismay of my parents also... Horses are helpless and needy creatures yet so are men!

Horses have always been in my life, over the last couple of years I have started to appreciate them even more and have increased the numbers of my four legged friends accordingly! At twenty years of age I was lucky enough to start affiliated competition with a mare I purchased previously as a three year old. Her exuberant and keen jump gave me a real taste for eventing, competing up to Novice Intermediate level and gaining many unexpected placings at Novice level. I now also have a gelding, which I chose as a 5 year old, his jump is not so large but he is more earth bound and slightly saner! I am looking forward to a few more years of non competitive and competitive riding, it is all fun!

This is my second year on the committee and I am just starting to understand how much time and effort goes into running such an organisation - enjoying the social side as I go along!

With assistance from helpful committee members I organise the sponsorship for the club - please do not hesitate to offer me money... for the club or myself!

Caroline Fox - Schedule Producer

I grew up in Cumbria, breaking and competing ponies, after qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse, I travelled round Australia competing horses under EFA rules. I moved to Scotland in 2001 and worked at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies for 4 years then moved to Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in 2006. I have represented England for 4 years showjumping ponies and before moving to Scotland I taught Showjumping and judged SJ, working hunter & equitation for the local Pony Club and Riding Clubs.

Although I gave up riding for a few years I have recently been competing BSJA until I changed to British Eventing this year. I currently own one horse that I competed this year at Intro Level and plan to do Pre Novice next year! I joined the PDRC as I moved to Blyth Brdge earlier this year, I am very pleased to be part of a pro active club and plan to take part in as many training nights and competitions as I can!

Sam Eaton - Training co-ordinator (1)

I got the horse bug after getting lessons from my parents for my 7th birthday. After that I nagged them every weekend for my own pony and they finally relented at the age of 9. They hoped that I may give up once boys came on the scene but skillfully I managed to juggle them both, always putting my horse 1st! I came down from Aberdeen 7 years ago now and joined PDRC pretty soon after. Since then (and another horse later) I have thoroughly enjoyed competing at the PDRC organized events and have been fortunate enough to compete in the teams at Area level. Joining the committee a year ago has opened my eyes to exactly how much work goes on behind closed doors to organize any event no matter how big or small. The social side of the club has been equally important to me - I've been a member of a few different clubs and I have to say PDRC is definitely the friendliest and most encouraging. My role as training organizer (along with Barry Thorpe) has been a good way to meet a lot of the members usually via e-mail but now you know what I look like please come along and say hello.

Email: Sam

Barry Thorp - Training organiser assistant and auditor

Apart from the obligatory donkey rides on Elie beach as a kid I did not sit on a horse till I was 20 at Glasgow vet school. Their I had a few lessons to help conquer my fear of handling horses. I then next rode when I lived in Australia for 4 years and owned an  ex show-jumping brumby called "Toppa" that I rode bush trails, did some cross country and even raced in the Hanging Rock Picnic Races. This resulted in a love of riding which on my return to Scotland caused me to find my best friend ever "Barnaby", who introduced me to hunting with its total exhilaration that helped keep me sane through the dark winter months. I now keep myself busy with Strawberry and Tango and try to keep up with Annemarie and Lennard's high standards of competitive riding, horse care and management. I enjoy being part of the committee – though outnumbered by the "girls" but think they are a great if eclectic bunch who are good fun. I like the way that PDRC gives local horse riders the opportunity to develop and enjoy their riding and I like participating in organizing some of the training we make available. As I am also a vet and have had a lot of involvement in animal welfare I would also happily assist in any horse welfare issues that the PDRC needs a committee member to be involved in.

Laura Nicoll - Entry Taker

I've been riding for since the age of 3 when my parents eventually gave up and let me on a real pony, it stuck and I'm still just as keen as I was then. A little section 'A' palomino called Spring quickly followed and taught me a lot about falling off gracefully, I've been really lucky to have had some fantastic ponies and horses and now have 2 ISH's, Ellie and Cin.

I've been a member of PDRC for 7 years now, on the committee for about 6 I think! I've had a couple of years of injury plagued horses but have great intentions for 2008 to be back out and about!

I learned to ride as a child, but unfortunately no matter how much I nagged my Mum and Dad 'Santa' never delivered the pony that I asked for every Christmas!I gave up riding for a period when I was at college, but got back in the saddle when a friend offered me the opportunity to ride her horse.The horse, Gypsy (who I now own), is a very sweet Clydesdale x Appaloosa.We haven't competed much, but have had a lot of fun trying out a variety of disciplines/events over the years.

I am a new committee member (2007) and look forward to contributing ideas and to helping to ensure the ongoing smooth running of the club!