Those of you who’ve been around the area for a few years may remember having lessons with Leslie before he moved to France. Well, I have good news – he’s planning to come back to this country soon, and in the meantime is now available again for teaching individuals or small groups (flat-work or jumping, he comes equally recommended for both!).

He’s intending to visit more or less every 6 weeks for 2 weeks at a time, and is currently over here now until around the end of January. If you wish to contact him to arrange some instruction (or just for a catch-up!), his numbers are:

in France – 0871 717 4235

in England – 01737 844680.  

Downslink Bridleway 655 

When we responded to the consultation on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan back in September 2006 we put forward a request for the construction of a connection between the  Downslink Bridleway 566 and  Bridleway 270 where they intersect at TQ 0235 4275 which is near our old show field at Rooks Farm.  At present it is only walkers who can easily cross from BW 566 to BW270 because there are only steps. 

It has been flagged up that nothing has been done about this so I am going to chase it up again.

Bridleway 330a Wonersh Parish near Lords Hill Area

Although work to prevent flooding has reportedly been carried out on this path it is still reported to be boggy and impassable so I will investigate.

Pitch Hill Area,  Ewhurst

Local riders are finding that the intense use of this area by cyclists is making horse riding dangerous. At this stage I am not sure what can be done about this but I will raise it with the Rights of Way  Department.

Bridleway 252 nr Lockner Holt

I have reported to the Rights of Way Department the loose and broken wire fencing that borders the bridleway.   

Surrey County Council Reports 

I have the following documents which I can supply electronically to anyone who wants one.

• Minutes of the West Surrey Countryside Access and Rights of Way Forum of 8 February 2011

• Surrey County Council Rights of Way and Countryside Access Annual Report 2010-11

Permissive Bridleway East Shalford Lane to Halfpenny Lane (passing through Manor Farm and Little Halfpenny Farm) Guildford 

This path, which has been a permissive bridleway for some years, is the subject of a current application by the BHS to upgrade it to a public bridleway. The application has been around some time and it has already been through one public examination which failed to get it upgraded.  The club has been asked if we know of anyone who might have ridden this path before 1984/5. If you do have this experience please would you contact me. (I am assuming that the BHS is only looking for people who have not previously told the BHS about riding this path)

Katherine Manson 
Bridleways Committee Member

It's worth looking at the website noted below to keep up to date on the Olympic timetable for cycling in Surrey.  Some of the routes will impact hacking and parking both this summer as well as 2012.  Most affected will be the area north of the A25 which will include Shere, West Horsley, Staples and Coombe Lanes etc.  There will be road closure as well as parking restriction and lots of bikes practicing in the run up to the big event.  Not a place to go if your horse isn't keen on bikes!!

http://www.gosurrey.info/cycling/olympic-cycling-road-race/

Beware of 6 loose dogs walked near Shere.  The details are these:  bridleway East-West between Gomshall and Shere, the one that leads onto the triangular field just behind High House, Shere.  One of our members was attacked and chased several times by these dogs recently, causing his horse to panic and bolt.  The incident was watched by the owner who refused to take any responsibility for the dogs or their behaviour.  The offender, female, middle-aged, lives at No 6 Gravelpits Lane, Gomshall, was reported to the Police - Crime Ref number P11180510.  Police Officer attending number PC 3412.  Time of Incident between 4.15 pm and 4.45 pm Sat 25th June 2011.  If you do have issues with these dogs, please do report quoting the above references.  The Police are more likely to act if it's a persistent problem.

Calling all West Surrey Members.  The BHS has launched a new website to collect statistics on Horse/Rider incidents to assist with Lobbying for safer riding/hacking for all of us.  The web address is http://www.horseaccidents.org.uk and if you click on to the site you can see the link to report an incident.  They are looking to collect anything from road traffic accidents to dog attacks and low flying aircraft, so please take the time to report anything that ha happened to you recently and on an ongoing basis.  With the roads getting busier and the bridleway network under attack from local Government cuts it is even more important than ever to keep up the pressure so that we can continue to enjoy our countryside in as much safety as possible. 

Calling All West Surrey Members. The BHS Has Launched A New Website To Collect Statistics On Horse/Rider Incidents To Assist With Lobbying For Safer Riding/Hacking For All Of Us. The Web Address Is Http://Www.horseaccidents.org.uk And If You Click On To The Site You Can See The Link To Report An Incident. They Are Looking To Collect Anything From Road Traffic Accidents To Dog Attacks And Low Flying Aircraft So Please Take The Time To Report Anything That Has Happened To You Recently And On An Ongoing Basis. With The Roads Getting Busier And The Bridleway Network Under Attack From Local Government Cuts It Is Even More Important Than Ever To Keep Up The Pressure So That We Can Continue To Enjoy Our Countryside In As Much Safety As Possible.