[dropcap style=”font-size: 70px; color: #052b51; font-family: ‘Droid Serif’, Arial, sans-serif;”] H [/dropcap] ow quickly time flies! 2014 is upon us and most of our Sunny Parkers (and the parents of Sunny Parkers) will be back to work. Our competitive riders will have started working on getting their horses fit for the upcoming show season. There are a few things we’d like to bring to your attention to make this a successful and fun year at Sunny Park.

• By now you would have noted the new wash bays that have been constructed. Nicola has modeled the bays on those she saw while in Europe last year and we’ll be adding cross ties to them for increased functionality. Our grooms finish work just after 5pm. After hours and on weekends, should you utilise the wash bays please be considerate and clean up your horse’s manure. The grooms cannot be expected to clean up after you after hours. We will supply a brush a pan at the bays.
• Manure left in the bays can become slippery, it is also very smelly when wet and attracts more flies. For the benefit of your horse’s health please clean up.
• Please remember that you are not to jump AT ALL unless in a supervised lesson with Sunny Park instructors. Parents, please do not allow your children to jump without instructors there. We are aware that during the holidays some clients did attempt to jump on their own. Parents, please speak to your children and ensure they realise the danger involved. Adult riders, remember the children look up to you and you lead by example.
• Some yards implement a “fine system” when owners and riders break the rules. We’ve not gone this route, but we now have security cameras on the premises and can pinpoint the rule breakers. We do not want to have to play police offer though. Believe it or not, our requests are in the interests of you and your horse as well as you & your horse’s safety.
• Horsebox owners, we’ve inserted poles to demarcate parking spots for each box. While you may need to practice your reversing a bit, it will assist to ensure everyone can come in and out easily.
• Nicola will be distributing her show schedule later this month. The schedule will indicate which shows Nicola will be coaching at and riding at during the course of 2014.
• As the school year gets chaotic and work insists on claiming your riding hours, keep in mind that at R400 a month your horses can go on our Equine Walker. This is a great way to keep them fit and active when you cannot get to the yard to ride.

Let’s welcome 2014 with a bang – here’s to lots of success in and out the ring!