...and the winner is...the official press release about the winner of our Cover Star 2010 competition!

Shires Cover Star Competition…and the winner is…Mary Liversidge!

We’re delighted to announce that Mary Liversidge has won the Cover Star 2010 competition and will appear on the front cover of the next catalogue.

The competition was tough at every stage- from the boxes of entries we received, to the assessment day at Talland, through to the cover star photo shoot and, of course, the voting. All three finalists did incredibly well and coped with the torrential rain on the assessment day and the tail end of a hurricane on the photo shoot admirably and with good humour- but the public voted and crowned Mary the winner of this year’s competition.

After being told the news, Mary said: ‘Wow! The whole process entering and being announced as the 2010 cover star has been a once in a life time experience which I will never forget. I initially entered the competition thinking that it would be fun have a go at but never thought that I would be selected for the final 10 so when I got the phone call I was very excited. The Semi Final was held at Talland School of Equitation- unfortunately the weather was a typical summer day in England- pouring with rain and blowing a gale, we all met up in one of the exam rooms and were told about the day and given some clothes to wear. We all had 2 hours of fantastic tuition 1 hour being jumping and the other dressage. I had the opportunity to ride 5 of the lovely horses from Talland one in particular that I fell in love with which was the horse I was lucky enough to ride for the cover shoot. We also all had a good lunch and were interviewed in the afternoon. At the end of the day the Shires team presented us with loads of lovely things to take away. A couple of days later three of us were told we had made it to the last three for the cover shoot day. We all met up at Talland on yet another rainy day for our shoot. The Shires team brought along what was called the magic van, which was cram packed with clothes so throughout the day we kept jumping in and out in loads of different outfits for our photos. All three of us had a great day and it was such an experience for all of us. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and of course the Shires team for the opportunity to be their Cover Star for 2010 it is truly an amazing experience.’

To see some pictures from the day or to find out more about Shires, see www.shiresequestrian.com, email sales@shiresequestrian.com or call 01568 613600.

Who would decide to do a cover photo today?!

Well, I suppose the answer would be Shires! The plan behind today's shoot was good- or genius (it was my plan after all) and that was to photograph all three finalists in the sunny summer month of August as there are few photographs that can't be helped be a bit of sunshine. As our three finalists are busy people, they sent over all their available dates and, to cut a long story short today was THE day that they were all available. So, we had a chat with our friends at Talland, sorted today out, prayed for sunshine, I mean, after all it IS August and...what do you know...we caught the tail end of hurricane Bill (I believe that is the hurricane's name anyway).

So, what did we do? We ploughed on of course, the weather was better than on the Cover Star assessment day (granted, that was torrential rain) but the light levels weren't brilliant so our photographer had to work his magic. All of the cover star finalists (that's Natalie, Alex and Mary) show jumped first thing, then we had a well deserved cup of tea and regroup. We planned to do the next session on the drive at Talland with horses which we did, then we had lunch and finished off with some horseless shots. The weather did deteriorate and there was a serious breeze (and a few shots where the girls' hair is a little on the vertical side) but all in all, everything considered, I think that the day went very well...all we have to do now is keep everything crossed that the photos look OK!

Brilliant Cover Star Semi Final!

Well,I have just returned home from a brilliant cover star semi final. All 10 people arrived bright and early at Talland nr Cirencester and the 'fun' started at 9am! Everyone had an introduction to the team, got equipped in appropriate kit, had a briefing about the day and then had a look around the Talland stable yard that has the most amazing horses in it! As everyone approached the outdoor arena for lessons to begin, the heavens opened. Half the group took part in an hour jump lesson, half had an hour's flat lesson with two of Talland's brilliant instructors. Many of the riders changed horses within the hour and then it was time for a total change, so the 10 flat riders moved over to the jumps and visa versa. Well, it rained again (you could say that the rain was the theme of the day) and the lessons took place over the next hour. After two hours and numerous drownings, the group retired to get changed and dry whilst lunch was being prepared. All riders were truly excellent, we had some flying changes in both arenas, some hair raising jump moments and a few misplaced poles...but it was very good all the same. An excellent lunch was served and then all the semi finalists were interviewed. After this, everyone was thanked for their attendance and dismissed...the final three will find out that they were successful in the next few days...watch the website for voting!

Well...entries closed for this year!

Well, the entries for this year's cover star competition have closed and I have to say that I have been thrilled with the standard and the quantity of entries. It's a shame that we can only put 10 people through as there were so many fabulous entries. I think that the main differences from last year's lot (which were, let's not forget, very special and brilliant too) is that the quantity has gone up considerably, the age range has widened (which is great) and people's determination to get their entries in on time has made me smile as people really do want to enter the competition. This year we've had last minute phone calls, people delivering their entries by hand, frantic emails...I have to say that I wouldn't have been that surprised to see a carrier pigeon with an entry attached to it today! It's been really good to have so many keen people. The final 10 will be notified in the next few days but I would like to say (and I really do mean this) that if anyone is reading this who finds out that they didn't get through- please don't be disheartened and do enter again next year. I'd also like to thank everyone..the effort that has been put into some of the entries forms is brilliant...we've had personalised DVDs, poems, movies to music, stunt videos- the lot!

Anyway, I'll keep you all posted with he next stage of the competition...thanks everyone!

Cover star entries drawing to a close!

There are just 8 days, that's 8 days, until the Cover Star 2010 competition closes for another year...and I have to say the entries look really strong...so it's going to be a super tough job choosing just 10 from the entries we have received so far...and the entries haven't closed yet!

We've had some lovely photos sent our way...I think the most memorable has been someone who, with their horse, seemed to be covered in polka dots! I do like a bit of variety so it was a welcome addition to the mound of other photos that have been received! That said, you can't beat a nice horsey photo can you?!

I'm really looking forward to the cover star semi-final, we're going to Talland this year (I think my personal no. 1 horsey place in the UK) so the lucky 10 will have super horses and excellent instructors at a place that has top class riders arrive for training...honestly, what more could anyone ask for...I am very excited.

Good day out of the office!

Well, the sun has been shining and I've been outside on a summer rug photoshoot...it's a tough job but someone has to do it! We decided to take advantage of the suunshine, the buttercups, the lush green grass and the leaves on the trees to refresh some of the summer rug photos to get ready for the next catalogue (this won't be out until next year but it's not like we are inundated with glorious predicable weather in the UK is it!?). We photographed the Performance Maxi-Flow, the Maxi-Flow Fly Combo, the Tempest Fly and the Summer Highlander Combo. I'm sure that the horses thought we were ever so slightly crazy when we put a lightweight waterproof on one of them! Anyway, the shoot was a success and the horses behaved well so we didn't have to spend all day in the sun!

On another note, we've updated the front page of the website and now our Cover Star 2010 entry form is online. The competition is going to be run in a very similar way to last year with a few little tweaks, and a press release will soon be sent out to all the magazines that reveals more details about the contest...and about the venue for the cover star semi-final...it's stunning and I'm sure we are going to have an excellent day there. Judging by the interest we've had so far, I think we are in for a good one! If anyone want to know more, just drop us an email...the sales email will be fine and it will find its way to me...email sales@shiresequestrian.com.

Anyway, will blog again soon,

Rhea

P.S...if you haven't received a Shires catalogue yet, email us with your name and address and we will put one in the post.

Hello blog followers...sorry for the neglect!

Hello blog followers,

I'm VERY sorry that you have been somewhat neglected over the past week. I do feel bad about it but I am determined to make a change...and I can tell you what I've been up to!

There are lots of things going on at Shires, I'm looking at riders for the new Performance Rider Programme and I've been looking at cover star venues, actually, I've seen two potentials this week and am going to see another one tomorrow...should be able to make up my mind then! I'm really looking forward to the cover star competition this year. Quite a few people have been enquiring already so I think it's going to be a really good one! As soon as I know more, I will keep you posted via this blog, through Twitter and, of course, through the website.

On another note, I was thrilled to see Rosie Thomas's groom at Badminton on BBC1's red button on Saturday sporting a Shires jacket. Rosie is a rider on the Performance Rider Programme and Shires are thrilled to be supporting her. I thought she did an amazing job making her way through the rankings after the dressage...well done Rosie!

There will be more guest bloggers on this blog in the not too distant future but I thought that, just to make sure you knew you hadn't been forgotten, I'd better write something!

Anyway, keep watching the blog, tell your friends and I'm sure I'll be back very soon!