Showing posts with label talland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label talland. Show all posts

Thursday, 3 December 2009

Shires sponsor Talland School of Equitation

Shires sponsor Talland School of Equitation!

Shires are delighted to announce their support of Talland School of Equitation in Cirencester.

Talland is regarded as a centre of excellence in equitation and is world renowned for the quality of its instructors and horses as well as the excellent level of training offered and the list of top equestrian trainers and riders who started their careers there.

‘Talland has always been very well regarded in equestrian circles,’ explains Rhea Freeman, Marketing Manager for Shires, ‘and we have been lucky enough to work with Talland on numerous photoshoots, with the Performance Riders that work at Talland and with our Cover Star competition. We are delighted to be supporting such an excellent establishment as it really is a beacon to the equestrian community. Equestrian education is something that we are passionate about at Shires and we hope we will be able to work with Talland now and in the future on a variety of projects.’

Emma Harford from Talland added : ‘It has been great to have the opportunity to work with one of the countries major suppliers of Equestrian goods, we are thrilled with the support they have given us this year, as they provide us with affordable, quality merchandise for all our horses, staff and students, we hope this partnership will continue for a long time to come.’

To find out more about Shires, see www.shiresequestrian.com, email sales@shiresequestrian.com or call 01568 613600.

To find out more about Talland, see www.talland.net or call 01285 740155.

Friday, 2 October 2009

...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.

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Shires' Performance Rider Programme extends to the dressage arena!

As always, sorry for the length of time it has taken me to write to you- as always, it's a bit busy here!

Anyway, I bring exciting news of the Performance Rider Programme, we're now supporting two dressage riders too- have a look at the press release below...

Shires’ Performance Rider Programme extends into the dressage arena!

Shires are delighted to announce that two dressage riders have now joined their Performance Rider Programme.

Justine Sole and Beth Miller are both instructors at Talland School of Equitation near Cirencester and have brilliant records in the dressage arena.

Justine Sole currently competes two horses, he own Koning, a 6 year old KWPN, and Dom Lumiere, a 4 year old Hanoverian. Both horses are currently doing well at Elementary and Novice level respectively, but Justine has high hopes for both horses and hopes that Koning will be competing at PSG by 2011, and that Dom Lumiere will be doing all the young horse classes next year and competing at Elementary. Justine herself has an excellent competition record and an impressive set of career credentials. She has competed up to Inter II level and holds her BHSI.

Beth Miller currently owns an 8 year old Westfalian German Warmblood called Finley. Their latest achievements include winning the Elementary Freestyle Championship at BYRDs under 25 festival, 6th in the BD national talent spotting competition in 2008 and being selected for the BYRDs teams including the BYRDs Home International. She is also squaded as an A squad rider. Beth is a student of Justine’s and recently passed her Stage 4 riding and is yard manager at Talland.

‘We’re pleased to be supporting both Justine and Beth. Both bring something special to the Performance Programme and we look forward to working with them now and in the future,’ explains Rhea Freeman, Marketing Manager for Shires Equestrian. ‘We’re dedicated to supporting the great riders of today and tomorrow as well as those who just want to enjoy their horses.’

To find out more about Shires, see www.shiresequestrian.com, to find out more about Talland and their instructors, see www.talland.net.


Good eh?! Well, we're really pleased and, as the press release says- we look forward to working with both Justine and Beth now and in the future- GOOD LUCK!!


Wednesday, 26 August 2009

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!

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

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!

Thursday, 16 July 2009

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.