IDRC finished the 2012 season in a poor state, as did a lot of local Riding Clubs, due to the unavoidable weather conditions. Then to add insult to injury, arsonists set fire to the caravan causing hundreds of pounds’ worth of damage; not only destroying the caravan itself but also the tanoy system, paperwork, rosettes and trophies, along with a course of jump wings and poles that were stacked away next to the caravan.

The Committee had already struggled to keep their heads above water in the 2012 season and had come to the sad conclusion that the Club would have to fold before the 2013 show season.

Luckily for the club two past members, Carol Morgan and Robyn Lees heard about the dilemma of IDRC (a Club that has been running for over 30 years) and rallied the remaining Committee Members and helped organise and advertise the Annual General Meeting.

During the AGM the Chairman and other Committee Members resigned leaving Marie Rigley standing alone, and thinking the club would have to fold, Marie was overwhelmed by the amount of local people who turned out to support the club.

IDRC now have a whole new Committee who have clinched sponsorships from local businesses including Meynell Saddlery, Mary-Kate Batterbee Equine Dentist and Lorraine Moon horsey hairdresser to name just a few, and have also had hundreds of pounds worth of donations from many local businesses.

The first Show of the season will be on 10th March 2013 on the showground on Trowel Moor, Ilkeston. We will be kicking off the start of the season with the Open Show, with the Supreme Champion of the day taking home the prize of £100, the Reserve Champion taking home £25 and the Reserve Reserve taking home £20.

At the end of the 2012 season IDRC saw the club literally going up in flames,- who would have thought that the 2013 season would see it rising like the Phoenix.

Let’s make 2013 the year to put Ilkeston and District Riding Club back on the map.

Look forward to seeing old and new faces all over the coming season. First show 10th March to include Equestrian Life Qualifiers. Get that early qualification for the Championships on 11th August – registration cards available on the day.