Howdy folks

Sarah and Tippy here:

The grass is now officially growing in Tippy's field! So that means it's time to keep an extra eye on pony waistlines. Too much of the green stuff and they could be at risk of laminitis, especially eating the nutrient rich first flush of spring grass. Keep an eye on the H+P webbie to see how pony Velvet's owner Sophie is monitoring her condition. Hopefully Velvet won't come down with laminitis this year, but it really is a constant battle for Sophie. Check out http://www.horseandpony.com/horse_n_pony_laminitis.php

Extra news...
Are you a budding author? Do you think you could win a writing competition?

Equine student, Pippa Ireland, has organised a short story competition as part of her equine management course. The writing competition includes a section for Pony Club members, with masses of prizes to boot. As well as the top prizes, the PC winner and runner-up will be offered the opportunity to feature their ponies in the third book in Penny Grubb's crime series (Penny is also a judge for the competition). The book, The Jawbone Gang, should be out later this year or early next. Other prizes in this section include insurance vouchers; saddle cloths; baseball caps; specialist lessons; saddlery vouchers and many more. Pony Club entrants are also eligible for the main cash prizes of £200, £100 and £50 plus runners-up vouchers for equestrian photographer, La Scala Studios.

As well as prize sponsors, Pippa has attracted two international award-winning writers as part sponsors of her competition. The competition judge is Penny Grubb, crime writer and local show judge. A first edition of her latest book, Like False Money, which is set in East Yorkshire, will be a prize in the competition’s special Yorkshire section.
In addition, entrants will be offered the chance of a critique from award winning author and writing coach, Linda Acaster, whose latest novel, Torc of Moonlight, is set in Hull.

Author Penny Grubb is also a show judge (Photo: Laurence Ireland)

Organisers expect lots of entries to judge! (Photo: Weronika Dziok)

Schedule, rules and entry form can be downloaded from http://lascalastudios.photium.com

Entry costs £5 for each story entered but is free with a receipt from Derby House Saddlery. Entries close May 15.

Prizes
Overall winners
1st prize - £200
2nd prize - £100
3rd prize - £50
3 runners-up – La Scala Studios vouchers
Overall competition sponsor is La Scala Studios

Pony Club section
Prizes include: Saddle donated by Derby House Saddlery, Jeffries English leather bridle, insurance vouchers; saddle cloths; baseball caps; specialist lessons; saddlery vouchers and many more.
Sponsors in this section include:
E Jeffries of Walsall
Dengie Feeds
Shearwater Insurance
Equest Wormers
White Rose Polo Club
Master Saddler, Patrick Wilkinson of Beverley
Oliver Townend, Eventer