October 2025 - Hodgemoor Woods

Christmas Dressage at Waylands 28 Dec 2025

23rd October 2025Marcus Bicknell

Hodgemoor Riding Association

In memory of Geoff Gudgion, who was based at Waylands with his horse Ida.

A Between-Christmas-and-New-Year Dressage

Waylands Equestrian Centre, Indoor Arena, Seer Green HP9 2RQ

Sunday 28 December 2025, from 9.30

Download your entry form here: schedule_dressage_waylands_28_december_2025

Prizes for best Xmas or New Year’s Eve outfits! Photos will be taken on the day of any outfits (horse or rider or both) and posted on the Hodgemoor Facebook page. Prizes will be awarded on the number of Likes after a week and the judge’s assessment. However, dressing up is not obligatory, just correct dressage attire is fine. Mulled wine. Special Rosette and gift for those who take part and also at the Hodgemoor Dressage at Windmill Farm on 7 December (for which the entry procedure is via MyRidingLife.com not Susie, see poster below).

Class 1: Intro 1
Class 2: Prelim 1
Class 3: Novice 1
Class 4: PYO Novice 2 or Elementary 2

Young riders (two age groups; 11 years and under; 12 to 16 years on the day of the event) will be classified with the adults and also judged separately, so give your age on the entry form. Cost: £15 per class, £20 if you are not a member of the Hodgemoor Riding Association. Entries close: 6 p.m. Tuesday 23^rd December. Numbers will be limited.

Download your entry form here: schedule_dressage_waylands_28_december_2025

Hodgemoor and e-Bikes – paper for the AGM 12 November

19th October 2025Marcus Bicknell

The Hodgemoor Riding Association was made aware in May 2025 of the recent policy decision of Forestry England to permit e-bikes on their land. They say on their web site “Forestry England generally welcomes e-bikes on their designated trails, provided they are road legal and not modified. This means they must comply with the UK’s Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) regulations, including a 250w output, 15.5mph motor cut-off, and pedal-assist only. Electric motorbikes, which are more powerful and lack pedals, are not permitted” and “These must be road legal and not modified. Visitors cannot use e-scooters as they are illegal (except on private land or as part of formal government trial).”

The opinion of any sane-minded user of woodland, whether or not a nature-lover, would be against allowing any two-wheeled visitors going even faster than pedal bikes now or allowing any two-wheeler with a motor. E-bikes are in distinguishable from motorbikes of a similar power, for danger to walker, danger to horses, disruption to wildlife, damage to path surfaces and for riding off the surfaced trails. Hodgemoor is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. In our study document we have given twelve reasons why e-bikes should not be allowed in Hodgemoor Woods and the paper can be downloaded and consulted at e-bikes_study_doc_28jul2025

The issues are complex, especially the distinction in law between ePacs and higher-powered e-bikes, and we would not be able to enter into a meaningful debate in full meeting of the AGM of the Hodgemoor Riding Association on 12 November 2025. However, your committee would like you to approve the provisional approach we propose to make in the paper. We urge those of you who are interested to download and read the paper then to express and difference or new information before 10th November by email marcus@bicknell.com or WhatsApp 07748111444 to the Chairman. This enables the committee to assess any input provided and to summarise that at the AGM. A favorable vote on the principles will be enough for us to take the matter forward as described at the end of the paper.

With thanks for your understanding and looking forward to your input.

Geoff Gudgion – his life

3rd October 20253rd October 2025Marcus Bicknell

We thought you might like to read more about Geoffrey’s life, in fact several in the riding and writing communities have asked to know more.

I cooperated with Geoff’s family, Cambridge friends from 50 years ago and more recent writing friends to bring together details of his terrific life which will interest you. This is not so much an obituary as an account of his life which serves as a long-lasting online tribute to a good friend of Hodgemoor, the community and those who knew him.

With thanks to James Gudgion for coordinating the family’s input; to Graham Wiltshire, James Wrigley and Charles Style for inputting from the perspective of Geoff’s Cambridge friends; and to writing friend Clare Christian clare166@gmail.com www.clarechristian.co.uk

The account of Geoff’s life… click on https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Geoffrey-Nigel-Gudgion-his-life.pdf

Geoff’s funeral, order of service… https://hodgemoor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Geoffrey_Gudgion_order_of_service_8Sept2025-1.pdf