Meet UDRC Chairman, Fiona Menzies
My name is Fiona Menzies, a 1970 baby from near Alloa, Clackmannanshire and moved up to Insch in 1992 for work and permanently in 1996.
My home is at Insch on a beautiful little farm with David my partner. (Another long suffering, understanding male who decided to have a relationship with horsey girl, many moons ago)
My ponies consist of 4 brood mares, three RID’s and an ID x TB. Having done my DEFRA AI course last year (supplemented by an advanced AI course at Hartbury College in February 2009), I have 4 foals due this year starting end of March 2009.
In 2008 year they only managed to produce one colt between them, Sunside Archie. A Pure RID gelding.
I have full brothers, Bruce 3, and Jack 2, ID x TB both by Primitive Star, a yearling coloured traditional colt, Abbotswood Royal Male (Boris), 4 yr old ID Colt, Toux Quarry and a new show cob CP, both un-backed as yet.
For riding; I have a coloured traditional called Brodie, and Vincent my ridden hunter / dressage pony. Perhaps a 4yr colt and cob by the spring???
I have had ponies since the age of seven; I travelled through the pony club up to my “B” test. Many happy memories of camp, interbranch and Stoneleigh tetrathlon championships.
At 21 I was given my first horse, a 16.2 ex-race horse...Interesting time was had by both parties concerned, but an ultra careful jumper.
The next main ride was “Ed”; he came home from Ireland via an eventing yard in Leicestershire aged 6. A special star. Did everything he was asked, just not ditches!!!
Put down due to the onset of “Cushing’s disease” October ‘07, aged 18.
Financing this herd falls to my cooking skills, David’s good farming skills (and patience!!) and my family’s generosity, and not necessarily in that order!!!
My cooking skills take me all over Aberdeenshire and beyond, I enter houses’ under the hostess’s direction and cook for whatever occasion they wish to celebrate. Some of these houses/castles are gob-smackingly awesome!!!! From weddings to holidays to weekly meetings, for intimate dinners for 2 to buffets for 200.
At present I am the chairperson of the UDRC, member of Gordon Dressage Group, BHS, CHAPS, BPSA, Irish Draught Society, and Sports Horse GB.
