The Humerist on parade at Badminton
Farmers Guardian(Equestrian) May 1 1998

HIGH ranking youngster, The Humerist, owned by Trudy Goulding, of the End House Stud, Gisburn, is one of 10 stallions to be invited to parade at Badminton Horse Trials.

The 16.1hh, dark bay, by Marlay Humorist out of Hitparade, and known as 'Monty' at home was bought by Trudy as a yearling from Joe Howard, of Garstang, and has enjoyed continual success.

Last year, as a six-year-old, he was ranked fourth, and in January this year, he was ranked fifth in the British Horse Database leading event sires of nine years and under. In 1996, with Alan Birch in the saddle, he notched up 21 points and went to intermediate level in five events, among them two wins within the space of three days (winning at Osbaldeston horse trials and at Upton House horse trials). They also won at Bishop Burton horse trials.

From the start of 1997, The Humerist has been ridden by Bolton- based Andrea Morris, who took him to open intermediate and qualified him for the novice national finals at Someleyton, Lowestoft. Most recently, he has been showjumping all winter, when he
has been ridden by Downes Howard (Joe Howard's son) who rode Hitparade (Monty's mother) and took her to grade B at which point she was sold to Finland where she is now grade A.

The parade, on May 10, after the parade of competitors and before the final day's showjumping, has been organised by the Supporters of British Breeding, and will feature stallions selected (by performance or that of progeny) produced from the British Horse Database listings. It provides a relatively rare opportunity for stallions such as these to be seen together at one venue.

Yorkshire Post

Avalon rides for glory

HIGHLY-RATED dressage exponent Alan Birch and his horse Heatley Avalon will be  riding for glory at the national championships at Stoneleigh Warwickshire, today and tomorrow. The horse, which is being trained by Trudy Goulding at End House Stud farm, Gisburn, is a five-year-old bay stallion British Warmblood. He has enjoyed recent success with young rider Birch (21) at the Toggi Icelander and the Toggi Explorer, which were held at Baldheath Equestrian Centre, Warrington.

At the most recent explorer event he came third in the qualifier, won the foxhunter competition and finished second in the newcomers event. Heatley Avalon will be on show after this week's competition at the stallion parades of Osbaldeston, on Saturday, and Eccleston Equestrian Centre on Sunday. Another horse making progress from the local stable is The Humerist, a four old bay stallion by Morlay Humorist, who was a grade B show jumping mare.  Alan Birch was due, to be riding him at the Showring Final, Osbaldeston yesterday.

Farmers Guardian 

Avalon Chance

Equestrianism

GISBURN-based stallion Heatley Avalon is tipped for the top in the world of show jumping. The five-year-old British Warmbood bay stallion - which stands at 16.3 hh - is due to take part in the Toggi Explorer and lcelander Championships in Warwickshire. The horse, ridden by Alan Birch -- where Alan is a freelance showJumping instructor- stands at the End House Stud in Gisburn. The horse recently won an event at the Bold Heath Equestrian Centre in Warrington, where it was first in the foxhunter class, second in the newcomer and third in the qualifier.

Clitheroe Advertiser

Allan's dream -comes true

ACHIEVING the incredible feat of winning all three novice sections at the Bishop Burton Horse Trials, locally-based rider Allan Birch described his performance as "a dream come true". On Sunday in North Humberside, 23-year-old Allan, based at End House Stud Farm in Gisburn, won the dressage, showjumping and cross country. His triple success was made even more remarkable by the fact that he only began eventing this year. Normally a showjumper, Allan won on three separate horses, all of which are also in their first year of eventing. 

hey won all three sections out of a total of 150 horses, with 50 in each section. The Humerist, owned by Trudy Goulding, the owner of the End House Stud Farm, won the first section by five penalties and is upgraded to intermediate after this event. Just Balco, a former racehorse ridden by Richard Dunwoody and also owned by Trudy, and won the second section, while Golden Deal won the third.

Allan said: "I am absolutely delighted. It was like a dream come true. "It was a fantastic end to the season, and great to upgrade Just Balco and the Humerist to intermediate."__

Farmers Guardian

Birch knows what's what

EQUESTRIANISM

ALAN Birch, the freelance showjumping instructor based at End House Stud, Gisburn, has continued his run of success with Wembley and Hickstead in the sights of owner Trudi Goulding. The Gisburn horses have been prominent at Osbaldeston shows and an appearance at the Horse of The Year Show at Wembley in October is a target, along with an August date at Hickstead for former racehorse Just Balco. Richard Dunwoody is a past rider of the 16.1 hands chestnut gelding which has won £360 in less than a year, as well as at least 20 classes. A recent winner of the Members Cup at Osbaldeston, Just Balco will be going for the Members Cup regional finals in an attempt to qualify for Hickstead. Another Osbaldeston Members Cup winner from Gisburn is Irish draught cross-thorough bred stallion The Humerist (16.1 hands). He has won £130 since January and the four-year-old will be aiming for the British novice regional finals in summer when qualification for Wembley is possible.

Qualified

My Little Million (15.2 hands) is a distinct Wembley hopeful. With an impressive £70 winnings since January he was ridden to success in the British novice class at Osbaldeston by Birch and is also aiming for the regional finals. Heatley Avalon (16.3 hands), a five-year-old stallion, had already qualified for the Members Cup regional finals The targets for him will be the regional finals of both the Newcomer and also the Foxhunter classes, again with the idea of making Wembley in October.

Any companies interested in support or sponsorship can contact Trudi Goulding on 01200 445426.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Equestrianism

Gisburn horses in good show

GISBURN dressage horse "Heatley Avalon" is aiming to qualify for the Univet finals at the Royal Show in July. The horse finished third and fifth in the top level Toggi Championship at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, two weeks ago on a big course which saw only two clear rounds.

The next assignment for the bay stallion is at Arena UK. Lincolnshire, when the horse, ridden by Alan Birch, will attempt to qualify for the Royal Show in the Univet competition for five and six year olds.

End House Stud's other resident, "The Hurnerist", won the British Novice class and the Freshman's competition at Osbaldeston at the weekend.

Clitheroe Advertiser

Birch is in the groove

By BRIAN DOOGAN

STEP aside Skelton, Whitaker and Broome - Alan Birch rides a horse with greater gusto than John Wayne! The 21-year-old rider who is based at the End House Stud in Gisburn was superb in qualifying for the prestigious five-day Cavan International Show in Ireland which starts September 20.

Competes

Out of a class of 30 performers at the Goostrie Arena in Cheshire, he recorded the sole clear round of the qualifying competition atop five-year-old stallion Heatley Avalon to gain automatic entry. About half an hour later he repeated the feat on Ridedale, an Irish thoroughbred gelding, to give himself two mounts when he competes at the Cavan International Arena where he will be chasing a prize pool of £3,000.

"I'm quite thrilled really and obviously looking forward to it," said Alan. "This has given me real incentive and I'm reasonably optimistic of performing well." Prior to the Cavan Show, Alan travels to Hickstead for the Royal International at the All England Jumping Club where he starts as one of the favourites in his class.

Trudi Goulding, who is stud manager at End House and owns Heatley Avalon, is full of praise for the young lad. "He is very talented and developing all the time," she said.  Preparation for competition is a costly exercise and End House Stud would appreciate sponsorship, particularly to finance the trip to Cavan.

Anyone interested in helping to support Alan or the stud farm should contact Trudi Goulding at End House Stud in Gisburn on 01200 445426.