EQUESTRIAN: Bewdley Bridle Club are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a group of talented juniors putting them on the competitive map.

The British Horse Society-affiliated riding club have achieved numerous team successes over the years thanks to the younger members, with top prizes in dressage, show jumping and Prix Caprilli.

And Bewdley clinched the ultimate accolade after becoming the successful defending champions at the National Horse Trials Championships.

The seniors have enjoyed an increasing amount of success at all disciplines, both in area riding and the more local Mercian level.

They took both the indoor area show jumping qualifiers and the area equitation qualifiers along with a respectable 13th place at the National Indoor Show Jumping finals.

There was also a second place in the team regional horse trials qualifiers, fourth in the hunter trials and a final appearance at the National Horse Trials Championships.

Bewdley Bridle Club was originally started in 1953 to encourage children in the district to improve their riding skills and to promote excellence in the care of horses and ponies.

It was done mainly through holding instruction sessions around Wyre Forest with the summer months bringing a host of events for members.

There were shows in dressage, show jumping, hunter trials, one day events, gymkhanas, treasure hunts and fun rides, all aimed at encouraging good horse management and sporting rivalry.

Around 50 years ago, indoor schools were a novelty so winter months were arranged around lectures and practical demonstrations.

The club has changed drastically but members are still offered multi-discipline training through superb facilities and trainers in the area.

Club colours are still the same too as the teams sports green and gold saddle cloths, silks and sweatshirts.

And the enthusiastic committee runs the club to encourage a high level of learning, competing and fun.

Current chairman Rosemary Buchan has been with the club for at least 48 years and leads through her dedication, enthusiasm and hard work.

To celebrate their golden jubilee, the club intends to throw a party for members and people involved with them past or present.

Anyone interested can call Buchan on 01562 700539 or Vicky Franklin on 01562 753445.