Even though it may sometimes feel a little chilly, compared with this time last year the weather is absolutely fabulous.
Just take a look at this photo of Rosie and Bonnie, having a lesson the week before Christmas, in a T shirt!
The new year is underway and we have been to our first show.On Mon 2nd we braved the weather and made the trip to Fieldhouse Show Centre, near Uttoxeter, with Dream, Purdy, and Breaker. Purdy was second in the 1.05, Breaker jumped a lovely double clear in the Newcomers to finish fifth, and then Dream and Purdy both had a fence down in the 1.15.Not a bad start to the year, but I am sure that by next Autumn we will have had better, and probably a lot worse.
We recently had a very successful day at the Wyvern Dressage competition. Nicki and Breaker won two prelim classes while Veronika and Luca came second in the other prelim and first in the novice.New boy Prophet was placed in the walk and trot and the prelim 7, not bad as he is only three years old. There were also placings for Nic and Queenie (pictured) and Helen and Bracken. Well done everyone.
Sunday 4th December saw us off to Markfield Equestrian Centre in Leicestershire with Brad, Dream and new girl Purdy. It's been a long time since we went on a proper outing so we just jumped the 1.05m open, to get back into the swing of things.They all jumped double clears, Brad coming second, with Dream and Purdy just behind him. It was unbelievably cold and I spent most of the time thinking about Summer shows and barbecues. However, we are gluttons for punishment and will probably be back next week.
Six years ago we sold a lovely four year old called Rielle. Since then Rielle and her owner/rider Susan Bradshaw have gone from strength to strength. They are now competing in medium dressage,are doing the Petplan Area Festival for the elementary next week and have qualified for the regionals at elementary and medium freestyle to music in Feb. She has even tried a bit of showjumping. She is pictured receiving her prize for winning the Dressage UK summer medium points Championship.
Sue says "I cant believe its six years ago I came to look at one horse and bought another." It was obviously meant to be Sue. Good luck next week and let us know how you get on.
Another season is over and all the horses have gone out for a holiday before Winter sets in. Breaker, pictured here at Scope, had to wait bit later than the others as at the end of Sept Nicki and I took him up to Cheshire for an Equine Pathway selection day.This is a new training scheme, set up by British Showjumping. If you think you have a very talented young horse you can put them forward for a viewing. If the selection committee agree with you, which I'm pleased to say they did, they put you on the Equine Pathway scheme. This entitles you to all sorts of help and advice, physiotherapy etc but best of all it means free training sessions with the great Irish rider and coach Commander John Ledingham. He was one of my heroes when I was a young girl, I think it was his army uniform. Yes, that does mean he is quite old now, but still brill, and I am looking forward to the training next Spring
What with our very busy Summer Herbie has been left in the field keeping old Reg company. However, we have a few weeks before showjumping starts again so we have bought Herb back into work for a bit. Work is a very loosely used term as he is so fat it only takes ten minutes to have him gasping for oxygen, but I'm sure he will soon get back in the swing of things.
Mattie has been sold to a young dressage rider up north. He is reported to have settled in really well and is soon to be going with his new rider for two months training with Richard Davidson. We shall try to keep track of his progress.
Our last outdoor show of the season saw us down in Devon at one of my favourite venues, Bicton Park. It is now run by new people and I was a little worried it wouldn't be the same but it was every bit as enjoyable as it used to be.We took four horses. Breaker, Dream, Sonette and good old Luca. He thought he had retired from showjumping in favour of a dressage career but he was roped back into the team to make the numbers up.Breaker jumped well, especially so as he was competing in the main arena every day. Dream (pictured) was placed the first two days and had a win on Sunday. Sonette was in flying form, coming third the first day, because I forgot to take the hand brake off, and winning the next two days, including her first 1.25m. Luca dusted off his jumping boots and showed them all he still has some miles left in him by coming second or third in every one of his classes. I'm sure he would have won if we hadn't been a bit rusty together.Sookie turned into a highwayman and kept robbing the local dogs and children. Amongst her souvenirs were dog toys, teddies, frisbys, balls and a rack of spare ribs!
We went to Scope with just Breaker and Sonette. Breaker qualified for the national five year old championship but had an unlucky four faults when he went in the final. He jumped really well but was a little over awed by the Championship Arena. After all, he has come from deepest, darkest Wales so hasn't seen a lot of life!Good old Sonette jumped like a star to qualify for the 1.15 Championship, the pairs class and the Old Fogey (Veterans) final. Unfortunately she banged her leg somehow and had to go home early, missing the exciting bits.Every year I set off to Scope with an enthusiasm which wanes rapidly after the first 48hrs. Mammoth entries and hours and hours of hanging about waiting for your turn gets rather tedious after a while. To be honest, there is only so much shopping you can do.
The end of August took us off to South Western SJ Club's annual Championship Show,now held in Chard, Somerset. We had wonderful weather and, as always, great food supplied by head chef/chief photographer Nic.The four horses all jumped well. Breaker jumped his first Foxhunter double clear and came second in the Young Horse Championship. Sonette won a class every day, including the Grade C Championship, and Brad and Dream both had placings in the 1.10 and 1.15's.It was young Sookie dog's first stay away from home and she found it thoroughly exciting. We all had to work hard to curb her habit of running around the showground and coming back with a souvenir, from someone else's lorry! Bad dog.
Veronika and the boys went to the Championships again this year. Luca was second in his Prelim heat and then fifth in the final, only a few points behind the winner, so that was really good.
Mattie won his Novice heat and then went like a real star in the final, so well in fact that people stood up and applauded. However, it seems that the judge didn't like him much and put him eleventh, on his lowest ever mark of 63%That's why I don't like dressage. Amongst other reasons of course.Never mind. We are sure to be there next year.
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