South of England - Saturday 9th April

Second outing of the season for Corby & Holly was SOE.

After my fall with Holly in the SJ at Goring (see previous post!) I thought it was a good idea to see if I could move classes with Holly from the Open Novice to the Open BE100. Sarah Robinson the secretary for SOE was great and sorted this out for me. Holly went well with a 28.5 dressage and a double clear we ended on our dressage score in 3rd place. Holly felt great and just like the old Holly again. She's entered for the Open BE100 at Nurstead then I'll do a couple of Open Novices then we should be back up to Open Intermediates.

Photo: Pip Simpson

Corbster had another good day too. He had a 34 dressage which is unusual and he did feel like he went better then that, but was very good again giving a nice double clear, 2 time penalties XC put us in 5th place. Pippa Funnell won the class on one of her Billy Stud's horses - Billy Crackle. Corby is also entered for Nurstead in the BE100.

Busy week this week, schooling for Marilyn, Debs & Anna. Hopefully XC at Lodge Farm on Wednesday. Taking an RVRC clinic on Saturday at Lodge Farm and then the Ardingly Riding Club Unaffliated ODE on Sunday. I'll be riding Tango, Bobby and Debs horse, Cracker. Will update blog to let you know how I got on!

I'm going to be doing a few more unaffilated ODEs locally with Tango before he's signed up for a half season BE. I'm lucky that there are some good ones that are run in the area, Ardingly, Chilham, Pulborough, Borde Hill and my Riding Club Rother Valley, Sevenoaks RC also run great ones just to name a few!

Goring Heath - Sunday 3rd April - First BE event of the season!

I went to Goring Heath with Holly (Cullawn Holly) and Corby (Cullawn My Way). Holly was entered in the Open Novice for her first event of the season and Corby in the BE100.

Unfortuanately things didn't go to plan in the SJ with Holly! She was jumping really well - as you can see below (photos to follow!!) but we didn't get our striding right coming into the double and she took of took early sending me flying into the next fence! So that explains the cricket score - we don't usually have that many faults! I really hurt my elbow and strapped it up for the rest of the day. I withdrew Holly and did not do the XC with her.

Corby was very good, he was really up for it his first event of the season and couldn't wait to get out of the start box XC! He did a good dressage test 27.5 (2nd after dressage) then a double clear ending up completing in 2nd place. I was really pleased with him and all the better considering I had a dodgy arm!

Got it looked at and also went to A&E. Had an xray but they said it was badly bruised and to rest it and put ice on it. Perhaps haven't rested it as much as I should have and still have interesting colour arm but I'm getting there, wanted to do South of England anyway! Next blog on that!

Firle Hunter Trials - 26 March 2011

Took Tango & Bobby to Firle Hunter Trials on Saturday 26 March 2011. It was an early start but well worth the journey and I'm really pleased how they both went.

Bobby went clear. Tango had a sticky moment at the first water but went through and didn't hesitate at the second water. I'm really pleased with him as water has been his only problem. Apart from that he felt really bold and I'm very excited that I'll be eventing him this year it's particularly exciting as I've had him since he was a yearling and backed him myself. I'm planning on doing Ardingly, Chilham and Pulborough unaffilated ODEs before a half season of BE. His flatwork is coming on really well, occasionally I lose his attention but that's probably because he's a stallion too. He is great SJ and respects bigger fences!