South of England Horse Trials - 14 April 2012

I took Corby and Ollie to SOE both in the BE100.  A great day with Corby coming 2nd finishing on his dressage score of 29.5 and Ollie 3rd on his dressage of 31.

I'm really pleased with both of them. Ollie is doing really well it was only his second BE100 event and I thought the XC at SOE might be a little testing for him as XC is his weakest phase.  This is only because he hasn't done much XC. I've taken him hunting over the winter and he is jumping well.  He's Mum's horse and she's had him for a long time he's now 12 but Mum mostly did SJ and dressage with him.  He did one BE90 or intro as it was then when he was 5 but didn't get round the XC.  He is definitely bold enough now for the XC and I'm really hoping he goes a long way hoping to Intermediate at least.  We'll see how the season goes!  He is entered into the Eventers Challenge at Golden Cross at the weekend, he is a great jumper!

Ollie my new eventer - I've nicked him off of Mum!

Corbster!

British Riding Clubs - National Championships - 7-8 April 2012

I went to the BRC National Championships in Hartpury representing my Riding Club Rother Valley.  I took Cullawn My Way (Corby) and we were doing a Novice test and representing both individually and part of a team.  My other team members were Sarah Baldwin (Sweep), Tanya Draude (Bill) and Clare Walton-Cole with Theo.  We also had our fab helper Tina Jackson.

We set off on Friday 6 April (which was Good Friday) because of the bank holiday traffic it took us 5 hours to get get to Hartpury.

Sarah and Tanya went up in Sarah's trailer and we were in Clare's lorry.  Hartpury is a great venue and the stables were lovely as they were indoor and not the usual portable ones that you get at big events so it was a nice treat!

We all slept in Clare's lorry (all 5 of us!) it is supposed to sleep 4 so it was a bit of a squash!  The others were a bit mean shoving me in the top of the cab by the sloping roof so I didn't have much room!  There were also problems with an airbed, Tanya brought the pump but not the plug so the air hole had to be sealed with duct tape!!

We got some sleep before Saturday but can't say it was a very comfortable night!

Hartpury has lovely hacking tracks so it's great for taking the horses out for exercise.

We all managed really good tests and we came 1st!

Sarah and Sweep won the overall title and 1st in her arena and the 1st for the team.  I'm not a massive fan of cobs but I've got to say I quite like Sweep and he does move nicely and I'd make an exception and be happy to have him on the yard!  Sarah has done a great job with him!

Tanya and Bill 2nd in their arena and 1st for the team

Clare and Theo were 5th in their arena and 1st for the team

Me and Corby were 6th in our arena and the 1st for the team.  He did really well considering I'd been on holiday & only got back 2 days before and he hadn't been ridden whilst I was away!

We got some lovely prizes a bridle, boots, a NAF rug and £30 NAF voucher some easter eggs and also the sash and rosettes!

It was a great weekend and fab results for all of us and the Club.

There have been a few write ups in Local Rider Magazine and South East Rider

Munstead - March 2012

I took both Corby (Cullawn My Way) and Ollie (Cullawn Warrior) to Munstead.  It was Ollie's second event and first BE100.  He did really well and got a 28 dressage had a very unusual 4 faults SJ as he's a very careful jumper he finished up 9th in his section.

Corby was consistent as usual and finished on his 27 dressage.  There were some other good tests and he ended up 4th.

I tested out my new hat silk from Dragonfly Saddlery (I lost the last one in bad weather at Brightling last year!).  It is a lycra material compared to the old silk like material I had for the last one and hopefully with it being stretchy it appears to grip the hat better!  My colours are quite distinctive and I often get people coming to say hello at events because the recognise the colours!

I also now have a Point Two jacket.  Dad caved in and bought me one, I haven't jumped off setting off the canisters yet!  I've seen many things about them and I think it's well worth wearing.  I have lots to ride and even a small fall could cause injuries so anything that helps is worth a go!

Ollie (Cullawn Warrior) after XC with new XC Purple Charles Owen Hat and hat silk from Dragonfly Saddlery.  Also Prolite boots still fab!