Hickstead - BD Masters - 9 April 2014

Can you believe I've never been to Hickstead to ride or spectate?!  So I was very excited to compete there with Madam and Poppy who are owned by Kate Woodhouse. 

Poppy was entered for two Prelim tests and Madam for two Novice tests. This is my first year doing British Dressage and really enjoying it - this was my third BD competition with the girls 

It was a early start leaving at 6.45 am but had to do all the horses at home before we left. Luckily I had my mum and Kirsty  to help and both horses were plaited the night before. I always plait the horses the night before if I have an early time. To make sure the plaits stay in I use Lycra hoods which cover their neck and face and they keep them stain free. Thank you to my sponsors Dragonfly Saddlery and pets for supplying them.  I've had them for well over a year now, they were particularly handy when taking Corby out competing and to the BRC Dressage Championships as greys show all the stains! At £31.99 for the version I have it really does save me a lot of time and means that I get an extra half an hour in bed which helps when it's a really early start!

The first test was at 9 am with Popstar first to go. I was lucky not get eliminated - I left Poppy's boots on, which the very nice judge told me. First test we scored 67% and the second Prelim we scored 70% she won both her classes. I was so pleased with her - a very grown up Poppy!

Popstar - Photos Spidge Photography

Madam was next we scored 64.11% in her first Novice test we had rein back which I've only just started teaching her. We won the the restricted section and 4th overall. 

The second test felt a lot more relaxed we improved by scoring 67.41% and came 6th overall and 2nd in our restricted section.

Swanky (Madam) - Photos Spidge Photography

A very good day with the two beautiful black mares!

Munstead - 23 March 2014

Munstead was my first BE event of the season and it was very exciting to be out again! 

With all the wet weather we have had,I didn't think it would run but the ground was perfect. 

A big thank you to all the organises and volunteers for all the hard work that went into organising and running it - it's always a great event.  

Holly and Ollie the two mature horses were off to Munstead for their first run, wanted to give Holly a nice first run at BE100 level just to build her confidence up. She lost her confidence back in 2010 at Houghon Hall where we did our first CCI**  I think it was a bit too much too soon. She started stopping a lot after that which was most uncharacteristic as she's so bold XC. So I took the decision to bring her back down to BE100 and Novice level to give her time to find her feet again. 

Good first run though scoring a 32.5 dressage even with her not doing her medium walk (jig jogging - a particular Holly trait!). I try and calm her working her in before the dressage the problem Holly has is she's so keen on the jumping phase quite a lot depends on where the dressage arena is situated in relation to the showjumping and XC course!  

Holly and Ollie at the lorry

Holly waiting patiently at the SJ arena!

Holly in action SJ

We had a fab clear showjumping and were walking back to the lorry when the heavens opened (a hail storm) it looked like we had snow! 

Hail storm - looked like a layer of snow!!

There's no way you can really prepare yourself being caught in a hailstorm competing.  I've ridden in terrible wind and rain many times but can't say I've been in too many hail storms whilst competing the horses.

We then went cross country and she did a fab clear however I had no brakes! 

Ollie was in the BE100+ he had a 35.5 dressage and clear show jumping.  We were all warmed up ready to go XC in the start box the red light went off to stop the course as another hail storm started. So glad I wasn't out on course at the time!  Ollie had a fab clear but being a little sticky over the ditches. This is something that I'll be working on with him XC schooling.  Through the season I tend to try to go XC schooling at least every other week.  It's really important to help the horses and not just expect them to perform at events, they need help in between to make sure their confidence is at the right level.

Ollie - held at the start box XC because of the hail!

Overall good start to the season and two pink rosettes (5th) both ending up double clear and finishing on their dressage scores.

The next event  will be South of England, Holly in the Open Novice and Ollie BE100. 

Lots of practising in between off to Pyecombe this weekend 5th & 6th April and Nick Turner clinic Tuesday 8th April. I've been finding Nick's clinics really beneficial, Nick is the High Performance Manager for Eventing Ireland and it's great to be able to have someone so experienced nearby holding clinics.