South of England – 28 September 2013

SOE is one of my favourite events. I took Ollie & Holly again but this time Holly was entered for open novice.

Holly had a year off last year trying to put her into foal that did happen but instead I fell pregnant!! So she has had longer off then expected.

I started the season off in July and started her off Open BE100, last event of the season I decided to do novice, and hopefully the start of next season going Novice.

Early start 8:00 am dressage on Ollie, we did an average test of 32 and double clear, I thought there were a lot of questions to ask XC for a BE100 but no problem for Ollie (the show jumper!) he came 1^st finishing on just his dressage score.

I was pleased with Holly's test of 30.5, we had 4 faults show jumping and a lovely clear XC (finishing 17^th), I’ve not competed at novice level in a year, I was so happy to get around and clear. It's so nice being back on my lovely mare hopefully be back doing Intermediate and International classes next year.

Now on the agenda will be BSJA with Holly, Ollie and JJ (Cullawn Royale), Dressage and Combined Training. I’m hoping to do 1.30m classes with Ollie, he’s already qualified for 1.15m second rounds.

The horses will only have a week off this year when I'm away in Dubai as they have only done half a season. 

Wearing my lovely Charles Owen AYR8 hat from Dragonfly Saddlery (www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk).  I wear it now for both dressage and showjumping as it's so smart!

Munstead - 22 September 2013

I had my dressage at 11.00 am on Holly so didn't need to leave until 7.45 am which was nice and not quite such an early start!

After I had done my dressage on Ollie (he had a 32 dressage) at midday we had a few hours to spare before I showjumped, so we walked the course and saw two rider falls! The course was causing a few problems especially at fence 15 a roll top with a ditch underneath. This was the fence I thought Ollie might have a look at!

I showjumped Ollie first and he did a super clear. XC we went clear taking one longer route at the water, instead of jumping the step down in water (where we have fallen twice didn't fancy a third time getting wet!) he jumped number 15 perfect with big encouragement from me!!

Holly was a star and went double clear and winning her section with a dressage of 25, Ollie came 2nd in his section so it was a good day. Thanks to my groom Kirsty for making them look pretty!!

Ollie on the XC jumping the roll top!

Family Holiday in Spain!

On the plane home writing my blog.

Been on a family holiday for a week with James and Oscar and my in-laws Tina & Patrick. It's been nice to get away and relax and spending quality time with James and Oscar. Tomorrow I will be back to reality, looking forward to riding the Ggs!

Oscar chilling out in the pool!

Our next holiday is Dubai in October just me James and Oscar off to see Auntie Kellie and Uncle Simon they are also going to be Oscar’s God Parents.

Before I go away I have a few shows lined up.

Firle - 31 August 2013

Firle is one of our local events, always a great event in the South East to compete at.

Firle is another event that has had a makeover this year on the XC, changing the start around, and including some new fences.

The three Cullawn horses were entered Holly BE100 Open Corby and Ollie BE100. Holly was 5th, Ollie was 2nd, and just missed coming first by 0.5 penalties, Corby had an average score of 31 and an unlucky three down which is very unlike him so decided to withdraw from XC as there was no point running him on hard ground.

Golden Cross BSJA - 28 August 2013

I took four Cullawn horses only two of them are registered BSJA but there were free day tickets to jump.

So, took our new Cullawn horse JJ (Cullawn Royal) well he isn't that new, been with us for nearly two years. He came over from Ireland as a 6 year old just been broken as a 5 year old with not a lot of miles on the clock. We started work with him but he was so nervous and didn't trust anyone he was a nightmare to shoe, clip and to brush, we thought we would give him time to settle in by putting him out for a few months but a few months ended up being 8 months! I'm glad he had this time to chill out because he is a totally different horse, our farrier has taken his time with him, just trimming his feet and he had his first pair of front shoes on, without being sedated!!

I decided to take him out and do the 90cm class this is his 3rd time out. He is still very green but has so much scope, we had a silly run out at the second part of the double where he jumped in so big. I took him in the 1m class and he jumped a much better round, we had two down but it felt a lot more controlled. Hopefully he will turn out like a true Cullawn horse!!

Corby came for the ride and went into the 1.05 making it look easy with a double clear

Holly went double clear in the 1.05 and came 3rd, I also took her in the 1.10 where we had one down in the jump off.