BRC Area 10 Horse Trials - Borde Hill Sunday 10 July 2011

I went to Borde Hill Horse Trials with Beau and Tango to represent Rother Valley Riding Club in the British Riding Club Area Horse Trials. Beau was a last minute substitute as one of the other team members could not make it. Thankfully Beau's owner Marilyn was able to step in and offer his services! Those of you who have read earlier posts will know that I school Beau regularly for Marilyn and we have a good partnership now with quite a few 1st and places.

Beau was great again and had a 30.5 and double clear with no time penalties and won his section so qualified for the Nationals in August at Aston-le-Walls!

Tango had a good day too with a 31.8 dressage, 2 down and clear XC to come 4th individually and 2nd in his team which meant our team qualified for the Nationals too so hopefully both Tango & Beau will be going to the Nationals in August!

Beau - SJ Borde Hill

Photos: Dom Witham

Chilham Park ODE - 15 May 2011

I had 3 to ride at Chilham. I took Tango & Bobby and I also rode Beau for Marilyn.

It was a long day as unfortunately a rider had a fall on the XC and was taken away by Air Ambulance. This put everything back by over an hour as the Dressage, SJ and XC had to be stopped whilst the Air Ambulance was on it's way and wait for it to take off and clear the area.

Hopefully the lady involved is out of hospital now, I did see an update on Facebook which said she had no broken bones etc and was being kept in for observation.

Beau won his class he had a 31 for dressage, the best in his section, one pole down and finished on 35 penalties.

Tango had a 34.5 dressage, he wasn't concentrating too well after his wait on the lorry! Clear SJ and unfortunately had one stop at the water. I was still pleased with him though as apart from the stop he had a good round.

Bobby had the best dressage in his section, 29, clear SJ but unfortunately we got eliminated XC. The course was up to height and it just wasn't our day, which is a shame after how well he went at Ardingly!

Beau - 1st, best dressage in his section

Tango - unfortunate stop at the water but otherwise a good day!

RVRC - Christmas SJ - Sunday 12 December 2010

I was due to take Tango to my riding club's (Rother Valley) Xmas SJ at Bedgebury Park. I got Tango loaded and ready to go but the lorry wouldn't start!!! I managed to get it started with jump leads but for various reasons was not able to make it which was a real pity!

I still went as I was also due to ride Marilyn Warwick's horse Beau, who I regularly school.

I did the 2'9" - 3' class as well as the Puissance! There were only 3 clears in the 2'9, Beau unfortunately got 4 faults just glancing the top plank jump 6. He did a great round though and jumps so nicely. All the schooling is definitely working and he really is very responsive and a pleasure to jump.

I haven't really been jumping him much higher than 3' and that has just been at his stables in the school. He's only done a few courses recently. Marilyn was happy for me to take him in the Puissance and very glad we did as he won! Really pleased with him he really tried and ended up clearing just over 4'. Sorry no pictures of this one it was getting dark and my friend took some pictures but they are too blurry! So afraid you won't get to see me with a santa hat over my riding hat!

Bedgebury is really nice venue and it's great to see it being used again and all the work that is going into it to make it top class. They hold clear round on Wednesday and course hire on Thursdays so I think I'll be taking some of mine over to get some winter practice in. They also have a winter series of unaffilated dressage and affilated which is great with Bedgebury being one of nearest venues to me.