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!

Chilham Park - 4/5 August 2012

My next event was Chilham Park where I took Ollie in the Novice, Juno in the 4YO and Tango in the BE90.

Tanog had a good day and came 3rd with 29.5 dressage, 1 down and clear XC.

Juno had a 35 dressage, 1 down SJ which is pretty good for her and then off to the XC which is her weakest phase - started off flying around and she was taking me to all the fences then came to a ditch palisade which I knew she would look at (and she did!) she's not keen on ditches.  She had a stop there then came round the second time and went to go but then decided in the end she wouldn't and I fell off - inflated air jacket!

Ollie was the next day on the Sunday.  It was his first Novice run as Brightling was cancelled.  He had a 34 dressage, fab clear round SJ and started the XC brilliantly jumped everything foot perfect until the water.....

Photos - Spidge Photography

As you can see he stumbled on landing and we both went down so near the end!  I was really disappointed as he was going so well.  It was a pretty bad fall but we were both very lucky and just a bit stiff!