Firle Hunter Trials - 26 March 2011

Took Tango & Bobby to Firle Hunter Trials on Saturday 26 March 2011. It was an early start but well worth the journey and I'm really pleased how they both went.

Bobby went clear. Tango had a sticky moment at the first water but went through and didn't hesitate at the second water. I'm really pleased with him as water has been his only problem. Apart from that he felt really bold and I'm very excited that I'll be eventing him this year it's particularly exciting as I've had him since he was a yearling and backed him myself. I'm planning on doing Ardingly, Chilham and Pulborough unaffilated ODEs before a half season of BE. His flatwork is coming on really well, occasionally I lose his attention but that's probably because he's a stallion too. He is great SJ and respects bigger fences!

Eventers Practice Day - Golden Cross 21 March 2011

I took Tango, Corby and Ollie to the Golden Cross Eventers Practice Day on Monday.

Really pleased with how they all went, especially Tango as he behaved well and felt under control. Being a stallion he can be a bit challenging at times, he seems to respect bigger fences though and jumped well. I took him in the Intro class and he just had one down. Looking forward to taking him to Firle at the weekend to do the Cross Country, I'll be putting his neck strap on though!

Corby had a clear in the Novice class and Ollie had two clears in the Novice. Mum took a couple of pictures of Ollie on Monday which are at the bottom of this blog entry.

Really busy week this week which I like. We'll be XC schooling tomorrow and then Firle on Saturday. Not long til Goring our first event of the season - can't wait. All entered for South of England too with Corby and Holly.

RVRC Chilly Fingers SJ - 19 March 2011

Took Ace & Bobby to my Riding Club's (Rother Valley) members showjumping on Saturday. Mum also took Sam.

I've only just bought Ace in to school and he behaved really well considering it was his first outing. Poppy came along to help us she's been helping me out on Saturdays and spent some time sitting on Ace and went down the lane with him.

I took him into the practice arena but I think it would have been too soon for me to take him round a course as there were plenty of fillers etc. Still it was a positive first experience and I'm pleased how he behaved with the atmosphere and surroundings

Anna brought Percy over who I've been schooling and I did two classes with him the 2'3 and 2'6. He's only been round a few SJ courses with Anna. He did really well and we got 2 double clears. He has got a pop on him for a cob! He is a bit spooky but not at the fences he loves jumping. He really didn't like the turkey on Shane's Farm that was wandering around with a few chickens and it took a bit of encouragement to get him past it!

Percy

Marilyn also brought Beau over to do the 2'9" and 3'. Unfortunately we had to leave so I couldn't do the 3' with Beau but he did a lovely jump off and came 2nd in the 2'9". Bobby also went well in the same class and came 5th. Mum went clear in the first round but had one down in the jump off.

Beau & Bobby

Photos taken by Dom Witham - www.ggtack.com

The New Season is Just about to Start!!

I'm very excited about the start of the new season. Corby is all ready and entered for Munstead at the end of March.

I'm hoping to get Tango out too to his first BE event. I'll be taking him XC schooling every week until his first event.

Just deciding what event to do with Holly first, going to do an Open Novice to start with and build her confidence back up so we're doing the bigger stuff by the end of the season.

Still looking for rides - any owners out there I'm ready and waiting for your horse(s)!!!

For Sale! Corby, Ollie & Bobby!

I have a couple for sale at the moment from little 14.2 Bobby to 16.2 Corby! All lovely only for sale so I can continue to fund all the events and costs this season.

There are a few videos on my Youtube account http://www.youtube.com/user/LisaPilbeam1

Please contact me for further information

Corby - Cullawn My Way

Ollie

Photo: Les Brown - Topham Brown http://www.topham-brownphotography.co.uk/_/Welcome.html

Bobby - Beechmount Bobby

Equine Social Media Awards - Voting closed awaiting results!!!

Voting has now closed for the ESMAs and I'm awaiting the results, hopefully the winners will be announced sometime after 7 March.

I recorded my acceptance video at the yard, we had a few takes and it was a little windy. Found it difficult to do as I've not done anything like it before. I find it easier to talk when someone is asking questions rather than me doing a speech! I probably won't win though so the the video might not get seen!

I've enjoyed being involved in the ESMAs. It was a great idea set up and run by Liam at Abbeyview Equine and Rhea Freeman. They must have put in a lot of hours to sort it all out.

My sponsor, Blue Chip, were also in two categories hopefully they will be winners too. I'll keep you posted but in the meantime if you'd like to see the great work that Liam & Rhea did please visit http://abbeyviewequine.com/awards

Equine Social Media Awards - Finalist!

I was very pleased to find out that I'm a finalist in the Equine Social Media Awards - Category 6 Amateur Rider! Thank you to everyone who nominated to help me become a finalist. Although one of the smaller categories, competition is tough there are some great Blogs, Facebook and Twitter pages out there!

Hopefully you enjoy all of my Website, Twitter, Blog and Facebook updates. My new year resolution is to update everything more often. I find with all of the horses at the yard to look after and ride plus the schooling and clipping I do on top of my work in the pub in the evenings time is sometimes quite limited.

Also everything I do is a learning experience. As I left school at 16 and have been working with the horses until a couple of years ago marketing was new to me. I realise how important it is and it doesn't matter how good you can ride if you don't market yourself no one will know about you!! I've still a long way to go and networking scares me!

I've been really lucky with the continued support I've had from Blue Chip, my only sponsor. Blue Chip have also made it on the finalist list in two categories please support them too!

I hope that through the world wide web more people will see what I do, hopefully like it and join the team! I'd love to obtain more sponsors and to get my first owner on board. I realise the competition is very tough there are so many good riders out there - hoping someone gives me that break and I can continue to prove myself.

If you feel I'm worthy for a vote please visit http://abbeyviewequine.com/awards to cast your vote. I think voting closes on 18 February. Also you can only vote once as if you vote more than once all votes are invalidated.

Thank you again to everyone who supports me.

TTFN! Lisa