Firle Hunter Trials

What a day! Headed off at 7.30 am to get there for the pairs with my Mum.Left Kirsty at home to muck out the yard and to get the three horses ready for the last class. This is my Mum’s yearly show she likes to do on her pony Sam. I took Madam as Bobby wasn't fit enough, only took Madam XC for the first time the day before which she loved apart from the water! I suppose being a dressage pony you don't see any puddles !

Mum led the way with a 16.2 giraffe closely following behind, she was amazing she was not leaving Sam’s side trying to jump the whole water was pretty scary! We came back clear and a 6th ribbon!

Madam 

We had to load up pretty quickly to go back and bring three back for the last class. We were on time which is very rare for me! Something had to go wrong and it did - we had a blow out Near Ringmer not even half way home! We had to wait a hour for for it to be fixed, luckily we broke down right next door to a garden centre with a cafe, so sausage rolls and coffee went down well! Had some lovely people stop to see if we needed help.

Lots of bad luck with the tyres!  Mummy Pilbeam with much needed refreshments from the cafe!

We got back home unloaded and loaded Penny, Bea and Poppy and got to Firle just in time. Bea did a super clear coming 5th, Penny clear coming 12th and Poppy and I got eliminated at the first water so had a lead and carried on, was so happy she went through the second water all by herself.

So a long day ,was looking forward to getting home until we had another blow out couldn't believe my luck!!! Luckily it was a back wheel so we drove home very slowly. So we have 6 new tyres on the truck now!

Late update!

Quite a relaxing month, I didn't do too many shows with Christmas coming up. Busy trying to do Christmas shopping and spend more time with Oscar.

Before December came I went to a Riding Club qualifier with Madam and Holly. Madam was in a team with Sarah Baldwin, Clare Welton Cole and Tanya Reed.  Sarah and I did the two Novices with Clare doing the Prelim and Tanya the Elementary. Even though I had two mistakes with Madam, one was my fault cantering just a bit early and Madam cantered when she shouldn't have done, we still managed to score 73% our best yet!

Holly was in a team with Shane Carter, Edie and Tanya Reed. Shane doing the Prelim, Edie and Tanya did the Novice test and Holly and I did the Elementary. I didn't think I would get a good test out of Holly as she was feeling like she would explode. But she got into competition mode and we scored our first 10 whoop whoo and qualified for the individual championships!

I’ve also been going out combined training shows, Eventers Challenges and lots of BD events.

Poppy at Coombelands

In December a new ride came to the yard Dousette Du Seigneur (Penny) a 16.2hh mare owned by Judi Vidler. She will be aimed at BE90 and BE100 and will then be for sale.

November update - Dressage, Dubai and Broken Bones!

Plumpton College Dressage

Had late times so had a chance to teach, plait and ride before we loaded up to go. Madam and Poppy were entered for one novice test each - Poppy just needed one more point to qualify for the Winter Regionals. Madam had already qualified just doing two shows. I also took Holly for the unaffiliated dressage along side the Affiliated, I entered her into the Elementary and Medium.

Poppy  was first, she found the arena a little spooky, we are still working on our medium trots which are not quit there yet, but still a very good score of 67.50 % so Poppy has qualified for the Regionals now.  

Madam seems to be getting better every time she goes out, not been the easiest horse to work with at the beginning, I think she just needed that extra time to settle in. Madam scored  68.39% just pushing her little friend Pops into 2nd and 1st for Madam!

Holly Hot Lips was full of beans not great when your doing dressage! 

She didn't do a bad test though scoring 67% in the Elementary, our Medium test wasn't too bad either scoring 65% just a few mistakes costing us, our extended trot started off so well until we broke towards the end of the marker. She felt so keen I just couldn't hold onto her for the medium and extended canters, only being two in the class we came 2nd the winner had a 67% a good day overall. 

The Regionals are in February with the two girls at Merrist Wood. Holly will be aimed at more dressage along with Ollie, Bea, Tango, Lola and Tandy.

For Sale

I've still got Bobby, Juno and Lola for sale.  The market is a slow at the moment and not many people looking for horses before Christmas.  All three are lovely genuine horses looking to give someone lots of fun!  A few photos of Bobby and Juno from the autumn.

 Juno with Lauren

Bobby with Lauren 

 

Leg update

A positive from the broken leg is I've been concentrating on the flatwork and having lessons with Liz West.  Here are a few photos of Holly and Poppy at one of the lessons.

Poppy

I have been and had a second x-ray which was not great news it shows my fibula is still broken :-( - just waiting to hear back from the Hospital for an appointment with a Consultant.

In the meantime I've had a visit to Dubai! Had a lovely time spending it with family and friends and nice to get away from the wet and mud! But can't wait to get back on a horse!

At the Water Park in Dubai!

Next stop will be the Riding Club Qualifier at Blue Barn on the 30th November with Holly and Madam, we are hoping our team will qualify again for the National Championships at Hartpury again. My Riding Club is the Rother Valley,  which I have been a member for 18 years. Wish us luck!

October update!

Pulborough

Another of my favourite events it's always well run and has fantastic facilities with the showjumping being on a outdoor surface, during this time of year which is great. 

I went on the Saturday with Juno who is owned by myself, Mo owned by Rebecca Cranston who Lauren rides for and Lauren also rode Pingu who is owned by Clare and Katherine Sands. 

I met Lauren over there with Mo and Juno as Oscar, Rambo and I didn't fancy the early start for Pingu's 8am dressage!

The day started of well with Pingu going double clear in his first BE100 to finish 6th. 

I'd arrived with the lorry full - baby, dog, horses, pushchair etc! I'm not used to being the one walking around with dogs and a pushchair which is very hard to push in the mud! Now I know why Mum and Kirsty feel tired at the end of the day! 

Mo was first to go, she had a great dressage test of 23 and just rolled a pole SJ and went clear XC only adding 2.4 time finishing on a winning score of 29.4! 

Juno had a lot to live up to now. Dressage is one of Juno's strongest phases, she did a lovely test of 27.5, she rolled two poles SJ just being a little keen and a fab clear XC but had 5.6 time which meant she just missed out on a placing. Juno is for sale and would make a fantastic Grassroots horse for next season. If she doesn't sell over the winter she's definitely one I won't mind riding next year!

Blue Barn Dressage

Great day at Blue Barn dressage with Madam and Popstar. Both had the same mark of 71% in the first test (Novice 22) but Poppy won on collective marks putting madam into 2nd. Poppy's first win and points at Novice level BD!

Madam also came 2nd in the Novice 38 with 72% and Poppy 3rd with 68%. 

A great day had by all and thanks to Lauren for being my groom for the day and Denise Woodhouse for coming to watch and lunch!

Stilebridge Barn Dressage

Another great day doing dressage at Stilebridge barn this time.

Two dressage competitions in one week I must be mad!! Took Holly last minute who won on 68% with a few mistakes. Poppy won with 67% even though I only started teaching her rein back on the day! Madam had two seconds with a 67% and 65% not sure she wanted to play dressage pony today! Thanks to Lauren again for being groom/ babysitter!

Oldencraig Dressage

Great day at Oldencraig with the two dressage divas! 

Poppy had 68% in the first Novice & Madam 69% so a win for Madam and 2nd for Pops.

They swapped places in the next class! Madam scored 70% to come 2nd and Poppy 71% to win.

Madam and Poppy's rosettes!

September Update!

Hickstead

Six girls on board, the horses, Poppy, Madam and Holly and Kirsty, Lauren and myself!

Madam and Lauren were entered for the two unaffiliated Novice classes, Poppy in the BD Novice and Holly in the unaffiliated elementary and Medium our first medium test. Lauren had two thirds on Madam very consistent results. Poppy was fourth with a 67.95% in her first Novice BD which I was very pleased with. 

Holly won both her classes only being 4 in a class though, but I was still very pleased how she went. She finds the dressage a bit exciting! We scored a 60% in the medium I also did go wrong once, (little out of practice!) there were little things we need to improve on more bend and suppleness in the half passes in trot and canter. I will be signing Holly up to BD, lots of practice over the winter for us.  Also been having lessons with Liz West once a month with two horses. So hoping my dressage should be fairly good next year!

Even managed to do my ice bucket challenge thanks to Kirsty and Lauren, fitted in after a hot day!

Ireland trip

Always love an Ireland trip going to Goresbridge Horse Sales.  Dad, Lauren and I went. Mind you a trip to the horse sales is not that fun when you're only window shopping!

We also meet a few contacts we have out in Ireland whilst on the trip. There were so many nice horses going through.  The first day was the 5 year old plus sale there was only one which stood out that day a lovely dun 5 year gelding 15.1hh. 

We didn't leave the sales until late.  We met up with Edie and Shane who were there for the week horsey buying. Went out that evening had the best fillet steak (the Irish know how to cook) then went for a few drinks in a pub with live music had a few to many gin & tonics! Second day was the 4 year old sale, there were so many more quality horses going through, another nice dun Connemara also a grey connie was very tempted to bid, my hand had to stay down this time need to sell some horses back home first, and come back out in November.

It was a quick rush back from Stansted Airport to Lodge Farm for Lauren to ride Monty and Juno around the hunter trial, we met her mum there who drove the lorry with Kirsty who got the horses ready (thank you girls) I couldn't stay and watch as I had christening to attend. 

Monty went clear in the 2'6" ft and Juno clear in the 90cm a great end to the weekend!

Munstead!

A new ride for Lauren as I'm still out of action BE. Monty is owned by Tanya Reed who owned Spitfire Jack  who we produced and sold on Tanya's behalf. This was Monty's first BE event. We have been out a lot XC schooling in preparation. 

Dressage he scored a 37.5 a little disappointed as we thought he went better, just rolled one pole show jumping and done a super clear XC, just missing out on the placings next stop for Monty is Pulborough.

Special Wedding

The weekend after Munstead was Kate's wedding who owns the two lovely dark mares Poppy and Madam. Kate and Christian got married at Firle Place a beautiful setting for a wedding, I took both the mares there for photos. Kate looked amazing and the photos will look awesome both the girls looked amazing too. Kate got onto Madam for photos, no rehearsal she didn't mind the dress at all, think I made someone's day - well the horses did! Rush back put the horses to bed then back to the evening wedding reception. Fantastic wedding!

The beautiful bride with Madam

Hunting

Early start to a Wednesday morning, meet was at 7am in Ticehurst a 20 minute hack from us. Lauren took Lola for a first experience cubbing (Lola is for sale) I took Holly and my mum took  her pony Sam. 

Lola was a true lady and exceptional especially as it was her first meet, I plan on taking her to a few more meets before someone snaps her up! 

Lola out hunting

It's not so much fun when your reins snap out hunting!  I was lucky as after the rein went Holly and I just cantered across the field and stopped, not great when you have a broken leg! Luckily Holly is a good girl.

Snapped rein!

My leg is feeling a lot stronger just waiting on my second x-ray to get the all clear! Fingers crossed all will be fine, the NHS have seemed to have forgotten about me, not sure when the appointment will be.

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me keep everything running owners, friends, family and of course my lovely sponsors Dragonfly Saddlery who have been great with all that's happened.  Not the season I planned but I'm pleased how much we've all still be able to get out and compete.

Next stop is Firle hunter trial with six horses, blog soon!