Christmas holidays over for me and the boys

Well time is flying and I can't believe it is Christmas next week! I had a very nice break in Mauritius for 2 weeks in November and the horses were all turned out in various fields across Wiltshire except Dougal and Jimmy. Jimmy went to stay with my good friend Kate Honey to continue with his gradual build up of work in preparation for next season. Dougal went to his owner Simon Hall who hunted him with the Tedworth and kept him working.
All of the horses are now back and working except Rosie who will come in after Christmas. Dougal and Stanley are going to be hitting the hunting field with the Avon Vale and the others are all going to be dressaging and showjumping over the next couple of months to get them in tune for the coming season. I can't believe how quick time is going by...not long till the early, dark starts to go out eventing again-YIPPEE.
Other news
Sadly Ingrid Smyth, my groom for the last couple of years has had to give up her job, she has been an essential part of the team and will be sadly missed. Tasha Henley has accepted the job and has already settled in well, keeping the horses, and more importantly me, in check!!
I have joined the local gym and am going every other day in order to get fit and keep those pesky Christmas pounds piling on, so far it is going well-long may my keen streak continue!!
I still have a couple of spare stables which would love to be filled so if anyone has a project out there or a 4* super star that needs a rider please consider me!!
Have a lovely Christmas and New Year everyone. Bring on 2012-the London Olympic year-lets hope it's a good one!!

Wanadoo Too keeps up his record

Wally went to British Dressage on Friday (28th October) to do 2 novice tests. He has gradually been winding down from his hard season but I wanted to get him qualified for the Winter Regionals before he went out for his holiday. Wally performed 2 very nice tests scoring 70% and 69.6% winning both of the Open Novice sections. I am absolutely thrilled with him, he has now won 6 out of 6 novice tests and is qualified for next years regionals. He is now off for his holiday at Simon Hall's where he will be out in the field chilling out for a few weeks before he comes back for more dressage and winter showjumping over the winter months (weather depending)!

Autumn Hunting

I am a big believer in some event horses heading out on the hunting field (temperament depending!) over the winter months. I have taken Stan and Dougal out for a spot of cub hunting in the last week, with the Avon Vale which meets locally to me. It is great for installing manners, making them stand still, wait to jump, learning to gallop and have fun of course!! Both of these horses went very well and although the days I went were quiet they will have learned something. When I am back from my holiday I will be taking a few of them out for proper hunting. It's great catching up with old friends who I don't get to see much in the season-Harriet Sharman never ceases to entertain me, Stuart Radbourne (Master and Fieldmaster when I have been out) is patient with putting up with me on my precious eventers,and the quad bikes always give me stick for asking what they regard as silly questions-mainly asking about the ground conditions, profile of jumps and size of drops on landing!! (I need to know these things before I risk my boys and my life!!).

Plans for the Winter

It's getting to that time again....Most of the horses will be having some time off in various fields around Wiltshire for a few weeks. Some heading back to owners and others to go and remember they are horses in herds (with no shoes on). When they come back in they will be attending British Dressage and BSJA at the usual hunting grounds. A couple will have a few days out hunting but only in the fair weather!! Jimmy continues to make fantastic progress and is now back trotting. I am very excited about next year now it is in site again. Jimmy is still king of the yard and loves all the attention.
I head off to Mauritius with my Brother and Mother for a couple of relaxing weeks, diving, sunbathing and of course enjoying the odd cocktail here and there. Then it's back to reality and the hard winter grind. I am really looking forward to next season, I have some fantastic horses and a great team behind me so fingers crossed for another successful season.
Finally and most importantly I must thank my amazing owners, Mr and Mrs Wookey, Mr Simon Hall, Mr Gareth Powell, more recently Victoria Delville-Cutts and my Parents. They are all extremely supportive and without them I would be nowhere.
 I must also thank my sponsors who support me and the horses too; Kate Negus Saddlery for the most beautiful leatherwork in the whole world, Amtrust Equine Insurance for all the help and support, Global Herbs and Baileys Horse Feeds for keeping the horses looking the best on the circuit with their expertise and knowledge on the minor details that, without doubt, make all the difference, Prolite Products for supplying me with boots and pads which give me the peace of mind that the horses are protected to the maximum, The Horse Laundry for keeping my rugs looking professional, The Freeman Borthers for the amazing haylage, PAC Ltd for the support and finally newest sponsors Devoucoux for the beautiful saddles I am able to ride in and Soteria Consulting Ltd who are our newest additions and will be supporting Lucie McNichol Eventing.
Thank you very much to all and I will be keeping you updated with the winter excitement!!
Lucie

Get Well Soon Ingrid

Sadly my groom of 18 months has been a little under the weather. Hopefully she will be back to her normal self soon. We have been very fortunate to borrow Mandy Collins part-time groom Tasha Henley, at very short notice. Tash has been great, putting up with me and all the horses whilst keeping the yard clean, tidy and humourous. Big Thanks

Autumn Cubbing with the Avon Vale Hunt

Today I took out Kington and Victoria Delville-Cutts brought out her 4yo mare Moomin. The meet was just at the bottom of my lane so we were able to hack there. After a shaky start the two youngsters were brilliant. Neither have hunted before and both will have benefitted and come on from what they experienced. I am a big believer in hunting the young ones to give them a "fifth leg" for those sticky situations out cross country when they really do have to think for themselves, and to teach them to gallop with a forward thinking brain. Both of us enjoyed our morning and we will be out a bit more over the winter months.

New Arrival!!

Landmark Margarite (Moomin) has recently arrived at my yard. She is a 4yo owned by Victoria Delville-Cutts who has produced her superbly to where she is. Already she hacks out by herself, pops a fence and stays in an outline. All the hard work has been done so now she will stay with me to come on over the winter months ready for next season where I will be contesting some on the 5yo pn classes if all goes to plan. She is a lovely natured mare and has settled in well so fingers crossed for her future.

Larkhill and the end of the season :(

Saturday saw me take 3 horses to Larkhill for the last event of my season. It has been a season of ups and downs but that's horses and all in all it has been a successful one. Larkhill was no exception.
Pencarder Silver Storm, Wanadoo Too and Kington were all competing in the novice.
Rosie performed a very nice test to score 34.5 she then went on to jump fantastically finishing on this score and coming a credible 3rd. A brilliant end to her season as she was rather put on the back burner and has proved why I like her so much. Sadly she is for sale, although not advertised, if someone is looking for the most genuine, careful jumper, to have masses of fun on. I have no doubt she will go up the grades and prove to be a star but she is small and I am quite tall and squash her! If she isn't sold over the winter I will bring her out and take her 2 star in the spring. She is only 7yrs old and has a huge career ahead of her.

Wally was a little fresh in his dressage scoring 32, he then was a little keen showjumping just lowering one pole and was good xc for a steady clear. He has a huge gallop and masses of jump but he was rather enjoying himself a little too much, pulling my arms out so he was having a lesson in running at my speed! A great end to his season. We never thought he would actually come this far in the short space of time I have had him so to have done 2 novices successfully is a huge bonus.

Stan was rather cheeky in the dressage scoring 36, he also lowered one showjump and was clear xc. I pushed him a little bit more for the time than I have done and he will be easily able to make times when I open him out fully. He finished just outside the rosettes.

So all in all a very successful last event of the season.

British Dressage again!

Boston III was again competing at West Wilts. He did 2 prelims. The first test he was going well until he had a 5yo moment in his first canter and had a play, having persuaded him this was not the idea he continued and scored 63% which left him 3rd. The second test he was a lot more focused and decided he was grown up enough not to play at all scoring a credible 69.5% leaving him in 2nd place. He has come on a lot in the last few months and will now go home to his owners for the winter. It has been a pleasure riding and producing him and I hope he is successful as a dressage horse knowing I put the basics in.

Andy Austin Showjumping help

I was lucky enough to be able to go to Andy Austin to have a jump lesson with 3 horses. I took Dougal, Wally and Stanley. I have been having help with Richard Waygood for the last 4yrs now and he is fantastic. Wally's owner was keen for me to meet Andy as he used to train with him himself. I am always open to new ideas and views on how to improve as long as they don't completely conflict with what I know already works. Dougal was first on, this was a little bit of a step into the unknown as I have only jumped him twice so we are still getting to know each other. Dougal was very full of himself, but he had good reason to be-he was FAB. Andy really liked him and thinks he has a very trainable brain with a great attitude to his work, all reasons why we bought him at the sales last month.

Stan was up next, although not a typical event type he is a great jumper and Andy was able to help me with starting to train him into a more consistant canter which doesn't change just because a fence is involved. He also adjusted my position slightly to the way showjumpers sit, lower leg further forward and toes out so i can use the heel much more effectively. Stan jumped amazingly so I will definitely be keeping the position for him.

Wally was up last. He is German and has a habit of diving at the fence 2 strides out so Andy started to help me in trying to keep his stride even to the fence and not letting him panic and throw himself at it. There is no doubting this horse has some serious scope and talent but over the winter I will be focusing on keeping him even into a fence so he is able to push from his hocks more effectively than he is currently doing so.

Yard Visit from Global Herbs

The 5th of October saw a visit from Dana who works for Global Herbs, it was great to be finally able to put a name to a voice!! Dana looked at all the horses and advised me on what to add or remove to/from their feeds in order for them to continue looking fantastic. All the horses had their photo's taken some loved it (Stan and Dougal) some were more shy (Rosie and Wally). I then rode Wally for dana to get some action shots for the Global Herbs website, hopefully she was able to get some good shots.
 Dana was very popular as she brought some new treats that Global Herbs are bringing out soon. The horses love them and because they don't contain Alfalfa Stan can eat them!!
I strongly believe in the Global Herbs range and the horses really do gleam which must be a combination of Herbs and the main hardfeed from Baileys. They couldn't look any better and the results speak for themselves.

Dauntsey Park

As the event season begins to draw to a close, I headed off to my second last event of the year, although this is sad I am also excited as it means I am closer to next season and bringing Jimmy back out of hibernation to win some of the big classes! I took 4 horses to Dauntsey over the two days. First on was Major Burke (Pebbles) I have been helping Holly Armstrong with him for about 7 months now, mainly on the flat but recently he has been a little cheeky xc so I was asked to have a feel. Pebbles produced a sweet test with a couple of small errors scoring a creditable 33.5. He then jumped well for a clear showjumping although he was a bit cross about being told to wait for the fences instead of rushing. Cross country he was naughty and I now understand what Holly has been having an issue with. Sadly he picked up 2 refusals but he has hopefully learned an valuable lesson having returned with a stinging rear end! Wally and Stan were next comepting in the PNP. Both of the boys were a little cheeky in the dressage in the very hot weather Wally scoring 35 and Stan 42.5 (although I think the judge may need to go to specsavers as one movement reads "half 10-12m circle return to the track at B" the comment read- "overshot centre line on half circle" how does a 12m half circle fit without crossing the c-line?? Grrrrr) Stan showjumped well just knocking the second, somehow he picked up 3 time faults but nonetheless he jumped well. Wally was having a stress day and was very het up before the showjumping. He knocked 2 fences and wasn't his usual careful self so I chose to withdraw him before the xc. Stan flew round the xc like a real pro, showing that he really is ready for novice, as he wasn't going to be placed I didn't push him for the time.

Pencarder Silver Storm (Rosie) was on the next day. Thankfully the temperature had cooled a little and was more bearable than the previous day. She hadn't been out on a trip for ages as she had puss in the foot at Burnham Beeches and I missed the ballot for Gatcombe intermediate oops. She did a sweet test just not quite as calm as she can produce but scored 39.5, she showjumped very well and just tipped the planks with the sun reflecting on them. Cross country she really is a little machine. Having not run for a while I let her cruise round not really pushing her out of her natural rhythm so I was surprised to be one of the fastest of the day only picking up 2.8 time and leaving her in 6th place.

Courtesy of Ultimate Images

I really can't thanks Charlotte Perryman enough for all her help at this event, without her I wouldn't have coped. She is very patient and always has the horses looking fantastic for each of the phases.

British Stressage Outing Number 2

So feeling rather proud of ourselves from out debut at BD this year I headed off just down the road to West Wilts with Boston III and Wanadoo Too. Boston III was first to go producing 2 good tests again to come 2nd in both his Prelims. Wally was competing in the Novice classes and he performed some great work to win both of these. Both horses are class acts and will go a long way in this phase. Wally didn't score as highly as at Hunters but he was better than all the rest just the judges weren't so friendly!! I have now found out you can qualify for Regionals so this is our aim with Wally over the winter at both Novice and Elementary.

Gatcombe

The next day following our success at dressage we headed off to Gatcombe. I had mixed emotions about this as Wally used to live there and that is when he started misbehaving so galloping through the middle of the fields he used to be turned out in could have been a task in itself. Wally was first of the two boys to go. Warming up he felt fab and then the heavens opened and we literally drowned. Thankfully the rain then stopped again before we went into the arena. Wally performed another fabulous test scoring 27.5 and leaving us in 2nd (not bad for his second attempt at this level). Showjumping was another matter and having had to wait in the arena for a fence to be rebuilt for the competitor before to finish was a lesson learned in itself-NEVER enter the arena before the one in has finished!! Wally found a scary flag which pretty much destroyed any chance of us jumping the first 4 fences however he was clear from the 5th fence to the end!! Cross country he was fabulous, even galloping down the tracks he used to hack/nap down. He felt very bold and seemed to really enjoy what he was doing. I am very excited about his future and cannot thank his owner Simon Hall enough for giving me the opportunity if having him and being so patient with his random behaviour!

Kington was next. He didn't produce his best test, just a little green and wobbly in places but he will get there. This winter will be focused on dressage and BSJA with all of them so he'll progress on the flat. He scored 37.5. He showjumped fantastically for a clear and then went onto fly round the xc although I didn't push him for time because he is still needing to understand the fences and gain confidence at this level. He has now won his first point for going double clear-yippeee!!

All photo's courtesy of Tim Wilkinson

Blenheim Coursewalks

One of my sponsors Amtrust Equine Insurance asked me to do some coursewalks at Blenheim with some prize winners from various competitions around the country. I did one on the Thursday by myself and one on the Friday. It is very rewarding doing these as I genuinelly felt I helped people understand our pretty bonkers sport a little better. People asked lots of questions and hopefully I was able to answer then without seeming like i was speaking in a foreign language. Hopefully Amtrust will continue to support me on my quest to the top and I will be able to do some more walks for them at the big events next year.

New Boy On The Block!!

 

This week has been rather a whirlwind. Tuesday saw Simon Hall and myself taking an hour flight across to Ireland to Goresbridge sales. A whole new experience for me having never been to a sale, 300 horses a day going under the hammer for 10 days solid. Sadly we only had time to spend the one day there (Wednesday), however it was a massive success. We found a lovely 16.1hh bay gelding 3/4 TB who we have named Dougal. He arrived Friday having had the biggest adventure of his life travelling 6 hrs to the sales from the yard where he was bred, then to a holding yard, then the ferry trip over and finally a day on the lorry until he was delivered. He will have a couple of days to catch up with himself  before I get on and ride him.Very exciting for both Simon and myself and fingers crossed he will be one for the future. He has a lot of character already showing through and loves attention.

Hunters Equestrian Centre British Dressage Debut

Boston III was making his debut at affiliated dressage. Having warmed up well we went into the indoor school and performed Prelim 13. Boston behaved very well although finds the 20x40 arena rather small to fit his 17.2hh body in! However he scored 68% and would have won by miles had I not had to be HC because I have represented my country and am entitled to wear the GB flag on my coat. Our second test was outside in the 60m arena, in the pouring rain. Boston was brilliant and scored a well deserved 71% again sadly we were HC else we would have won again by a mile.

Wanadoo Too was next, he was doing 2x Novice Qualifier tests. The first one was in the indoor and Wally was great. He was very expressive and focused in his work and performed a fabulous test scoring 71.78% winning by 11%. His second test was in the outdoor 60m arena. Again Wally performed a harmonious, consistent test, although he did let his exuberance show with a buck in the first canter but he scored 71.78% again winning this class too.

A brilliant outing for both boys. Boston III is for sale as I haven't got time to produce him up the grades for pure dressage, and so his owner has decided he is best in a home where he can reach his full potential. For any information please don't hesitate to contact me on 07941865688

Highclere Castle

Last Sunday we headed to Highclere Castle, a beautiful setting which we are lucky to be able to gallop around the grounds of. Wanadoo Too was my only entry here in the PNP a step up for Wally. In the pouring,horizontal rain we performed a very good test for his first one at novice level. We got 3x 9's (and a few lower marks for 3 mistakes) but all in all a very pleasing test to score 28.5. Sadly due to the weather conditions the rest of the event was cancelled so we were unable to jump. I would have liked to have run in the conditions to see how he coped but he is saved for another day.

Burnham Beeches

Sunday we headed off to Burnham Beeches, an event I enjoy going to and return most years. Alex Hamilton-White kindly came as groom and was a fantastic help. First on was Wanadoo Too, he was sadly first to go of the whole day dressage which I believe is a huge disadvantage. He performed a stunning test which we all thought was better than his West Wilts performance, sadly he only got a 30.5 but was still competitive. He showjumped fantastically for a clear and then went xc with an attitude we could have only dreamt about in the past. We finished well inside the optimum time and came back with a 4th rosette. Next outing for him will be Gatcombe Novice providing all goes to plan.
Pencarder Silver Storm was next on, although she came out the lorry with a shoe twisted so we pulled that off and put her back on the lorry.
Kington came out for his 3rd novice, performed a green and wobbly test but did most things in the right places. I was very pleased with a score of 28. He showjumped fantastically for a clear, springing off the floor and not coming close to touching a pole. He set out xc and overjumped fence 3 with a drop behind, this seemed to unsettle him and he jumped the next two rather large so I pulled him up and thought it was best to save him for another day with some xc schooling practice inbetween. He is such a lovely horse that he deserves the time spent on him.
All in all a good outing....next stop Highclere

West Wilts Last Minute Entry

I have been teaching at the Avon Vale Pony Club junior camp for the week but was lucky enough to get a last minute entry into West Wilts BE100 just having to take the afternoon off teaching to compete at my most local event. Wanadoo Too (Wally) had been prepared (plaited etc) by my home groom Ingrid and looked the part, so I was hoping for less tricks in the dressage. I could not have been happier with the test, the judge opened the door at the end and congratulated us!! I got my first ever 10 for a halt in the middle of the test and was rewarded by a fantastic score of 19.5 (80.5%). This put us well in the lead but as we have learned from Wally, the win was not in the bag.

Other than finding some Mitsubushi L200 signs around the warm-up arena very scary we went in and jumped a lovely clear in the new outdoor arena (which is beautiful to jump on).

All photo's courtesy of David Betteridge

Then onto the xc, the course was stiffer than the previous event here, jumping a few of the novice obsticles but Wally flew round taking everything in his stride. We finished bang on the optimum time and had a comvincing win of 11 marks!! Nothing could have made today more perfect.

Smiths Lawn

Not the greatest of reports sadly. The ground was awfully hard and had had little treatment, if any, so I decided to withdraw Kington and Pencarder Silver Storm from the competition after dressage. Wanadoo Too ran because he was feeling rather fresh and I thought he'd benefit from a run. He was naughty in the dressage taking umbridge at a distant horse and performing some aerial tricks (not appreciated by me or the owner, but he amused himself). He showjumped clear and ran xc well just getting a little surprised by the steps that are half a stride round a corner in the woods. This felt like his best run even though on paper it looks his worst, he came out the start box and took me to every fence-definite progress!! Sadly an event I can't see myself returning to unless some serious work is done to it.

New Sponsor

Lucie McNichol Eventing has a new sponsor in the form of Devoucoux Saddles. They are the best saddles on the market and I have ridden in them for some years now. A beautiful new jump saddle arrived today and I am very much looking forward to taking it on its maiden voyage!! If you are in need of a saddle for any discipline please follow the link through from my website to Devoucoux, they provide a very friendly, efficient service and are always more than willing to help.

Upton House

Our last outing was to Upton House in Oxfordshire. The event is set in beautiful surroundings and is definitely worth a visit. The ground had had a lot of work done on it for which all event riders are grateful.

First on was Wally (Wanadoo Too) in the BE100. He performed a lovely test as usual, sadly the judge needed a visit to specsavers-enough said. Wally went on to jump a lovely double clear albeit slowly as there was no point pushing him following the dressage mark. He has made great progress and hopefully this will continue to be the case. 



Photo's courtesy of first photography

Next up was Rosie (Pencarder Silver Storm) she performed an ok test which I felt was a little harshly marked for 40.5, she is back to her usual consistent self and jumped a beautiful double clear finishing just outside the placings with a couple of time faults.

Finally Stanley was on, he did a sweet test but is still a little green, scoring 38. He jumped well, I had one down and he brushed one so had 8 faults but jumped well. Xc he had a very green look at the water at fence 4 which took him by surprise, but other than that he was great and seems to be comfortable at this level. Netx outing is at Smiths Lawn at the beginning of August.

New Arrivals

We have 2 new arrivals (full profiles coming soon to "Horses" section)

Liberal Lady (Millie) a 10yr old bay Intermediate mare belonging to Mark Milligan. Millie is getting fit currently and will be out towards the end of the season-a very exciting addition to Lucie.

Boston a 5yr old Brown Dressage horse belonging to Jane and David Hamilton. Boston is here to gain experience at Affiliated British Dressage classes before being sold. He is a stunning mover and has a fabulous, trainable brain. It is lovely to have some great movers in the yard, it makes dressage so much more fun!!

Purston Manor

Today we travelled to Purston Manor taking Kington to step back a level to boost confidence having stepped up to novice successfully, and Wally (Wanadoo Too). Kington started with a good test, still with plenty to improve but scored a respectable 33.5, showjumped clear and went xc like a pro finishing well inside the optimum time. WE WON!!!! It was a tough enough course with faults collected everywhere but Kington is beginning to be quite an established horse xc now and proved that he is definitely ready to continue running at novice now. He is a star in the making.

Wally was producing a lovely test but sadly couldn't hold his enthusiasm for the entire test and threw in some beautiful bucks for good measure (he was still 7th after this phase)!! He shows huge amounts of talent on the flat but needs to learn to concentrate for the time he is in the ring. Showjumping he rolled 2 poles but managed to avoid any "wobble" moments. I can forgive him for these as we know he has masses of scope, he just needs to focus a little more at times. Cross country was different. We stopped for some reason between fence 1 and 2 waited a few moments whilst Wally's brain reshuffled back onto planet Earth and then continued as though nothing had happened, jumping fantastically the whole way. He finished clear but had acquired 60.4 time faults!!! I have never had this happen to me before and hopefully won't again!! I won the battle and now I think (hope) he knows who's in charge!!

Photos courtesy of John Britter

Salperton Novice

Last Saturday Rosie went to Salperton to compete in the novice. She did a settled test scoring 35.5 not bad considering she was being attacked from all angles by horse flies. Showjumping she was not her usual careful self seeming a little distracted by flies again unfortunately just touching 2 rails. Cross country she was awesome, the flies obviously couldn't keep up with her. She flew round and is trying to tell me that she is ready for the next step up-Intermediate!!

West Wilts

West Wilts was all-in-all a successful event.

Day 1.

Wally (Wanadoo Too) was having his first BE100 outing. He produced some lovely work in his dressage to score 28, lots to improve with him being a little too enthusiastic in some movements but generally a very good start. Showjumping he just had one down but oozes scope, cross country he was green at the start and then got going and gave me a lovely ride. I took him steady so he could look at the fences and learn what it's all about without rushing. He finished with 5.6 time faults, I am thrilled with him and he is a great addition to my string. Definitely one for the future.

Day 2.

Rosie (Pencarder Silver Storm) did what I thought was her best test to date although the judge disagreed. The section was marking fairly highly but I was disappointed with a 43. Showjumping she was unlucky to have just one pole. Cross country she was her usual bold, enthusiastic self, she really is reliable in the jumping phases. She picked up just 2.4 time faults.

Stanley (Kington) did a sweet test scoring 35.5, a great start for him at this next step on the ladder. Showjumping he sadly had 2 poles down but he jumped very well, he now needs to learn to wait a little more for his fences, but he is very springy. Cross country I was thrilled, we went all the straight routes albeit steadily picking up 18 time faults but another clear xc on his record.

Next stop salperton with Rosie then Purston with Wally and Stanley.

Photo's Coutesy of David Betteridge

Cross Country Schooling

Wally has been xc schooling at Boomerang! The ground was surprisingly good, Russ has worked hard with the take offs and landings which is hugely appreciated. Wally jumped boldly over most things just finding steps needed launching off so after some patience and simple explanations Lucinda Green style (in walk) he picked up that pretending to be a helicopter was not necessary!! All-in-all I now feel completely prepared for out outing on Tuesday and fingers crossed it will be a good start to our relationship!

Wally's 2nd Outing

Tuesday (7th June) saw Wally's second trip down the road to West Wilts Equestrian Centre for unaffiliated evening dressage. Wally came out and performed beautifully, he was more relaxed than his previous outing and the marks reflected this-79.6% (20.4 in eventing terms) Wally won by 8% which I was thrilled about. Next Tues sees us head back to WWEC to compete in the PN so fingers crossed our good dressage marks continue!!

Wally's First Outing

Wally and I made our debut outing at West Wilts Equestrian Centre a good one with a massive 78% (22 in eventing terms) dressage and a fabulous clear round showjumping, leaving us 1st!! He is such a lovely horse, with huge paces that make the arena feel very small. The dressage was out on the grass which is great practice for when we go to our first event. He warmed up well and went in and performed a lovely test. There is still room for improvement so watch this space. Jumping was in the newly resurfaced indoor arena; he is beginning to understand my ways of jumping and came back to me very well. He is a very exciting prospect. West Wilts is only 15mins from home so it is handy to pop down there when they have little shows on like this, soon they will have a huge new outdoor jumping arena too which will make it even better. I am lucky having such a fantastic facility just down the road.

West Wilts Equestrian Centre

Wally had his first outing with me, we took him just 15mins down the road to West Wilts for the Clear round which they run every Monday morning. Wally jumped 3 lovely clears and behaved very well. He has a huge amount of scope and he is exceptionally careful-he hit his studguard tucking his toes up so high. He won't be jumping anything without one of these on. It was a very successful first outing. He is now entered at West Wilts' BE event on the 14th May doing his first BE100.

Pontispool



Photo's coutesy of Jayphotos.co.uk

Saturday saw me take Kington to Pontispool BE100. Having got stuck in copious amounts of Bank holiday caravan chaos we were pleased to arrive albeit 2hrs late. The organisers were very understanding and let me run late for all phases. Stanley performed what felt like his best test to date but unfortunately only scored 35.5 which left us about 12th. He jumped clear in the showjumping giving the fences plenty of air! Xc I decided to run him very slowly as the ground was very hard and rutted in some places, he has proven he can get the time and I rate him for the future so I looked after him and came back clear with 10 time faults. This left us 14th, but had he run fast he'd have been 4th. He has jumped 3 out of 3 double clears this year and his next event will be at the next level up-Novice!



New Arrival

Today I picked up a shiny new horse. He is a 7yo dark brown gelding owned by Mr and Mrs Hall. I have never sat on something with so much power and suspension-that is saying something considering I rode some of Pammy's super dooper dressage schoolmasters over the winter months! Hopefully we will make a bond quickly and he will produce some fabulous results. I am very excited about his future. He has settled into his new stable and has met some of the others over the fence in the fields. Fingers crossed he will be out and about soon.

Hambleden

Photo's courtesy of Ultimate Images

Kington went to Hambleden on Friday to contest a BE100. He is a lovely horse, but is a little behind as he was very green when I got him last February. This was his 5th event ever. He warmed up well for dressage and went in and managed to concentrate nearly till the end of the test scoring 28, leaving him 10th after the first phase, he is capable of performing a very good test when he has settled more and I am excited about his future. He jumped very well for a clear, this is probably his strongest phase and the one he finds the easiest.

Xc Kington is just about getting the hang of. He jumped a lovely clear although I feel there may be a need for a brakes change as he was very strong. He picked up just 2.4 time faults and finished 6th. A very good day out in the bluebells!!

Withington Manor

Pencarder Silver Storm went to Withington on the Saturday following Badminton. She warmed up very well for dressage but unfortunately went in and was a little tense. She was only hacked and lunged whilst I was away so i'm putting it down to that. She showjumped very well not touching a pole, xc I thought was a stiff track, with a big drop into the water that I thought was more of an intermediate question. Luckily being sat on a good jumper she flew all the way, being especially bold into the water.



Photo courtesy of Photo-synergy

 She is definitely a horse for the future, I have never had anything as bold as she is. She makes up for her small size in jumping ability!! She added just a couple of time faults to her dressage so a good day out. They had worked very hard on the ground which is hugely appreciated. She will be doing dressage until her next outing at Pontispool at the end of the month, then we will consider and intermediate.

Badminton Horse Trials

BADMINTON

Driving through the Badminton village signs made my stomach leap with excitement! Jimmy came off the lorry very excited to be at a new place, he must have known he was somewhere special as soon as he saw the beautiful stables. He quickly settled in and was munching happily on his haylage.

On the Wednesday I went for a hack around the park in the morning and gave him a gentle school in the afternoon. Jimmy felt to be on good form, he was listening and really focused. Thursday and trot-up day! Eek, Jimmy looked absolutely fantastic thanks to Lizzie Gill my groom and Kate Honey, presenting him to the ground jury was a moment i won't forget in a long time. He sailed through pulling me down the runway in front of the house, he thought all those people were there just to watch him. Following the trot-up i had a stroll around the arena to familiarise Jimmy with the surroundings and then a lesson with Pammy Hutton, who had kindly come down to help us. He was fresh and quite cheeky but worked well by the end of the session.

Friday was a quiet day for me as I had been drawn to perform my Dressage test on Saturday morning, the day was spent, having an early lesson with Pammy, visiting a few sponsors in the tradestands, (Baileys, Kate Negus Saddlery, Global Herbs) and walking the course.

Saturday and the moment had come, Jimmy warmed up well having had a lunge beforehand, he entered the arena and felt to get a little tense seeing all the people in the stands. Thankfully he didn't explode and performed a nice test, although there is definitely a lot more for him to give and he is more than capable of achieving a fabulous mark. We scored 55.8 which left us about half way down the board by the end of the day.

Sunday and the big test day!! I walked the course early, before the competition began so I could watch some of the early riders go from the riders tent. I felt very sick! The course was the biggest test I have met so far and although I knew Jimmy was fit I couldn't be 100% sure how he would feel running 11mins 16secs. Watching the first hour of competition was horrible, Richard Waygood sat with me and reasured me that I had prepared everything and what happened would happen. So off down to the stable I went to get ready. Jimmy was ready and waiting for me when I arrived.

Warming up was nervewracking with spectators even watching that! Then before I knew it I was being called to the start. Whilst up in the 10minute box, Elisabeth Power had a nasty fall so the course was held, I hope she makes a speedy recovery. This was my worst nightmare! Jimmy was getting more and more worked up so when I was told it would be half an hour I jumped off and let the girls walk him whilst I went and gathered my thoughts.

Finally I was back on and walking into the main arena-WOW loads of people in the stands and I suddenly realised I was about to start out on the track I had only dreamt of going round.

Off we went and Jimmy felt amazing. Focused and running, before I knew it we were heading towards the hexagon hedge down in the vicarage fields. Coming out of the colt pond Jimmy chipped a small one in but other than that I can honestly say it was the xc round of my life, galloping towards the lake I thought 'look at all those people' before I kicked myself and pretended they were all just trees and I was galloping along an avenue of trees. Jumping in to the lake he twisted slightly so I decided to play safe and go the long way. Huntsman's close was foot perfect as was the quarry. Jimmy didn't feel tired like so many had looked and I was amazed at how much was still left in the tank. He finished fantastically and the roar of the crowd was another moment I won't be forgetting. Pulling up he felt fine and the realisation that I had gone clear round my first Badminton was just sinking in. I was surprised how many people were waiting to congratulate me so a huge thanks to them for all their support, and cards (which were on the door of Jimmy's stable throughout).

Later that evening following icing we knew there was a problem, Jimmy had a boot rub on his off fore and was sore on it. We continued icing until midnight and then started again at 5am. I trotted him up and knew I had to make the right decision for him. He could jump and make a small problem a big one or withdraw and deal with what we had. I withdrew which was gutting but I love Jimmy to bits and his welfare is top priority. Sadly he will be out for the rest of the season but he will make a recovery to the top of the sport, and will be back to win!