The last couple of months

WEST WILTS

NASEBY (Jerry) went to West Wilts for combined training in June, he performed a very nice test and showjumped clear finishing 3rd in his class.

NUNNEY INTERNATIONAL

ERRIGAL HILL BOY took part in the BE100, his first since falling in the water at Pontispool. He did a much improved test to score 30.5, annoying lost focus showjumping taking two downhill rails and ran well xc just having a green moment about jumping into the water, understandable after last time he got eaten by it!!

KINGTON did an average test in the novice ,which was annoying as I know he is capable of a lot more but is somewhat out of match practice this season, he scored 35.5, had an unfortunate rail and jumped a lovely clear xc round a tough novice course. He is becoming very consistent at this level and really gives me a good feel, staying straight on his lines and taking the fences on.

PENCARDER SILVER STORM proved how cool she is today for all those who have had any doubt in her. She did a rather unsettled test scoring 43.2 but to make up for it leaving me unable to be cross with her she jumped the most fantastic double clear round a technical and large Intermediate. I am so proud of this little pocket rocket, she is the most incredible horse xc never doubting what she is put at. She has been great fun whilst Jimmy has been off the road and has kept my eye in at the higher levels.

WEST WILTS

ZEUS OF RUSHALL did 2x dressage tests scoring very well in both. He did an intermediate test and scored 68% and an advanced test scoring 66% not bad for a horse who has not been out or in an arena since April 2011!!

STONAR

ERRIGAL HILL BOY managed to get a late entry into the BE100 here. He did a great test scoring 26, proving he is capable of doing all the movements in the correct place. He then went on to jump a great double clear finishing just 1 second over the time. We were very grateful for the effort put into running this event as they have been up against it with the current climate!

NUTWELL COURT

KINGTON performed a really nice test in bottomless mud scoring 32, he showjumped well on the surface for a clear, sadly the mud was horrendous and they had pulled fences out before I ran so I made the sensible decision to withdraw before xc as it wasn't worth the risk.

Luckily the next day was cancelled so WANADOO TOO and ERRIGAL HILL BOY didn't have to run, on the way home we gave them a jump at Bob Livock's yard.

Most Exciting Post yet

Jimmy has had his first jump since Badminton 2011!!!!! Very exciting. We are taking him very slowly as with the current weather there is no need to rush him back however, it was brilliant to jump him!!

West Wilts bites the dust but we go to combined training instead

Sadly West Wilts was not to be due to more rubbish rain
We did however get to run on Sunday at combined training that they kindly put on.
Simon made his debut with Dougal (Errigal Hill Boy) in the 90, posting a score of 34 and a clear finishing 6th.
Wally (Wanadoo Too) made a fantastic comeback to competition with a fresh dressage scoring 28.5 even with a explosive transition or two. He jumped very well and finished 2nd in the 100.
Stanley (Kington) did a lovely test to score 31.5 in the novice and just tipped the first fence. He was back jumping like the Stan of last year so he definitely put a smile back on my face.
Rosie (Pencarder Silver Storm) thought she needed to go to the gallops before dressage and was therefore very naughty scoring a rubbish mark, however she jumped clear albeit a little like a horse who had popped some illegal drug beforehand!! Off to the gallops for her this week little toad!!
So next stop is meant to be Nunney with Rosie, Stanley and Dougal but as I write this I am looking out at torrential rain AGAIN so my hopes are not so high for the weekend...Fingers crossed

Wet Wet Wet Eventing

So since my last post not a lot has occurred due to the delightful weather the UK is providing us with!! £ days at Aston-Le-Walls were missed and between Dougal's owner and I we decided the trip up there was slightly silly with one horse so he was withdrawn.


PONTISPOOL

Pencarder Silver Storm (Rosie) headed to Pontispool for her first Intermediate finally having missed 3 due to the rain. She posted a great score in the dressage (for her) of 36.4. The showjumping is on the surface down there which I have always found to be pretty loose and moving under the horses, Rosie agreed and out of character had 3 down. The xc was on the technical side and probably not ideal for a first timer however I have absolute trust in this pint-sized mare and true to form she flew round without batting an eye-lid. I am thrilled with her making the step up seem so easy! Next run for her is West Wilts Novice.

On the Sunday we headed back to Pontispool with Kington (Stanley) and Errigal Hill Boy (Dougal) in the PN. Stan did a nice test that the judge didn't like scoring a disappointing 38.5, he showjumped well for a clear and flew round the xc, I didn't push for time as he was HC but he finished only 2 secs over collecting 0.8 time faults. Next stop for him is West Wilts Novice.
Dougal nearly contained himself for the entire test but sadly felt the need for an extra canter in the serpentine so scored 38.5, he showjumped well on this surface (he loves mud and this moves as much!) for a clear, xc he set out fantastically jumping his socks off, sadly it was not to be... he was bold cantering into the first water and fell over a ridge that 3 others had fallen over before me. Annoying as he did nothing wrong, but ce la vie. He studded me on getting to his feet, ripped my airjacket and trod on places that shouldn't be trodden on!! A week off games for me and I'll be back riding.

WANADOO TOO

Having one of the most talented horses on the yard is great but him stopping in the middle of xc courses for picnics is not. Simon Hall (Wally's owner) and I have decided to try and help him. We have sent him to Gary Witheford's yard in Burbage to try and get inside his head a little more and see if they can cure him of his issue.

Gary Witheford

Gary has developed a unique insight into the psychology of the horse, he is passionate about his work with all types of horses and has created his own unique techniques to deal with equine traits and behavioural issues in a shorter period of time than it usually takes using more traditional methods.
His training methods are based on the observation of horses in the wild and the firm belief of everyone who works with Gary is that no matter what problem the horse brings with it, there is always a possibility of change and the chance of a better life for both horse and owner.He does not resort to beating, shouting or abuse, but uses calmer, straightforward methods that allow the horse to quickly learn and respond in the light of their own natural behavioural patterns. In this way they learn to accept human control as quickly as possible and are ready to begin their work in a much shorter space of time.
Wally has been there for 5 days now and progress is being made. First he needs to be less scared of humans so he has been playing with shakers, umbrellas and plastic to he knows we will never put him in a dangerous situation and learn to trust us a little more.

Gary is positive he can help us and hopefully we will have an amazing talent in all phases on his return.

The big catch up!!

Sorry for being completely useless keeping you up to speed on my news...
February seems a long time ago when I last wrote on here.

MARCH
Sadly Tasha has had to take some time off so the beginning of March was rather hectic with no help and 8 horses in work with the event season looming, luckily I have some awesome friends and some forgiving parents who stepped into help until I found a new groom. thankfully this didn't take too long and Claudia Smith started with us. She is a great asset to the team, it's lovely to see her with the horses and she has yet to moan when asked to do the worst jobs!

Tweseldown
ERRIGAL HILL BOY (Dougal) and KINGTON (Stan) headed to Tweseldown to blow the cobwebs away. Dougal was a little excited to be at a party thinking he was back on the hunting field so dressage involed bucking and showing exuberance which I found funny-the judge didn't. Anyway he jumped well for a pole down and clear xc. Stan did a better dressage but wasn't quite right before SJ so sadly he was withdrawn.

Howick
ERRIGAL HILL BOY and WANADOO TOO (Wally) headed to the second event of the year. Dougal was a lot more settled on the flat knocking 7 marks off our previous test but still lots to come from him. He was cheeky showjumping this time and had a silly pole then jumped clear xc-he loves this part!

Photo Courtsey Photo Synergy

Wally did a fab dressage which was harshly marked for a 28, clear sj and went beautifully xc picking up a silly green stop in the latter part of the course but hugely improved from last year. Without this he would have been very well placed.

Photo Courtesy Photo Synergy

Larkhill
Next Stop was Larkhill with WANADOO TOO and PENCARDER SILVER STORM (Rosie) contesting the novice and ERRIGAL HILL BOY in the pn. Dougal again improved on the flat, jumped to have 2 unlucky poles and had a green look at the log before the water.

Photo Courtsey Ultimate Images

Photo Courtsey Steve Bell

Wally's test was sadly destroyed by a scramble bike zooming upto the arena threatening to eat him on entry so he lost a lot of marks from tension still he was lying 4th after this phase on a 32, he had an annoying pole and was clear sj but blotted his score with a huge amount of time penalties from hanging to the lorries between the first few fences...grrrr.

Photo Courtesy Ultimate Images

Rosie was very pleased to be out so dressage was not as good as she can be, sj she had a pole and flew xc as per usual.

Photo Courtesy Catherine Jones

Photo Courtesy Ultimate Images

Portman

KINGTON went for a jolly round the OPN at Portman. He did a rather excitable dressage to score 36. He showjumped fantastically for a clear and flew xc finishing on his dressage score which left us 12th. He is now heading for dressage school to learn to behave himself!!

Photo Courtesy Mud Sports 

Photo Courtesy Mud Sports

Larkhill Hunter Trial
So having had a naughty experience at Larkhill the week before we decided to head back to the RA Pony Club Hunter Trial round pretty much the same courses. We took ERRIGAL HILL BOY, WANADOO TOO and NASEBY (Jerry). Jerry was doing his first xc round having only schooled once at Boomerang. He did the 2ft 6 and took it all in his stride, I am very positive about this horses' future as he seems to have a very straight forward attitude and loves his work.

Photo Courtesy Mud Sports

Dougal had obviously learned from his mistake and flew round without batting an eyelid at anything so I was very pleased with him.
Wally was not in the mood to play and although he went round clear he had a few pauses on the way-so frustrating as he is one of the most talented horses I have been lucky enough to have so we are now thinking of plan of attack two with him...watch this space.

Hambleden
Next stop was to the beautiful Hambleden estate sadly too early for the bluebells to be in full swing. ERRIGAL HILL BOY and KINGTON were both in the pn/opn.
Stanley produced one of his better tests this year to score 32, sadly with a huge amount of rain the venue was soon looking like a mud pit and Stan didn't enjoy showjumping slipping into the first fence before jumping clear. Having a fair amount of experience I decided he could run xc but steady in order for him to regain some confidence. He popped round without issue collecting a handfull of time but he is now ready to head back up to Novice level.

Photo Courtesy Ultimate Images

Photo Courtesy Digital Equine

Dougal was performing his best test to date until some horses popped out of nowhere scaring him and ruining the end of the test, even the judge got out to say what a shame!! Showjumping was interesting as we got caught in the most horrendous hailstorm with hail the size of peas!! Dougal was not sure about this stinging his entire body so I threw him back in the lorry until the worst had passed. WE then warmed up again and decided, although the conditions were worsening, that we would run him. He jumped brilliantly loving the mud!! His first clear. Sadly I decided he isn't experienced enough yet to jump out of the deepest mud I've seen in a long time so I withdrew him before xc.

Very sadly for Hambleden they had to cancel the next 2 days of competition due to the ground conditions. I was secretly relieved as I didn't fancy jumping Rosie around her first intermediate in those conditions and I'm not sure Wally would have liked it much either!!

Winter updates-Hartpury JAS

We have been busy getting the horses back fit in preparation for the coming season which is only 3 weeks away!!! Errigal Hill Boy (Dougal) and Kington (Stanley) are ahead of the others in terms of fitness and have been out to unaffiliated jumping competitions with many wins and placings. Stanley qualified for the JAS BE100 final on his first attempt with a 3rd placing at Hartpury at the end of January, and Dougal had just one pole in both the BE 90 and 100, pretty impressive for his first attempt at anything like this.

Today we returned to Hartpury to take part in the second JAS competition there, Dougal did the BE90 again and scored an impressive 8 for style with just one time fault, sadly I have to compete in 90 HC as I have ridden at Advanced level so I was unable to claim my win but he would have won by 3 marks. In the BE100 again he jumped fantasically this time going inside the time and claiming the win, a brilliant achievement for a horse who has not been in work all that long and has certainly never done anything like this before. He is definitely an eye catcher and well loved by us and his owner Simon Hall. Kington just had one pole down in the BE100 leaving him just out of the top 10. I decided to withdraw him from the Novice as I am struggling with brakes since his winter hunting!!

Thanks to Baileys for their support of the JAS series, very useful as we already feed all of the horses their feeds and they definitely make all the difference.

Other very exciting news....Jimmy (Zeus of Rushall) has just started cantering in the school- a massive thrill for me having gone through 9 months of him testing my patience, he feels fabulous and I can't wait to get him out eventing again later in the season.