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.