Happy New Year!
It seems to have come round so quickly! Hello 2012!......
I had a super winter sun holiday before christmas, and then enjoyed all the usual festivities at home with friends, family and plenty of wine.......
All the horses are very well, and have now come back in for the season ahead. I also have some new young horses that are in to sell, and are very smart. So it is all systems go here! I am looking for new working pupils if anyone knows anyone?
I am excited about Gino Royale and Coopers Law who are both 8yr olds this time, and on the Equine Pathway. They will both be aimed at a Spring 2*. Douglas and Cavoa are sadly for sale, and Beeswing will be campaigned in the Autumn.
We have just had a very good Owners Lunch, where it was good to catch up with everyone, and make a toast to the season ahead.
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Sometimes things don't quite go to plan.....
Le Lion D'Anger
24th Oct 11
I had been so excited about the opportunity to compete at Le Lion D'Anger Young horse Championships with Coopers Law (Spider). Sadly it was not meant to be. Having arrived in France after a 15hr journey, Spider had sustained an injury during the journey. It was advised that we didn't compete him, so sadly we came home. It was so dissapointing for everyone involved. He is fine now, and will have his winter holiday as normal, and be back next season.
You really just don't know whats round the corner in this game!
I have finished 73rd in the top 100 riders list, with 168 points. I was hoping to be in the top 50, but its an improvement on last year. It's time to look back over the year, analyse performances, think of plans for next year, and make new goals. I think a holiday could be due as well!!
Osberton ....Richard and Karen Goddards Gino Royale 2nd in CCI*
2nd Oct 11
Gino exceeded all our expectations by finishing 2nd in the CCI* this weekend. (well we were joint first really!) Mike Jackson and I had the same dressage score of 43.7, and led from the start. It was my slightly quicker xc round that put me in 2nd place overnight, and clear sj rounds from both of us meant that I finished on the same score as Mike, but in 2nd place. So close! That is the 3rd time in 12 months I have been 2nd in a CCI* on 3 different horses! i'm going to find that winning edge for next year!!
Gino was a total professional all week. He has improved so much in the last 4 months. I was shocked to lead the dressage, on a brilliant score of 43.7. Thanks to help from Ian Woodhead, i was able to ride him in a good outline, and earn the marks he is capable of but have never quite achieved in this phase. Having performed on Thursday afternoon, we held our lead, which doesnt happen very often.
I had a very good xc ride, and he made it feel very easy, almost too easy! He was a bit keen to start with but soon settled and gave me a super ride. It was almost not quite big enough for him, but hopefully he will be full of confidence having ran well within himself.
Having trotted up well on Sunday morning, we were 2nd to last to show jump, and I so wanted to jump a clear round. He did, and in style. I was lucky enough that Di Lampard (who I have trained with for a number of years now) came to watch us, and helped keep my nerves to a minimum. I was rather hopeing Mike's horse might knock one down, but he rode a great round to keep 1st place.
It was a great week for my good friend Becky Parrott, who along side her sister rent a few stables from me and are based at the yard. Becky and her horse Athlone Dolly jumped a double clear at their first 1*, finishing in the top 40 placings.
It was a really fun week, for horses, riders, grooms, helpers, owners etc, etc, well done to the B.E.D.E Team for making it a great week!
Aske Hall
I just had Spider competing today in the Open Intermediate at Aske Hall, in Yorkshire. He did another good test, and so I was dissapointed with a mark of 36, although in comparison to the others in his section he wasn't too far out. He showjumped well on tackey ground, and it was an error on my part which lead to him having the first rail of the combination down, so I was cross with myself, as the rest of the round was very good, much better than last week at Gatcombe where he was just over fresh having not ran for a while. He then gave me a super ride XC, which has really given me the buzz, and I feel excited about Le Lion D'Anger. It was interesting that I ran him at Aske in July, and the course was exactly the same so i really felt a marked improvement in him today, making it feel easy. He will run again at Oasby before his trip to France, but so far we feel we are on track!
Gatcombe Park
16th Sept 11
Spider was very excited to be out, having not ran for 6 weeks, and Gino was having his final prep run before Osberton CCI*.
Gino did his best dressage test yet, and scored a 29, which I was thrilled with as I thought he'd done a good test. Surprisingly he had 8 faults in the jumping, and was quite spooky in the ring. He jumped very well XC, and came home with 4 time faults leaving him in 8th place.
Spider did a lovely test until his walk movement......he heard the commentary, lost concentration, whipped round and bounced up and down and then carried on as if nothing had happened! That cost us quite a lot of marks, and a score of 37 left us too far off the pace. He was fresh and strong jumping, and had one down showjumping, and was clear with 9 time faults XC. I was pleased to just get a run under his belt in preparation for Le Lion. He goes to Aske Hall now this Saturday.
Mixed Fortunes
6th Sept 11
Sadly Bee had to be withdrawn from Blenhiem due to an infection in her leg. I was so dissapointed as she has been in super form, just one of those things.
On a good note, Spider has been selected for Le Lion D'Anger 7yr old Championships at the end of October, so we are all excited and looking forward to that.
Somerford Park
21st Aug 11
It was up to Cheshire for the Intermediate class with Bee, Gino and Douglas. Spider was originally entered instead of Bee, but he suffered a bad cut in the field which has put him out of action for a week.
Bee was first on, and she did a super test to score 25.5. We picked up 3 time faults in the showjumping, but a good solid clear round was the most important bit to me! Cross country she was excellent, just felt strong, quick and easy. There were plenty of questions out there, and an ideal preparation for Blenhiem in a few weeks time. We got 8 time faults, and finished 6th.
Gino was a little star, he did a good test for him and scored 35. Jumped a good clear round, but again I got 2 time faults which i was frustrated with. XC he was amazing, and jumped for fun round the testing track. We came home with 6.4 time faults, and he finished 4th. I am so excited about him, just need to quietly keep working on the dressage, and when he is strong enough to carry himself, i hope we will see better marks.
Douglas did a smart test, 26.4. After a long wait for the showjumping in the collecting ring, we jumped a nice round for one down, and 4 time faults. I think we were both a bit laid back after the delay! I ran him steady XC again, as I am giving him some nice runs in preparation for Osberton CCI**.
In all we had a good day, I was pleased to be back in the rosettes again after a quiet time!
Mickey was back in action at Shelford mid week, and led his BE100 class from the start with a 29.5 dressage and double clear. He then went so well XC i got 10 time faults for being too fast. I was annoyed with myself, but thrilled with him. I ended up in 11th place instead of winning it!
It was a good day all round for the team. My working pupil Louise Duncan jumped a double clear in her Novice, and another student Katie Pytches won the BE100, and was 10th in the Novice, all jumping double clears.
31st July 11
Chomondeley Castle....... The biggest and most technical track i've ridden all year, so much for a nice, confidence giving Intermediate!......
A new event in Cheshire, which I am sure will become a highlight in the Eventing calendar. The castle is in lovely undulating parkland, on sandy soil, with plenty of scope for bigger things.
I had a mixed day in the end. I took Gino, Spider and Douglas, all in the Intermediate or Open Intermediate. All did good tests, Douglas scored 27, Spider 30, and Gino 36. The showjumping wasn't an easy track, very twisty and on undulating ground. Douglas and Spider jumped clears, Gino rolled 2 poles, which was un like him. He just felt a bit strong, and with the xc going on behind the ring he was a little distracted!
The xc was a very strong track, too much for Intermediate horses, especially young ones. There was question after question. On the plus side i have learnt a lot from them, and it did ride well. Gino was out first, and i ran him slowly as he has Gatcombe this coming week end. He jumped super, answered every question and gave me a great ride. Spider was up next, and all was going well until the fence in the water which we met on a half stride, and too deep. He didnt have enough time to get his front legs up, and he nosedived, depositing me under water! I was soaked through, but thankfully had packed a change of clothes, as I still had Douglas to showjump and go XC! Poor Spider didn't deserve that at all. Speaking to someone afterwards, the wishing well was not designed to be put in water, and was an after thought on the course design. The log in was a big enough test in itself. The whole combination wouldn't have looked out of place at a 3*! I was so wet, and had thought to carry on but i felt like i could have slid off, so thought we'd retire. There is always another day!
Douglas was back to himself, and gave me a wonderful ride. Foot perfect everywhere. He was quite strong, and I did go slowly incurring time faults, but I was thrilled with him.
Looking on I have Gatcombe this weekend with Bee and Gino.
Gino jumping the Wishing Well in the water at Chomondeley Castle. Later in the day i fell in the water, and got a soaking!
Aston Le Walls
23rd July 11
It was Bee's turn today, she was running in the 8/9 yr old Advanced class at Aston. She warmed up brilliantly for the dressage, and went in and did a good test, but still improvement to be had. Having had perfect flying changes outside, they were not as good in the test which was a shame, as she could have earned a few extra marks on them.
She showjumped well until the end, when at the second last she had a real spook at it, so i jammed my leg on and she had it down, and then the last was the the combination, and again we rolled the last element. It just seems so hard when it is two strides coming out the combination for her to shorten, the same happened at Barbury.
It was a great XC, on fab ground, so i gave her a real spin, she went really well, and answered all the questions. We came home with 8 time faults. Im excited for her future, she makes the xc feel easy. It was an enjoyable day, I love riding round the bigger tracks, it gives me a real buzz! Roll on Gatcombe and Blenhiem!!
Hutton In The Forest
17th July 11
Having travelled 4 hours north, worked the horses yesterday afternoon at the show and stabled locally, we had the frustating news that due to the heavy rain fall overnight, Hutton was cancelled.
So back down the M6, and i've just got home. The joys of English weather!!
Melton Times Sports Awards.....
.....Winner of Horseman/ Women of the Year 2011!
To my surprise i was awarded The Melton Times Sports Award, Horseman/ Women of the Year at an awards dinner and Ceremony on the 30th June. I felt very priviliged to be amongst so many local talented athletes, in a diverse range of sports. We had a good buffet and drinks followed by the awards ceremony.
I made sure i had a stiff G and T inside me, my nerves were in overdrive, I hadn't felt that nervous since i did a very high bungee jump in New Zealand years ago! Its amazing how nervous i get when out of my comfort zone!
I was announced the winner on stage, and received a very nice glass trophy. I also had to say a few words, which i hope came out ok!
The Melton Times Team go to a lot of trouble to organise these awards, and I am very appreciative of that. With all the highs and lows within sport, awards like this give us the boost we sometimes need to strive to be better, and achieve our personal goals.
Barbury Castle
11th July 11
Barbury lived up to all my expectations, and was a beautiful event on amazing ground. I just had Bee in the CIC**. Although we warmed up well, our test just had a few little mistakes in it which cost us valuable marks, and left us down the leader board on a 55.3, which was slightly dissapointing, but with a 120 strong field in my section, there was no room for error!
She showjumped well, just rolled coming out of the combination, which walked short and rode even shorter!
XC she was magic, I enjoyed a memorable round for 10 time faults. An upgrade from a snaffle to a dutch gag made all the difference, and im looking forward to our next event.
Aske Hall
2nd July 11
It was a hot and sunny day with a very early start, but all worth the effort with pleasing performances from Spider, Gino and Douglas.
It was Gino's first Intermediate, and he made it feel easy. He did a nice test, and a double clear with 8 time faults. He finished 5th, not a bad effort for his first time at that level!
The course rode twistier than it walked, and had enough questions in it. The ground is also very undulating, in all 3 phases! This made me realise how much we ride on manicured surfaces these days, and with hills, lumps and bumbs in the landscape, I had to work extra hard to keep the horses in balance.
Spider was very pleased to be eventing again, he just about kept a lid on it in his dressage, as I turned to do Medium trot I felt he was never going to stop at the end of the diagonal. He showjumped well, and breezed round the XC with 6 time faults, leaving him in 2nd.
Douglas was having his first run back since Brigstock, hence I put him in the Novice HC. He did a lovely test, and clear sj. XC i used it all as a training excercise and really made sure when i took a whoa, i got one, so ran him nice and steady for a confidence boosting round.
So all good, im looking forward to Barbury with Bee.
Catton Park NRF........Gatcombe here we come!
17th June 11
Gino jumping a good SJ clear to qualify himself for the Novice Champs at Gatcombe.
It was Richard and Karen Goddards Gino Royale's time to shine, putting up his best performance to date to finish 2nd in a hotly contested NRF at Catton Park yesterday, qualifying him for the Gatcombe Novice Championships in August.
He did a really good test, and for the first time in his career broke the 30 barrier to score 29.1. A great double clear and 7 seconds within the optimum time on the XC left us in 2nd. Recent rainfall meant the ground was excellent, and we could really enjoy ourselves.
It seemed strange just having Gino there, but I think he loved the one on one attention!
Looking forward to July, I have Aske Hall, Hutton in the Forest, Aston Le Walls and Cholomley Castle, so things will get busy again. All the horses are fit and well, and ready to campaign the rest of this season.
Pipped by Pippa......again!
CCI* Houghton Hall......Coopers Law 2nd
it was my first visit to Houghton Hall three day event, and it was well worth going. Spider was in the CCI*, and Beeswing in the CCI**.
Spider had his trot up on Tuesday afternoon, and did his dressage Wednesday. He was very well behaved all week really, although at the first trot up he was a bit of a handful! Dressage went smoothly, and he did a really accurate, flowing test, apart from one mistake in the rein back he couldn't have tried harder. We scored 38.5, which was an amazing mark, certainly the first time i've scored under 40 in an F.E.I Test. One judge gave him 78%! We held the lead almost until the end of the class, but the Pippa Funnell pipped us scoring 37.9.
He was excellent on the XC, I had a little bit more bridle than at Chatsworth and it worked a treat. He really felt like he was cantering round, and i was 10 - 15 seconds up on all my minute markers, finishing well under the optimum time with little effort. I think he would have quite happily ran round again!
Spider was bright, fit and well on the last day, and jumped an easy clear retaining our 2nd place behind Pippa. I was thrilled with him, and it was a great way to round off a successful spring season.
CCI**
One of those 'if only' moments..........
Bee was contesting her first CCI**, and after such a great result at Chatsworth, hopes were high. She did a super test, to lie in 2nd place behind Rodney Powell on a score of 42.8. I still feel there is more to come, when she learns to sit even more.
XC she gave me a great ride, i had a run out early on at fence 8. It was a double of logs with a drop, 4 or 5 strides to a skinny tree stump, and she jumped so well over the logs that the tree stump came up too quickly for her and she never registered it. I kept my pace up, and continued to take all the direct routes, as I wanted to learn from it. She was just brilliant, and came home with 8 time faults. We were still in 26th place, as the course had caused a lot of faults.
Bee was bright and sound the next day, and jumped a solid clear round, which i was thrilled about. Im looking forwrd to contesting the Intermediate champs at Gatcombe with her, and Blenhiem 8/9 yr old class in September.
Sadly Mladen who has been a super groom since January is leaving today. We will miss him very much, and wish him all the best in the future.
Brigstock
21st May
Back down to earth with a bump!
I just had Douglas at Brigstock in the CIC**. We did our dressage on Thursday and the rest today. He was quite spooky and a bit tight in the main arena for his test, and although his trot work was nice, his canter was a bit tight. he scored 53, which put him 15th after the dressage, so still not bad.
Today we showjumped this morning, and he jumped really well, again a little spooky. He certainly needs the main ring exposure, to gain confidence in such atmosphere.
Having waited around all day to go XC, we set off simply wanting to get a qualification, as the ground was plenty firm enough, although they had agrivated.
It wasn't our day, we fell 3 from home at the tree stump on the mound. Pleased to report both of us are ok, I think we will fit in a nice easy, confidence giving run somewhere soon.
Looking on to Houghton which is this coming week, Spider and Bee are in grat form after Chatsworth, so keeping my fingers crossed!
Chatsworth International.
16th May 11
Bee 2nd in Advanced, Spider 2nd, Gino 3rd in CIC*.......just couldn't quite get a win!
I am still on a high this morning, after a very successful Chatsworth. We had Spider and Gino in the CIC*, and Bee in her first Advanced.
The one stars did their dressage on Friday, and both did good tests. Spider was electric outside, but kept his head in the arena and scored 40.5, which was 2nd best, behind Pippa Funnell. Gino was in the other section, and did his best test to date, he is still a little weak to hold a whole test together, but i was thrilled with him. He scored 50.1, and put him 11th overnight.
Spider ran XC early Saturday morning, and was very keen from the moment I got on, I was glad to get going, and he ran a bit fresh, and strong. He is well established at this level, and nothing backed him off. He was clear and well within the time, and ready to go round again at the end! Gino gave me the best ride ive ever had on him. Quick, nimble, listening and easy. He will be an exceptional xc horse in the future.
However, Saturday was then the most stressful day of the year so far! Sadly the organisation at Chatsworth was very poor for what ever reason, and having to trot horses up after they had been xc before their showjumping was an added chore, and not necessary. The problem was not knowing what time Spider and Gino were going to show jump, as i also had Bee's dressage test to do, and for quite a while it all looked like it was going to clash.
Thankfully Bee did her dressage before the other two showjumped. She did a really good test, just broke in to canter in her first half pass, but she did her flying changes correctly, and showed some super movements, scoring 32, which put her in the lead!
Spider and Gino showjumped in reverse order, and in the rain! Spider was quite wound up down at the collecting ring, but settled to jump a really good clear round. He held his 2nd place, and we were thrilled. Gino was jumping his socks off, and pulled up from 5th after the XC to 3rd with his clear round. Pippa Funnell won both sections on her lovely horses.
Sunday was all on Beeswing, and she has been in great form, but i never expected to finish 2nd in her first Advanced! She jumped a super showjumping clear round, followed by a faultless XC performance, coming home with 14 time faults. I was so thrilled at how she went, she made it feel easy, and seemed to just keep galloping and jumping. Her performance yesterday makes me excited about the rest of the year, Gatcombe intermediate champs, and the Blenhiem 8/9 yr old CIC***. Keeping my fingers crossed!
It was a real thrill for me to ride round an Advanced, having not done so for 2 years. I really loved it, and can't wait for the others to get up to that level!
Thanks to all my team, we enjoyed such a great weekend, I didn't want it to end.
Hambleden International
10th May 11
Douglas shows his class, on his way to 6th place in the Open Intermediate section.
Having still had no rain, my hopes for Hambleden were pretty low, but to my surprise I had a very enjoyable week end., helped by a well run event, and a lot of overnight rain!! With just 2 horses entered, Mickey was in the novice on Saturday, and Douglas in the Open Intermediate on Sunday......It felt strange not having a lorry full to ride!
Mickey did a very smart test, 30.5, probably his best test to date. Double clear, with just 4 time faults on the XC put him in 4th, so I was pleased.
Douglas again did one of his better tests, and scored 33.5. He jumped very well both SJ and XC. The XC was totally different to all the other Intermediates he has done so far, as it was much more twisty, and a lot of the course ran in the woods, so fences came up fast. He was very good, and ran for 12 time faults. I intended to keep my foot off the accelarator, as the last few times he has ran, they have been quick and I just felt he was getting plenty keen enough, so a quieter run at Hambleden will set him up well for Brigstock.
Milly has a new home, she has been sold to Constance Copestake, and we will hopefully see her competing soon, and aiming for Juniors with her. Pascal has also been sold to Nick Lucey, who may aim for Young Riders next year. I wish them all lots of luck, and look forward to seeing them out and about!
Burnham Market
18th April 11
Still no rain........
I had four running at Burnham Market , Bee and Douglas in the CIC**, and Gino and Spider in the Intermediate. With having had no rain for a few weeks now, sadly the ground has got firmer and firmer, and although i prayed very hard for some rain it didn't arrive, and it was a shame I didnt run 3 out the 4 XC. I did run Bee as i needed the qualification of a CIC** in order to go Advanced.
Spider and Gino both did nice tests, and jumped clear rounds in the very well watered SJ arena. Gino jumped a super round and I was really pleased with him.
Douglas did a decent test in the 2*, although he was a little tight. He was the same warming up for the showjumping on Sunday morning, I think he was in XC mode all weekend, so it will have done him no harm not to run!
Bee did a super test, 47.6 and jumped the best yet in the showjumping. I ran her easily and quietly round for 16 time faults and finished 11th, which in a hotly contested 2* section was a great result.
Having been balloted out of Withington, the horses are not due to run until Hambledon, and Chatsworth.
I can highly recommend the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market, which is where my owners were staying, and treated us to dinner there on Saturday night. It was delicious!
WOW......What a Belton!
Cavoa WINS Novice, Coopers Law WINS 7/8yr old Futurity Intermediate Class
3rd April 11
Coopers Law (Spider) on his way to winning the Intermediate 7/8yr old Futurity class. His first attempt at Intermediate!
One of my favourite local events in the spring, and I hoped all the horses were in good form, but to achieve the results they did was just brilliant for everyone involved.
Friday I had 3 intermediate dressage tests, followed by both Mickey and Gino doing their Novice class (all 3 phases) I felt I'd done a days work by mid day, as I'd already ridden a couple of the horses twice in order to produce a good dressage test. The work paid off, and the day ran smoothly thanks to both Mladen and Andrea.
Mickey did a good test, 29.1, followed by a double clear in the jumping phases, and just 1.2 tme faults on the XC, which meant he won his section! I was thrilled, as he is so talented but struggles to get it all right on the same day! He is just big and needs time, but he continually improves.
Gino did a nice test, I was a bit dissapointed with some movements, and then other parts of the test were a lot better, so still things to work on but he scored 30.5, which with a double clear, inside the time was enough to put him in to 2nd place. He has now upgraded himself in to Intermediate points!
Spider was first to go in the 7/8 yr old Futurity class, which benefitted him in his test, as there wasn"t too much atmosphere, and he did a super test to score 29.1. Bee was very good too, she almost could have done with more atmosphere just to lift her a little. Bee scored 30.5. Douglas again did a smart test, and scored the same as Spider, which put me in equal 1st and 3rd overnight after the dressage.
We went back again on Saturday morning, for an 8am showjumping. All 3 jumped super clear rounds. I was especially pleased with Bee. I had 3 magic rounds XC, Bee was awesome and never missed a beat. Douglas was foot perfect, although plenty keen enough, so I think a couple of stady runs will benefit him now. I rode Spider last and set off to give him a nice ride in an easy rhytham. To my surprise he finished bang on the optimum time and won the class, outdoing his elders (Bee and Douglas are 8yrs old)
Spider won, Douglas was 2nd, and Bee 3rd. It was a proud moment for me having produced them all from 3 and 4 yr olds.
Belton was a great event, my owners even brought another lorry just for the picnics! I think 7 bottles of Champange were enjoyed over the two days! Long may those kind of days continue!
Lincoln
Douglas wins the Intermediate, Beeswing 2nd.
I feel very happy with all my horses after this weekend, Douglas and Bee really went well yesterday to bring home a first and a second in the Intermediate.
I took Mickey, Spider and Gino on Saturday for the Novice. Gino was 6th, he did a nice test, although a bit inatentive, and jumped a great double clear. He feels ready to go to Intermediate soon so I will have a look at the calender and make a plan. Spider was a bit excited in his dressage test, there were lots of people coming and going next to his arena, and he found it all rather exciting! He jumped very well, and finished on his dressage score of 36, and was 7th. Mickey still found the whole event very exciting. He did a nice test to score 33. In the showjumping he was still spooky at the flower pots, but jumped really well. However he took paticular dislike to a group of people sat amongst the unused jumps so as I turned to jump fence 4 he lost all concentration, went through the top of it, landed violently left handed and we went in the wrong direction! So one down, but 5 time faults! However he was good XC, I tried a waterford pelham and that seemed to be very good.
Back again on Sunday, Bee did a lovely test (25.5), one down in the SJ, again she had a spook at some people sat on the floor, and we just lost our rytham, as she was jumping very well. She gave me the best ride XC, and finished 2nd. Douglas did a super test and led the dressage in his section (28.2) He jumped a gd clear in the showjumping, and went very well XC. He made it feel easy, and I loved every minute. I couldnt help but feel very excited last night that I had just ridden two very classy horses round a good Intermediate track and they made it feel easy.
First Event of 2011....Oasby 13th March 11
Richard and Karen Goddards Gino Royale is a Winner!
I had four horses running at Oasby; Mickey (Cavoa), Douglas, Gino and Spider (Coopers Law). Mickey and Douglas were on Friday, and Gino and Spider on today (Saturday).
Mickey was very pleased to be out, and although he was quite spooky in his test, the nice bits were really nice, and the odd spook, or loss of concentration just lost us a few marks, but he got a 34 which wasn't bad considering there is plenty of room for improvement! In the jumping he was fresh and just not with me, he was looking everywhere, and not concentrating on his job. he had 3 down, which is so unusual, as he hasn't touched a pole all spring, but I think he just couldn't concentrate in his enthusiasm! XC he jumped a good clear, and has improved so much from last year, although at times he was more interested in watching what the spectators were doing than listening to me!
Douglas was great all the way through, he did a nice test, just a couple of mistakes, and scored 32. Double clear, and a super XC performance which fills me with confidence to go to Lincoln Intermediate next week. He finished 4th.
Gino was very good. He got a 34 in his dressage, which has improved from last year, but I still feel there is so much more improvement to be had. He jumped for fun in the showjumping, and really made me smile, a quick and easy XC round left us with nothing to add to our dressage score and he won. What a great result!
Spider was great, he did a lovely test, and I was a little dissapointed to only score 32.5, but he was in the top few of the section so it compared well. An unlucky rub in the Sj gave us 4 faults, but he jumped well and I was pleased. XC he was class, and cruised round, but to my horror I got 1.6 time faults for being too quick, and yet he didn't feel quick at all, he just has a huge stride, and kept a good rytham.
So a good start to the year, and i'm really looking forward to Lincoln. I love my local spring events, they are my favourites of the whole year!
January 2011
Happy New Year!
After such a long spell of bad weather, and a very boring time, we were all desperate to get the horses out in Jan and start getting them fit for the season. I have new members of staff who have joined the team. Mladen has taken on the role of Head lad, and Andrea has come as my working pupil with her own horse Ruby. I have also rented out four stables as a seperate unit, so we are all systems go.
I have enjoyed training with Di Lampard over the winter, and felt the benefit when attending an Equine Pathway training day at Vale view at the end of January. I took Bee, Spider and Douglas. All were a little wild, but in a fresh and happy way, I was thrilled with them all, and I felt the buzz that the new season is just round the corner. I also had my first session with a personal trainer to improve fitness, and I honestly never knew I had muscles in places that hurt for the next few days!! All good fun!
Our Owners party should have been before Christmas, but due to the bad weather we postponed it until mid Jan. Everyone enjoyed a lovely lunch, and plenty of champagne and wine to celebrate a successful 2010, and an even better 2011 (Hopefully!!) Thanks to Mum for doing the great food. My contribution was a very large Banoffee Pie......which went down a treat!
World Class Equine Pathway
It is very exciting that Douglas, Spider (Coopers Law) and Beeswing are on the new World Class Equine Pathway. They have all fulfilled the criteria for their age groups, and are among the elite in the country. I am looking forward to attending the training days, which last year I loved and were invaluable.
Small changes have taken place in the yard. Nenagh has been sold, and I will miss her very much. Molly has been sold, and is going brilliantly out hunting. I have a new big baby 4yr old called Mac, who has an amazing temperament, and good attitude.
Sadly Aslan had to be put down. He was one of the most naturally talented horses I have had the pleasure of working with, and It is very sad that he will never fulfil his exciting future, but the circumstances were un avoidable.
Fitz is being a class 1 hunter at the moment, and the other Saturday I jumped some huge things, which was great fun! I am looking forward to a few more days whilst the other horses are on holiday.
Older blogs have now been put in to an archive folder........
