Past Competition Horses
Steeler's Texarkana (Roodi)
Roodi is the mare that showed me that you can achieve without huge finances and fulfilled my dreams of first competing at CCI*** at both Blenheim and Branham. When I got her in 1997 I was warned she would not go advanced, but she proved them wrong and amassed 118 points over the next 5 years completing all six 3 day events that we entered at 2 and 3 star level. These were all long format and although she was not naturally the fastest and we learnt to save valuable time setting up for fences.
At the beginning she taught me how really to ride every fence as was only as committed as I was, but as our partnership grew she tried her very utmost especially at the big occasions and always looked after me. Not naturally built for dressage, she did find this phase hard, but was so consistent in the other phases. Unfortunately she tied up after the cross country at Branham, but still bravely got round the show jumping. After that small injuries and repeats of azoturia led to her retirement. Since then breeding from her has not gone entirely to plan, but I have a wonderful chestnut filly, Sadie who is now rising 4 years to carry on the Steeler's line. Roodi is truly a horse in a million she owes me nothing and may she reside with me for many years to come.
For more photos visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Steelers%20Texakana/
Mally Jenks (Red)
Red, believe it or not was originally purchased as a youngster from a gypsy called Malcolm Jenkins off Lincoln Common. By a thoroughbred stallion out of a trotter mare he has the most amazing trot and endless energy and was ferociously bold and strong cross country. He came to me from my sister as a 10 year old having just got to Intermediate level just at the time Roodi retired. I actually agreed to event him at Aston Le Walls Intermediate in August 2002 for her having only just sat on him the day before; I was definitely brave in those days! Luckily we survived to finish a respectable 10th and we gelled quickly to pick up 23 points by the end of the season with a 2nd place at Goring Intermediate and a placing at Weston CCI**.
The next year we had a great time finishing 3rd place at his first advanced and winning the AI at Highclere as well as completing the Intermediate championships at Gatcombe. I spent a lot of time experimenting with bits as he was so strong and could sometimes run himself in to trouble as he did at Branham CCI*** where he jumped the wrong side of a flag and at Blenheim CCI***where he fell jumping out of the water. By 2004 the financial burden of competing at this level was beginning to tell and when I was approached by a young rider and a large cheque book i succumbed and sold him. It was very hard and I still regret not seeing how far we could have gone together. However on the other hand it was this sale that allowed me to finally give up my job managing a tack shop and fulfill my dream of running my own yard, hence the birth of South West Eventing.
For more photos please visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/MallyJenks/
Mirah Kilgobben Rebel
I rode Rebel for owner 2006 for his owner Merna Merret. Only 15hh, but opinionated, lively and very clever, I clearly remember Merna's warning how he 'happily goes on two legs and doesn't mind which two!' However we clicked straight away and soon started competing which provided him with his adrenalin fix he needed regularly to keep him sane. He went from Prenovice to Intermediate in just a few months and in August jumped a fabulous double clear at Hartpury CCI*. Prone to showing his acrobatics in the dressage arena to liven up what he considered a boring and unnecessary phase, I worked very hard with him and was rewarded with 55.4 at Hartpury, although with over 100 starters in the class this in the end left as on 21st place and just in the money. This was followed by the CCI** at Weston Park where again he tried very hard to achieve a dressage score of 59 for what was a complicated test. Unfortunately due to delays following numerous falls on the cross country, we ended going very late in the afternoon and the low sun blinded both of us at crucial moments denting our confidence so i pulled up 2/3 reds of the way round after a run out.
This was out last competition as he was then put up for sale as had been the initial plan. Unsurprisingly went to the first people who viewed him and must admit a shed a tear or two. He now is a very successful WHP qualifying for major shows with the Cooper family and has a home now for life.
For more photos please visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Mirah%20Kilgobben%20Rebel/
Feine Pearl
Jemma, owned by Sam Mckay, came to me early 2007 again with the idea of competing her and then selling her later in the season. At 16.2hh and pure hanoverian, she was larger than I had been riding, but was so light on her feet, athletic and forward think, she never felt big to ride. Initially a little marish to ride, this improved significantly as she worked harder and she was another horse that you could never tire out and I adored riding her.
Having done a few Prenovices the year before we started at this level, but soon upgraded to Novice as she found it all so easy and was effortless cross country, keen and yet controllable and all in a snaffle. I quickly fell in love with her and I found another owner who agreed to buy her for me to compete. I was over the moon and then totally shocked when she failed the vetting as ever so slightly lame on a circle on the hard. X-rays and scans followed but nothing was found and the general consensus that this is just how she was, but understandably the sale fell through. As she showed no lameness at all ridden, I continued to compete her on vet's advice and she gave me the most fabulous ride around Gatcombe Intermediate. She was showing herself to be a real potential advanced horse and Sam was now seriously considering keeping her for me to continue competing. Aldon CCI* followed and she gave me another amazing cross country round. The next day she flew through the trot up completely sound, but in the show jump warm up was jumping violently right and giving the fences too much air. I therefore went in the ring rather apprehensive and she jumped around until the treble at the last where she just couldn't keep straight through all 3 parts and we were eliminated. The disappointment was massive, although sound, obviously she was in pain somewhere as she was not a horse to stop. Sam took her home and eventually an MRI scan revealed a danged ligament in her foot which has probably been there for the whole time i had her. Whilst relatively mild, the decision was made to put her in foal and she is now a brood mare at www.arabella-sporthorses.co.uk and has a lovely filly foal by Chairman and will hopefully produce many more.
Considering what she achieved with an injury, I can only imagine what we could have gone on to do together if fate had been kinder.
For more photos please visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Feine%20Pearl/
For video please visit http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb263/Izzy2311/Jemma/
Benvolio
I have backed and bought on Ben from a wild 4 year old and to say he has been a challenge is an under statement. However he has an effortless jump with perfect technique and oodles of talent and presence, so he has well be worth persevering with. Underneath his sometimes wicked antics, he is a friendly and loving horse.
For more photos of Ben visit his album http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Benvolio/
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