2008

 

October 2008  
Chianti powering through the huge trakhener combination at the end of a very testing cross country course at Dauntsey. Apart from spooking at the stones on the first fence she felt amazing around a course that was close to Novice dimensions. The next weekend she cruised round Moreton PN finishing on her dressage and feeling super confident around PN now.
September 2008  
Ben show jumping at Pontispool Pre Novice Event. Having gently rubbed off the top pole at fence two which hardly ever happens, he then jumped around the rest giving them feet to spare. He has such an amazing natural technique I try very hard to never interfere or help him with his stride, but just keep a good rhythm so he learns to sort himself out. Cross country is equally effortless with him, although he is still not easy to settle for the dressage. However taking lots of time with him is paying dividends and I am very excited for the future with him.
   
June 2008  
New arrival Music, a stunning gelding by Bandmaster who has come to be produced for sale as his owner Jenny is pregnant. He has settled in very quickly and we will spend the next few weeks getting him fit and progressing his schooling and jumping which already shows great potential.
   

May 2008

 
An eventful day at Pontispool BE. Early heavy rain left everything wet and sticky and Ben decided that dressage was far too boring with numerous bucks in the canter and then reversing out of the arena just before the end of the test to be eliminated! However he was allowed to do the other two phases and produced a lovely double clear and as usual his naughtiness disappeared with a fence in front of him. Archie then followed suit and also misbehaved in his dressage; we won't forget the nupafeed ever again! He then had the first fence down show jumping before getting his act together, but stormed round the cross country to finish 10th overall.
Archie at Bickenhall BE, his second affiliated event. He arrived in the winter to try out eventing having previously done mostly flat showing and a little jumping. A typical Conemara and actually related to the superstar Rebel I had a couple of years ago, he is thriving on the work and loves to jump, although he has a very independent mind that i have to work hard to get him to listen to me all the time. He did is first totally controlled dressage test at Bickenhall, but unfortunately this wasn't reflected in his mark was followed by two show jumps down soley due to over-exuberance and then a fantastic cross country round where for the first time he totally trusted me and attacked the course. He may only be 14.2hh, but he definitely doesn't know it and just loves to gallop and jump and so is great fun to ride.
Ben competing at his first BE event at Bickenhall. They say the really talented ones can be tricky and Ben fits that perfectly having the most athletic buck imaginable and finding parties the best time to show it off. However by bringing him early and several warm ups we managed just about to contain him for the dressage followed by one show jump down and he cruised round the cross country without any hesitation. A horse who is going to need lots of time, but has the potential to be exceptional.
   
March/ April 2008  
Portia competing at her very first BE event at Bath and West (8th place) representing a major career change as she has bred two foals. Very rideable in the dressage with a huge jump she needs a little more practise cross country as she likes to weigh up each jump herself and is very intelligent. She reminds me so much of my now retired mare, Steeler's Texarkana who had exactly the same attitude and competed at CCI*** advanced level so I love riding her and have high hopes for the future. Thomas (kernal Clover) competing at Portman PN where he finished 4th, followed by 8th at Ebbesbourne Wake later that month with his 4th double clear of the season. He has now been sold to Charlotte Bonnar who will aim him for JRNs in the future. A lovely straight forward affectionate horse, he will be missed!

 


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