December
Millie competing at the unaffiliated dressage with her owner Fiona. Having not been to a competition for a while, she was rather frisky and opinionated about the other horses in the warm up but calmed down in the arena to produce an accurate test but just needing a bit more impulsion.
Obviously missing her competing, I then did another test on her a couple of weeks later and we then went to her first BSJA show at the Hand, fully prepared that she might be rather a handful in the tight warm up. However she surprised us to behave perfectly and produced a lovely double clear to finish 3rd in the British Novice, so we decided to come home on that good note with plans to do more BSJA next year.
This is Frankie who belongs to Laura who I teach . Due to Laura unfortunately breaking her elbow as a result of a spectacular show jumping fall, she asked me to take up the reins and partner her boy around the two Stockland Lovell Hunter Trials.
Having had previous issues of not wanting to go away from home positive riding was needed . At the first competition he did briefly get the better of me with one stop at the first and then with me firmly in the driving seat he jumped clear. This was followed with another clear at the second competition a fortnight later, where he felt much more confident although he is definitely a pony you need to be fit to ride as he like you to work as hard as he has to!
Now mended, Laura will take on from me next year to do some more hunter trials and ODE's with perhaps aiming for a BE event? The challenge has been laid down in writing now Laura!
The boys at West Wilts which was a successful day. First Ben (above left) jumped another superb double clear after a rather tense dressage to finish 11th. Again he felt effortless cross country and had a great time.
Next Big Archie (above) did a better test with lots more energy and just had the last show jump down when he spooked rather violently when he saw the next horse coming in behind the fence. Finally a great clear cross country in the pouring rain where he felt very established and ready to move up to Novice. He has gone home for a bit of holiday now, but has thoroughly enjoyed his first half season as an event horse.
Finally little Archie did his dressage in the pouring rain which I was very please with apart from a little out burst on his part at the end of the walk. The judge agreed this time and he got 33.5 and lay in 4th place. Show jumping he felt incredibly cocky and rather uncontrollable in the ring, but we just about kept it together for one down. Finally he was a demon cross country pulling like a train and refusing to back off anything at all whatever I tried to tell him! Having competed here last year he really decided that jockey intervention was not necessary. A fast clear meant we ended on 4th place and another rosette and we are now contemplating what to do with a 14.2hh pony who now finds BE100 rather too easy!
Archie show jumping at Pontispool where he has one down purely down to jockey error and he is really ready for a much bigger track. After a very disappointing dressage mark he flew round the cross country inside the time. Unfortunately we got no photos for Little Archie who jumped a great double clear after what everyone thought was a very smart test. The judge however must have left her glasses at home and he finished just out of the placings.
The Archies competed in the BE100.
Little Archie finished 6th with a double clear and Big Archie show jumped yet another clear but had one silly stop on the cross country when he spooked which meant he missed out on a rosette.
Cross country action from Bickenhall: Clockwise from above Benvolio, Archidamus, Ramillie and Bellindene Archdene.
More photos and report in Event diary.
The three fillies from my star advanced event mare Steeler's Texarkana (Roodi) who is by Dallas.
Anticlockwise from left.
Steeler's Singalong (Sadie) rising 3 and by the Welton young event stallion Up With the Lark. The spitting image of her Mum with her kind temperament, Sadie will soon be starting some baby work.
Steeler's M'Lady (Millie) rising 2 and by the prolific Event Sire Mill Law. Already approaching 16hh she looks very much like Ben who I currently event although they are not related at all. She also has his feisty character and hopefully as much talent.
New arrival Steeler's Dazzle by the great Catherston Dazzler. Just a few days old; all legs, a huge shoulder and incredibly cute! Unlike her sisters she has absolutely no white on her.
Now 20 years old Roodi will not be put back in foal, but we are very much hoping that at least one of these three will join her on the Top 250 eventing mares of all time' List compiled by British Eventing
Millie, a stunning 5 year old mare is another new arrival shown here after a few days. She is quite a lively mare and unfortunately became sore in her back having put her pelvis out at some point. However following treatment from a chiropractor and a gradual increase of work she is feeling much better and I hope to be able to press on with her soon.
Louis, a diminutive Andulucian cross Welsh with a huge personality has come for a few weeks training whilst his owner, Lisa recovers from an operation. He has been an absolute delight to work with as he has so much enthusiasm and plenty of spark. He loves both his show jumping and cross country and has also learned to concentrate a little more for dressage too.
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