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I’ve had more lessons with Anna again which is really helping the marks. We’ve been working on small flexions and bends to help prepare for the lateral movements and improve suppleness. I put this into practise at Oldencraig where I had a particularly good day, winning the elementary on Harry and Jasper who was superb in his first trip out after Luhmuhlen and won the other elementary and won the medium. Ken also won the advanced medium, he tried incredibly hard as the test was complicated, he really is settling and improving.
My tests were also good at Highclere, the hard work is paying off! I ran Imp in the 100 as the XC course is so nice and he just needs easy runs. He did a 20 dressage and a lovely, relaxed double clear. His next run is a novice again. Amber has been slightly upset by the introduction of changes so her tests are slightly tense, she jumped clear SJ but I decided not to run her as she was at Breda the next week. Harry was his usual (and regularly!) amazing self with a 28 dressage, 1 down and fast clear xc round to win his intermediate. I knew this would be the last chance I may have to win and qualify for Gatcombe intermediate championships next year. As he did so well in the novice I plan to do the same next year! Jasper was in the advanced, he did a beautiful test, a 25! I was in the lead but didn’t run as he has a splint I’m looking after so we can get to Pau. I am now no longer on the reserve list for WEG as he won’t be fit enough sadly. Was just not meant to be. Kenny was a superstar also in the advanced. He performed a lovely test and got a much better mark, 32. He then jumped clear in the show jumping! We changed the bit to a curb gag which he seems to really like, he has fences because he comes against the hand and with this bit he seems not to so far… He was brilliant XC too and finished 6th, our best result so far… And great preparation for Blenheim!
I have a new horse named Red or Chataigne Filice, he is a 7 year old chestnut gelding Irish Sport Horse x Selle Francais. Very nice, just needs producing, has lots of talent and some very nice owners Vivian and Bob Jupp. I’m delighted he’s come my way…
I took Red, Brian, Bomber and Bertie to Firle for some XC schooling. I was seriously impressed with the changes they’ve made to the course and the ground was superb. They open the course for schooling after the event for three days so is all flagged etc. It was superb, they all went really well. I could take them around a smaller course then the next one up and so on.
We left for Breda at 5am with Jasper, Amber and Harry. The aim was to get my qualifications and hopefully some prizes! Jasper was never really going to run unless he did a fabulous test again, but the carriages made sure that didn’t happen! It was my first time there, fabulous place, great for experience for the younger horses. There were big arenas and flags everywhere also carriages, 4 horse, 2 horse and single. The world championships for the Paralympics were also on at the same time so the event was even bigger and better than usual. My horses were terrified of the carriages though and the drivers seemed unaware of the grief they caused us all!! By day four they were beginning to calm down but sadly too late for Amber and Jaspers’ tests! Harry however performed a lovely test and didn’t get the mark I was expecting, a 56! It was fault free and got 5′s and 6′s. Nevermind, I was still very pleased. The show jumping was in a very big arena full of atmosphere. The 2 * was big but the 3* wasn’t which surprised me. It was a brilliant experience for them with the large crowds and still the carriages the were going past! Harry jumped clear, was rather strong but jumped really well, as did Amber who also jumped clear. I didn’t jump Jasper as his splint is still slightly sore… Harry moved up a massive amount from his clear round and Amber too, about 20 places! This had me in a good position with Harry for the XC, I had decided to take him at the pace he needed to give him a good, confident run and qualify as this was the aim. He jumped superbly as usual; the course was not technical but reasonably big. The ground was superb and very flat, something I’m not used to anymore… He jumped clear, we had just four time faults and finished 9th which was a good result. He is now qualified for a 2* so will either be Osberton or Le Lion D’Angers 7 year olds I’m hoping to get into… Amber also jumped clear, I took her around a couple of long routes to make sure she got her 3* qualification as this was also the reason we were here. I was full of praise for the courses and place just the carriages need addressing as they were too close too often. Breda itself was a beautiful town, I will return next year if Kenny isn’t at Burghley!
Kenny will be at a 4* soon though as he got his qualification at Blenheim. This is what I have been after for the last year with him. It seems crazy to think he is ready for a 4* but if he didn’t get the result needed at Blenheim he would have to do another 2* as that had nearly run out! Luckily the extra miles don’t need to go on his legs now… I was disappointed leaving Blenheim realising that I still can’t get into Badminton as he didn’t finish in the top 25 % but shouldn’t be as it was the qualification we were after and this was achieved. I am hoping to take him to Pau 4* this year, he has only ever done 5, 3 day events and has been run carefully so shouldn’t be over run… Very exciting I now have two- 4* horses!!
Kenny is getting used to the big atmospheres too now; he was so much more settled. He worked really well before his dressage and I thought we would do a brilliant test, which he is well capable of. Interestingly he became over round in the arena, something I’ve never had before with him and although the test was nice they naturally marked me down for each movement so we ended up on a 59. Still better than previous tests so improving. The XC course was lovely. I’ve not been to Blenheim for 7 years, since Jasper went in 2003 so I was very excited to be there and ride around the course again. I was surprised how long the course was, just under 11 minutes which was apparently longer than Burghley! The hills are still hard work at Blenheim, not so much maybe as Bramham but similar in how tiring the course can be. Kenny has so much thoroughbred in him and I needed it. The course wasn’t massively technical but there were plenty of places to run out or have an annoying 20 penalties, but I knew speed would be very influential. We set off at a good pace, my aim to go as fast as possible but without faults! He has an amazing gallop and effortless for him and he made the course feel very straightforward. There were no ‘moments’ anywhere, he is also incredibly scopey so is pure pleasure to ride around the course. We had 5 time faults which I felt I got at the end of the course as I so wanted a clear and took 1 slightly longer route. We moved up from 58th to 27th! I always felt his XC will be his strong point, hence why I really feel he will be a brilliant Burghley horse.
He showjumped well, the track was not suited to him; constant turns back on ourselves like a jump off. When we entered the arena the crowd were also clapping loudly, as he hasn’t showjumped at the big events often he became quite strong and fought to some of the fences at the end of the course to have two down and some time faults which dropped us to 33rd. I was slightly disappointed but I know this is our weak phase and have the winter to work on it and plenty of time before Pau…
As I’d been away for the last two weeks I had some catching up to do! I also had to take some for routine checks to Rossdales and combined this with a visit to Rachel Uptons’ XC course, my old local schooling course. This place is really improving and is a great place for young horses with plenty of variety of types of fences. I schooled the horses competing this week; all were good and felt it was a very valuable experience for them.
With our ground being so good at home I can also keep cantering them here rather than taking them to the gallops which saves me hours. The horses preparing for Osberton are cantered every four days and Jasper is starting too as well in preparation for Pau. I have also been jumping them outdoors and dressaging as we have an arena too in the park. I am so fortunate to have all these facilities, coming from a yard with few I am constantly very grateful and haven’t got used to them yet!!
We were off to Purston Manor with Red, Imp and Bertie on Thursday. They had given me reasonably early times so we left at 5am to make sure we missed the traffic and had time to walk the courses. I really like Purston as the ground is always good and the courses are fair and educational. Imp as always performed a brilliant test for a 28, Red and Bert are working progress. Red needs to stretch and take the rein forward and Bertie is a little tense in the arena as he’s not quite up to counter canter and medium trot etc yet one after the other but can do it all very well separately! Imp jumped clear in the show jumping but had an annoying stop XC; he was very competent otherwise though so I was still reasonably pleased. Red jumped a beautiful double clear, he is a lovely horse and I am very lucky to have him, 1 for the future… Bertie is just brilliant. He was a little keen in the show jumping and had a fence down going downhill, but the XC was faultless. He hasn’t run for a while and I wondered if he maybe spooky, most definitely not! He flew around, he reminds me so much of young Jasper which is very exciting. These two finished just out of the placings, a good day.
I had another good day at Munstead on Sunday with Bomber and Brian. When you take a horse to it’s first event it’s always interesting to see how they get on. Becky has done a wonderful job with Bomber in producing him as he wasn’t always able to take my ‘pressure’ which he now is. Even so I only ride him three times a week to keep him relaxed. Every horse is different and needs producing in different ways. He performed a very grown up test for 29.5 in the Open Intro section. He then jumped a good clear round sj and too XC. He was not sure to start with about leaving the others, but once we got to fence seven he was off. He is a lovely horse, a good jumper and quick too. We finished 2nd, just by 0.2 so nearly won his first event! superstar, has one more at Pulborough and then a holiday. Brian too performed a good test for a 30, he will be seriously smart on the flat soon.. He warmed up very well for the sj, but was very cheeky in the arena and ran out at the 2nd jump which felt like slow motion! He had never done that so was more than a little surprised but I think he is feeling very well and decided to have a little fun! He jumped clear otherwise but we got several time faults. I took him at a pace that suited him XC as I knew we wouldn’t be placed (I was convinced we’d win today originally!) and he was lovely, just two time faults and felt very brave. I was still pleased, if you’ve ever seen Brian you will understand why I couldn’t be, he is adorable! A good week generally though, a few things to work on but the horses feel in good form…
The weeks are getting shorter and shorter as the end of season approaches (sorry but the weather will get worse soon as the summer ends and winter begins!!) I have fully made the most of the summer this year without a doubt. I went to V festival for the weekend which I have to say was incredible. There were no events I would really like to go to so I thought I would go with my friends to see some bands. We stayed in a lovely Winnebago (had to be done) and had a great time. Probably the last time I’ll do this so we did it in style and the weather was kind too!
But enough of the weekend off (which is a rarity!!) and back to real life. I went to Newmarket to stay with my parents for Tuesday night as we were out with David and Sue Howard for a celebratory meal after Gatcombe. I took a few horses with me for their checkups at Rossdales. I swopped over Bambi and Romeo, she has just finished her holiday now the ground is softer and sadly Romeo will have the rest of the season off with a very small injury. He will be back next year, I am over cautious with him as he is such a lovely young horse. Bambi looks amazing after her holiday, really filled out and has certainly blossomed! We left Wednesday back to Tunbridge Wells after a good trip back. I just wish I had more time to catch up with everybody…
The rain has finally come and the ground is finally softer. I can now canter in our field again which is superb as not only does it have a great hill but also I can work on stamina and endurance as well as hill work and speed. It also means I don’t have to go elsewhere to gallop which obviously saves me a huge amount of time. It also means the novices can canter and trot around and get fit too. Hopefully it will keep raining! We are also jumping in the field again which is great for the young horses. I’ve been jumping Phoenix outside to help with his spookiness, he is already much more confident. Next week they will all practise jumping outside.
We have also had Rob the dentist from Bell Equine in checking all their teeth which is so important every six months, a few needed work but generally they were good. I can’t stress enough the importance of having them checked…
I had to withdraw from Burghley this week as Jasper is not as fit as I’d like him to be. I gave him a month off after Luhmuhlen as I genuinely expected to be selected for WEG so I have now lost too much time in preparation for Burghley. I had hoped we make it but I will now go to Pau knowing this is the better option… Next year I hope!!!
At last we have had some rain which is starting to make a difference to the ground. The grass is beginning to grow and the sting is out of the ground (a bit) but definitely heading in the right direction. I am very spoilt now with my indoor schools and on Tuesday I was incredibly grateful for cover as it poured for half the day! I must admit I do hate riding in the rain now whereas the previous years I coped fine with wet days, I think I’m beginning to get a little bit precious!!
I (as usual) rode the horses here that had been left behind from Gatcombe. I school them on the Monday, partly because I’m usually quite tired on a Monday and partly because they are always a little fresh after I’ve been away as I use these days for days off, lunging etc. The really hard work is generally when I’m here. I jumped them Tuesday, in the brilliant, dry, indoor school. I rode the young horses, Bomber, who is improving each time, as Phoenix and Nelson are too. Brian jumped well (he is just ticking over having a slight holiday until he’s sold which I’m amazed he’s not gone yet….) Imp was unbelievably good, I’m so impressed how much he enjoys it rather than feeling slightly stressed about it. I’m still taking it slowly though as I believe this year is about building his foundations rather than pushing him. We jumped Katie’s’ horse, Tiggy too (they are on work experience). He is rather nice, was suitably impressed.
I was leaving for Hartpury at 2.30pm so we went to Lodge Farm quickly with four to practise some XC as the rain had taken a little of the sting out the ground. Nelson was good, still green but getting less, there were horses everywhere galloping around and he was perfectly behaved! Bomber was also good, he is nearly ready for an event and Tiggy also came to practise water and drops as he can be a little exuberant into/off them. There are lots of good drops to practise down here so this was perfect. I schooled Phoenix for the first time, he was quite spooky to start but quickly settled and I was delighted with him by the end. Hopefully we shall enter him somewhere soon…
So we left for Hartpury nearer 3 by the time I had schooled Kenny and Amber. I hadn’t been there for years, I think 10 years!! I had the two, Ken and Amber in the CIC 3*. I decided I wasn’t running Jasper until Highclere so as Amber was qualified I substituted her in his place. We arrived slightly early so we could work the horses with plenty of time before the dressage as it was going to be a rather hot competition with it being a few countries final selection trial!
The only areas to school were in the indoor schools which are a good size but absolutely full of people practising before their tests. There were approximately 100 and something in the 1* 40 in the 2* and 150 in the two 3* sections so the schools were rather busy! This didn’t help me settle the horses but they did get used to it. It wasn’t as though you could go in there early and work on your own as the dressage started at 8 each morning they were also never empty!
The facilities however are amazing. The big indoor school is something else. Luckily we had ‘familiarisation’ so they can get slightly used to it…Amber was in the top section which was for a car so all the best combinations were in this. Anna arrived to help me warm up again which was brilliant. I really believe it can be the difference between a good test and a very good test. Just simple tweaks and corrections make a massive difference. She performed a good test as is so green at that level and changes not established etc yet for a 59. I was happy with this as the marks would also have been harder to earn as so many good tests had gone before. Ken was outside in the other section and performed a very calm test. He has improved so much the last few weeks. His changes weren’t brilliant as on a half 20 metre circle from counter canter and he likes to change so I kept it a little underpowered but generally it was good. He scored 51 which is a personal best for him so far!! I was disappointed to see tests not as good as his and score better marks than him but this is often the case unfortunately…
The show jumping didn’t start until 2.30pm the next day so I had plenty of time to walk the XC course again for the 3 *. I had so much time I walked it 3 times which is unheard of for a CIC!! The first few made it look quite straight forward which disappointed me as the fences were on the smaller side. The time was reasonably tight (I did manage to get the odd time fault however) and I think generally there were too many clears. It does make it more of a competition when the show jumping causes significant trouble!! Amber had the first down for some bizarre reason, it was quite small and I think she wasn’t concentrating, then jumped superbly. Kenny jumped a great round until the treble and had 3 down which was disappointing so will keep working on this phase…
The XC again didn’t start until later. We were so lucky to have had serious rain on Friday night. It made it soft Saturday but perfect Sunday and actually if it had been a day later the ground would’ve been hard again. On walking the course I could see there were a few fences likely to cause problems, mainly the two corners up a rise and slightly offset on a long three strides and then a few other combinations like the water which was a straight forward double into it but was very dark and shadowy. I thought the course was a good first time 3 * hence I run Amber… She was superb, she was foot perfect everywhere except the corners where I should’ve had more power up the rise as she jumped so big over the first that I landed too steeply and got there on three and a half and she didn’t run out just couldn’t make it. I was still delighted as this was the biggest test so far and she breezed it. Kenny went very well, he jumped well into the water that had caused a few nasty falls and the corners too; he finished well but sadly out of the money and much needed FEI points. It was a successful trip though; a good run for Ken XC and much better test and Amber is proving to be all I’d hoped. I think she will be a serious horse for next year…
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I’ve had another great week; it was one of my favourite events, Gatcombe. We had a very successful weekend which I shall come back to..!
As Gatcombe was Thursday to Sunday once again it was a case of cramming in as much as possible in the 3 days here. Maureen, our Cranio-sacral expert is over from America at the moment and has been treating the horses before their big runs. This part of the season onwards is incredibly busy and hard work on the horses as the 3 days and championships are all coming up. I find it fascinating watching Maureen work, as I try to understand the structures of the horse and how it all works etc etc. But more importantly for me is how I can make a difference to them and make them move better without so much tension in their bodies. I really notice the difference in them afterwards and believe that keeping them more comfortable not only makes them sounder but also last longer. We treated most of the horses so they are now in top shape!! With Maureen here it was also an excuse to visit one of the local pubs/restaurants as we also had Helen starting and Katie Kneen on work experience for 3 weeks so a good chance for everyone to get to know one another. We are so spoilt with places to eat around here and the food really is fantastic, I thoroughly recommend all the local places!!
We went back to the gallops with Kenny, Amber and Harry and a tremendous thunderstorm! We had to wait about half an hour for it to clear and had an unbelievable amount of rain but was horrified to still see that just under the surface it was bone dry. I was seriously hoping that Gatcombe hadn’t similar conditions as the ground is still like rock. The horses went well up the gallops; Ken should be very fit by the time Blenheim comes which he’ll need as so hilly…
I had an incident with a wasp, trying to kill it the horrible little thing stung me a few times in my thumb. It was surprisingly painful and swelled up slightly straight away. I’m not very good with small pains, big pain is no problem and in that respect I’m quite tough, but small pain is a big no no. By the time I went to bed my whole hand had swollen up and was really uncomfortable and kept me awake half the night (how pathetic!). By the morning I had the fattest hand so decided as I was off to Gatcombe and needed to use these fat fingers I now had to take a necessary trip to the doctors. I was so impressed, we live 5 minutes away a doctor’s surgery. I filled out some forms and saw a doctor within 10 minutes and they even held the pharmacy open for me to get my prescription. Brilliant, back working within half an hour! Why can’t all things be that easy? So I left for Gatcombe happy I would be able to ride well the next day!!
Anna Ross Davies had very kindly agreed to come and help me Friday and Saturday which made a massive difference. She helped me ride in every session which was 6 as I rode them all twice (Harry Novice Champs, Amber Intermediate champs and Kenny in the Open). We worked on Harrys’ outline, trying to perfect it and making sure that he was suitably relaxed as they can suddenly go very tense changing from one work area to the next. Harry has a great brain though and did a super test. I felt there were really not too many mistakes and should get a very good mark. The judges agreed and we scored 30.2 which I think was about 5th after dressage, one of the judges could have marked me higher, I was a little disappointed with that sheet but the other two were fair. Amber has been learning her changes and unfortunately has slightly upset some of the canter work. This often happens though and she will be fine in a week or so just happened to affect her more this week sadly. I was pleased with most of the test as she will be stunning and showed some of this quality of work at times. Her test sheet read 8′s then 4’s! The high score though left her out of the running though. Kenny did a personal best in his dressage, a lovely calm, flowing test.
I (and Anna) were delighted, he will too be stunning. He just added changes on the serpentine which I need to work and can be rectified. He scored a reasonable mark which I’m sure will be getting lower very soon…
We were lucky with the weather, we had several really good sharp showers which help soften the ground tremendously. I thought the ground was very good, probably have been spoilt for a bit as the rain is not due again now… Harrys’ novice jumping track was quite big and square as usual. There were also plenty of people watching and you get a real sense of how important this competition is to us all. Harry jumped superbly, for some reason though we had the last planks down, of which I’ve been practising this week so was absolutely devastated to knock them down as I knew this was my chance gone of winning. I joke about making some the same colour but you wait till next year and see my jump collection…! I knew the XC time is always nearly impossible but also that my horse has an amazing turn of speed and stamina. The course was really good, enough questions but softer than previous years. I set off fast as I knew you can’t make up time there without taking really big risks. Harry was unbelievable. So quick and careful, that was probably his best round so far and was one of his easiest too. We finished 4 seconds inside the time. He makes it possible as is so balanced up and down the hills. We finished 2nd, we would’ve won if not for the planks. Nevermind, I was delighted with 2nd and suitably celebrated at the party afterwards (without too much alcohol though I was jumping at 9 the next morning!!). Gatcombe is always a great social event and this time was no exception, they do know how to put on a good event!
Amber jumped really well, had one down but a good round. Her Intermediate course was also softened slightly to be a good advanced. She was phenomenal, I didn’t go quickly as we weren’t in with a shout but she was copy book everywhere. She will be a superstar no doubt. Kenny wasn’t ever going to run as much as I was tempted as we need some FEI points and are running at Hartpury CIC 3* next weekend. He jumped a good round in the Open but had 3 down, just touching them lightly. The track was very big and square (and long!) and were few clears. We will keep working hard on this phase I’m sure we will be jumping clear rounds soon… He certainly has the talent and scope.
On our way home I heard that Daisy won, so many congratulations I wish we could bet I had my money on her! This makes Spring Along the most successful event horse ever, Daisy must be incredibly proud…
Things are so busy at the moment I’ve even not had time to do my diary for the last 2 weeks! So I am trying to catch up again which I’m sure I will have done by the end of the week…
Last Monday seems an awfully long time ago now. I went to Pyecombe for my first time to hire the arena for the young horses. It’s a great place, has a very good arena and great set of show jumps. I took Nelson who is just lovely; he jumped very impressively around the jumps, over all the spooky fillers and water trays. I jumped Phoenix too, the first time I had taken him out. He was good, not too spooky and jumped all the bright fillers too. Good first outing. I jumped Fly and Imp too for more ‘match practise’ which was beneficial. I’ve decided to jump Imp in a Pelham as he sometimes can come a little head high into the fences and I find a Pelham can help to stop this…
We had a totally different day on Tuesday when Horse and Country came to see us at Bedgebury.
This was the first time they had seen my new yard and were seriously impressed, as is everybody as it does have to be one of the most beautiful locations possible. There are no bad mood days here, really couldn’t be possible!! We were basically doing some demo’s hopefully for some eventual ‘How To’s’ that will be on their TV and website. These will hopefully be 5 – 10 eventually, fingers crossed we get the sponsorship to enable this… We had fun filming (well I did!) but did take me a while to get back into it as I haven’t recorded anything for what felt like ages and needed the practise again! 
They were very patient with me though, I hope that the footage taken came out well… I really enjoy this work and hope that I keep improving sufficiently to keep it up! The horses were excellent models and behaved impeccably. It did take an enormous amount of time to film, (probably because I was not practised) and was surprised how exhausted my brain felt that evening!!
I’ve found some local gallops to use at Mike Roberts’ place. These are woodchip which I haven’t used before but am very impressed by them. There is a large circular area to canter and warm up on before the long incline uphill which I’m guessing is 7 furlongs. It doesn’t look that steep but by the time you’re at the top and walk down you can see you’ve climbed up fairly high. We went 3 times up with Kenny and 2 with Amber and Harry as they aren’t headed for a 3 day in September. They will then canter twice a week as Ken does and for longer when preparing. These are a great find though, hopefully will increase their fitness again and sorry to say but much cheaper than Newmarket too!!!
We left for Aston Le Walls Thursday pm as the majority of my competition was on Friday. I was early dressage with Ken and got there early Friday morning to work him and settle him. This worked well as he performed a very good test with only small mistakes for 34 and in 7th. A vast improvement from Barbury! Amber also in the advanced (her first) performed a fairly good test. Her changes are not yet established so lost marks for those and her canter can be slightly crooked at times but a very good picture and is settled. She scored a 38. Imp was in the open novice, my first since our fall! I had taken him XC schooling before as I was worried he’d be little green again and he did need it. I wonder if he needed more of this perhaps in his early years as his confidence goes so quickly. However at Aston he performed his usual fantastic test for 24 but had the last show jump down sadly for otherwise a faultless round. We set off XC well, he was much better in his Pelham as I can control his random strong moments better! He jumped brilliantly around the course as there were plenty of opportunities to be spooky. He finished 7th as I didn’t go particularly fast as the ground is firm enough even though there had been some areas watered and it aggravated. They watered the show jumping that morning and although it took the sting out the ground it made the going quite slippery and the ground was still quite hard. It was also quite a small arena and the poles were very light. Kenny and Amber are usually very careful jumpers. Kenny had 3 down which is unheard of, likewise with Amber’s 2 fences. There were lots of fences down; I believe the ground was the biggest contributing factor. As I was now out of the running for a good placing I took them both steadily around the cross country. Which had been watered considerably more than the show jumping and the ground was a lot better. Kenny jumped his usual brilliant clear and Amber was superb for her 1st advanced so I was disappointed when I found the distance very short in the last water, incurring 20 penalties. But I now know she rides very boldly into water and to ride forward rather than wait. We happily returned home with horses that are gaining experience all the time.
Had a day at home on Sunday and Anna Ross Davies came to teach me on four horses. It’s fantastic I don’t have to travel for my lessons anymore. I had a lesson on Kenny as I had only run slowly the day before and we are still trying the new double bridle, which so far seems to be the answer. I also had a lesson on Harry working towards the novice championship test in 2 weeks time. I have high hopes for him there and the dressage has to be as good as I can get it to have a chance. I also had lessons on the 2 young horses, Nelson and Brian which were incredibly beneficial as this was the 1st lesson I had, had with Anna on a young horse. I was surprised just how much emphasis was put on the straightness. We also worked on making the canter more forward, which greatly improved. I was delighted with both of them at the end of each lesson.
As I was going to Hickstead for 2 days of jumping I decided to stop in at Stuart Harvey’s on the way for some lessons. The last lesson I had was with him at the end of March, so long overdue! They all jumped really well; we worked on making Imp and Brian having a bigger canter. With Harry working on the perfect take off for spreads and with Kenny working on the softness in the hand all the way to the fence. All of this greatly improved all their jumps. We then set of for Hickstead. When we arrived we were surprised at how much bigger this one was than the last. It was brilliant for the horses to get used to such an atmosphere. I’d found it incredibly helpful to of had the lessons the day before and then be able to put it into practise. Brian had the best result on the 1st day coming 4th in the 1m out of 85. Harry just had the planks down in front in the 1.10m (as he did behind the 2nd day!) but jumped well. I know what I’m practising next week…! Kenny jumped superbly in the foxhunter, jumping clear apart from thinking the massive water jump was the smallest jump into water he’d seen. Then in the 1.25m just touched the front bar of the last treble in the jump off to have 4 faults, I couldn’t have been more delighted as he jumped a very classy round. The next day Brian jumped very well in the 1m and 1.05m, Imp too in the 1.10m which I was particularly pleased with as it was very spooky. I had decided to ride Kenny in the eventer’s grand prix, you never know if it’s the right horse until you’re riding in it. This year the fences looked even bigger than usual, especially the bullfinch which was actually higher than my head! When after the first 6 had gone and only 1 got home we realised it was quite a tough competition! I was drawn quite late with Kenny which had given me plenty of chance to watch the others. He jumped the showjumps well but had 2 down, this was because I was going quicker than normal and had a stronger bit in ready for the cross country that followed. The first cross country jump was a big open water tray which he misread and jumped straight into, he then jumped the next hedge well but didn’t want to canter into the water for the stream crossing and we jumped the arrowhead coming out very uncomfortably so I decided we would call it a day as he is far too good a horse to upset in a fun competition. One day I will find the right horse for it! We left Hickstead full of praise for the way they look after their rings. I haven’t ridden on ground like that for months and it was a real pleasure to do so. I’ll be back next year for sure.
As Gemma had left I was looking for a new member of staff. Helen Lambert had come to join us for the morning for an interview (after which I offered her the job). We went to the gallops again and jumped the young horses before I left for Brighton for a rare weekend off. Had a fantastic weekend with my cousins and best friends…
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