You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘May 2010’ category.
This week has been all about Bramham, but we had a few missions to achieve on the way….we left at 8 am on Tuesday morning, after I’d cantered Amber and schooled Harry, with Kenny and Jasper. We went via Towerlands were I looked at a few horses. Saw a really nice five year old, black, Thoroughbred, gelding (which I am just on my way to collect!) They very kindly let me school Kenny and Jasper over the jumps that were up, it’s as good practise as I could get so close to a competition. They both jumped very well, full of confidence I left for Suffolk.
In Suffolk we picked up Charlie who had been holidaying at Sue Cross’s. I was taking him on the long trip to Bramham to give to a friend of mine to ride as he has more time and I’d already sold him a horse which he had done a brilliant job with. So I thought he’d be the perfect man for Charlie.
We arrived at Bramham about 6pm to torrential rain which I later realised was much needed as the going was a little on the hard side. The weather changed the next day, we were to have a few gloriously sunny days. The boys were fairly settled for the whole week. Bramham is always full of atmosphere, as there is a lot going on especially around the dressage arena. 
Jasper did his test first on the Thursday and performed a very nice test with only a couple of small mistakes for a 47. Kenny performed his test Friday lunchtime; he had been working very well. I had been mainly working on relaxation as he can get a little tense in the arena. The first part of his test was really good and scored some good marks in his trot work but in the walk he became a little keen at the end and then was a little strong in the canter. However I was pleased with the test and did think the marks were very harsh at times. It was evident it wasn’t going to be a dressage competition as the cross country was big, bold and long. The fences were big and wide from the very first fence. No. 3 was similar to a double of corners. The 4th fence was a serious parallel and the 5th fence was a decent water complex. The straight route through the water I didn’t think was far off a 4* there was a seriously angled brush on the way out. I chose the log in and a slightly safer route out. The course remained difficult the whole way around with lots of areas to have penalties. I prefer a competition such as this to sort everybody out, which this certainly did. I am also hoping Kenny will compete at 4* in the future so this would be a good stepping stone for him. On Saturday he set off very well, he was rather strong at times which I am still working on and actually it was only the really big fences that I could ride him forward at. He jumped superbly through the first water but I had a run out at fence 9 b which was a big corner on a road crossing due to lack of brakes. I then took the option and carried on, he jumped really 
well around all the other fences which included another double of corners, water complex and ditch and palisades. Towards home he jumped a double of arrowheads very well, I then jumped a massive double of brushes were he stumbled quite badly on landing and after the next corner when I was only three from home I thought he wasn’t right so I made the devastating decision to pull up. I always would rather save the horse for another day rather than risk big injuries. I was genuinely devastated as he had been going so well but this is what can happen.
I withdrew Jasper after an immaculate show jumping round as he is going to Lumuhlen in 10 days time. Kenny is fine and will next run at Barbury much more experienced. I always love Bramham. Apart from the hospitality being so good (a particularly good Thursday night party) it’s always a real test of cross country skill and endurance which I believe is very important. We left on Sunday morning for the long trip home after having a good week. I shall definitely be back next year and many congratulations to Pippa who is a very deserving winner.
Another successful and busy week, hence we are writing this on the way up to Bramham. I seem to spend majority of my time doing fitness work for both myself and the horses as the 3 days seem to be getting closer. After Brigstock I decided that some of the horses needed to go show jumping so on Thursday I took my team up to Towerlands, this is now quite a trek for me but it has a good 1.30m class which makes it worth the trip. To make it worth while I took 6 horses. We took bomber again for the clear round, which he did beautifully. I jumped Tweedy in the 1.05m and Newcomers, he jumped very well as did Harry in the Newcomers and 1.15m. I use these days as schooling rounds to make them more adjustable and careful, nearly all the horses jumped better in their 2nd classes hence, it showed they needed the practise. Imp won the Newcomers with a lovely double clear. Amber and Kenny both jumped beautiful rounds in the Foxhunter and came 3rd and 4th respectively. Amber really excelled herself in the 1.30m by jumping a double clear and finishing 3rd. A very worth while day out.
On Saturday we had a dressage competition at Bedgebury in aid of the Emile Faurie foundation. It was very kindly judged by Marie-Ann Horn, they were marked on way of going as opposed to movements meaning l could ride any test. So I decided to practise Jasper and Kenny’s test for Lumuhlen and Bramham. Bambi did her test for the weekend and Amber her test from last weekend. Becky rode Bomber in the Prelim section of which he won. He really has a very correct way of going and a good rhythm. It was very beneficial for the horses and me even though the rain was relentless in the afternoon! I think this is a really worth while charity and hope we raised lots of money for them as it was very well supported.
On Sunday I went to Borde Hill for the first time in about six yrs. I was seriously impressed with the transformation of the event. The ground was very good and there was a great grass cover and it was evident a lot of time had been spent on the course making it more flowing than in recent years. Imp was a superstar he performed a great test and very relaxed double clear to come first in the BE100 open. Brian did a good test and a lovely clear round, but I decided not to run him cross country.
On Monday Tweedy did his usual 28 dressage and double clear to finish 2nd in his BE 100 section. After walking the xc course the day before I decided the novice was so good Bertie would be ready for it. He performed a very mature test to get 31 (I still have no idea how the judge could give him such a bad mark last week!) He was green and still unbalanced in the show jumping this was highlighted by being on a slight hill so he just rubbed 2 fences. But went superbly xc to finish 4th. Bambi was a little distracted in her dressage by the xc which ran fairly close to her arena but jumped her usual flawless double clear to finish 5th, she really is a seriously talented jumping mare.
Even though it was a local event we didn’t get back until 7pm the girls did a brilliant job of cleaning and packing for Bramham. I have been looking forward to this for months and really hope it is going to be as good as I have wished for.
Each week I successfully manage to cram as much in as possible but think I’ve broken records this time! We have been up and down the country a few times… I’m hoping July will be quieter; June usually is but now we’re off to Luhmuhlen (end of June) this has now changed.
I felt both myself and the horses were in need of some show jumping practice. This is something I would usually do a lot of but since I’ve moved to Kent I’ve not been once so now time to start again. Not only is it good for me but the horses do become a little less careful as we gallop around cross country, understandably. If I could take all of them out that would be great but with only 6 places on the lorry I have to be strategic. Therefore I choose the least experienced usually. Hence I left for Norton Heath early Tuesday morning as I know it has a very good clear round. I will venture out more locally soon but whilst I am after very specific reasons for my outings I will choose ‘safe’ places to go. We took Bomber, Becky rode him, did a great job, he’s now ready for competitions before he has a small holiday. I jumped Brian in the British Novice; he jumped a double clear and in the Discovery too. In fact Tweedy, Harry and Imp all jumped double clears. Harry came 3rd in the Discovery and 1 05. Imp nearly won the Newcomers but I was 300ths of a second too slow. I was back by 3.30pm and time to ride a new schooling livery, Handsome Harvey who is very willing. He is here whilst his owner is doing his exams and for me to school and work on. I enjoy projects like these. We also had a Cranio- Sacral workshop day here courtesy of Maureen Rogers. It was great; they treated 6 horses and believe me I really notice a difference. Still can’t recommend it enough…
We went back to Lodge Farm for some more XC schooling with Bomber and Tweedy. Bomber is becoming very grown up, jumps straight around all the combinations. He is rather brave at drops so is good to practice the variety there is to offer, big and small. It also seems to be the ‘place to be’ on a Wednesday as also schooling there – Sacha Pemble, Tom Crisp and Francis Whittington. A bit of a social at the same time!
As the weather is so glorious we had a barbeque courtesy of our neighbours, I was particularly impressed with the marinated meats (I have no where near enough time for this!).
I have been cycling three times a week, so combined with my events I am definitely getting fitter, hopefully fitter than ever before, shall see at the 3 days. I always feel it’s good to make sure both you and the horse is fit, especially up and down hills at Bramham.
I left for lessons with Anna Thursday afternoon after riding the remainder being left here. I also decided it was too far to go back home again as I had Brigstock Saturday and Sunday. I had 6 at Brigstock and wanted to have lessons with Jasper and Ken so Gabriella very kindly lent us her 2 horse super-duper little Oakley. Poor Sophie had to drive up and down and back up to Suffolk. My lessons went really well. We worked on Jaspers’ canter counter which was weak in my last 2 tests, Ken on a bit more impulsion whilst trying to keep the softness, Bertie on balance and went superbly and Amber, my first lesson for 6 months. She was great, we still have to be careful as she is a little hot on the flat at times still, but can seriously operate and have high hopes for future tests. I left for Suffolk where I stayed until Saturday morning. It was lovely to stay there and have an ‘easy’ day. I went and saw the boys, Bob and Charlie. I sadly had poor Beanie put down in the week as he was never going to be sound and I felt it was too much to ask for him to be in pain even just in the field. Poor Beanie, he was a lovely horse. I have also found Bob a home; this has been a hard week in some ways to loose 2 horses. But Bob is very special and I know he will be better off with a quieter life but I still (as all the family) find it hard. Charlie’s’ splint looks good so he’ll come home in a couple of weeks and swop with Bomber.
I seem to be given very early times each event now so getting up incredibly early is now normal!! Brigstock is a lovely event, good galloping track with lots of ditches. I always think if you have something go boldly around the intermediate then you have a brave horse. I had Bambi in the novice; I was incredibly disappointed with my dressage mark 40. She performed a very nice test, obviously not to the judges liking. She then jumped a great double clear. I am so pleased with her progress, I’m sure her marks will be back to normal next time… This seemed to be the trend for Saturday. I was horrified to see Berties’ score, it was ridiculously high, also Tweedys’. These 2 horses move very well and when the judge gives them 6 for there paces and my riding I’m not overly pleased! However they both jumped double clears and felt ready for the next level, novice. Sunday’s fortunes were much better. Amber was in the CIC 2*. She performed a very nice test with a few small mistakes for 56. We then went XC (in serious heat!) and she was brilliant, I opened her up though after some big jumps where she had to jump ‘out’ over each one and I think I just didn’t appreciate how big her stride still was as I couldn’t turn for the last part of the sheep pen combination. A real shame as she would’ve been near the time and with 20 penalties we don’t get a qualification. She jumped clear SJ, a good round, always interesting to see how they jump after the XC. Harry and Romeo each performed good tests in the intermediate and each had 1 down SJ, Harry the last, Romeo the first. Without these we would’ve been very highly placed. They both jumped around the XC course superbly and each with 4 time faults. The hills here are definitely making a difference they both feel much fitter (all feel fitter). Harry was 5th and Romeo 7th. Good weekend. Great weather and great to catch up with all the family and owners.
We had a big dinner Saturday night and a glass of champagne Sunday to celebrate my Mums’ birthday, I won’t tell you how old she looks and you’ll never guess as she looks very good for her age!!!!
We’ve just come back from a weekend at Chatsworth where we had another win in the CIC 3* with Jasper, he won by a considerable margin, what a clever boy…The week is as usual, hectic. I went back Tuesday to Suffolk to drop off the boys, Charlie, Beanie and Bob. They each have their own beautiful field complete with field shelter at my owners’, Richard and Sue Cross who own Bambi. They will have a life of luxury for 4 weeks until Charlie will be ready to come back and Bob and Beanie are rehomed … I then went to see my best friend who I haven’t seen for weeks, had a great evening catching up, hopefully will do again soon. One of the reasons to come back was to fix a few things that needed welding on my lorry (Rita) which my father duly did (he makes Metal Office Furniture) so is well equipt for this kind of needed procedure. This meant I had a few hours to catch up on emails and paperwork, I have still not finished them hours later, please be patient as I am sometimes rather delayed in replies! Back to Kent and cantered Amber on my return, she’s getting much fitter and trimmer, ready for the CIC 2* next weekend. Can’t wait.
As I was on early at Chatsworth Friday I had decided to stay with my parents as it reduced the journey significantly. This meant Thursday was ‘ride as many as possible’ day. All went well so not a problem. We left on time too, as scheduled which was a good thing as I can get rather carried away riding sometimes. We had a lovely family dinner, sister, children etc too and had a civilised start Friday too. Unheard of!
I schooled Bambi and Ken before making the trip to Chatsworth, was strange riding in my old arena, I can see why the horses and I were not focused at times, you can see the other horses, the yard, the fields, things in the garden, woods etc. Too much distraction! Yes sometimes its good for them but I work in my indoor school or the field generally and as we have about 100 sheep in the field now there is plenty of distraction!
It took about 3 hours to Chatsworth, so still time to school Ken again, Harry and Jasper. There was an arena set up so I worked them quietly in that, all felt very relaxed, especially Jasper, we work on no movements, just straightforward stretching and transitions. Works really well for him, he knows all the tricks, no need to practise.
The ground was perfect, as were the courses. I was very excited about all the horses running, especially Kenny as I felt he was ready for the big challenge. I wanted to use it for a test to see how ready he was for Bramham. Bambi was in the novice and performed a very good test; she needs more counter canter work and rein back but is so relaxed in the arena, very promising. She jumped a double clear, very boldly too, finished 8th in a hot section so I was delighted. I’m sure she will be doing intermediates by the end of the year. I had Harry in the Intermediate Novice. He performed a nearly perfect test but scored a reasonable 32, had one down and jumped a brilliant XC round but I stupidly jumped the wrong ‘duck’ which was the Advanced one instead. Whoops, we would’ve been 2nd I think, I don’t mind too much except his record looks bad, an unfair reflection on him.
Kenny and Jasper both performed good tests; Kenny will do a seriously smart test, just a little strong still at times. This also comes through in his jumping, we had one down but a good round, XC he was brilliant. All the direct routes and felt so confident. Chatsworth is a very hilly course so you need to have brakes which we are still working on. Can’t wait until Bramham, I also hope it’s big as he’s feeling very good and I’m wondering where to take him in the autumn.
Jasper was a superstar. He is so calm and relaxed and back to his best, usual self. He jumped a perfect clear round SJ and XC. He was so calm before the start of the XC I just wandered through the box and cantered off. I was never pressing too hard for the time but we were only a few seconds over, I know where we lost time too so this is exciting as I’m not far off being inside the time!! As I said he won by a considerable margin too, just showing there are some very good results still yet to come. As I said to Kate Green from Horse and Hound, I have learnt so much these last two years about producing horses I feel we are back to our strong and brilliant partnership again.
Once again this week has flown by, with Badminton being until Monday evening and competing at Hambelden Friday to Sunday it means that I only have 3 days at home which I have made into 3 very full days! The girls, Becky and Gemma have done a great job looking after the other 15 horses at home whilst we were away. Some are still not working though, Beanie who still lame after his horrible fall at Allerton and Bob who is going to be re homed now I’ve finally decided. He needs a month in the field and gradually bringing back into work. He will be a give away so if anyone is interested please contact me. It will have to be the right home and an experienced rider as he is rather bouncy at times but amazing. I’m not sure if he will event again or not but does the most fabulous dressage test (established changes etc) and always jumps well. He has been with me for years (now 15 1/2) so will be very sad to see him go. Charlie has thrown a splint so he’s having a little holiday. It does mean I’ve space for horses in the yard so I am looking for more rides and/ or schooling liveries and if the right one came along I may purchase something too…
We went to Lodge Farm again Wednesday with Imp (as he goes everywhere with me when XC’s involved) and it’s paying off as he is becoming much more confident and feels good. Harry I also schooled as he is a little cheeky out schooling sometimes (never at an event) but does have a sense of humour that I don’t always find quite as funny! He was nearly perfect though… Becky rode Bomber around the course, gradually asking more questions as we went along. He was superb, Becky has done a great job, I don’t have the time as away so much and he’s better with 1 consistent rider so I’ve passed the reins to Becky. He jumped straight over ditches, down drops, into the water etc. He is going to go out a few times then holiday soon as he needs to grow and mature. Thoroughly impressed with him we left happy.
I rode all the horses on each day as I really feel it helps them for the events working on their various weaknesses prior to the competition. I knew that there were steps at Hambelden so have been practising with mine each day. This is a godsend having them in my ‘garden’ means I don’t have to box up and go somewhere. Likewise with the galloping, the ground is so good at the moment I just work at ours up the hills. I am completely spoilt now!!
I left for Hambelden at a very early hour with Imp, Bertie and Brian. They all excelled themselves, very good tests although this is Berties weakest phase and still needs more work, only as he is so keen! Brian was brilliant, a 28 and Imp 25. They all jumped carefully in the show jumping for 3 clears and were all great XC too. Imp was very relaxed and much better to jump clear to win, Bertie was his usual brilliance for 6th and Brian was exceptional to come 2nd, beaten by less than a mark. He is so straightforward, one of the easiest I’ve ever started, and he loves it too. He will be for sale very soon as he is a little too small sadly but must go to a good, competitive home as he will be someones’ horse of a lifetime.
I went back the next day with Harry for the NRF. I was hoping to qualify him for Gatcombe but sadly not this time. He performed a very good test, slightly harshly marked (32) and was jumping a beautiful clear until the last treble where he spooked violently and had 2 parts down, I saw others do the same thing, no idea why. Very disappointed. He jumped clear XC as always but only finished 20th, not good enough for qualifying. These NRF’s are often dressage competitions, I would rather see them held at big novice xc courses where there is a real test as quite a few qualify that haven’t been around an intermediate and they have a nasty shock when they get to Gatcombe. I think nearly every horse went clear XC at Hambelden in our section so I could never catch up. Maybe the course was too straightforward or they were particularly good.
Sunday was better, although I felt the ground was firm in places so chose steady clear XC rounds. Amber is much more consistent in her dressage and scored 30, Romeo was very fresh and jolly so slightly higher. Amber had an uncharacteristic fence down out of the treble, maybe I was too forward in after the previous day, I did get it right on Romeo who jumped clear. They were both great XC, particularly Amber as it was a very twisty course for a big horse and you have to keep changing speed which she’s better at now. Romeo is very bold, for only his 3rd intermediate he feels very grown up. I’m hoping to aim Amber at Aston advanced which will be very exciting, the team is getting better and better…
Well I’ve still not seen the video of Badminton yet to see why we made a mistake. I have had some reports back that I was too far right and others say he looked like he went between the flags as he thought correct. I genuinely thought it was all ok, correct stride, angle etc. However we took off and then veered dramatically left and banked the corner/hedge and went the wrong side of the flag, so 20 penalties so I called it a day as he was entered at Chatsworth anyway and hopefully will then go to Luhmuhlen 4*. I can’t understand why he would make such a mistake other than completely misreading it as many others did too.. The course caused carnage, experienced scalps mainly which is very unusual. I’m not sure yet if I like the new flagging system and short back rails on corners but time will tell if it will stay or not.
Certainly sorted the men from the boys and some made it look positively easy. Such a shame we made a mistake as Jasper is usually there with Spring Along and Lenamore as the best cross country horses but this time not to be. We started really well, very slickly, Sophie and John Bowen did a great job, I now hear that all the cameras were on us expecting a repeat performance of last year, they should be so lucky! I can’t be disappointed though with our week as he did a great test, one small mistake, changed on the serpentine but quickly we corrected it and still executed a very good change. I felt one of the judges was rather harsh but a 48 was very respectable especially for the first day, (sorry to be controversial but the marks DO get better 2nd day). He walked and rein backed beautifully, I think we’re cracking it…. I was also relieved that the XC of the grass routes didn’t make too much difference to him. Having just one of the days affected by XC seemed so unfair, only some of us too as it didn’t start until later. I took Jasper up to the main arena with a heavy duty fly mask on which helped keep him calm. I didn’t get to see any of the grass routes but I’m sure they had an amazing time. There was much controversy surrounding it saying we didn’t want them there etc but this wasn’t the case. However, remember this is the pinnacle of our horses career and also £60,000 and WEG selection at stake so when we have galloping horses go past/near us before our tests we’re not that keen!!
The week couldn’t have been better though, apart from the weather, how the ground was so amazing still was unbelievable. We had torrential rain all night on Saturday, I couldn’t believe it would still be on let alone perfect going. I must admit I thought I may end up withdrawing! I wish all the events could have ground as good… I guess it shows how much they’ve done since 2007. The week at Badminton is always enjoyable whether we do well or not, obviously it’s hard to put into words how fantastic it is when a good result is achieved but the excitement and buzz of Badminton is brilliant. We are also lucky to have fantastic hospitality too, courtesy of the ERA dinner and the other various restaurants. Food is very dear to my heart so this is a big factor for me!
I also visit my sponsors’ stands, this year there weren’t so many there but Ariat was and I signed numerous photos for people! Is nice to give something back and meet the people who come to watch us.
I left early Monday to get back before the traffic built up so I didn’t see Paul Tapner win, congratulations, he seems to be having a great year. I was also delighted for Daisy coming 3rd, I love that horse, hope they are selected for WEG…
I left Badminton happy though, a good, relaxed test and a great start, all the other bits are generally solid so here we come Luhmuhlen….
Recent Comments