The ponies are now coming back into work and are very happy not to be stuck out in the field in horrid English weather although they are having great fun playing in all the snow for an hour so.
Divilabit has been in work for a while now and had his first outing since Blenheim last Tuesday to Addington BSJA, all very exciting and a few bucks here and there but thankfully less eventful than taking him out hacking.. especially on dustbin day! never the less he loved it and came 4th, so earned him self some prize money!
Somewhat Cavalier also was in the money coming 2Nd and 5Th in his two classes, improving more and more every time he goes out and still only a 4 year old. Next season will be an exciting one for him!
Angellus also had an outing that day and jumped a lovely double clear in his first class but just outside the prizes.
Bonne Amie, Creeslough, Argentinus and All 4 Fun are still doing their walking, feeling very well and fully revived after their holidays! Argentinus in particular who still feels it necessary to jump from field to field when he gets bored!
So since the end of the season BSJA has been in full swing and going well, early in the new year shall the BD start with Hamilton turning 4 he too can come out to play!
I would like to Wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and successful new Year!!
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
2010 EVENT SEASON IS OVER NOW TO A WINTER OF HUNTING, SHOW JUMPING AND DRESSAGE!!
2010 has been a brilliant season for me - I have some fantastic horses that are showing great form for the future aswell as the two more established ones ready to pursue their 3 star form next year.
Excitingly Angellus who originally came to me to sell, looks like he will be staying which is fantastic news for Owner Nickie Kavanagh and myself as her company JUNIPER is taking on the sponsorship of the horses for his 2011 eventing. A very exciting prospect for next year!
Creeslough, Bonne Amie, Divilabit and Argentinus are all on holiday now untill mid November where they will all come back into work for some Dressage and Show jumping.
New purchase Hamilton is going well and will certainly be ready for some dressage and jumping in January as a 4yo.
Some What Cavalier has been hunting a couple of times as well as some BSJA so he will continue this as well as some hunter trials to set him self up for 2011 eventing.
Five Alive of Stepahnie Murdoch's is building on her BSJA record spending most Tuesdays at Addington Manor and loving every minute.
New arrivals Toby and Buzz whom i have into sell are going well, also doing some hunting and BSJA/ Dressage and will soon to be advertised.
So its all going on at Four Winds Farm, For me plenty of teaching, schooling, riding, hunting and not to mention the hunt balls!!
I want to Thank everyone who has be involved this year and helped me with the horses and get myself back on my feet after last year. There are just too many names to mention but you all know who you are! - Everything is looking up - Bring on 2011!! and exciting one awaits!!
Excitingly Angellus who originally came to me to sell, looks like he will be staying which is fantastic news for Owner Nickie Kavanagh and myself as her company JUNIPER is taking on the sponsorship of the horses for his 2011 eventing. A very exciting prospect for next year!
Creeslough, Bonne Amie, Divilabit and Argentinus are all on holiday now untill mid November where they will all come back into work for some Dressage and Show jumping.
New purchase Hamilton is going well and will certainly be ready for some dressage and jumping in January as a 4yo.
Some What Cavalier has been hunting a couple of times as well as some BSJA so he will continue this as well as some hunter trials to set him self up for 2011 eventing.
Five Alive of Stepahnie Murdoch's is building on her BSJA record spending most Tuesdays at Addington Manor and loving every minute.
New arrivals Toby and Buzz whom i have into sell are going well, also doing some hunting and BSJA/ Dressage and will soon to be advertised.
So its all going on at Four Winds Farm, For me plenty of teaching, schooling, riding, hunting and not to mention the hunt balls!!
I want to Thank everyone who has be involved this year and helped me with the horses and get myself back on my feet after last year. There are just too many names to mention but you all know who you are! - Everything is looking up - Bring on 2011!! and exciting one awaits!!
2 weeks break then off to Broadway - Last event of the Season - 17th October
Three rides for me to finish off a long but enjoyable season.
Ballycullane Dundee in the BE100 and Argentinus taking on his second novice and Angellus stepping up the grade to his first novice.
The track had plenty of technical questions including a corner to roll top as well as a bounce into water, so plenty to ask of the inexperienced novices.
Angellus was first of the 3 horses, he did a rather wobbly, green test and his mark resembled this but then followed this up with a nice round in the show jumping having just two down on the much bigger track to what he is used to. Then a fantastic clear XC being very accurate and bold but we just took it steady for his first run at this level incurring rather alot of time faults.
Argentinus did a nice test but loosing his bounce this late on in the season and is in need of a holiday to take in everything he has learnt this season. He behaved well and scored an average mark. Show jumping he felt fantastic and jumped the most amazing clear! certainly feeling plenty of bounce in this phase! XC he was going very well and towards the end of the course at the water he had a stop at the log before the bounce step in - something he had defiantly not seen before and completely took him by surprise but very willingly he jumped it well on the second attempt such a shame but yet another thing he has learnt about this season!
Plenty of things for both horses to think about over the winter now. holiday time for Argentinus after a long season and for Angellus a few months of Dressage and Show jumping for him!!
Ballycullane Dundee in the BE100 and Argentinus taking on his second novice and Angellus stepping up the grade to his first novice.
The track had plenty of technical questions including a corner to roll top as well as a bounce into water, so plenty to ask of the inexperienced novices.
Angellus was first of the 3 horses, he did a rather wobbly, green test and his mark resembled this but then followed this up with a nice round in the show jumping having just two down on the much bigger track to what he is used to. Then a fantastic clear XC being very accurate and bold but we just took it steady for his first run at this level incurring rather alot of time faults.
Argentinus did a nice test but loosing his bounce this late on in the season and is in need of a holiday to take in everything he has learnt this season. He behaved well and scored an average mark. Show jumping he felt fantastic and jumped the most amazing clear! certainly feeling plenty of bounce in this phase! XC he was going very well and towards the end of the course at the water he had a stop at the log before the bounce step in - something he had defiantly not seen before and completely took him by surprise but very willingly he jumped it well on the second attempt such a shame but yet another thing he has learnt about this season!
Plenty of things for both horses to think about over the winter now. holiday time for Argentinus after a long season and for Angellus a few months of Dressage and Show jumping for him!!
Plenty more mud, and lots of water - not to mention very deep river crossings! DAUNTSEY- 2nd October
Angellus and Argentinus both in the BE100 Plus and coped extremely well with the deep going and horrible weather!
Both horses did nice Novice tests Argentinus getting a consistent mark of 33 which put him in great stead for the jumping. Angellus a little more green but never the less a lovely test getting 34.
The competition was very close but both horses jumped clear in the larger than normal show Jumping.
The XC was typical Dauntsey style - bold, big and you had to attack the fences - easier said than done when your in the last class to run and the tack offs and landings were making the fences even bigger. Both horses went well, Angellus did a steady clear and didn't mind the ground too much.
Argentinus was absolutely flying as if the ground wasn't wet or slippy at all, he went all the direct routes and made nothing of the bold fences but sadly had a silly run out at a skinny before the first river crossing - he jumped too bit off the drop and slight lack of turning ability meant we went straight past and he didn't even realise he'd missed a fence. Sadly this cost us 1st place but he will be such an exciting prospect as a 6 year old next season. We put this down to a baby mistake and greeness.
Both horses did nice Novice tests Argentinus getting a consistent mark of 33 which put him in great stead for the jumping. Angellus a little more green but never the less a lovely test getting 34.
The competition was very close but both horses jumped clear in the larger than normal show Jumping.
The XC was typical Dauntsey style - bold, big and you had to attack the fences - easier said than done when your in the last class to run and the tack offs and landings were making the fences even bigger. Both horses went well, Angellus did a steady clear and didn't mind the ground too much.
Argentinus was absolutely flying as if the ground wasn't wet or slippy at all, he went all the direct routes and made nothing of the bold fences but sadly had a silly run out at a skinny before the first river crossing - he jumped too bit off the drop and slight lack of turning ability meant we went straight past and he didn't even realise he'd missed a fence. Sadly this cost us 1st place but he will be such an exciting prospect as a 6 year old next season. We put this down to a baby mistake and greeness.
BCA - 29th September - A rather wet last event for Creeslough!
Off to Berkshire College with Creeslough to do his last event of the 2010 season and Angellus in the BE100.
As the rain poured pretty much all day, it could have been better. Although Creeslough went nicely doing an average dressage and one down Show jumping and Clear XC. Earning himself a well earned break until the end of November where he will come in for the Dressage and Show jumping to finish off 2010. And set us up for a successful 2011 season.
Angellus also did an OK test and with new breaks in the show jumping he had two down but felt much better and jumped well despite the ground being ever more slippy! He was a machine XC and defiantly ready for upgrading which will be after Dauntsey!
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
15th & 16th Purston Manor
After a manic week at Blenheim off we went again - this time with the babies to local event Purston Manor.
New ride and for sale Angelus in the BE100 and Argentinus in the BE100 plus.
Angelus did a good test scoring 32 which was looking good in the section then sadly just adding 4 faults to this followed by a nice clear XC. He finished 9th in his section - very exciting as he had not long been at our yard and there is plenty more things i need to work on and improve.
Defiantly one to watch if any one is looking for a seriously competitive junior/ JRN, Young rider horse.
Argentinus not on best form today, although he did a lovely consistent novice dressage test but sadly had 3 show jumps down, not really awake today and trying over the smaller fences!
He did follow it up with a good clear around the long XC track.
16th September - Creeslough and Tell Me About It II
Novices horses out to play today Both did average test with Tell me about it II having a few more mistakes than Creeslough.
Tell me about it II, has improved so much lately with his show jumping and it is really beginning to show, although he had 2 down they could have been helped, just by his slight loss of concentration every now and again resulting in a knock down.
Creeslough jumped a nice clear and flew round the XC to gain his first Novice point which is SO exciting! many more to come hopefully!
Tell Me About It II also flew round - quite literally! Rather strong and keen today he incurred more time faults than normal as a result of me having to hold him back. Just a little too keen today!
A good couple of days for the ones left behind from Blenheim!
New ride and for sale Angelus in the BE100 and Argentinus in the BE100 plus.
Angelus did a good test scoring 32 which was looking good in the section then sadly just adding 4 faults to this followed by a nice clear XC. He finished 9th in his section - very exciting as he had not long been at our yard and there is plenty more things i need to work on and improve.
Defiantly one to watch if any one is looking for a seriously competitive junior/ JRN, Young rider horse.
Argentinus not on best form today, although he did a lovely consistent novice dressage test but sadly had 3 show jumps down, not really awake today and trying over the smaller fences!
He did follow it up with a good clear around the long XC track.
16th September - Creeslough and Tell Me About It II
Novices horses out to play today Both did average test with Tell me about it II having a few more mistakes than Creeslough.
Tell me about it II, has improved so much lately with his show jumping and it is really beginning to show, although he had 2 down they could have been helped, just by his slight loss of concentration every now and again resulting in a knock down.
Creeslough jumped a nice clear and flew round the XC to gain his first Novice point which is SO exciting! many more to come hopefully!
Tell Me About It II also flew round - quite literally! Rather strong and keen today he incurred more time faults than normal as a result of me having to hold him back. Just a little too keen today!
A good couple of days for the ones left behind from Blenheim!
24th September - Morton Morrell - A rather long day!!
An early start for us again with Creeslough, Argentinus and fairly new ride Angleus.
8th on was Creeslough so a rush round the XC course to be on in plenty of time for my dressage to find they are running 45minutes late sadly due to there being a confusion with the days the doctor was due on site! whoops.
So back on to the lorry for a little rest for Creelough.
Off the lorry and into the dressage arena and he did a nice test, a little unsettled in the free walk but much more active and working from behind as we had been working on with Emma Fisher in training earlier that week.
Sadly knowing they were running 45 mins late we were prepared for Argentinus's test but a little too on the ball were we, as we then were not told that they had in fact caught up on time and gave me minimal time to warm up and settle Argentinus for his test - a real shame as this usually is a strong phases for him, rather rushed and tense spoilt his test today in his first novice which was a real shame.
On to the jumping phases Creeslough did a brilliant clear followed by another in the XC, adding to his point collection!!!
Argentinus also did a foot perfect clear round and just to prove a point keeping up with Creeslough he too went clear and earned himself his first point which was very exciting!
Creeslough finished 3rd in a very close section after flying round in side the time XC and making nothing of the course.
Sadly the dressage score let Argentinus down but what more could we ask of the 5year old in his first novice!
8th on was Creeslough so a rush round the XC course to be on in plenty of time for my dressage to find they are running 45minutes late sadly due to there being a confusion with the days the doctor was due on site! whoops.
So back on to the lorry for a little rest for Creelough.
Off the lorry and into the dressage arena and he did a nice test, a little unsettled in the free walk but much more active and working from behind as we had been working on with Emma Fisher in training earlier that week.
Sadly knowing they were running 45 mins late we were prepared for Argentinus's test but a little too on the ball were we, as we then were not told that they had in fact caught up on time and gave me minimal time to warm up and settle Argentinus for his test - a real shame as this usually is a strong phases for him, rather rushed and tense spoilt his test today in his first novice which was a real shame.
On to the jumping phases Creeslough did a brilliant clear followed by another in the XC, adding to his point collection!!!
Argentinus also did a foot perfect clear round and just to prove a point keeping up with Creeslough he too went clear and earned himself his first point which was very exciting!
Creeslough finished 3rd in a very close section after flying round in side the time XC and making nothing of the course.
Sadly the dressage score let Argentinus down but what more could we ask of the 5year old in his first novice!
From CIC*** to Intro - SOMEWHAT CAVALIER and NORTHERN LIGHT
Still on a high from last weeks performances i headed to Aton -le-walls unaffiliated Intro with the two 4 years olds - Northern Light and Somewhat Cavalier. For their first real experience of eventing!
First on was Somewhat Cavalier owned by Mrs Irene Harper and myself bought last year from Goresbridge sales in Ireland as an unbroken 3 year old.
It was very exciting to have him out and he took everything in his stride as if he had been there done that all before!
He did a nice test and stayed in the arena with a few unbalanced movements but scored a brilliant 33.
Then was Northern Light aka Daisy a very special little horse to me as she was breed by my godmother out of her homebreed advanced event mare that i used also event at JRN level.
Daisy is by Catherston Dazzler and only stands a 15hh but plenty of time to gow! Sadly I'm not sure she will grow enough for me.
She to was extremely well behaved and took everything in, doing a lovely test and scoring 36.
Next to the jumping, both horses have a fantastic jump and certainly showed that in the ring both doing nice clear rounds.
the cross country was fairly spooky for babies but at the same time inviting and was a real test for them at that level. Walking the course having not done an intro for....umm ages in fact it was with Argentinus as a 4yo last year. They had a corner and plenty of other questions.
Somewhat Cavalier was first out, a little un sure of the start box, and couldn't quite understand why he should gallop off when there were plenty of people around to talk to him - never the less off we went extreme babyness into the first few but then he got into his stride and loved it with the odd expected wobble here and there! But he went clear and showed some real scope!
Northern Light a little less baby like to the first few fences and quickly settled. She too a little confused by the start box that wasn't infact a jump!
She went boldly into the water and flew the corner and the skinnys.
Both of these horses are really exciting ones for the future!
WATCH THIS SPACE!
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Friday, 17 September 2010
Bonne Amie and Divilabit would have made Cavort proud at Blenheim!
What more could i have asked of Bonne Amie and Divilabit at Blenheim - apart from the obvious!
The weekend of Blenheim went well and the two horses proved that they are real 3 star horses now, and just need polishing over the winter ready for a competitive 2011 season and i am so excited!
Bonne Amie was rather unsettled for the beginning which became apparent in her dressage the phases that she struggles most with. Felling rather tense in the build up and finding the zig zag half pass a real challenge and hard to get her head round.
In past tests with the more straightforward movements that in the past she found hard, she has been much more settled as they now come much easier for her.
After a winters "half pass" training we will crack it!
As a result she was rather on edge for her test along with the atmosphere it all got a bit much, still getting a qualifying result but not the mark i was hoping for.
Divilabit much more chilled and rose to the occasion, a little too much when he buck in both of his changes which he usually finds very easy! There were a few mistakes which were to be expected with both horses so young and newly upgraded but i was pleased to even be there!
The cross country was nice, flowing and bold and very well built. The hills in the course i knew would take its effect on some horses so i was expecting to have to ride them every inch of the way.
But first was the show jumping on Saturday afternoon. After an eventful XC day for the CCI competitors its was the CIC 8/9 yo show jumping in the main arena that kept plenty of the public in to watch.
Bonne Amie was first to jump and as usual she performed to the crowd, loving every minute of showing off and clearing some fences by feet, Sadly she had the first part of the triple down, which had been the particular fence to be causing trouble.
Divilabit also show jumped his best, feeling confident and not at all phased by the height he had just two down on the tricky course.
After walking the XC again I was happy with the lines i would be taking, and Lucinda (green) was a great help with this.
Going in reverse order meant that Divilabit was the first of my two rides, He felt brilliant warming up and i was hoping this were to continue.. which it did! He took on the track like it was a Novice, taking me into everything even fence 6.. The massive Open ditch hedge! and wow how he jumped it!
He was accurate through the dew pound and foot perfect in the arena, We were up on the clock and he felt amazing!
Towards the end of the course after a number of tricky jumps and hills, he was still going well.
At the last combination i played save, being the second last from home i didn't was a silly mistake, still taking the direct route.. the only choice i had he flew through and before i knew it, we were home! Just incurring 14 time faults i couldn't have been happier!
A quick change over to Bonne Amie and she too warmed up well, a little on the lively side after riding Divilabit but that's how she jumps her best!
She too taking on the fences as if she had done it all before, some times thinking she knew best!!
Again making it a fantastic round with little errors of misjudgements it couldn't have felt better. She was speedy through the main arena and bold into the water, making nothing of the hills. Again coming to the last combination i took plenty of time to set her up as she bounced through and out, I has pushed her much more over this track than at Hartpury as 3star fences were no longer new to her and she just kept jumping out of her rhythm finishing with few time faults.
An amazing weekend and two amazing horses that i am very lucky have! bring on 2011!
Bad luck ponies - look forward to hard core dressage over the winter!
Thank you so much to everyone for their help and support, Mum for turning them out in tip top condition and Jordan Daniells (my working pupil)for all her help over the days i was there as well as in the build up to it!
Amazing!
The weekend of Blenheim went well and the two horses proved that they are real 3 star horses now, and just need polishing over the winter ready for a competitive 2011 season and i am so excited!
Bonne Amie was rather unsettled for the beginning which became apparent in her dressage the phases that she struggles most with. Felling rather tense in the build up and finding the zig zag half pass a real challenge and hard to get her head round.
In past tests with the more straightforward movements that in the past she found hard, she has been much more settled as they now come much easier for her.
After a winters "half pass" training we will crack it!
As a result she was rather on edge for her test along with the atmosphere it all got a bit much, still getting a qualifying result but not the mark i was hoping for.
Divilabit much more chilled and rose to the occasion, a little too much when he buck in both of his changes which he usually finds very easy! There were a few mistakes which were to be expected with both horses so young and newly upgraded but i was pleased to even be there!
The cross country was nice, flowing and bold and very well built. The hills in the course i knew would take its effect on some horses so i was expecting to have to ride them every inch of the way.
But first was the show jumping on Saturday afternoon. After an eventful XC day for the CCI competitors its was the CIC 8/9 yo show jumping in the main arena that kept plenty of the public in to watch.
Bonne Amie was first to jump and as usual she performed to the crowd, loving every minute of showing off and clearing some fences by feet, Sadly she had the first part of the triple down, which had been the particular fence to be causing trouble.
Divilabit also show jumped his best, feeling confident and not at all phased by the height he had just two down on the tricky course.
After walking the XC again I was happy with the lines i would be taking, and Lucinda (green) was a great help with this.
Going in reverse order meant that Divilabit was the first of my two rides, He felt brilliant warming up and i was hoping this were to continue.. which it did! He took on the track like it was a Novice, taking me into everything even fence 6.. The massive Open ditch hedge! and wow how he jumped it!
He was accurate through the dew pound and foot perfect in the arena, We were up on the clock and he felt amazing!
Towards the end of the course after a number of tricky jumps and hills, he was still going well.
At the last combination i played save, being the second last from home i didn't was a silly mistake, still taking the direct route.. the only choice i had he flew through and before i knew it, we were home! Just incurring 14 time faults i couldn't have been happier!
A quick change over to Bonne Amie and she too warmed up well, a little on the lively side after riding Divilabit but that's how she jumps her best!
She too taking on the fences as if she had done it all before, some times thinking she knew best!!
Again making it a fantastic round with little errors of misjudgements it couldn't have felt better. She was speedy through the main arena and bold into the water, making nothing of the hills. Again coming to the last combination i took plenty of time to set her up as she bounced through and out, I has pushed her much more over this track than at Hartpury as 3star fences were no longer new to her and she just kept jumping out of her rhythm finishing with few time faults.
An amazing weekend and two amazing horses that i am very lucky have! bring on 2011!
Bad luck ponies - look forward to hard core dressage over the winter!
Thank you so much to everyone for their help and support, Mum for turning them out in tip top condition and Jordan Daniells (my working pupil)for all her help over the days i was there as well as in the build up to it!
Amazing!
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Saturday, 4 September 2010
BURGHLEY 5yo FINAL - 3rd September
Argentinus went back to Burghley for the second year for the BYEH finals.
Competeing against all the other finalists it was a very tough competition.
He did a nice dressage test and jumped clear in the jumping.
Scoring 21 in the dressage and 31.5 for his jumping, followed by 11 for his confirmation.
Sadly he didn't make it into the top 10 for the 'Gallop' but very pleased with how he went and coped with the atmosphere again this year.
Next for him the Pre novice plus at Purston.
Competeing against all the other finalists it was a very tough competition.
He did a nice dressage test and jumped clear in the jumping.
Scoring 21 in the dressage and 31.5 for his jumping, followed by 11 for his confirmation.
Sadly he didn't make it into the top 10 for the 'Gallop' but very pleased with how he went and coped with the atmosphere again this year.
Next for him the Pre novice plus at Purston.
A great last run before Blenheim!
August Bank Holiday Monday, off to Highclere.
Such an amazing venue and the ground could not have been better on this undulating track.
It was out last run before Bleheim so i wanted to give them both a great confidence giving round.
Bonne Amie did her best test to date scoring 30 in an extremely hot Open intermediate section, Followed by a foot perfect clear in the show jumping and a great round XC. Launching off the large drop at fence 8, great preparation for the Blenheim drop!
Divilabit did an average test scoring 36 and then had just two rails in the show jumping and a bold round XC going clear.
A great last two runs for them both and now set for the somewhat larger course at Blenheim.
Such an amazing venue and the ground could not have been better on this undulating track.
It was out last run before Bleheim so i wanted to give them both a great confidence giving round.
Bonne Amie did her best test to date scoring 30 in an extremely hot Open intermediate section, Followed by a foot perfect clear in the show jumping and a great round XC. Launching off the large drop at fence 8, great preparation for the Blenheim drop!
Divilabit did an average test scoring 36 and then had just two rails in the show jumping and a bold round XC going clear.
A great last two runs for them both and now set for the somewhat larger course at Blenheim.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Detined to be a trucker! or not!...
With the help of Support Logistics an LGV driving school based just 20 minutes away from my house near Buckingham I hope to obtain my LGV licence which will mean i can share the driving with mum and make life alot easier!
The training sessions have been going really well, and with the help of a very knowledgeable team with plenty of experience i hope they can help me over come my nerves of the dreaded test day!
Plenty of practise and driving experience and hopefully it wont be too long until i am a proper trucker.
I highly recommend SUPPORT LOGISTICS, if you are interested in taking your test you can either call me or visit their website
www.supportlogistics.co.uk
The training sessions have been going really well, and with the help of a very knowledgeable team with plenty of experience i hope they can help me over come my nerves of the dreaded test day!
Plenty of practise and driving experience and hopefully it wont be too long until i am a proper trucker.
I highly recommend SUPPORT LOGISTICS, if you are interested in taking your test you can either call me or visit their website
www.supportlogistics.co.uk
Monday, 23 August 2010
A Mixed weekend at Solihull
21st August 2010
Back in the lorry and off up the M40! With Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a pleasing test although certainly not one of his best, with a few mistakes and not as soft as he has been - despite this he still scored a respectable mark of 32.
Last event of the season for All 4 fun and a good one to finish one. She was very relaxed in her test and tried really hard, just a couple of mistakes and she got 36. and she got her first ever 9 for the halt during the test!!
The show jumping was indoors and i was not sure how they would both cope particularly All 4 fun having not jumped in doors for ages.
Argentinus jumped a lovely clear round and All 4 Fun just added 4 penalties to her score.
Both horses went well cross country and coped well with the wet ground, Argentinus a little slow to get going but soon picked up speed to finish inside the time. All 4 Fun just added a few time faults in the competitive 5 yo class.
Sadly Argentinus missed out this time of qualifying for the 5yo championships - all though we were pleased he finished 5th.
22nd August 2010
Back again with the novice horses Creeslough, Uberto and Tell me about it II.
Uberto was first to do his test at the ridiculous time of 8.10! so a nice early one for us again! Obviously likeing his early start he went beautifully and scored 28 - Even the judge got out of her car and commented - She had also judged the 5 yo's yesterday and was impressed with the way the horses were going.
Creeslough did another calm test and an accurate one, scoring 35 - now we are just working on getting some more bounce into his movement for the higher marks!
Tell me about it II also scoring 35.
Into the show jumping Uberto kept his good score going clear and adding nothing.
Creeslough added just a rail, getting a little flat into the double he took the first part.
Tell me about it II jumped brilliantly and also just had the one down, a slight lack of concentration for him at the 2nd fence but so much improved from previous rounds.
The cross country was rather eventful in more of a negative way than a positive one!
Uberto i sadly retired after some issues in steering and brakes.
Creeslough had just the one run out - this time not at a house but a skinny angled brush so he was slightly forgiven as this had caught many of the greener horses out.
Tell me about it II was having a fantastic round going so well up until the 3 from home, where he slipped on the corner and lost his footing and sadly fell. soon springing to his feet he galloped off! thankfully absolutely fine we had to call it a day. Goring for him next though.
Back in the lorry and off up the M40! With Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a pleasing test although certainly not one of his best, with a few mistakes and not as soft as he has been - despite this he still scored a respectable mark of 32.
Last event of the season for All 4 fun and a good one to finish one. She was very relaxed in her test and tried really hard, just a couple of mistakes and she got 36. and she got her first ever 9 for the halt during the test!!
The show jumping was indoors and i was not sure how they would both cope particularly All 4 fun having not jumped in doors for ages.
Argentinus jumped a lovely clear round and All 4 Fun just added 4 penalties to her score.
Both horses went well cross country and coped well with the wet ground, Argentinus a little slow to get going but soon picked up speed to finish inside the time. All 4 Fun just added a few time faults in the competitive 5 yo class.
Sadly Argentinus missed out this time of qualifying for the 5yo championships - all though we were pleased he finished 5th.
22nd August 2010
Back again with the novice horses Creeslough, Uberto and Tell me about it II.
Uberto was first to do his test at the ridiculous time of 8.10! so a nice early one for us again! Obviously likeing his early start he went beautifully and scored 28 - Even the judge got out of her car and commented - She had also judged the 5 yo's yesterday and was impressed with the way the horses were going.
Creeslough did another calm test and an accurate one, scoring 35 - now we are just working on getting some more bounce into his movement for the higher marks!
Tell me about it II also scoring 35.
Into the show jumping Uberto kept his good score going clear and adding nothing.
Creeslough added just a rail, getting a little flat into the double he took the first part.
Tell me about it II jumped brilliantly and also just had the one down, a slight lack of concentration for him at the 2nd fence but so much improved from previous rounds.
The cross country was rather eventful in more of a negative way than a positive one!
Uberto i sadly retired after some issues in steering and brakes.
Creeslough had just the one run out - this time not at a house but a skinny angled brush so he was slightly forgiven as this had caught many of the greener horses out.
Tell me about it II was having a fantastic round going so well up until the 3 from home, where he slipped on the corner and lost his footing and sadly fell. soon springing to his feet he galloped off! thankfully absolutely fine we had to call it a day. Goring for him next though.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
HARTPURY WITH THE BIG PONIES!
12th -15th Aug
Well what a weekend! and What two super stars do i have?!
Bonne Amie was first to do her test on Thursday afternoon. In the international indoor arena for her with the chance of winning a car to keep! although the idea of driving a new Mitsubishi truck home would be amazing, i would be happy just to have them both round safely with a good clear!
She did a lovely test and is improving every single time she goes out. Still not fully established with her half pass i was pleased with how it all went - She stayed calm and performed every other movement well - very disappointingly the mark we were given was a little on the high, after much praise from other riders everyone was shocked with the score!
I was not the only one to be rather upset with their mark that day. Scoring 61 it was just outside the half way mark.
Friday morning and Friday the 13th! great! what was in store for Divilabit?!
The answer was nothing - he behaved well and came away with a respectable mark of 57, one that i was pleased with after he made just a couple of mistakes and like Bonne Amie not entirely established in his half pass either - plenty to work on over the winter!
After walking the cross country for the first time i think it might be right to say i was a shade of white! On two first timers that only had the one advanced run under their belt! It was big and wide and asked serious questions for the newly upgraded horses.
But first things first was the Show jumping to contend with.
In true Hartpury fashion it was of course up to height!
Bonne Amie show jumped just after 3pm, she had one down and added 4 time faults to he score - a time that was already tight but with her shear exuberance and style over a fence she ran over the time allowed. something that can easily be solved been my main aim was to leave the fences up! Especially on the first 3 star track!
The show jumping continued until late with Divilabit jumping a just after 7pm on Saturday evening.
He was on good form and a little to feisty at times. He had 3 fences down and added 8 time faults to that, i had to take my time to set him up on the corners before the big wide spreads to give him full chance at the combinations.
Sunday morning - Cross country day! after two very good course walks with William F-P and Lucinda Green on Saturday i was much happier with the track and new exactly which lines to be taking!
Bonne Amie and i had a class round! taking just the one long route where it was almost impossible to turn after a large role top on the side of the hill to a skinny brush.
We were copy book through the corners which proved to be the bogey fence of the day catching many people out! Although a steady round she was clear and had no freights and that was the main thing.
Divilabit had grown up all of a sudden - he took on the track as if he'd been at that level for years just like Bonne Amie. Again taking the long route to the narrow hedge after he took a stride out to the roll top. And i also chose to take the long route at the corners this time after much trouble through out the morning - at just the age of 8 i wanted to give him every chance. He too going clear but a rather steady one at that.
I felt it was important for them both to have a good first experience to set us up for the future and for Blenheim in September.
Busy Busy busy! West Wilts to Hartpury back home then back to Hartpury!
Tuesday the 10th Aug - West Wilts with the Novice horses
Nice early start once again for mum and I, along with Creeslough and Uberto.
After 4 very intense dressage lessons yesterday with Justine Sole i was out and about again.
First on was Uberto, he worked in really nicely and was putting in to practise all we'd done yesterday. the test was going well but there was one mistake which he got a little uptight about but then relaxed and continued nicely.
He then jumped a lovely clear in the troublesome show jumping course renowned at West Wilts, followed by a steady XC going all the direct routes.
After a disappointing dressage mark i chose to take him round slowly.
Creeslough did a great dressage and scored 33, followed by yet another clear in the Show Jumping but sadly his 'House' phobia caught him out once again - just at fence three a simple house, he put in a naughty run out - something that has occurred twice now so off for some XC schooling next week. So rather disappointing there but he continue around the course taking all the direct routes and making nothing of them!
HARTPURY BOUND WITH ARGENTINUS! 11th Aug.
Thankfully a more leisurely start today we headed off to Hartpury BYEH, Mum, myself and Jordan Daniells my working pupil.
Argentinus did a lovely dressage in the spooky main arena the did a foot perfect round in the show jumping being the only horse to score full marks - 40 out of 40 in the jumping phase. Something that is not often seen in these classes. HE was in the top 10 and lying in 2nd place so we went through to the 'Gallop' phase.
Much better behaved today thankfully and alot less hanging around for him. He galloped well and was drawn into 4th place which secured our place for the final at Burghly horse trials on the 3rd September.For the second time running we are going back!
HARTPURY to be continued...................
Nice early start once again for mum and I, along with Creeslough and Uberto.
After 4 very intense dressage lessons yesterday with Justine Sole i was out and about again.
First on was Uberto, he worked in really nicely and was putting in to practise all we'd done yesterday. the test was going well but there was one mistake which he got a little uptight about but then relaxed and continued nicely.
He then jumped a lovely clear in the troublesome show jumping course renowned at West Wilts, followed by a steady XC going all the direct routes.
After a disappointing dressage mark i chose to take him round slowly.
Creeslough did a great dressage and scored 33, followed by yet another clear in the Show Jumping but sadly his 'House' phobia caught him out once again - just at fence three a simple house, he put in a naughty run out - something that has occurred twice now so off for some XC schooling next week. So rather disappointing there but he continue around the course taking all the direct routes and making nothing of them!
HARTPURY BOUND WITH ARGENTINUS! 11th Aug.
Thankfully a more leisurely start today we headed off to Hartpury BYEH, Mum, myself and Jordan Daniells my working pupil.
Argentinus did a lovely dressage in the spooky main arena the did a foot perfect round in the show jumping being the only horse to score full marks - 40 out of 40 in the jumping phase. Something that is not often seen in these classes. HE was in the top 10 and lying in 2nd place so we went through to the 'Gallop' phase.
Much better behaved today thankfully and alot less hanging around for him. He galloped well and was drawn into 4th place which secured our place for the final at Burghly horse trials on the 3rd September.For the second time running we are going back!
HARTPURY to be continued...................
Sunday, 1 August 2010
A month since my last post! whoops!
Even I must say myself that i have been pretty rubbish lately for updates of the goings on at Four Winds and various destinations around the country!
Failing to update my blog from my shiny new Blackberry here i am sat at my laptop!
So much has happened since my last post... Creeslough upgrades to Novice, Bonne Amie another competitive round, Divilabit makes an appearance at Express Eventing, Trip to Spain and a fantastic result as two horses clear round their first Advanced!
Argentinus and Creeslough both finished in the prizes at the Hovis sponsored BE100 at Ascot - u- wychwood, which was an exciting result at our local event.
Divilabit and Bonne Amie took pretty much everything in their stride at Aston le walls the weekend of the 24th July - Both competing at that level for the first time. Bonne Amie Show jumped brilliantly, Divilabit a few more mistakes and a little greener at that height but both took the XC in their stride. Going clear round the testing but fair track with few time faults. Bonne Amie finished 9th - a pretty impressive score in her first advanced.
Divilabit's Show jump score put him out of the placings in the competitive 8/9yo class.
30th July off to Little Mattingly with the 5year olds - Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a nice test and was competitive going into the next phase. All 4 fun- a much improved and always improving test from her, still very green and plenty to work on but she went well.
Into the show jumping which had some what of an atmosphere and seemed to be causing plenty of problems over a course that didn't seem too technical or up to height.
Argentinus rather cheeky this day and went back to being a complete baby again was rather green and had 2 show jumps down. All 4 fun rather onward today and a little careless adding rather alot of penalties to her dressage.
The cross country was fair and asked plenty of questions on the young horses. Argentinus still in rather a cheeky mood and trying it on somewhat added 20 penalties and All 4 fun - still on a bit of a mission but coped well with the fences went clear!
Next we went down to Wiltshire for the lovely event at Wilton - New ride this season Uberto had his first outing of 2010 aswell as Creeslough and Tell me about it II also in the Novice sections.
All three horses did nice tests. Tell me about it II his best yet, scoring 33 put him in a competitive position.
The show jumping had been causing many problems and sadly caught Tell me about it out, having 2 rails down. Creeslough and Uberto both jumped clear.
Creeslough let the side down sadly today on the xc being caught out once again by scary blue fences with roofs! yes a house - he has taken a dislike to these so plenty of xc "house" practise for him. Both other horses went clear xc to finish in the placings, Uberto 3rd and Tell me about it II in 9th!
After a busy week teaching a Heythrop Junior camp followed by Wilton no rest for the wick and out show jumping for us to Weston Lawns with 3 horses. Divilabit was getting in some last minute practise before Hartpury CIC***, Uberto and I were getting some form together and Five Alive was hoping to add to her experience.
Five Alive jumped the only clear round of the horses and was in the prizes although in the smaller classes she is still fairly inexperienced in show jumping so i was very pleased with the progress she seems to be making. She finished 4th in her class.
Uberto came 6th in the 1.05m just having the last fence down.
Divilabit went well but we went rather slowly for the jump offs and he admittedly had a few naughty moments!
Next Gatcombe BYEH with Argentinus and All 4 fun, a place where i don't have the happiest memories but i wasn't going to let this hold me back. Argentinus went beautifully going through to the main arena lying in 2nd. All 4 fun a little exuberant for the jumping after doing a calm accurate dressage test, sadly she didn't qualify to go to the main arena.
Fun and games in the main arena for Argentinus - after alot of standing around queuing to go in he became a little fed up and decided to create his own fun , something the judge didn't completely agree with. After standing on his 2 hind legs for much of this and refusing to walk he was pulled in last but placed 8th overall.
The weekend off for me preparing for an extremely busy week ahead and remembering my beloved Cavort as this was a year ago i lost him. Still deeply saddened after i lost him, but now after completing a massive book of his life i have so so many memories to look back at of the times we had and amazing experiences he gave me.
Failing to update my blog from my shiny new Blackberry here i am sat at my laptop!
So much has happened since my last post... Creeslough upgrades to Novice, Bonne Amie another competitive round, Divilabit makes an appearance at Express Eventing, Trip to Spain and a fantastic result as two horses clear round their first Advanced!
Argentinus and Creeslough both finished in the prizes at the Hovis sponsored BE100 at Ascot - u- wychwood, which was an exciting result at our local event.
Divilabit and Bonne Amie took pretty much everything in their stride at Aston le walls the weekend of the 24th July - Both competing at that level for the first time. Bonne Amie Show jumped brilliantly, Divilabit a few more mistakes and a little greener at that height but both took the XC in their stride. Going clear round the testing but fair track with few time faults. Bonne Amie finished 9th - a pretty impressive score in her first advanced.
Divilabit's Show jump score put him out of the placings in the competitive 8/9yo class.
30th July off to Little Mattingly with the 5year olds - Argentinus and All 4 fun.
Argentinus did a nice test and was competitive going into the next phase. All 4 fun- a much improved and always improving test from her, still very green and plenty to work on but she went well.
Into the show jumping which had some what of an atmosphere and seemed to be causing plenty of problems over a course that didn't seem too technical or up to height.
Argentinus rather cheeky this day and went back to being a complete baby again was rather green and had 2 show jumps down. All 4 fun rather onward today and a little careless adding rather alot of penalties to her dressage.
The cross country was fair and asked plenty of questions on the young horses. Argentinus still in rather a cheeky mood and trying it on somewhat added 20 penalties and All 4 fun - still on a bit of a mission but coped well with the fences went clear!
Next we went down to Wiltshire for the lovely event at Wilton - New ride this season Uberto had his first outing of 2010 aswell as Creeslough and Tell me about it II also in the Novice sections.
All three horses did nice tests. Tell me about it II his best yet, scoring 33 put him in a competitive position.
The show jumping had been causing many problems and sadly caught Tell me about it out, having 2 rails down. Creeslough and Uberto both jumped clear.
Creeslough let the side down sadly today on the xc being caught out once again by scary blue fences with roofs! yes a house - he has taken a dislike to these so plenty of xc "house" practise for him. Both other horses went clear xc to finish in the placings, Uberto 3rd and Tell me about it II in 9th!
After a busy week teaching a Heythrop Junior camp followed by Wilton no rest for the wick and out show jumping for us to Weston Lawns with 3 horses. Divilabit was getting in some last minute practise before Hartpury CIC***, Uberto and I were getting some form together and Five Alive was hoping to add to her experience.
Five Alive jumped the only clear round of the horses and was in the prizes although in the smaller classes she is still fairly inexperienced in show jumping so i was very pleased with the progress she seems to be making. She finished 4th in her class.
Uberto came 6th in the 1.05m just having the last fence down.
Divilabit went well but we went rather slowly for the jump offs and he admittedly had a few naughty moments!
Next Gatcombe BYEH with Argentinus and All 4 fun, a place where i don't have the happiest memories but i wasn't going to let this hold me back. Argentinus went beautifully going through to the main arena lying in 2nd. All 4 fun a little exuberant for the jumping after doing a calm accurate dressage test, sadly she didn't qualify to go to the main arena.
Fun and games in the main arena for Argentinus - after alot of standing around queuing to go in he became a little fed up and decided to create his own fun , something the judge didn't completely agree with. After standing on his 2 hind legs for much of this and refusing to walk he was pulled in last but placed 8th overall.
The weekend off for me preparing for an extremely busy week ahead and remembering my beloved Cavort as this was a year ago i lost him. Still deeply saddened after i lost him, but now after completing a massive book of his life i have so so many memories to look back at of the times we had and amazing experiences he gave me.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
26th and 27th June - Milton Keynes
Thankfully a rather more local event that Longleat we were at Milton Keynes with Argentinus in the BYEH also All 4 Fun having her first officially party as well as Rising Midnight in the Novice.
All 4 fun behaved beautifully and took everything in which was a whole new experience for her. In the odd format of the BYEH classes she jumped her few practise jumps then went to do her short dressage test followed by a round of 1m show jumps with plenty of spooky fillers. Taking it all in and managing to stay in the dressage arena and having only 1 show jump down every one was pleased.
Argentinus "Now the grown up Boy" as this was also his first party last year. did a lovely test but was rather uptight in his walk which he lost many marks then jumping well and had just one fence down. This not really effecting the result all that much as he was through to the top 10. his gallop was much better this year and he extended well although there were a couple of little bucks! He finished 3rd in the class and sadly just missed out of qualifying for Burghley.
Rising Midnight in the Novice class did a lovely test an although rather a high mark of 38 in the section this was good lying in the top 3.
He kept up the good form to jump ad lovely double clear inside the time to finish 2nd in the section.
A fantastic result from all the horses today.
Sunday rather a change to original plan due to Tell me about it II having to withdraw this meant that Laura Haywards other young horse All 4 Fun could take up a place in the pre novice section on this day. Rather an intense weekend of learning for the mare but she took it all in her stride. He dressage was rather excitable and extremely babyish needing rather alot more work. followed by a brilliant show jumping round having just 2 down on the tough first time track. XC i was so impressed with her.. Having been XC schooling just twice she took on the course like a pro. jumping clear and just taking the one long route . I couldn't have been more pleased- next for her is 5yo class at Shipton Moyne.
Also out today was the rather cheeky Creeslough soon to be stepped up to novice - getting rather too big for his boots and thinking he knows best! and in fact he doesn't!!
He did a much improved test on Great Tew scoring 35 followed by a clear Show jumping. XC he was flying quite literally until fence 7 which he locked on to then took a jix out to the left. Rather unexpected on my part but he was just feeling well and rather cheeky - he then jumped well around the rest of the course.
Well i think that is about it as far as eventing goes! next stop the new event at Glanusk! with Bonne Amie hoping to add to her impressive points collection and creeslough hoping to gain his first point in his first novice! maybe maybe!
Over and out!
21st June - Puppies puppies puppies!
After a very exciting and tiring weekend to add to even more excitment on monday morning around 3am - Lilly my yellow Labrador started to have her puppies! 5 days early!
After 3 hours she had 6 little pups, 5 boys and 1 girl!
It was very exciting although i had serious lack of sleep!!
Off to bed for an hour!
19th and 20th June - Monkeys- tigers and sealions!
Back to Longleat for the 3rd consecutive year a lovely event and really well run.
Divilabit, Bonne Amie and Pembrey Perzaz taking on the 2* and the intermediate.
Saturday was just the dressage for Divilabit - He did a nice accurate test and behaved well despite not having a run since Hambleden! He was in the top half after the dressage it was not the most exciting test of his but better that way than him exploding right next to the sea lions!
An early start on Sunday morning for us and not ideal when you have such a grey horse!!
The Show jumping was up to height for the CIC** and caused plenty of problems particularly down the triple but this went well and Divilabit was on top form and could not have jumped any better.
The XC has plenty of technical questions particularly Early on in the course at fence 4 also in the Intermediate but slightly more complicated for the 2*. a double of palisades to a brush skinner. Horses needed to be bold and brave here as each palisade had a slight drop and the distance needed to be made.
The first water a double of sea lions rather spooking for the first time 2* horses, Even Divilabit gave them plenty of room when jumping the rather different fence.
Flying round the rest of the course over all the direct routes and finishing with just 8 time faults left us in 15th place and in the money!
Next out was Bonne Amie after being rather excitable on Saturday when just working her a was not too sure how she was going to be for her test. thrilled to be out at a party again and longing for the jumping! but first things first! Dressage - She just about managed to keep a lid on her excitement with a few mistakes, showing off at every possible moment she scored 35. Which i was very pleased with as it certainly wasn't one of her best!
Now to her favourite part - Show jumping or just jumping in general. the course like the 2* was up to height and caused its problems. Bonne Amie started the course and was giving the fences 3 foot more than she needed but then soon settled into a nice rhythm to jump and nice clear. XC she was flying again going all the direct ways she was up on the clock. Finding the track very easy and bouncing round clear with just 0.8 to add - one of the fastest rounds of the day! Not bad for a pure warmblood! She finished 2nd in her section which was exciting in its self but even more so the fact she is now an Advanced eventer having a total of 61 points! pretty impressive for the little mare.
Pembrey Perzaz did one of her nicest tests to day scoring 36. But sadly i felt she wasn't quite right in the show jumping so pulled up. She had the first couple of rails down which is very unlike her and i felt her back was wrong - and i was right Ellen came to check her just a few days later a found she was rather sore.
16th June- Failing my HGV test and a road trip to West Wilts
A very early start for me as i drive over to Buckingham to take my last practise before my HGV test. For the past 5 afternoons i had been having a crash course in driving a very big truck!! 18 tonnes to be exact!
I dont think i could have been any more nervous - my left leg was shaking i could hardly put the clutch down! the questions went well but sadly the manover not so great! it wasn't meant to be! never the less i obviously didn't scare the instructor that much as he still took me out on the road for good practise! oops!
Back to the yard i went feeling a little annoyed as it was something i had been practising and had managed to do it perfectly each time untill then!
At West Wilts we arrived with just the one horse today - Rising Midnight having his first run for a while round the Novice. He did a lovely test and was in the top 3 after the dressage- then sadly had 2 Show jumps down but then a great clear XC with just a couple time faults to finish 9th in the section.
I dont think i could have been any more nervous - my left leg was shaking i could hardly put the clutch down! the questions went well but sadly the manover not so great! it wasn't meant to be! never the less i obviously didn't scare the instructor that much as he still took me out on the road for good practise! oops!
Back to the yard i went feeling a little annoyed as it was something i had been practising and had managed to do it perfectly each time untill then!
At West Wilts we arrived with just the one horse today - Rising Midnight having his first run for a while round the Novice. He did a lovely test and was in the top 3 after the dressage- then sadly had 2 Show jumps down but then a great clear XC with just a couple time faults to finish 9th in the section.
Weddings and 21st Birthday party's - Two weekends and no eventing! Now i am back with the last months going's on!
I cant believe how time had flown by since i last wrote on my blog! apologies to everyone who has been waiting for the latest updates! Been rather a hectic few weeks and i have been a little slack on my posts! So here goes the low down of the last month!!
After a busy half term packed full of teaching, followed by a friends wedding at the weekend i was back on the event circuit at Great Tew - 12th and 13th June.
As well as it being my sisters birthday that Sunday i had an action packed few days at our very local event Great Tew, just a few miles down the road.
Coming out to play on the Saturday was Argentinus and Creeslough.
Argentinus did a nice test but still plenty to work on, followed by a disappointing 2 down in the show jumping - He felt just a little flat and was not really trying over the smaller fences on the course. He then jumped a brilliant round xc and took on all the direct routes. To finish outside the placings.
Creeslough didn't do his best test although at home we have been changing a few things in the way that he goes - My trainer has been helping me alot with his elevation and he is just going through a stage of being a little insecure. He then jumped well show jumping although a little spooky and had 1 down. Followed by a speedy XC.
Archetype did day before Novice dressage as well and has really improved scoring just 28, the owner Jordann Daniells and i were very pleased.
An early start on Sunday morning Archetype jumped a rather keen show jumping round showing just how happy he was to be at a party again and had 1 down, followed by a just as keen XC round taking on all the direct routes and giving me a brilliant round.
Ballycullane Dundee of Taelor Daniells was also out on Sunday,so the sisterly rivalry was high, of whos horse would do best!
He did a nice accurate test but sadly the judge didn't think as highly of it to what we did which was a little disappointing although full made up for with a brilliant double clear.
Tell Me about it II was on good form for the dressage and did one of his best tests yet, so everyone was happy. In the Showjumping we are still making adjustments with our breaks and finding a good rhythm aswell as making him realise that novice is just a bit bigger than Pre novice - He had the first 3 fences down then jumped fantastically. And did another speedy round XC around just his 2nd novice.
After a busy half term packed full of teaching, followed by a friends wedding at the weekend i was back on the event circuit at Great Tew - 12th and 13th June.
As well as it being my sisters birthday that Sunday i had an action packed few days at our very local event Great Tew, just a few miles down the road.
Coming out to play on the Saturday was Argentinus and Creeslough.
Argentinus did a nice test but still plenty to work on, followed by a disappointing 2 down in the show jumping - He felt just a little flat and was not really trying over the smaller fences on the course. He then jumped a brilliant round xc and took on all the direct routes. To finish outside the placings.
Creeslough didn't do his best test although at home we have been changing a few things in the way that he goes - My trainer has been helping me alot with his elevation and he is just going through a stage of being a little insecure. He then jumped well show jumping although a little spooky and had 1 down. Followed by a speedy XC.
Archetype did day before Novice dressage as well and has really improved scoring just 28, the owner Jordann Daniells and i were very pleased.
An early start on Sunday morning Archetype jumped a rather keen show jumping round showing just how happy he was to be at a party again and had 1 down, followed by a just as keen XC round taking on all the direct routes and giving me a brilliant round.
Ballycullane Dundee of Taelor Daniells was also out on Sunday,so the sisterly rivalry was high, of whos horse would do best!
He did a nice accurate test but sadly the judge didn't think as highly of it to what we did which was a little disappointing although full made up for with a brilliant double clear.
Tell Me about it II was on good form for the dressage and did one of his best tests yet, so everyone was happy. In the Showjumping we are still making adjustments with our breaks and finding a good rhythm aswell as making him realise that novice is just a bit bigger than Pre novice - He had the first 3 fences down then jumped fantastically. And did another speedy round XC around just his 2nd novice.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Chilean Boy has retired from the Higher level Eventing
From Polo Pony to TWO STAR Event horse - What a turn around and who would have thought it possible!!
After lots of fun on the event circuit over the past few years with a win at Stonar last year and many respectable placings. Owner Katha Wood has decided that she will now take up some competing on Chilean Boy aka Kiki, On the dressage scene and maybe even hit the Event circuit her self again.
Obviously i was sad to hear her decision as i know what potential he had and could achieve but now it is Katha's turn to have some more fun with her Polo pony turned Event horse.
Monday, 24 May 2010
23rd May Brigstock International
Back again after an extremely busy and hot Saturday, with teaching and plenty of riding - not to mention the sun burn!
Yet another early start for us with Pembrey Perzaz in the Intermediate with an 8.20 Dressage.. how nice!
In the double bridle again which she has really accepted now doing a lovely test with fewer mistakes to Hambleden, much happier in the contact and the control of her extravagant paces became much easier.
Followed but a fantastic faultless clear in the Show jumping which had been causing its problems she made it feel so easy.
XC like the Friday courses was bold and flowing with some much bigger questions being the Intermediate this time. In particular the " Leap of Faith" a massive palisade brush with a huge ditch with water and Christmas trees in it. You certainly didn't want to get this one on a bad stride! This was then followed by another hedge with yet another big ditch in front, so this gave little time for a horse to get its confidence back if it had of had a bad jump at the L-O-F.
Thankfully Pembrey Perzaz is somewhat a XC machine and loved every minute. The more questions asked of her the more she tries.
We picked up time faults which i was expecting and proved average in the section a despite not pushing her for speed i had plenty in the tank.
She finished 12th in her section and gained another 2 points.
Bonne Amie in the Advanced Intermediate did her best test this season and despite a pilot error of forgetting the 15metre walk circle. We were extremely pleased with how she went, she was calm and not nearly as excitable as she has been this season. Slightly disappointed with the mark but we know how much of an improvement she has made we were happy.
The little rubber ball made ease of the Advanced Show jumping going clear and jumping at her best.
XC was the same as Pembrey Perzaz's course, She bounced down through the water complex and leaped off the step, Flew of the ditches as if they were not even there and before i knew it we were approaching the 2nd from home, a stair case and jump on top, something that needed plenty of respect so late in the course and you wanted to have a good stride to the first step, not being too far away to risk loosing power for the two steps up and jump.
She made this feel so easy and effortless, in fact the whole course came very easy for her, She came home just 2 seconds over the optimum time - Not bad for a warmblood! one of the quicker times of the day, she added just 0.8 to her score to finish 7th in the section and get another two points to make a grand total of 51.... nearly enough to be an Advanced horse!!!
Yet another early start for us with Pembrey Perzaz in the Intermediate with an 8.20 Dressage.. how nice!
In the double bridle again which she has really accepted now doing a lovely test with fewer mistakes to Hambleden, much happier in the contact and the control of her extravagant paces became much easier.
Followed but a fantastic faultless clear in the Show jumping which had been causing its problems she made it feel so easy.
XC like the Friday courses was bold and flowing with some much bigger questions being the Intermediate this time. In particular the " Leap of Faith" a massive palisade brush with a huge ditch with water and Christmas trees in it. You certainly didn't want to get this one on a bad stride! This was then followed by another hedge with yet another big ditch in front, so this gave little time for a horse to get its confidence back if it had of had a bad jump at the L-O-F.
Thankfully Pembrey Perzaz is somewhat a XC machine and loved every minute. The more questions asked of her the more she tries.
We picked up time faults which i was expecting and proved average in the section a despite not pushing her for speed i had plenty in the tank.
She finished 12th in her section and gained another 2 points.
Bonne Amie in the Advanced Intermediate did her best test this season and despite a pilot error of forgetting the 15metre walk circle. We were extremely pleased with how she went, she was calm and not nearly as excitable as she has been this season. Slightly disappointed with the mark but we know how much of an improvement she has made we were happy.
The little rubber ball made ease of the Advanced Show jumping going clear and jumping at her best.
XC was the same as Pembrey Perzaz's course, She bounced down through the water complex and leaped off the step, Flew of the ditches as if they were not even there and before i knew it we were approaching the 2nd from home, a stair case and jump on top, something that needed plenty of respect so late in the course and you wanted to have a good stride to the first step, not being too far away to risk loosing power for the two steps up and jump.
She made this feel so easy and effortless, in fact the whole course came very easy for her, She came home just 2 seconds over the optimum time - Not bad for a warmblood! one of the quicker times of the day, she added just 0.8 to her score to finish 7th in the section and get another two points to make a grand total of 51.... nearly enough to be an Advanced horse!!!
21st May Brigstock International
Day one at Brigstock with the pre-novices and one ..this time 2nd novice horse!!
Creeslough and Argentinus took on the bold BE100 track with plenty to ask and an influential water. Where newly upgraded horse Ballycullane Dundee was taking on the Novice.
Argentinus had a nice early start of an 8.30 dressage which with the predicted hot day ahead we were both quite happy. He did a nice test in the 5yo only class which ran over the BE100 track. His dressage seems to be really coming together now and he is much more confident although we now need to start working on having the movements a little more up hill and forward.
He then had one down in what seemed to be a very small show jumping course especially in comparison to some of the BSJA tracks he has been jumping. Not really having to make much of an effort he took one rail.
He gave me a brilliant ride XC and found it easy and is now showing so much enthusiasm for his work.
He finished just out of the placings due to that rail.
Creeslough did a lovely test much more consistent than Hambleden and didn't get distracted quite so easily today.
He had somewhat of an interesting time in the show jumping, where the judges failed to see a rail that had fallen in the later part of the course once i had already started jumping, so a little un-sure of what i should do, i hesitated on the approach to the fence 3 and 4 related distance line but then continued to jump the fence whilst it was fallen. Later round the course on the approach to fence 6 the fence builder spotted the issue and rushed to put it up and Creeslough being the noisy horse he is got distracted and missed fence 6 altogether, incurring 4 faults.
Sadly he also picked up time for this, a lesson well learnt.. if in doubt just keep going!
Creeslough has certainly taken to his new career proving extremely bold across country, and very little seems to be backing his off, although not strong he thinks he can taken out strides when ever.. not so good in a combination with a skinny!! so annoyingly had a run out at the narrow log early in the course.
Both horses took on the spooky water which had been the bogey fence all morning, neither horse barely even hesitated to go down the step under some trees which meant it was rather dark and spooky.
Novice horse Ballycullane Dundee did a lovely dressage test scoring one of his lowest marks to date, he then had one fence down in the show jumping.
The XC was extremely bold and influential and i think he will have learnt alot from this run, With wide ditches and big hedges, something that he has now learnt cant just be jumped extremly high in Dundee Style but he also needs to stretch out over the wider parts which he has not really needed to do at the lower levels which come so easy to him.
He slightly lost his footing when jumping the HUGE trakener when he gave it so much height and not so much width. Clearing this well but slightly loosing his footing.
The sunken road came of somewhat a shock and he unfortunately picked up a refusal here.
Very pleased with him today and i think he will really progress from this strong testing novice course.
Creeslough and Argentinus took on the bold BE100 track with plenty to ask and an influential water. Where newly upgraded horse Ballycullane Dundee was taking on the Novice.
Argentinus had a nice early start of an 8.30 dressage which with the predicted hot day ahead we were both quite happy. He did a nice test in the 5yo only class which ran over the BE100 track. His dressage seems to be really coming together now and he is much more confident although we now need to start working on having the movements a little more up hill and forward.
He then had one down in what seemed to be a very small show jumping course especially in comparison to some of the BSJA tracks he has been jumping. Not really having to make much of an effort he took one rail.
He gave me a brilliant ride XC and found it easy and is now showing so much enthusiasm for his work.
He finished just out of the placings due to that rail.
Creeslough did a lovely test much more consistent than Hambleden and didn't get distracted quite so easily today.
He had somewhat of an interesting time in the show jumping, where the judges failed to see a rail that had fallen in the later part of the course once i had already started jumping, so a little un-sure of what i should do, i hesitated on the approach to the fence 3 and 4 related distance line but then continued to jump the fence whilst it was fallen. Later round the course on the approach to fence 6 the fence builder spotted the issue and rushed to put it up and Creeslough being the noisy horse he is got distracted and missed fence 6 altogether, incurring 4 faults.
Sadly he also picked up time for this, a lesson well learnt.. if in doubt just keep going!
Creeslough has certainly taken to his new career proving extremely bold across country, and very little seems to be backing his off, although not strong he thinks he can taken out strides when ever.. not so good in a combination with a skinny!! so annoyingly had a run out at the narrow log early in the course.
Both horses took on the spooky water which had been the bogey fence all morning, neither horse barely even hesitated to go down the step under some trees which meant it was rather dark and spooky.
Novice horse Ballycullane Dundee did a lovely dressage test scoring one of his lowest marks to date, he then had one fence down in the show jumping.
The XC was extremely bold and influential and i think he will have learnt alot from this run, With wide ditches and big hedges, something that he has now learnt cant just be jumped extremly high in Dundee Style but he also needs to stretch out over the wider parts which he has not really needed to do at the lower levels which come so easy to him.
He slightly lost his footing when jumping the HUGE trakener when he gave it so much height and not so much width. Clearing this well but slightly loosing his footing.
The sunken road came of somewhat a shock and he unfortunately picked up a refusal here.
Very pleased with him today and i think he will really progress from this strong testing novice course.
13th May Aston -le-Walls
An exciting day at Aston with the novice track asking enough questions for Ballycullane Dundee and Archetype both first time Novices.
With the dressage test comprising of both rein back and counter canter they both performed the movements well.
Ballycullane Dundee despite having a long day the day before still jumped an immaculate clear in the SJ and Archetype just adding 4 faults to his dressage - Typically the last fence which had been catching many people out during the day.
Archetype was the first to run XC an hardly even noticed the difference in height or technicality. Having never jumped through an owl hole, he thought it was easy. He made nothing of the drop into the second water and was straight to the skinny after.
Ballycullane Dundee was quicker around the course not backing off of anything although gave me a bit of a shock at the second water when seeing the water at the last minute he jumped in, in slow motion!
With their dressage not quite as good as normal they both finished just out of the top 10. Be a big achievement today and plenty more to come.
With the dressage test comprising of both rein back and counter canter they both performed the movements well.
Ballycullane Dundee despite having a long day the day before still jumped an immaculate clear in the SJ and Archetype just adding 4 faults to his dressage - Typically the last fence which had been catching many people out during the day.
Archetype was the first to run XC an hardly even noticed the difference in height or technicality. Having never jumped through an owl hole, he thought it was easy. He made nothing of the drop into the second water and was straight to the skinny after.
Ballycullane Dundee was quicker around the course not backing off of anything although gave me a bit of a shock at the second water when seeing the water at the last minute he jumped in, in slow motion!
With their dressage not quite as good as normal they both finished just out of the top 10. Be a big achievement today and plenty more to come.
Saturday, 15 May 2010
11th May - Golden pony helps bring Heythrop to victory at Royal Winsor!
An exciting last minute outing to Royal Windsor for the Inter-hunt relay. I joined into the Heythrop team along with Nickie White, Tom Gittins and James Loffet.
Taelor Daniells very kindly said i could take her horse Ballycullane Dundee and didn't he just love it!
A Course of just six fences set with various sharp turns with two particular corners that were there to be cut to shave off every second possible.
In the first round we were drawn to relay against the Surrey Union hunt. This team were on good form and beat us after our team tactics failed. Each rider was planning to ride a steady but clear round but when riding a very green 5yo at his first show Tom Gittins had his work cut out.
Thankfully we scraped through by just 0.5 sec. The top 8 teams went through for another round.
We were riding on the Royal Box side once again and had rapidly changed team tactics this time....We were leaving nothing to chance and were going to go as fast a we possible could!
It was very exciting i started, and Dundee flew round the jumps on flying form giving them all plenty of height - as i jumped the 6th fences a set of Planks! i then handed the hunting crop/baton to team mate Nickie White who then followed up with a clear to then make a good change over to Tom Gittins who's horse improved on every round - gaining so much confidence he then jumped the last to hand over to James who whipped round to help us on our way to a win!
This then put us comfortably into the semi final which we went on to win. Dundee put yet another great round going clear once again.
It was the final and everyone was very excited to be there so we were just all going to "Go for It". It was fast and exciting and each horse came into their own jumping fantastic, the other team on the other hand had rather too many rails down picking up 5 time penalties for each rail which proved expensive.
We managed to complete our round in just 1.21 sec's for all four team members to complete. Our original time was 1.38 sec. So we had really up'ed our game.
It was a great experience and when we won the final it was fantastic! Taking home £1000 prize money which went to the Heythrop Hunt.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
9th May - Hambleden
Back at Hambleden for the two Intermediate runs, Thankfully not such an early start this morning.
Divilabit did a nice test, nothing too flashy but consistent with only one mistake on his second shoulder in, He scored 37.
Pembrey Perzaz did a rather inconsistent test although i put this mostly down to bit change, I have decided to try her in a double bridle, after schooling her at home with it i decided it may help at competitions.
She finds it extremely hard to keep in the arena, there is so much power coming from behind and she doesn't always know where to put all the energy, resulting in the corners coming up rather quickly and the arena seems awfully small! There were a few distractions during her test, and being rather nosey she always wants to know whats going on.
She scored a 42.
Pembrey Perzaz jumped brilliant just have 2 parts of the triple down, she was drifting slightly and i tried to correct her and sadly just touched the two poles.
Divilabit wasn't on top form in the show jumping today, being rather spooky and a little green today, he had a stop in the triple after spooking and not making the distance in between. this then bothered him a little and he had a couple of rails.
XC they were both fantastic both going clear with a average amount of time faults for the day. The course was tough enough and had plenty f questions, The first water had been causing problems all morning, being right in front of the sponsors tent there was plenty to look at, which put many horses off.
The second water also caused many problems and resulted in a number of falls. It had a MASSIVE drop in the a step out to a corner. Some horses tripped up the step after miss judging it.
Pembrey Perzaz was rather green going in and launched over the logs not quite realising how big the drop was, which meant the photos were rather entertaining. Never the less she made the distance well and bounced up the step and over the corner.
Divilabit went round like a pro, I thought he would be rather spooky as it seemed he was in one of those moods. He bounded up the bank complex and made nothing of it. He was brave and bold down all the drops and accurate at the skinnys.
A very good weekend over all.
Next stop.... Aston Le walls but just before that is Royal Windsor inter- hunt challenge with Ballycullane Dundee on Thursday.
Divilabit did a nice test, nothing too flashy but consistent with only one mistake on his second shoulder in, He scored 37.
Pembrey Perzaz did a rather inconsistent test although i put this mostly down to bit change, I have decided to try her in a double bridle, after schooling her at home with it i decided it may help at competitions.
She finds it extremely hard to keep in the arena, there is so much power coming from behind and she doesn't always know where to put all the energy, resulting in the corners coming up rather quickly and the arena seems awfully small! There were a few distractions during her test, and being rather nosey she always wants to know whats going on.
She scored a 42.
Pembrey Perzaz jumped brilliant just have 2 parts of the triple down, she was drifting slightly and i tried to correct her and sadly just touched the two poles.
Divilabit wasn't on top form in the show jumping today, being rather spooky and a little green today, he had a stop in the triple after spooking and not making the distance in between. this then bothered him a little and he had a couple of rails.
XC they were both fantastic both going clear with a average amount of time faults for the day. The course was tough enough and had plenty f questions, The first water had been causing problems all morning, being right in front of the sponsors tent there was plenty to look at, which put many horses off.
The second water also caused many problems and resulted in a number of falls. It had a MASSIVE drop in the a step out to a corner. Some horses tripped up the step after miss judging it.
Pembrey Perzaz was rather green going in and launched over the logs not quite realising how big the drop was, which meant the photos were rather entertaining. Never the less she made the distance well and bounced up the step and over the corner.
Divilabit went round like a pro, I thought he would be rather spooky as it seemed he was in one of those moods. He bounded up the bank complex and made nothing of it. He was brave and bold down all the drops and accurate at the skinnys.
A very good weekend over all.
Next stop.... Aston Le walls but just before that is Royal Windsor inter- hunt challenge with Ballycullane Dundee on Thursday.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
8th May - Hambleden - BE 100
Off to Hambleden amongst all the blue bells and trees we took three horses.
Archetype, Creesough and Argentinus.
Creeslough did a rather unsettled test which was unlike him but a rather loud chain saw and digger the other side of the hedge really didn't help the matter. I was not the only one with a problem there.
Archetype did a lovely test, foot perfect, very relaxed and supple so we couldn't have been happier and even more so to find he had a 28 dressage!
Argentinus also did a nice test, it was very accurate and felt nice, with only one mistake at the final halt, he decided it would be fun to wave to the judge - I thought it was me that was meant to do the saluting!
The Show jumping was brightly coloured and rather spooky so caused its problems.
Argentius had just one down at the triple bar as he slightly miss judged it.
Archetype jumped well, and went clear.
Creeslough also jumped well, i thought he may have been a bit spooky but was far too grown up to do anything!
The cross country was shorter than most courses and seemed to go very quickly.
It had its testing parts particularly in the woods down into the quarry with two steps down then two steps up. The first ones came up very quickly which caused a few problems as it took the less experienced horses by surprise.
Archetype went brilliantly XC, and we have defiantly sorted the brakes! He went round like a pro and stayed in a good rhythm to finish inside the time with very little effort.
Argentinus flew around the course also to finish inside the time despite trotting through the water! (enjoying the scenery)
Creesough, in his usual style talked most of the way round like a real baby but i am very pleased with his quick progress and he gives anything a go, and is showing great scope!
Jordann Daniells horse Archetype finished on his impressive dressage of 28 to be placed 2nd.
Argentinus jointly owned by myself and Lottie Wemyss finished 11th just out of the placings with having that one pole.
Creeslough was rather Lower in the placings after his excitable dressage but gained his first 2 foundation points!!
Friday, 30 April 2010
More Pictures from Milton Keynes
Architpe - Owned and ridden by Jordan Daniells.
But on this occasion and a few others ridden by myself whilst exams are on.
Both horses are based at my competition yard and both of the girls have lessons with me.
Ballycullane Dundee- Owned and ridden by Taylor Daniells
Again I am riding him on this occasion whilst there are exams .
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
26th April- Milton Keynes PN Plus
Back into the truck again, and thankfully a later start than normal and not too much of a trek to get there!!
Everything packed into Julie Daniells lorry along with her daughters two horses, Ballycullane Dundee and Architype, and my Cresslough.
The dressage went well on all three horses, despite only realising a couple of days before the Pre Nov plus had one of the most difficult Novice dressage tests possible. Rein back and counter canter... what were the babies going to think!
A crash course in rein back went much better than i anticipated and they all picked it up really well considering! Likewise for the counter canter, all three horses managed to complete this movement on both reins without changing and coming out of the arena!
Ballycullane Dundee did an accurate test, and hollowed slightly in the rein back, just needing to work on his 'Elevation' to score the higher marks.
Architype also kept his cool in the test especially when being asked to do some particularly difficult movements. His rein back was better but he just needs to seek the rein out a little bit more and avoid coming too tight in his neck in the canter.
Creeslough also did a calm test his rein back needs some work but he did it well considering it was the first attempt that morning- Although we did have a little practise the night before, stood in the middle of the yard with me on the floor continuously saying "Back..back...back" whilst attempting to push him backwards. It wasn't quite the same when i was actually sat on him!
The Show Jumping was bigger than normal pre-novices as it was a PLUS. so it had a combination of novice fences aswell. All the horses jumped well, Ballycullane Dundee and Architype both jumped clear and Creeslough just had the one down.
The XC course was nice and had a combination of new fences with the old. A particularly difficult double of boxes four fences from home that didn't jump all that well for some horses.
All three horses jumped round clear inside the time, leaving Ballycullane Dundee to finish 8th , and Architype finishing 10th. Sadly the pole down for Creeslough was expensive and put him out of the placings.
The dressage marks were rather odd in the section- the judging was particularly harsh in the morning with some people scoring 50 plus, later on in the day the marks were much lower. Although i thought all three horses should have had marks in the 30's they were in fact the 40's. Personal judgement i suppose but we were all pleased with there tests and that's what matters.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
24th/25th April- Withington Manor
SATURDAY - A great performance from Pembrey Perzaz today.
The lovely track in the Cotswold proved challenging on stamina and boldness for the horses. The ground was good considering the lack of rain.
Pembrey Perzaz did a fantastic dressage scoring 32, Then jumped a great double clear although we got quite a few time faults due to me taking her a little steadier as she has run twice in close succession this put us into 12th place. We were all very pleased with her and she is well set up for the Intermediate at Hambleden after doing double clear on the last 3 outings!
Divilabit and BonneAmie both have done their day before dressage today, Bonne Amie did a rather bouncy and extravagant test with a couple of mistakes to score 40.
Divilabit did an accurate test with consistent shoulder In's and good counter canters to score 35.
SUNDAY-
Bonne Amie was brilliant today and jumped fantastic, although the ground was rather slippy following the small amount of rain we had this morning, this didn't bother her and she jumped clear, She kept up the good performance in the XC and also jumped clear, She jumped the rail with step very well, this fence i was a little concerned about as the step was extremely close to the rail, a short bounce stride which i was concerned she would jump all in one! As she has such a big jump and would find it easy.
Divilabit didn't cope quite so well with the slippy going and slid into a rather large double of spreads, He then had one down after this. He jumped well enough but was just a bit green at times.
XC he was rather keen and took everything on despite a corner on top of the hill, which took him rather by surprise and he had a run out early on in the course. He then jumped the rest of the course with ultimate boldness resulting in a decision to change the bitting for the XC phase.
The lovely track in the Cotswold proved challenging on stamina and boldness for the horses. The ground was good considering the lack of rain.
Pembrey Perzaz did a fantastic dressage scoring 32, Then jumped a great double clear although we got quite a few time faults due to me taking her a little steadier as she has run twice in close succession this put us into 12th place. We were all very pleased with her and she is well set up for the Intermediate at Hambleden after doing double clear on the last 3 outings!
Divilabit and BonneAmie both have done their day before dressage today, Bonne Amie did a rather bouncy and extravagant test with a couple of mistakes to score 40.
Divilabit did an accurate test with consistent shoulder In's and good counter canters to score 35.
SUNDAY-
Bonne Amie was brilliant today and jumped fantastic, although the ground was rather slippy following the small amount of rain we had this morning, this didn't bother her and she jumped clear, She kept up the good performance in the XC and also jumped clear, She jumped the rail with step very well, this fence i was a little concerned about as the step was extremely close to the rail, a short bounce stride which i was concerned she would jump all in one! As she has such a big jump and would find it easy.
Divilabit didn't cope quite so well with the slippy going and slid into a rather large double of spreads, He then had one down after this. He jumped well enough but was just a bit green at times.
XC he was rather keen and took everything on despite a corner on top of the hill, which took him rather by surprise and he had a run out early on in the course. He then jumped the rest of the course with ultimate boldness resulting in a decision to change the bitting for the XC phase.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
20th April - Sapey in the sun!
Yet another early start, this time a 5am driving out the gates!
Tell me about it was doing his first Novice, Pembrey Perzaz having another novice run before Withington and later on Hambleden intermediate. And the two babies getting some more experience around a Pre-Novice track.
Defiantly some major improvements made to the course this year, slightly changed route to previous as we ran up the hill on the XC for a 2nd time before finishing. Both courses were fully up too height and asked so good questions to the less experienced, aswell as being a challenging track for those nappy ones and the horses that would rather stand by the lorry.
The Show jumping was the usual spooky but not too huge and the dressage in its usual place.
Pembrey Perzaz did a pleasing test but didn't get the greatest mark, she really excels in the tests with harder movements, she then jumped another double clear and finished just out of the placings.
Tell Me About it, did a really nice test scoring 39 which we thought was a little harsh although not truly established in his medium trots or extended canters he went well.
Having a slight play with bitting early on in the week proved that for the show jumping we need something a little stronger, getting extremely keen and the bigger height not seeming to both him in the slightest, he had three rails down due to getting a little bit onward!
XC he was a complete machine, despite being held on the course he quickly picked back up into a good rhythm to go clear, as he took on ever fence with boldness, he gave me a great ride.
Now to the babies...didn't they do well! a very spooky course for them.
Argentinus did a consistent dressage scoring 31 and lots of 8's! then going double clear and just picking up 1.6 time. He felt like a pro and didn't seem to look at anything.
Creeslough did a nice test but not such a great mark as before, then jumping well in the show jumping with one small blip at fence 3 a spooky filler which had been the boogie fence all afternoon. Picking up 5 in the SJ, Then certainly making up for that in the XC going clear over some very scary things some of which he hadn't jumped before!
Very pleased with all of them today, and i feel they have really learnt from their experiences.
Tell me about it was doing his first Novice, Pembrey Perzaz having another novice run before Withington and later on Hambleden intermediate. And the two babies getting some more experience around a Pre-Novice track.
Defiantly some major improvements made to the course this year, slightly changed route to previous as we ran up the hill on the XC for a 2nd time before finishing. Both courses were fully up too height and asked so good questions to the less experienced, aswell as being a challenging track for those nappy ones and the horses that would rather stand by the lorry.
The Show jumping was the usual spooky but not too huge and the dressage in its usual place.
Pembrey Perzaz did a pleasing test but didn't get the greatest mark, she really excels in the tests with harder movements, she then jumped another double clear and finished just out of the placings.
Tell Me About it, did a really nice test scoring 39 which we thought was a little harsh although not truly established in his medium trots or extended canters he went well.
Having a slight play with bitting early on in the week proved that for the show jumping we need something a little stronger, getting extremely keen and the bigger height not seeming to both him in the slightest, he had three rails down due to getting a little bit onward!
XC he was a complete machine, despite being held on the course he quickly picked back up into a good rhythm to go clear, as he took on ever fence with boldness, he gave me a great ride.
Now to the babies...didn't they do well! a very spooky course for them.
Argentinus did a consistent dressage scoring 31 and lots of 8's! then going double clear and just picking up 1.6 time. He felt like a pro and didn't seem to look at anything.
Creeslough did a nice test but not such a great mark as before, then jumping well in the show jumping with one small blip at fence 3 a spooky filler which had been the boogie fence all afternoon. Picking up 5 in the SJ, Then certainly making up for that in the XC going clear over some very scary things some of which he hadn't jumped before!
Very pleased with all of them today, and i feel they have really learnt from their experiences.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
11th April - Highs and Lows of Eventing - Weston Park
It really does just show how character building Eventing can be.
Last October Double clear with both Bonne Amie and Divilabit in the CCI** - Pretty much the same track as Weston Advanced in April.
I had both horses in the Intermediate, Divilabit did his usual accurate but not particularly flashy test which we all felt was rather harshly larked with a 44, He then show jumped well having 2 down on the particularly testing course, which had been causing many problems then XC he had a silly run out at the stream crossing, the furthest part of the course, we were faced with two corners the first set just back from the brow of a down ward slope and the second part set on the top of the incline after a stream crossing.
There was quite a few people stood here when i came to the fence which distracted Divilabit - as he is rather nosey and finds it hard to concentrate so early on in the season, anyway he jumped the first part well and spooked when running through the stream and completely misjudged where the second corner was, knocking the flag down and running by it, So we then went to the alternative which he flew and went onto complete the course well. But sadly picked up 20 for that fault.
Last October Double clear with both Bonne Amie and Divilabit in the CCI** - Pretty much the same track as Weston Advanced in April.
I had both horses in the Intermediate, Divilabit did his usual accurate but not particularly flashy test which we all felt was rather harshly larked with a 44, He then show jumped well having 2 down on the particularly testing course, which had been causing many problems then XC he had a silly run out at the stream crossing, the furthest part of the course, we were faced with two corners the first set just back from the brow of a down ward slope and the second part set on the top of the incline after a stream crossing.
There was quite a few people stood here when i came to the fence which distracted Divilabit - as he is rather nosey and finds it hard to concentrate so early on in the season, anyway he jumped the first part well and spooked when running through the stream and completely misjudged where the second corner was, knocking the flag down and running by it, So we then went to the alternative which he flew and went onto complete the course well. But sadly picked up 20 for that fault.
Bonne Amie did a very promising dressage test which we were all really pleased with, she stayed calm and performed all the movements, she scored a 37 which we were pleased with and was a vast improvement on Gatcombe!
Next to her show jumping - Didn't she ping! the little rubber ball jumped very well on what was beginning to get sticky going, She had one down that she just tipped and jumped fantastically.
XC she was going well, taking everything in her stride and jumped well down the log drop to the corner and over to the carrot box, Sadly at the sunken round we came unstuck, going to take off she saw the step at the last minute and really backed off, then tried to jump in slow motion and left a leg and we both fell, thankfully Bo was fine and completely un fazed by what had happened.
Her first fault on her record in a long time, but i guess it was just one of those things that we have to learn from.
Withington here we come..
Sunday, 11 April 2010
9th April- A fantastic Training session with Lucinda Green
Today we went to Boomerang for the first time XC schooling, We took Divilabit, Pembrey Perzaz and Architype, a new horse bought for Jordan Daniels to compete.
Lucinda Green met us there and was going to see me on all 3 horses and give me tuition with the 3 of them.
The first horse i rode was Divilabit - Rather excited to be out he pranced around and took a while to settle , everything was very exciting for him!
Lucinda started the session with an accuracy and focus exercise getting us to use more leg and less hand to negotiate 6 skinny narrow poles on blocks. these started on a circle then were moved onto a straight line, the distance was not measured and what ever stride you had, you had to deal with it.
Divilabit found this quite easy when he got the hand of things, locking on to each jump.
We then moved on to some real XC in particular ditches and trakeners. I was told a number of exercises of keeping a secure seat and allowing the horse to work it out for them selves.
towards the end of the session i put a course together around the spooky track, which involved plenty of steps, ditches and water.
Divilabit jumped brilliantly and found it much easier to concentrate when a course faced him, Jumping plenty of skinnys and spooky fences.
Next i rode Architype, a 6yo gelding. He has a bit of a freight from the ditch at Portman last week so our main objective was to practise these. We began the session exactly the same, with the skinnys and the odd striding which he coped extremely well with, The more challenge he had the better he worked.
We then moved onto the ditches where he put up a bit of an argument but then gave in and completed all the exercises well, He then did a course and jumped most of the bigger jumps that i had already done before. He showed endless scope and ability and we were all very pleased.
Lastly i jumped Phoebe, She found the first exercise particularly hard as sometimes gets over keen and thinks she knows best when she doesn't!!! Soon she began to realise it would be a good idea to listen to me and life would be alot easier.
I ended her session by jumping round a course and she really did show her true scope and boldness! she was accurate and keen yet still manageable.
It was a very good days training and all the horses went well.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
6th April - Portman with 4 PN babies!
A rather early start for us this morning, the 3 horses going from our yard all dressed and ready to go and we drove out just after 3.30 this morning! Lovely!
Argentinus, Tell Me About It and Creeslough off to contend their 2nd event of the season, and for some their 2nd event ever!!
New horse Architype owned by Jordann Daniells was also doing the Pre Nov with me.
All four horses did sub 35 dressage tests, Argentinus and Creeslough did their personal bests!
Going into the SJ with strong positions, Creeslough jumped a clear, Argentinus had one rail down through lack of balance and over enthusiasm. Tell Me About It, jumped another clear round and made nothing of the rather sticky ground.
Architype had two rails down, but everyone was pleased with how he jumped.
On to the XC, A lovely course that asked its questions. First out was Creeslough- After a rather interesting start at the first fences, negotiating the photographer and a small child playing beside the fence throwing some toy, Creeslough thought this was a little out of the ordinary and was very spooky and too busy looking at the child rather than the fence meant we had a stop, Turning his round to re present rather a FATAL rider error of jumping in fact the Novice hedge! whoops. thankfully the fences judges didn't notice untill the end of the course.
He then jumped well around the rest of the course but sadly we were eliminated.
Tell me about it, Flew round the course, rather strong today so a change in brakes is needed, something up from a snaffel now, Especially before his Novice at Sapey.
Argentinus was on top form for the XC today jumping a beautiful clear making nothing of the track, He was bold and confident and loved it!
Architype didn't want to play at the 7th fence today, so back to some XC schooling before Jordan takes him to Eland Lodge, Where i am sure he will be fine!
Argentinus, Tell Me About It and Creeslough off to contend their 2nd event of the season, and for some their 2nd event ever!!
New horse Architype owned by Jordann Daniells was also doing the Pre Nov with me.
All four horses did sub 35 dressage tests, Argentinus and Creeslough did their personal bests!
Going into the SJ with strong positions, Creeslough jumped a clear, Argentinus had one rail down through lack of balance and over enthusiasm. Tell Me About It, jumped another clear round and made nothing of the rather sticky ground.
Architype had two rails down, but everyone was pleased with how he jumped.
On to the XC, A lovely course that asked its questions. First out was Creeslough- After a rather interesting start at the first fences, negotiating the photographer and a small child playing beside the fence throwing some toy, Creeslough thought this was a little out of the ordinary and was very spooky and too busy looking at the child rather than the fence meant we had a stop, Turning his round to re present rather a FATAL rider error of jumping in fact the Novice hedge! whoops. thankfully the fences judges didn't notice untill the end of the course.
He then jumped well around the rest of the course but sadly we were eliminated.
Tell me about it, Flew round the course, rather strong today so a change in brakes is needed, something up from a snaffel now, Especially before his Novice at Sapey.
Argentinus was on top form for the XC today jumping a beautiful clear making nothing of the track, He was bold and confident and loved it!
Architype didn't want to play at the 7th fence today, so back to some XC schooling before Jordan takes him to Eland Lodge, Where i am sure he will be fine!
2nd April - Burnham Market - Cheeky 2*horse round a novice track and a great D/C from the little mare.
Rather a wet trek up to Norfolk, Doubtfull that it would be running after the rain we had during the week prior to the event. We arrived at Burnham Market with Pembrey Perzaz and Divilabit who took the place of Rising Midnight on this occasion.
The ground was holding up surprisingly well and as always a lovely atmosphere at the event normally i would be here doing the Advanced or 3 star which i have done on many occasions with Cavort.
Divilabit was first to go in his run round the Novice, for a bit of fun for the both of us. Rather above himself and being a little cheeky. He did an average test and jumped a lovely clear SJ,
XC he was rather full of himself and didn't always have his brain in gear which showed when he had a silly stop going into the dew pond water, thinking that the small log in, was not worth concentrating for! Naughty Pony!!! But he had fun!
Pembrey Perzaz went very well, she did a pleasingly test with just one or two mistakes but genuinely worked very well. She then jumped a great double clear and finished up 6th. A fantastic result for her first run of the season.
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