H&C

"I write this blog sitting in the glorious French sunshine at Lignieres - the weather here has been fantastic, even a little too warm at times. I have had a few events before this one and seem to be struggling to find time to do anything but ride.

Back to Burnham

We went to Burnham with Rubin for his first ever event. He is proving to be a promising horse and we only did the BE90, but he showed a good attitude and enjoyed the day. He is a grandson of Quidam De Revel so is a very good jumper.

Columbo was in the BE100; he did a very good test for 24 but sadly had two show jumps down, though his cross-country was good to finish fourth. He is in the in-between stage of too good for a 100 and not quite bold enough for a novice yet - I would do a pre novice plus with him but there are very few of these around

On the Sunday I entered the intermediate with Red, Bertie and Romeo, and the novice with Bambi. All did very good tests and were very near the leaders in each section. Romeo jumped beautifully and just had the first part of the combination down; and Bert jumped immaculately. Red uncharacteristically jumped right in the last combination so my right foot hit two wings to have two down.

Romeo then went very well XC and finished eighth, this was my last run with him as he has gone to Alex Liddle as a junior horse, I'm sure he will excel at this so fingers crossed for them.

Bertie jumped superbly but was slightly green into the first water - I now realise it was very shadowy as they all did the same. He jumped in so boldly we stumbled up the step and I was catapulted out of the saddle! I got back on and finished but the top placing was gone.

Red was good but ran right in the water and past the red flag for 20 penalties! Bambi was excellent; she jumped a great double clear to finish sixth.

Horse shopping 

In between events we went to Ireland looking at horses, as I am always keen to keep building a team even better than last year's one. I bought a very handsome four-year-old by a son of Cavalier, he moves beautifully and has a good jump.

Moreton Morrell was the next event, the last time I was there Jasper was a novice! It has definitely improved, the courses were good and the BE100 was decent which is a good thing as so many are uninspiring. I had Columbo in the 100 and Rubin for his first at this level. Rubin was green as expected but went very well overall, two down but only as he needs to improve his technique, he has lots of scope.

Columbo scored 21 in the dressage then sadly one down and few time faults cross-country to finish second. This was his last run this year, as he has gone so well and always placed in top few each event. Bambi did the best dressage in her section, clear show jumping and fantastic ctoss-country but they must have wheeled the course incorrectly, as I had two time faults for being too fast which made me fourth not first.  

Off to Lignieres 

We left early Tuesday, I usually drive through the night but was too tired this time, it does mean traffic is slower but you don't get there exhausted. We had a good trip down and arrived at 8pm.

I love Lignieres, it has a great laid-back atmosphere and incredibly helpful organisers. The stables are fantastic, wooden permanent with big overhangs to stop the sunlight. There are surfaces for the dressage and show jumping and the XC is watered and spiked. They also have drinks each night, so very social too!

This was Red's longest trip so far and he generally coped well. It must have been 30 degrees each day with no wind, so it was very hot. I even had shorts on all week and time to sunbathe - in-between plaiting, as I didn't take a groom.

Red worked well each day and I was careful not to do too much with him, so I'd do two 30 minute sessions per day. He did his test at the hottest part of the day and apart from a couple minor mistakes, I was happy with it. I was therefore a little disappointed to be given a score of 49.6. It was quite evident that in the heat and the serious two-star cross-country course it wasn't going to be a dressage competition.

I went near the end so had plenty of time to watch the other riders. There were a number of thrills and spills horses were also looking tired, so I planned with Red to go positively but not to push too hard, as I really wanted a qualification.

I was anxious when I walked the course to make everything as straightforward as possible, as there were so many places to run out, so I planned to do one long route which took an extra four seconds.

A lucky escape

He set off well but strong. Unusually strong and fighting a little, but jumped the first seven well, including the water complex which had caused some difficulty. We got to the interspace skinny and he ran out to the right, has never done that before and I was rather shocked. We went the long route and carried on, as 20 penalties is still a qualification.

He was still very strong and never really settled, which in the heat surprised me. He jumped very well over the next 14 fences when we got to a turning combination, a big table then five forward strides to a skinny on a right hand turn.

Well we jumped the table well and were good for the skinny, when just on take-off he suddenly dived left and half jumped the fence, hitting it behind. I fell off the left hand side with my right foot still caught in the stirrup. My jacket blew up thankfully (I nearly didn't wear one as it was so hot) and saved me from breaking my collarbone or a dislocated shoulder. Thankfully Red stopped and I got my foot out the stirrup, and walked off battered and bruised. I have no idea why he did it but will be practising lots and lots of skinnies before next season! 

I am off riding for a few days to let my body recover so will make the most of the sunshine and begin to book up teaching clinics in my spare time this winter! Please contact me if interested."

Sharon

“It has been forever since I sat down and wrote anything and it seems like so much has happened - which it has! I have had some great competitions; Barbury for example was superb. I had Romeo in the CIC 2* and he jumped a double clear to finish 21st out of 100. Red was superb to be fourth in the 2* also out of 100, and Maisie jumped her second CIC 3* in very hot company to be 28th out of 115 with mainly team horses ahead of her. Columbo qualified for the five-year-old young event horse final too.

I have then had my best friend Jenny’s hen do and wedding, which was great fun and fantastic to catch up with everyone.

Jumping at Hickstead

I have been to Hickstead with eight horses jumping for four days and had some good results. Maisie was double clear in the 1.25m, Romeo, Red and Bertie was double clear in the Foxhunter, Columbo was double clear in the 1.05 and Bambi and Elsa double clear in the 1.10. I watched the Nations cup too, which was fantastic live. I will pursue my show jumping career as I thoroughly enjoy it!

A lovely competition

I went to Wilton for the first time on Sunday and it was a lovely competition. A beautiful setting and a good xc track. It was perhaps quite tough in places especially the first water where several stopped, Romeo included, as he was just quite green there. It is a white log into water which you can't see until you’re on top of it but he jumped it well the second time. Bertie performed a great test for 28 and then had one down (was a poley course and the ground was on the firm side) and then he was excellent XC for eighth. Maisie did her usual consistent double clear and did a good test for 31 and finished ninth. Both horses I didn't push XC as the ground was okay but on the firm side. This sets Maisie up well for Gatcombe and Bertie hopefully for Le Lion - fingers crossed!

Time to move on?

I have been deliberating for several months now about whether to stay at Bedgebury or not as it has got busier and busier over the last few months. I can't always use the schools as I’d like and the surfaces are in need of replacing. I need my own space again as I am finding my days increasingly difficult, sadly. So I am moving somewhere, not too sure where yet, so please if anyone has any ideas then email me! I will be back in Suffolk no doubt until I find somewhere; I love Suffolk but need hills! I'm excited about returning though as I do miss my family and friends enormously so we shall see.

A short diary but it sums up things so far; much time has been spent on the phone asking about yards, etc. I will also be looking for a new member of staff as sadly Becky will be staying in Kent so please email me about the vacancy.”

“The weeks seem to go past faster and faster! We are so busy now as I have several in work which is great. I have a team of lovely horses and it’s a pure pleasure to ride them all. I am sure not everyone has this luxury, but it has taken me several years to get to this point.

A new horse

We have a new horse named Ruebin; he is a lovely chestnut owned by Heather Bright. He is a very good jumper which is no surprise, as he is bred for it. I now have two with jumping breeding, as Dolly has too. She is amazingly brave and jumps straight around a course now and doesn't look at a thing. I don't think I have ever started one so brave! Ruebin seems similar, although he has done a lot more and is six-years-old.

Young horse progress

The young horses are really progressing. Columbo has come on in leaps and bounds. He went to Borde Hill and competed in his first ever event and scored a 28 in dressage and jumped a good double clear in the 90. We were only h/c as there was no open class but he would've won by several marks.  I love his attitude; he tries at whatever is asked of him and is lovely to ride, doesn’t get spooked and really enjoys his work. He is high up on the list of favourites, but in truth I say this about all of them and they can't all be number one!

Borde Hill had done a good job of making the ground acceptable. We have had no rain until this week so really there is little we can do to make rock-hard ground okay, except watering and they don't have the budget big events do. I ran Luna on the Monday in the Novice after staying at my aunt and uncle’s as they are relatively near there and had a family night, nearly unheard of in the middle of the season! It was lovely to see everyone as I don't spend enough time with them all.

Bad water

Luna performed a very good test to score 31 and jumped her usual clear SJ. We went XC well but sadly jumped left at the first of the brushes and so ran past the second for 20 penalties. I was very disappointed as we would've come second but she jumped the straight route from brush to corner at the end so she is coming along very well. When I went to the water, it had been taken out as several horses had fallen in it for apparently no reason. This is not normal, I didn't see the falls so cannot comment but I do know that I feel very strongly about waters as I have had good horses fall because of bad water footings and it has been the undoing of them. When horses jump bravely into bad waters they have no idea why they fell and quite understandably stop at further water fences, if this water was a potential of this then I'm glad it wasn't in. If it was simply straightforward water and people going too quickly and not giving the horses time, then this is a different story.  Who knows but I hope the event hasn't a damaged reputation because of this as is a very nice event with a good XC course and it’s important these events keep running.

Off to Bramham

I had a day at home and then we left for Bramham going via Patchetts for lessons with Anna with Amber and Maisie. Amber was not really her normal self and was difficult to ride, sometimes she can be but this was different. Maisie was very good, she finds the test hard when altogether but improves daily and for an older horse this is unusual.

We arrived at Bramham about 7pm when I decided to ride Amber again who went much better and Columbo ready for the Young Event Horse class. We finished very late, a long day! Up early to ride Amber before her test, which had moments of brilliance and some not so brilliant bits. She scored 59 which was disappointing as she could do such an amazing test. Maisie worked really well as did Columbo ready for their big days on Friday.

Sophie came and helped Paula and I. We were very grateful for her help as we were rather busy! I like to ride the horses a few times or whatever is needed at a three day. Sometimes they need hacking or schooling a couple of times in a day, some only once, depends on each individual.

Maisie gets exuberant

My dressage was at 8.40 Friday morning so we were up again early working Maisie before her test. This paid off as she performed a very good test, nearly mistake free except for the changes, which were clean but a bit exuberant! I felt one judge was too hard and marked her down, otherwise we would have scored 54 which was about right. 58 was too high in my opinion. I was delighted with her performance anyway, whatever the mark, she is one for the future.

Columbo was in the five-year-old class, and the atmosphere was amazing and the enormous crowd was more than he had ever seen! He was an angel; his test was very good and had the second best mark, 28/35. He jumped well as this was the biggest thing by far he had done, he sometimes jumps a bit quick across the fence when he is a little green and must've been marked down for this as he had a very disappointing mark! His conformation mark was also very high and I think he finished 15^th. He will go to another and hopefully will qualify there - I do think he was one of the nicest horses so hopefully next time will be luckier.

SJ up to height

It is quite good that the XC is after the SJ so that if you want to prepare before Luhmuhlen and not run then you can still practise jumping a good track. The show jumping was up to height as always and the time very tight which meant that as my two are very good jumpers, I would hopefully move up a few places. They had also watered the ring so the ground was very good, as was the XC.
Amber had two down which was uncharacteristic, she actually went on to have three run outs XC too as she was fighting with the bridle all the way and I had to approach the combination fences too quickly to not touch her mouth and consequently we couldn't turn very easily. I am convinced there is something annoying her so will be investigating before her next run. Disappointing as I thought we were off.

Maisie jumped superbly in the SJ, she is very careful even though we have to be quite forward as the time was tight. This bodes well for the three days as sometimes the time is very tight and they can lose their jump at speed. The XC course was decent; big and bold, much bigger than she had seen before. The course is so nicely built though, its not trappy and I feel it’s very educational. It gives them a taste of the big stuff without the whole thing at once (i.e a 10.5 minute course). She was faultless, incredibly brave; I had a few time faults as I needed the clear for my qualification and so made sure I didn't take any risks. We finished 12th which I was delighted with, she will aim for Blenheim now which will be very exciting as by then we could be very competitive.

We left Sunday after a small party Saturday night, there aren't many chances to have fun and not ride the next day so is good to make the most of these occasions! It took us six hours to get home as we had to put water in the engine, Rita now has a new radiator!

Things get exciting with Jasper 

Things are also getting exciting with Jasper again as he is cantering and schooling and looks good. I adore riding him and miss competing him. I know he won't be here forever but while he is I'd like to compete him if possible. He is already much happier as he hates not working hard, so I'm hoping for an end of July run. Billy and Bomber are having a holiday as the ground is hard and they've both done plenty already this year, Bomber is for sale and I haven't as much time as I'd like to put into him. If anyone is interested please let me know he is a lovely horse, too small for me and I can only keep horses that will progress to top high level.

I went to Rossdales with several horses for routine check ups and to collect Nelson who I’m hoping will come back well from his holiday. He is a lovely horse so fingers crossed.  I had lessons with Joao on Columbo, Elsa and Romeo who all jumped very well, especially Columbo as he improves massively with each session. This was proved when he competed in the 100 at Gt Tew where he performed a good test but was so excited to be out he cantered in bits of the test to score 34. He will get low 20s when he's more established so I viewed this as a schooling day when he had the last SJ down after a good round. He was brilliant XC as it was quite a reasonable course for a 100. He improved as he went around, I am delighted with him.

Elsa performed a very good test and scored 32, she jumped clear SJ. The rain suddenly came down and it was like winter, near gales (perhaps slight exaggeration but not far off!) and pouring with rain. She was not keen on that and became very spooky and had 20 penalties which was a shame as she would've been well placed. Her first mistake!  I only had the two as I decided Imp is going so well he doesn't need another novice run and the others have run enough on the firm ground. The ground was good up there. We are forecast a day of heavy rain tomorrow so I should soon be able to use our  gallop field again which will save me loads of time and that has to be a good thing!”

"I have literally been on the road for the last two weeks hence the lack of blogs. I have been XC schooling the young horses - Columbo, Billy and Elsa ready for their first events and competitions, so this has also taken time between the events. I enjoy the young horses so much as they improve so quickly, it is very satisfying when they get better and better.

Jasper's looking better

We went to Keysoe as I stayed with my parents for the weekend and also combined it with a trip to Rossdales that has been successful. The good news is that Jasper’s scan is looking better and I will tentatively aim for big autumn competitions but won’t say where yet just in case! He starts cantering now so we will see. I am very excited, you can’t imagine how much better he is feeling now his work has been increased. He knows when we are working to a big competition and sure he will be hopeful now!

Great ground at Keysoe

Keysoe had made a huge effort with the ground; they spread woodchip all over the dressage warm up and around the XC course. They then aggregated the course and luckily we had some rain both nights which made the ground pretty good. The show jumping was also on a great surface so all in all pleasing ground. I had Amber in the open novice as I couldn’t get an intermediate run before Chatsworth. She performed a good test but the judge sadly didn’t agree and gave her 37! I felt it was a 30 but nevermind. She did a double clear and came ninth; she was strong still so I was slower, still work in progress. Imp performed a very good test but not a whole lot better than Amber and scored 24, very much in the lead! He jumped clear SJ and nearly clear XC but I had a run out at the first corner annoyingly and still came tenth. I am so close to a win but still not close enough! It will be celebrated when I do!

Luna was in the 100 and performed a great test for 29 and jumped double clear and was just pipped to 2nd. She is great fun to ride, a very nice mare.  We returned again with Elsa and Bomber in the 90 h/c. I wish that all 90s had an open section as we would all like to be competitive, there were several of us going h/c.  Bomber did a good test, 32 and double clear and would’ve been third and Elsa was very grown up and scored 25 and double clear and would’ve won her section again. Good weekend and back to Kent.

I had a couple of days back at home, riding all the horses at the yard and then off again. I’d also taken Bambi and Tweedy to the vets to be checked, good news for those two also that my new farrier is doing a great job and they are ready to crack on again. They should both be ready for the autumn events. 

Lessons with Anna Ross Davies

We left Wednesday with seven horses (Vivien taking Red) for lessons with Anna up at Oxfordshire as I was competing at Aston Le Walls in the Intermediate and then at Chatsworth at the weekend.  The lessons were great, she has such a lovely way of teaching/ training / explaining. The horses are making great progress especially Bertie and Maisey. Now it’s more of a case of tidying up corners, transitions and straightness rather than the basics. Red and Romeo also making good progress with more emphasis on balance.

Impressive ground at Aston Le Walls

We stayed at Anthony Clarkes’ before an early start at Aston Le Walls. I was seriously impressed with the watering and work on the XC course as the ground was very good. As expected it did dry out later on in the day so the best ground was early on but it was still good late on. The course is also ideal for a first time intermediate, a few testers but generally a nice educating course. I did chuckle to myself walking the course at the second water which was a brush in, as it used to be a log and this is where I had a spectacular departing from Imp two years ago! Thankfully history didn’t repeat itself!

Imp didn’t perform his best test, I must admit the emphasis had been on XCso I have neglected his dressage, (have been working hard since!) so he scored 32. Red did a great test for 26, Romeo was a little on his forehand for 34 and Maisie was a little excited with the wind howling a gale during her test so scored 35. They all jumped clear SJ, I must say they are jumping superbly this year. All credit to Joaos’ help. I went xc on Red first, I was as quick as I could be bearing in mind he had just returned from an allergy. He was very good and finished fifth, a good result and the places were very tight! Imp was awesome, exceptional at the waters but I had the most stupid mistake at a single fence, I went to slow down as he ran slightly and he took exception and ran out! He felt the horse I had wanted to buy finally, scopey and careful and even though he had a run out this was a big achievement for us. Onwards and upwards now!

Romeo jumped very well XC as did Maisie but I felt the ground by the afternoon wasn’t sufficiently soft enough to go too quickly so they both had time faults. A good day though. Luckily Georgie Strang took my horses home for me so I could stay in Oxfordshire with Bertie, Luna and Amber. I did some vital schooling at Aston ready and prepped for Chatsworth.

A rare lie in

I don’t often get lie ins but when I do I can really sleep. This was the case on the Thursday evening, I slept for 10 hours! I think nine the next night too! More often than not this part of the season and the end are exhausting as we are working towards three day events and the horses are really coming into their own now. So a couple of good nights sleep really does help!

Perfect going at last!

We got to Chatsworth and it’s like a different world from down south. The grass is green! Although they had also been watering the XC course extensively. The heavens did open a few times over the weekend though to provide us with perfect going at last! I wish it could continue but sadly we have still had no rain here.

I schooled Bertie, Luna and Amber as soon as we arrived, I was well aware Bertie had a great chance of winning a Novice as he is so established at that level now. Luna at the other end of the scale as it was her first time. They both did very good tests and scored 32 for Luna and 30 for Bertie. Bertie was in the lead! We had a lovely meal with my parents and owners David and Sue Howard and I slept for hours again!

The show jumping caused a few problems, sadly Luna had a fence down as she was rather strong, but Bertie jumped an immaculate clear. Luna jumped superbly XC for her first novice, she is very able and I hope that I will be able to keep her as she will go far I’m sure. She has a natural confidence and ability that makes her lovely to ride.. She finished tenth not bad for her first one! Bertie was exceptional XC and was clear inside the time and won, by one point! I was so delighted as he thoroughly deserved that, lets hope he makes it to Gatcombe.

Amber performed a reasonable test but wasn’t that competitive unfortunately. Surprisingly we had one down, but  had a brilliant clear XC. She was superb and back to her old form so pleased, she is some horse to ride when she’s in good form and today was one of those days.

I went SJ schooling with Elsa, Bomber, Columbo and Billy and Romeo and Maisieto canter at LMEQ. The ground understandably is firm there so we jumped the drops, waters ditches etc and that was enough for a practise. The show jumping arena is great as there are very spooky fillers and plenty of them! Billy is very brave and has a naturally good jump, as does Columbo. Elsa is very talented and will go far for sure and Bomber has improved so much the last two weeks, he is for sale but i am happy to keep him as he has developed an excellent jump now. We cantered Maisie and Romeo who worked well, ready for Brigstock."

“As ever, I’ve had a couple of usually busy weeks but all sorts of different things going on this time!  

Riding all day

I seem to be permanently on a horse now, which is perfect for me as I would still rather ride all day. The yard is basically full but I have some out at night which means we can have more if needed. The weather is still amazing, not for the ground though and our grass. I do hope we get some decent rain soon, it seems to miss us here each time.

Berts learns counter canter

I had some lessons with Anna at Patchetts which went very well. Bert has now learnt counter canter circles which will improve his dressage marks dramatically I hope, it has taken him a while to understand as he does such good changes but they are not required yet. Red has started to now go forwards and relaxed which has significantly improved his paces, Maisey much the same as Red and Imp needs to keep the connection through as she will drop behind the leg and vertical if she can. I left Patchetts full of enthusiasm for my dressage riding!

I went to Thursley too, stayed at my owners Barry and Karen Carter fantastic yard for some jumping lessons with Stuart Harvey. I had nearly a full load with Fly, Elsa, Bomber, Amber and Imp. They all jumped well, it's good to jump them at different places especially when they are younger or less experienced as they get to see more. I used to always go jumping when I lived in Suffolk but now with such good facilities I rarely do. We have very spooky fillers here and as my ring riding gets better I feel less need to go out, I will still however go to Hickstead this year as three days of jumping really brought the horses on.

A hot Tweseldown

I went from Thursley to Tweseldown XC schooling on the Friday. It was incredibly hot, must've been 27 degrees I’m sure. That was hotter than I go schooling in the summer! They all went really well, I practised with Amber the water fences particularly (and Imp!) and the coffins but there wasn't much to jump at all. It was very disappointing and the fences that were able to be used had deep ground on take-off and landings, I am pleased I only travelled from Guildford to there! I'm sure this was just an exception as I believe it's a great schooling area normally.

Commentating at Badminton

To end the busy week I went to Badminton for the Sunday. I was fortunate to be asked to commentate the XC by Horse & Country and of course I jumped at the chance. I had never done any but was starting high! This was my first in eight years of not competing so it was great to be a part of it. I think Jasper would've rather we'd been competing too! He is now doing very well and nearly cantering again so watch this space! We started with commentating on the top eight dressage tests, it is hard to not be critical of the riders and horses as generally you can't say its perfect all the time, as it would be a little dull! So I hope I got the balance right. Ed Holloway was fun to work with and had it all under control so this helped me not to be nervous. The XC was pretty exciting to watch as was the show jumping, a great result for Toddy! It makes a fantastic story for eventing that he can come back after all these years and win another Badminton, London should be incredible.

I also had the good fortune of working with Mike Tucker doing some voiceovers. This was great experience and I would love to do more - I hope I sound okay!

A trip to Milton Keynes and some bad judging

I have been to Milton Keynes this week with Elsa, Bomber and Luna. Elsa and Bomb were in the same section, the open 90. Bomber had a spook at the flowers by the dressage but did a nice test and the judge gave him a 41.5. I must admit I didn't even bother to collect the sheet as I was so appalled at the mark, please can we have better judging at the lower levels as these marks go on their records! He jumped clear SJ and was superb XC, the best he'd been until I went too fast to the spooky corner which had shadows on it and he just ran past it, he jumped it second time when I was considerably slower! Elsa was at her first event, she was rather excited before the dressage but performed a great test for 29. She then jumped double clear with extra care at the corner and won! Not bad for her first event but she is a very nice horse. Luna was too a little fresh and was a bit strong in the canter so scored 33, she then too jumped double clear in the 100 to come fifth.  The ground was superb as it had rained for three hours that night before so this has been the best ground I’ve competed in England on so far!

Horses for sale

I went to Nurstead yesterday with Fly and Imp. We have had no rain so the ground was dry as expected but they had made huge efforts with spiking and sand. The dressage was firm but the SJ was okay and the first and last parts of the XC were good, the middle a bit harder but I chose to run mine as I didn't feel it too bad at all. Imp did a good test, 27 and double clear. I went quicker than last time but still a few time faults so was fifth but a good solid result again! Next is one more novice then an intermediate. Fly did a good test, but it was disappointing to get a 35 mark. He had the last part of the double and combination down as he was a touch brave still, but jumped a very good round. He also jumped very well XC but as it was only his second novice and he is for sale, I took him carefully. He is for sale now so any enquiries please contact me, photos to come very soon. He is a fantastic hunter too and will definitely go up the levels eventing so a good prospect. Bomber is sadly also for sale as I haven't the time for him now as have so many others and he ultimately is too small. He has done 4 90s, one more then he’s ready for 100s. I will be sad to see him go as he is such a pleasure to have here and ride and has turned into a very competitive horse; I hope someone wanting a really good future prospect will be interested.

Well, I am at Keysoe next week; I will be doing a rain dance each day until then!”