“With the summer season rolling on, we took Bjorn (Headmore Bjorndajoke) and Zué to Wellington on Monday 28 March for a couple of elementary tests, it was a bit of a mission for us to be on time for all of tests, but we did manage it!

Fresh and nervy

Bjorn was on first in the non qualifier and he warmed up fairly well but the test was in a little indoor arena which was dark and a bit claustrophobic which made Bjorn a little unnerved which kept the score down at just 65% and he finished fourth. Zué then did the same test and he was very excited in the warm up and was really struggling to concentrate so I decided to use the test as a schooling round to try and get him to settle, which he eventually did in the end. I then stayed on him for his second test which was much better and he was more settled but he was a little on the tired side so scored 64.12%, but it was a massive improvement. I then got back on Bjorn for his second test and he came out more fresh the second time than he had come out originally! I was very pleased with his test, for the first time it felt like a dressage test and he was much more balanced and coped well with all of the transitions and circles, but I was very disappointed with the score as I felt it was harshly marked, but at least he is progressing well.

Well on their way

Both horses are improving and they now need to keep going out and gaining confidence, hopefully in a couple of months they will be well on their way in a successful competition career!”