"I had a very good feeling about 2012 at the start of the year, but the first couple of weeks of the New Year proved me very wrong. Unfortunately, we lost our older dog, Scrappy, very unexpectedly. He slipped a disc and deteriorated very quickly so in the space of two days he went from running around the yard to us having to make the awful decision. Gayle spent the last two hours of his life feeding him chocolates that were left from Christmas, he loved the coconut crèmes but wasn’t so keen on the orange ones, and spat them out.

Heading for a fall

I also had a bit of a nasty fall from Wiz - you may have heard as Mum plastered it all over facebook and it then made Horse & Hound. At 12, and as a Grand Prix horse, Wiz should probably know better, but at least he is feeling well. I was told I was lucky not to crack my hip, but after a few easy days I was back riding so no harm done. I did blame Gayle though as she had said now that she was back up and running it would be my turn next. However things did perk up, Gayle was allowed to start riding again and has been on a mission, surprise surprise! She has also started jumping again and her rising seven-year-old showjumper, Dolly, who I have been schooling for her on the flat while she has been off, was unreal - so at least I did a good job on her.

Back out to parties

We have also been starting to compete again as it isn’t long until the winter regionals, and both Roxy (Headmore Roxanne) and Bracken (Headmore Boadicia) have been going to some parties in preparation. We weren’t sure Gayle would be fit enough to compete, but she and Roxy have been well away, winning a novice with 70.38% and an elementary with 65.88% at Merrist Wood, before then winning two novices at Crofton with 68% and 69%. Not bad as Gayle had only been back riding for two weeks, Roxy hadn’t been to a show for three months and there was room for improvement in all tests. Bracks also made the trip to Merrist Wood having also had a break from competition for three months. I was very pleased with how relaxed and rideable she remained as she normally gets a bit over the top when she hasn’t been to a show for a while, and she felt much more established and more confident in her work, and much stronger in her body. She won the medium with 67.35% and advanced medium with 69.19%, despite there being a few ring rusty errors and miscommunications between us where we hadn’t been out for a while, so we are all well on the way in our preparations for the regionals.

Crash hats compulsory

The new rules came into force on 1 December 2011, meaning that crash hats are now compulsory from prelim to advanced medium level dressage and in young horse classes. I am very pleased with my new Antares hat as it is so light it doesn’t even feel like I have one on, but it was slightly odd seeing everyone in crash hats in the warm up. It won’t be long before everyone is used to the change and it will be the norm, especially as there are now so many smart crash hats available that we can still look classy and stylish whilsee wearing one."

Until next time, 

Alice