Contessa instructor, Jade, reports on their start to 2011.

“I think our last blog was in November, so I will just give you a bit of an overview of what’s been going on. We tried to hibernate for most of January and February due to the horrid weather but unfortunately the horses still wanted to be fed and exercised!

Daughter beats mum!

March brought the early glimpses of Spring as well as our first dressage competition of the season.  We had a lovely afternoon for it and the rain was kind enough to hold off until the second we finished! The first class was a Contessa walk/trot test won jointly by Emma-Louise on Razzle and Heather on Solo. It was a special win for Emma-Louise as it was their first outing, so big congratulations. Class two was a victory for Ruby on Moonie and class three was another red rosette for Heather scoring 1% higher than mum, Sharon who took second place.

Zak begins training

We’ve had a John Bowen Dressage Clinic as well as two John Adams Show Jumping clinics. All horses behaved very well and a good time was had by all. In the most recent one, new horse Rosie found her jumping legs with Emilie and Zak began his training with John on Queijada!

Tessa turns 40

Easter brought pony days, Pony Club rallies and an Easter Egg Hunt and for the adults, an In-Hand afternoon, Side Saddle taster and Video Afternoon. My favourite thing about Spring is the lambs and I have already adopted one who we’ve named Tiny Tim. The thing that we’re all getting most excited about though is Tessa’s big 40^th Birthday Bash on Saturday, following her birthday this Thursday. Tessa was one on the original ponies that started Contessa in 1977 and is adored by all.

Keep an eye on our new website www.contessa-riding.co.uk for our up to date events calendar.”