JULY
1 September 2010
JULY
This month we’ve done up to 4 events a week, plus had the addition of 5 new horses, as well as having vet visits 3 times a week to deal with studwork – no time to get bored!
Early on Weston went to the new event in Wales – Glanusk. We tried new tactics for the dressage which involved very little warm-up to prevent him getting to the point of “boiling over”. This seemed to ease his tension. He ended up in 3rd place; his excellent XC round over a very stiff track putting him ahead of the pack.
Gracey went next to Shipton Moyne for the Lycetts 5y.o. qualifier. She narrowly missed qualifying, coming 6th. A busy week for Jane’s horses as Gracey was next out to Barbury for the BYEH qualifier. To my horror I discovered my boots hadn’t gone in to Jane’s lorry, the only alternative being to borrow Jane’s which are 2 sizes smaller than my feet. Bad enough to ride in, but this competition requires the rider to trot up the horse in hand- I’m now known as Geisha Jo!
The fourth event this week was Paddy’s first ever – the Lycetts 5y.o. qualifier at Buckminster. He performed way ahead of expectations finishing 5th and just missed qualifying.
Only a few days later in very wet and windy conditions he went to Upton for the same class. As he set off XC only 2 horses in the five year old section had gone clear, such was the severity of the course. Despite being very babyish and jumping to the left in several places he went clear, finishing 9th. These qualifiers are always very competitive with an extremely high standard of dressage. Paddy isn’t established in this phase as yet, so we are very pleased he has held his own. Homework for him will now include “A” frames and a pole set high on the left side of a fence like part of a cross pole to encourage him to stay central.
Paddy had a full diary this month as next he was off to Ascott under Wychwood. His attack on this competition was thwarted by his rider jumping the wrong fence into the water (I did correct it!) most likely due to lack of sleep – I’d been up until 3am with Rupert colicing.
Weston was next to his first Advanced at Aston le Walls. Yet more new tactics were employed for his dressage warm-up. This time he had a heavy night out on the tiles (!) i.e. he spent the night before in the paddock. He did a very credible test for his first time, but the next day didn’t feel at all right in the show jumping, so we didn’t go XC. The ups and downs of horses..............................
To end the month Paddy and Gracey did the BYEH qualifier at Carlton. They frustratingly ended up equal 11th, so not being called forward in the final 10 to show their gallop. This competition is subjective in every phase so really is down to the judge’s preference on the day. Great practice for dressage and show jumping – but we DO love the XC the best...........!
JUNE
1 September 2010
JUNE
This month started with the disappointment of realising Archie wouldn’t make Bramham. Having missed too much fastwork and being just not quite right, we came to the decision that it just wasn’t feasible to tackle such a serious fitness test as Bramham’s hilly CCI*** course. We sent him to have a scan and hopefully after a good rest he’ll be back in action next year.
Great Tew is our local event and such a picturesque setting for our annual “Owners and Sponsors” BBQ. It’s a great opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who supports and plays a part in the team, as well as a chance to catch up and network. We were blessed with good weather; Gracey performing a brilliant double clear in her first Novice coming in 11th, and 30 odd people ate, drank, and were very merry!
No sooner than we’d cleared up from the BBQ, than I was off to Ireland at the crack of dawn for horse shopping. Sounds glamorous, but I can assure you a whistle stop tour of 25 horses across the country is quite exhausting. Only just making the airport to return home meant some poor lady had to sit next to me on the plane resembling a dusty old cowboy, and smelling no better! The result of this expedition means we have 5 more horses of varying degrees of education to work each day – no rest for the wicked.....................
Paddy contested his first BYEH qualifier at Milton Keynes. We were very encouraged by him getting into the final judging, finishing 5th. A very creditable performance in good company. He is due to start his eventing career in July. Watch this space.........................................
MAY
5 July 2010
Gracey did her first PN at the beginning of the month. She was very grown up warming in for the dressage amongst some very excitable horses in a very tight space. She did a great test, clear SJ, and got the shock of her life leaving the start box XC as I meant business from the off! It’s a tricky course to get the time and you certainly need to get going straight away as you immediately pass the lorry park. She finished 3rd and really came on for the experience.
I did the annual trip to eventing “Mecca” – Badminton. It’s been quite frustrating walking the course the last few years as I really should have been riding, but things just haven’t gone that way. I just hope that I get to go next year, and that all the walking of the hallowed turf will stand me in good stead.......!
The morning after Badminton Archie was found to have a large amount of swelling to his near hind pastern – it looked like he had tread on himself. Despite our best attention to cold hosing, icing and anti-immflamatory products it persisted in being swollen. It’s not possible to do serious levels of work with a horse like this, so he missed some fast work fitness sessions. When competing at Advanced level we gallop the horses every four days, or thereabouts, so a small issue can cause missed training and preparation, and thus missed competitions. Attention to detail is vital, and we check all the horses’ legs every day morning and night as a matter of course. Small changes in heat can indicate a problem about to immerge, and a major problem can be averted. With close observation, management and training we had Archie up and running again just in time for Chatsworth.
The weekend before though was Hambleden. Gracey did her second PN and did really well to come 4th. She’d really come on from her recent runs, and really knew what to do XC. Weston was a different story – he was incredibly spooky and leery in the SJ, resulting in him taking off and then putting down on a fence and me falling off. We went XC, and although clear, didn’t feel himself and took some strong riding in parts. Jane got him scoped afterwards, and it was found that he’d had a virus. The change in weather to a sudden cold snap didn’t help him either.
Weston at Hambleden.When you event professionally it’s doubly important to mentally pick yourself up and come out fighting for the next event – you owe it to your other owners. This we did with Archie for Chatsworth. He definitely felt very well when we got there and rode in for the dressage – he was squealing with delight at being at an event! I was pleased with his test, and he did the most stunning clear in the main SJ arena (he just seems to rise to the occasion – sign of a true competitor!). He did a fabulous clear XC. One fence was particularly unusual in that you jumped a drop fence into a moat, canter around in the water under a stone arch, and immediately immerging from it on a left turn, jumped a skinny brush in the water. This is where quick thinking and a non questioning attitude from a horse is vital. Archie seemed to really enjoy his round. We were in the International class and where placed a creditable 11th.