RSS feed http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A An RSS feed for 8pixel.net Blog engine EN <![CDATA[JULY]]>  

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...........!
]]> 9/1/2010 8:51:03 AM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=37 37 <![CDATA[JUNE]]>  

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.........................................
]]> 9/1/2010 8:47:34 AM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=35 35 <![CDATA[MAY]]> 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.
]]> 7/5/2010 6:13:39 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=33 33 <![CDATA[APRIL]]>  

At the beginning  of this month Martin came out to check the saddles on the horses. It’s a good time to do this as they are now fitter and it can be surprising how they can change shape / muscle up as the season begins. This is a very worthwhile exercise, as I wouldn’t go running in trainers that didn’t fit properly, so I wouldn’t expect my horses to train everyday in saddles that aren’t perfect either.
Weston went to Weston Park next. He did a much more relaxed test, followed by a show jumping round that was probably best not mentioned (!), but saved the day with a brilliant genuine XC round over a serious course.
Belton was next with Archie in the CIC***, Weston in a futurity class for young Intermediate horses, and Rupert staying at home as the organisers wouldn’t move him from the three star to an OI section (he had missed all of his early season runs, so was not ready to go straight in at that level). Archie was due to do his dressage early on the Friday morning, and then nothing until his showjumping and XC early Sunday. If Weston wasn’t doing his class on the Saturday we would have  gone home. The cost of the sport now is not only the entry fees, but stabling, diesel and the arrangements that need to be in place at home – sometimes I think I should have taken up running.........you only need trainers!
Archie did a very obedient test in the main arena amongst  a lot of atmosphere. I was pleased with him, but know that to be competitive in that kind of class we have a lot of work to do. He isn’t the biggest or flashiest mover, so needs to produce an accurate test without mistakes that is pleasing to watch. Weston felt the atmosphere of the surroundings, and despite three separate sessions of working in, got tense towards the end of his test. He show jumped well the next day, and did the most fantastic round XC even though we were held again (I’ve only ridden him in three competitions and have been held twice on course!). Archie did a beautiful clear show jumping early the next day, but after another walk of the XC, I felt the ground was far too rough to be galloping over (I wouldn’t gallop a horse over that kind of ground at home, let alone expect to in competition). I wanted to jump the course, but I just thought it was asking for trouble on that kind of going. Archie was very disappointed! It’s a horrible feeling to have to pull out – the trip home is always miserable, but this time it was even worse as we got news from home that Rupert had managed to gallop around his paddock and crash through a fence nearly severing his leg in the process. Luckily it was above the knee, and Jack confirmed there was no damage to the tendons. He will be off for a long time though, and has now been renamed sicknote.
A quick trip to Stoneliegh to do 7 different dressage tests (quite a challenge to learn that lot I can tell you!), and the next day we ran Archie in Rupert’s place in the OI at Withington. He did a great test with a mark of 2???, one down showjumping , and a great round XC to finish 3rd. Without the pole we would have won, but never the less we were just happy to have a good run after having to withdraw at Belton.
Milton Keynes was to be my first event on Jane Starkey’s homebred youngster Gracey. We had a lovely day in great weather with Gracey trying really hard in all phases. After not really knowing what to expect, I found her a pleasure and I think Gracey enjoyed her first party too. She came 4th in the Open Intro – all horses have to start somewhere............
 
]]> 5/17/2010 12:38:04 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=30 30 <![CDATA[MARCH]]>  

March means one thing to me - EVENT SEASON STARTS!

We started at Aston le Walls unaffiliated with Chelsea and Finn.  It felt good to get started again, get the team up to speed and organise the kit and routines we use when competing.  Chelsea produced a serious dressage test for 25.5, and Finn tried really hard for 34.  They both show jumped clear.  The cross country was a lovely well presented and educational course.  Unfortunately by the time I was due to go the sun was very bright and low in the sky, and as Chelsea turned to the 3rd fence she was met by a wall of darkness.  The low sun had an utterly blinding effect.  She refused to move point blank.  I did eventually get her to go, but by this time we were technically eliminated.  Not the best start to the season !!!  Finn did a great clear (the fences seemed quite small after a winter of five bar gates!) and came 5th.

During March we have had some work placement students from college and school.  Im always very willing to help anyone who wants to learn and is keen to gain experience - attitude is what its all about.

We managed to get some XC training in with Lucinda Green at Crown Farm.  What Lucinda doesnt know about XC riding isnt worth knowing.  She is a brilliant and passionate teacher, who is generous with her time.  Archie felt very "jolly" and it was good to have Lucindas watchful eye over us.  It reminded me to stay disciplined about my position.

I have picked up two outside rides in the form of Jane Starkeys homebred horses Weston and Miss Grace.  This is due to their usual jockey Sarah Stretton being temporarily out of action after a nasty injury to her knee sustained in a fall.  Poor Sarah is missing her first Badminton too, just to add insult to injury.  With less than a week to get to know Weston before the Intermediate at Gatcombe, we went showjump training twice, XC schooling, and did a dressage competition, all in the space of a few days.

Rupert missed too much work to enable him to go to Gatcombe, so I only had Archie in the Advanced Intermediate and Weston in the Intermediate.  Weston got a bit tense in his test, but showjumped well for just one down.  He then went beautifully XC (despite being held at the 3rd fence), and I was chuffed to bits with him as previously I had only jumped a handful of XC fences together.  Archie show jumped well with only me trying to "protect" him causing him to have a fence down.  He loved the XC - he seems to appreciate the soft going even though he has spent his life on the hard in Australia.  I got to practice my curtsey as Princess Anne likes to give the prizes out herself at Gatcombe.  Weston was 7th and Archie was 4th - a good day at the office.

 

Whilst at a training session at Roland Fernyhoughs Rupert managed to get himself up tight and give himself colic.  Hed finished his work, but was kicking and looking uncomfortable on the lorry.  We got him home and looked at by the vet, but I didnt think he was improving, so took him in to the surgery.  He stayed in overnight hooked up to a drip.  At 3 am Jack the vet sent me a text - "we have a poo", so I could finally get some sleep.  Horses...........they do like to worry you dont they?

]]> 5/4/2010 3:12:47 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=27 27 <![CDATA[FEBRUARY]]>  

This month we have been interviewing for our vacancy. It is crucial we have someone join us who is a good team player – if one member of the team doesn’t perform, the performance of the whole team is compromised. Working with horses during the winter isn’t the most attractive of careers, but for a person who loves caring for and watching top horses train to high standards, it can be immensely rewarding.........and of course there is plenty of tanning opportunities in the summer! There is lots to learn along the way too. So if there is anyone out there..............name and address on a postcard please........................
 
I have managed to get quite a few days hunting this month. Finn seems to be born to the job. He belongs to a client of mine who has emigrated to Canada. He is for sale and I hope to find him a home that appreciates his amazing nimbleness, “hunting savvy”, and love of galloping and jumping. The fences, country (and gates!) he has encountered out with the Warwickshire make event courses look like a piece of cake!
 
February is a time to get all registrations and early season entries done, as well as the planning for the season ahead. This has been a little difficult for the short term as we are just getting over the cough, and Archie and Rupert the two advanced horses, both have missed work due to silly little lamenesses. Archie came in from the field on three legs holding his near hind in the air. The first place to investigate (if there is no obvious wound) is the foot. He had quite a bit of heat in the hoof and I called our farrier Phil Martin, who came out immediately and found a pocket of pus. I have known many horses that have been perfectly fine in fast work, only to pull up hopping lame behind. You automatically think the worst as it looks to be a serious problem. Luckily pus in the foot is easily treated with poulticing for a few days. I also use hydrogen peroxide poured into the site to fizz out any infection. Rupert has suffered a nail prick when Phil tried to miss a crack in his hoof. We have missed some work, so now its touch and go as to whether he’ll be ready for the Advanced Intermediate at Gatcombe, the first event of the season for the “big boys”......................watch this space.
 
An extremely sad note to this month’s blog is the loss of Fresia. I got the shocking news early one morning from Richard who had gone out to feed her in the field. He found her dead with no obvious signs of struggle. We had a post mortem done with the information coming back that she was in good condition, with no signs of disease or damage to any internal organs. The conclusion was that her heart literally just stopped. It is devastating to all involved with her. She was my brightest hope for the future, and probably the best young horse I’ve had. She gave me so much pleasure when training her, and I had an amazing rapport with her – we just seemed to enjoy each other’s company. It’s hard to think that we won’t be able to event together this season. I’m going to really miss her. It’s a terrible blow to our team, but we have other horses to continue with, so we are staying positive and hope our season improves..............................................
]]> 3/17/2010 7:50:18 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=25 25 <![CDATA[JANUARY]]>  

Snow, snow, snow!   Lovely to look at, fun to play in, horses think its fun, BUT NOT NICE TO WORK IN! We are all about fed up with carrying water. At least it’s given me time to catch up on the dreaded paperwork and spend time on a more pressing concern – recruitment. Charlotte is leaving us for a change of career, so we are on the lookout for a new “super groom” / nanny for the horses.  We have of course made best use of the snow, our hills, and Alfa-A sacks stuffed with straw........................!
 
Mid month was my birthday and I had a thoroughly enjoyable tea in Claridges, dinner in Scotts and a lovely stopover in London. Not a horse in sight!
Our newest recruits- the foals Ronnie and Victor – have been having leading practise daily, as well as getting them used to having their feet picked up and stretched out as the farrier would do when trimming them. They have also been practising walking over old carpets and tarpaulins, as well as going up our ramp into our top block of stables. All this is in preparation for loading them. With the lorry backed up to their pen, at their first attempt they walked on like old pros! It is so important for foals to get used to all these things while they are smaller and easier to handle. It is just as important though to not “spoil” them with over handling – they must have respect for humans and not consider them as play things. Ronnie and Victor are now in a field with Mole in the next village. Weaning of Mole from Dalida was relatively straightforward and she and Fresia are now in another field at Richard’s house.
Since the end of the season we have had a cough go through the horses in the yard.  It hasnt been severe, but has seemed to linger on.  It has meant we have missed some training time, and with at least a fornight of snow, we are quite behind schedule.  We took the decision to have a specialist respiratory vet scope and take samples from Archie and we await the results.  Often in these cases a good dose of sunshine does the trick, but unfortunately we havent had the luxury of that at the minute!  Roll on Spring....................................

 

]]> 3/17/2010 11:24:20 AM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=23 23 <![CDATA[DECEMBER]]>  

 

 
This month we have been putting in a few hours at the local show centres with young horses. Just as it takes a lot of school hours for young children to learn, so it takes much work at home, and many training shows to produce a well educated young horse.  Sometimes when we get in from clear round jumping at 10pm I wonder if its all worth it............but I do feel satisfaction when I see the “babies” come on in leaps and bounds.
 
We had our Christmas party at the beginning of the month. It’s great way to say thank you to everyone behind the scenes that make Jo Aston Eventing work.
 
At this time of year I do a lot more teaching and love to help people achieve with their horses. I’ve also managed to fit in a few days hunting on a young horse, a couple of Christmas shopping outings, a trip to Olympia, and also “scrubbed up” to catch up with a few people for dinner. As well as that we’ve had 14 days of staff holidays to fit in and one very important owner’s milestone birthday lunch!
 
Santa has yet to deliver a “Mary Poppins Super Groom” on Christmas morning, so with Zoe in Ireland, Charlotte and myself fed all the horses, turned them out, mucked out and bedded down. Even the basics such as this takes several hours with 8 stabled, 3 outside, and 2 foals to do. We opened presents, and then went our separate ways to stuff ourselves silly with lunch (under the illusion that we’d burn it all off the next day mucking out!). Right now the start of the season feels a long way away..................................
 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

]]> 3/17/2010 10:49:21 AM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=21 21 <![CDATA[NOVEMBER]]>  

In August ’08 a trip to Brightwells Stars of the future sale gained us a Show Jumping bred mare – Dalida. She was sold as scanned in foal and didn’t attract many bids. We decided to take a punt on the “buy on get one free” offer, and in May she produced a very correct colt foal – Mole (the foal!). Their owner Richard Last decided that Mole should have some foal friends to grow up with, so the search was on to find some TB foals to run with him and ultimately produce for eventing. Quite a few hours were spent in the office researching, and a few more travelling the length of the country, and finally a deal was done for a colt and filly foal from Templar stud in Surrey. These pair have the blood of the now deceased “Hand in Glove” a quite remarkable French TB stallion who was successful in racing, in dressage to Prix St George, and show jumping at Grand Prix. Fetching these foals back became a bit of a drama as the borrowed lorry’s brakes seized while driving down to Surrey and caught fire! We were just so lucky not to have two unhandled foals on at the time
Coup has been sold to Sarah Holdern a “professional amateur” who lives near Newbury. We wish them the best of luck and hope to see them out competing in the spring. We are missing him lots – he was such a character, and I had a real partnership with him.
I have managed to have a bit of down time – the Warwickshire hunt ball at the end of the month. Dressing up and dancing – I love it! AND my favourite TV show of the year has started – Strictly Come Dancing – sequins, elegance and male dancers wriggling hips – bring it on!!!
 
]]> 3/17/2010 10:29:28 AM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=19 19 <![CDATA[OCTOBER]]> We are becoming experts at massaging thighs and bottoms! Fresia is back on track, and Charlotte made a miraculous recovery from her groin strain when I offered to use the horse’s ultrasound and cold gel on her!

 
With Archie not going to Boekelo it was all systems go for Coup to produce his best at the Breeding Championships at Tweseldown. With the best five year olds in the country competing, and the class being run with Novice level dressage and showjumping, but only PN XC, we would have to pull off something special, so I entered Addington dressage the weekend before for some practice.
Coup did a Prelim test which he won by 10 marks, and then came 6th in his first Novice. Fresia was placed in her Prelim, so all in all a day well spent.
 
At Tweseldown Coup really understood what to do in the dressage after his Addington outing, and gave it his all – he really has the knack of rising to the occasion and pulling out all the stops in the arena.
We had a very uncharacteristic pole down in the showjumping. On inspection of the video it seemed like the lightest of touches with a hind hoof, but otherwise a round to be proud of.
The XC was slightly more severe than in previous years, and this suited us well. The time was tight too, so we went for it!  He gave me a really mature ride. I was thrilled with his focus and understanding of the job in hand – he is developing into an exciting prospect. We finished 7th, and Coup has shown us yet another of his talents – prizegivings……! He adored having his photo taken and the lap of honour to music! It was another long day at the office, but very satisfying.
 
Coup had two days off, then just two days to prepare for his first Novice at Broadway. 
He handled the very complicated dressage test like a pro (medium canter on a circle, reinback…..ppleeeaase!.....we used to do that at Intermediate!) and got an excellent score of 31.
The showjumping caused a lot of trouble. Coup didn’t feel quite his normal springy self, and had a pole down. I then made the mistake of over riding him resulting in another down. So easily done.
The XC was quite tough with some serious hills and I wasn’t sure whether I would run him due to him not being on top form. We did go though, and he really ate up the course and enjoyed it. He made it feel easy. 

When I look back and realise that this time last year he was barely broken in, I can see what a long way he has come and what a special chap he is turning into. Unfortunately he is now for sale which is really sad, especially as I feel we have a real partnership. However the girls and myself do need to eat through the winter(!), and the financial side of an event team does not look after itself. On that note, I am increasing my teaching commitments during the “off season”, and will be doing regular clinics and XC sessions. I do love to help people to achieve with their horses, whether that’s competitively, or to gain harmony and partnership. I shall be investing in some decent gloves and a fleecy hat……………

]]> 11/6/2009 9:49:51 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=17 17 <![CDATA[SEPTEMBER continued………..]]>  

After a rather deflating Blenheim it was straight back to work with my farrier Phil Martin checking out Archie’s foot problem. It was discovered that he had an infected corn that had flared up precisely in time for my test at Blenheim. VERY FRUSTRATING, but of course not a career threatening injury, so with management (i.e. a bar shoe to give extra support to the inner heel) he should live to compete another day.

He went on the waitlist for Boekelo CCI*** in Holland, but we were frustratingly low down the order, which meant keeping him “primed” and in work just on the off chance that we would get the call from British Eventing to say we could go at the last minute. Competitors from other nations don’t have as much rivalry for places at International events, so I am seriously considering finding a Thai husband………..! I could be the first Thai to compete in the sport of eventing!
 
However no time to get down, as Coup was entered for Purston PN. He was first in the arena, and produced an excitable test due to a horse galloping around in the paddock right next to our arena. This was followed by a fabulous double clear inside the time taking all the straight routes to finish on his dressage score in 9th place. He really is learning his trade now and becoming a real competitor.
 
A one day horse shopping trip to Ireland (4am – 12pm) followed. We have a new 4 year old to join the ranks, with the very original name of Paddy! I’m useless with names, and Zoe didn’t seem to be offended…………! (She’s from the North so it doesn’t count!).
 
Fresia and Coup were entered for the final Young Horse Breeding Championship qualifier at Moreton Morrell. As I’d been busy at Blenheim it had been a little while since Fresia had been XC, so I decided to take her schooling just to have a splash in the water, and do minimum jumping due to the hard ground. Unfortunately while I was signing in, she got scared by a loose horse, and slipped over on concrete while Zoe was holding her. She wasn’t sound so we immediately took her to the vets, and muscle strain was diagnosed. Some massage and anti-imflamatory was prescribed. Meanwhile back at home Charlotte was busy being bucked off, so I then joined her for a 7hr stint in A and E to be diagnosed with exactly the same as Fresia. It was much quicker at the vets……….!
 
Annoyingly Fresia missed her qualifier. I thought she had a great chance of qualifying too. One to watch out for next year……….. Coup held up the side though by coming third with a dazzling display of SJ and XC – he’s becoming quite the professional!
 
Breeding Championships here we come……………………………………………
]]> 11/6/2009 9:43:53 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=15 15 <![CDATA[The Tale of Blenheim]]> My BLENHEIM BLOG

Wednesday

We arrived in plenty of time on Wednesday to settle Archie into the stables and set up camp for the week.  It’s really handy being so close to Blenheim – it means I can go home to sleep in my own bed!

Whilst grazing Archie, Charlotte found 7 four leaf clovers.  We all felt more confident after that!

Archie passed the trot up.  It’s always a tense time for all concerned – a sound horse can managed to find and step on the only stone in a field, and then present itself lame to the ground jury.

We made good use of the arena customisation time – you are allowed to walk around the outside of the dressage arena in the main ring on a loose rein only.  This is to get the horses familiar with the area.  Fortunately Archie didn’t seem to mind the new judge’s huts.

Thursday

Spectators at 3DE’s only ever get to see a small snapshot of what goes on at top events when they watch competitors actually competing.  Although you may only have one or two horses to ride there is a tight timetable to keep to.  At least 4 course-walks are to be fitted in, as well as riding probably twice a day, fitting in with trainer’s availability and set times for practise jumping.  I also find it useful to watch other competitors especially in the dressage.

I worked Archie on the flat in the morning and watched back the video footage of us running through the test to see how it would look to the judges, and where we could squeeze out a few more marks.  Both he and I had physio treatment from Kathryn Kirby who luckily lives just around the corner.

I walked the course twice – first thing and in the afternoon – that’s nearly 8 miles of walking!

Friday

I worked Archie up at the warm-up area near the main ring as this was allowed until 8.20am when the first competitors of the day use this space.  He worked really well and felt as good as he ever has done.

I watched a few tests and then went back to the lorry to go through a set yoga routine and another physio session.  Meanwhile in the stables Archie was doing exactly the same!  After some fashion discussion on what stock to wear (!), both myself and Archie were ready to ride to the main arena (a 25min hack).  We met my dressage trainer Pammy Hutton there.  Archie worked in well, as usual giving his all.

In the arena he stayed relaxed, but I felt he lacked a bit of sparkle and he also had a few un-level steps in the shoulder-in.  We had one mistake when Archie did his flying change early in what should have been the counter canter.  Considering all this, he got a pretty respectable score of 55.

Afterwards at the stables the vet checked him and he seemed fine, and was given the all-clear to go X-C the next day.  I had a troubled nights sleep though.

                                                                                  
Saturday

I got to the stables early and enlisted the help of another set of eyes – Lucinda Green and Nik Deacon the farrier.  Between us, and in telephone discussion with Phil Martin my farrier at home, we decided something wasn’t right.  On removing the shoe we found a bruised / corn like area developing on the inside of Archie’s foot.  It meant he couldn’t continue the competition. 

I felt deflated, but at least I knew what the problem was, and it wasn’t a serious career threatening injury.  What made it worse was that it would only be a matter of days before he would be sound, so now we have a fit and prepared horse with no party to go to!
 

]]> 9/17/2009 10:44:20 AM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=12 12 <![CDATA[AUGUST]]>  

AUGUST
 
 
August brings Gatcombe (The Festival of Eventing), one of my favourite events of the year. Usually the weather is good (!), and there is a really great atmosphere, coupled with excellent viewing and shopping.
 
I had Cry Freedom (C.F.) and Archie entered for the Advanced. C.F. did a much improved dressage test that his connections were thrilled with. Archie became a little tense and stiff and was rewarded with a commensurate mark – at championship events nothing can be “glossed over”.
 
We stabled over night in Cirencester as the show jumping started at 7.30am the next morning meaning we would have to be on site for 6.30am. Grooms really take the brunt of this and are the un-sung hero’s of the sport – Charlotte was up at 3.30am to feed and get the lorry packed.
 
Archie tried his heart out over a challenging course due to the terrain in the main arena. He jumped one of only 5 clears. C.F. unfortunately succumbed to the electric atmosphere of the Gatcombe collecting ring, behaving like an un-broken 3 year old! He had 3 down which was disappointing, as his mental state let him down. Horses are just like people – some can cope with pressure more than others. My job is to find the key that helps each horse do his best.
 
The X-C course was causing plenty of trouble, not helped by a misunderstanding of flagging at the corners, which resulted in a few eliminations for error of course. When I got to the collecting ring on Archie I was told that he route I had planned to take was not possible. Next came some frantic discussion between riders, and I was then all sorted only to realise I didn’t have my medial arm band on. It’s not easy to attach at the best of times, let alone on an excited horse, so I jumped of to do it and…….BANG!......I’d forgotten to unclip my Point Two air vest and I was blown up like a giant black pudding!!! There was no time to change the canister so I went without it. Archie was brilliant and came home clear with a respectable time. This was the first Advanced class I had ridden him in, and Gatcombe being quite a unique test too, I was thrilled with him. He finished 4th.
 
C.F. gave me the best ride ever. It is almost a bit of a cliché to say he has been trained by the best, but I must say you can really feel it. Lucinda and Karol watched nearly all the round on the big screen, and were as pleased as I was with the way he went. Bad news to follow though, as we found heat and some filling to C.F.’s off-fore afterwards. A scan detected a small tear to the superficial flexor tendon, so the rest of August for C.F. has consisted of thrice weekly visits to the Equine Spa at Bourton on the Water, cold hosing, and trying to get him to stand in buckets of iced water! Most disappointing is the fact he will miss Blenheim – I was so looking forward to riding him there. Archie now begins the run up to Blenheim. We have been lucky enough to use the gallops at the spa, so after his work out he gets a jaccuzi – albeit a cold one!
 
After Gatcombe my attention was turned to the “babies”. Fresia went to her the unaffiliated intro as her first ever event. She was quite confused as what to do with the white boards of the dressage arena, jumped all the showjumps with four feet to spare (I’m not kidding!), and did a lovely clear X-C having a nice pit stop for a slurp in the water jump! She ended just out of the placings due to our leisurely X-C, but her four year old qualifiers aren’t timed so I was thrilled to bits with her. Her stable mate Malachey managed to up hold his record of 100% by winning his 2nd event, this time with a dressage score of 16! Coup showed me he knows what to do on the X-C now, ending up 3rd in the Pre-Novice by virtue of being 2 seconds quicker than the person we were tied in 2nd place with.
 
Coup and Fresia then went to Burnham Beeches for the Young Event Horse championship qualifier. Fresia go the hang of the dressage and scored a very good 27, but as the ground was unbelievably hard I withdrew her to save her immature bones for another day. Coup did a decent test, and another double clear to be just out of the placings. These classes are incredibly competitive, with dressage often the deciding factor.
 

My next outing was Highclere – a last run for Archie before Blenheim. He did a much better dressage, but unusually for him had 2 down showjumping. He went clear X-C (at nearly 7.15pm due to hold ups!), but I wasn’t totally convinced he was firing on all cylinders, so had him blood tested the next morning. He had signs of a low grade bacterial infection, so a short course of antibiotics has him now very chirpy again! We now have 10 days before Blenheim, so it’s a case of a final gallop (always a tense time), and jump before we go in on the Wednesday for the trot-up and briefing. FINGERS CROSSED!

]]> 9/15/2009 2:25:53 PM http://www.martinwilkinson.com/blog-A?view=plink&id=10 10