I have been extremely rubbish recently with keeping up to date on here! No excuses – but I have been incredibly busy since starting a new job in October.
I have taken on the role as Veterinary Nurse Manager at a busy Small Animal Referral Hospital I work at in Worthing. I now feel that I am starting to get my head around the new role…Good job too as the eventing season starts this week; although I am currently wrapped up in a blanket surrounded by snow!
The boys have had a steady winter of work with some great successes as well as the usual trials and tribulations that we face!
FINLEY:
After the end of the Eventing season Finley had some down time before we started his winter training.
He has attending many a Combined Training at Felbridge Equestrian Centre. He started his winter campaign with a bang and a 4th and 1st place each time he went out. On his last visit to Felbridge he performed a wonderful dressage test; and was soaring round the show jumping until he had a very out of character glance off at the last fence. He however jumped round again absolutely fine – Such is life!
We have also been improving our dressage throughout the winter months working hard on keeping him supple and engaged. Our efforts paid off when we competed at Belmoredean in the Novice and Elementary classes – we had a very successful day coming 2nd in the Novice (67%) and a win in the Ele (67.8%) He is still yet to be established at this level but he shows so much promise.
I decided to try something new this winter and took Finley to compete in the jumping and style (JAS) at Wellington Equestrian Centre. He has never jumped indoors before and behaved incredibly well despite this; and the fact that we were competing very late at night. See video below of the rather tricky, twisty course.
As well as competing we have been busy training with Caroline Jeanne, continuing to improve in our jumping. The sessions have involved arena cross-country technique, gymnastic jumping; and more recently two fab days cross country schooling at Tweseldown in prep for our competition this coming weekend…Fingers crossed!!
RANSOM
Ransom has been busy getting his qualifying scores in order to compete at the Area Festivals this year. Sadly the weather has not been on our side that much with many training sessions and competitions being cancelled due to the icy/snowy conditions.
However; in his last outing he managed a PB in the Advanced test which has made me realise how much more he has to give. We have obtained half the qualifying scores needed at both Advanced Medium and PSG; and fingers crossed when we get out again for some training we will be working towards our first Intermediare II
Video of Ransom in his Advanced test scoring a PB
NELSON
Nelson has had a very exciting winter competing in Arena Eventing. He rather surprisingly qualified for the Championships which were held at Brendon Stud. At the age of 27 he still showed me how well he can turn on the spot when needed to come overall third!!
His season will involve some more veteran showing as well as a small horse trials in April. He really isn’t showing his age at all and long may it continue!
I have been lucky enough to be selected by Petplan Equine to carry on being their brand Ambassador for the second year running. I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity and with that in mind I am determined to fulfil my goals for the 2018 season!
Finley: – To compete and complete a British Eventing 1* competition
Ransom:- To compete and obtain over 60% in a British Dressage Intermediare II test
Nelson:- To qualify for the Veteran Championship class at the Sunshine Tour, Hickstead
I BEST GET CRACKING!!
LG Eventing and Dressage 