After a great run at Bramham with Roo (Chilli's Gem) at the beginning of June, Danesmoor Eventing chose to have a quieter June, spending time consolidating and building on the good foundations that had been put in place for all of the competition horses


So far this July, Harper and Carly have been down to Howick (Monmouthshire) to compete: Harper in the Intermediate Novice and Carly in the GoBE90.  Harper had a nice competition earning her a 5th place in the intermediate novice that showed the progress she has been making recently.  Carly finished 6th after a dressage of 29,  a pole down in the SJ and proceeded to have a lovely canter round the XC - all serving to show she is growing up sensibly.  It will be with very mixed feelings when she goes up for sale (in the very near future) as she has been a real pleasure to ride and handle in the time she has been on the yard.


Last week, three Novice horses went to Upton Horse Trials down the road.  All 3 showed their talent and jumped double clear; all 3 then proceeded to finish in the top 10 with a 2nd for Pickle, a 6th for Harper and a 7th for Dougie.

Next in the Eventing calendar for Danesmoor will be Aston le Walls followed by a little trip dangerously far North to Burgham towards the end of the season.

Happening alongside the competitions there are a couple of new youngsters on the yard (to be introduced properly shortly - watch this space) and, as always, the yard is busy with schooling liveries.  Sarah has taught at 2 camps recently: one last weekend at Aston le Walls which was well attended and proved to be productive for all; and also at the Eastern Region Youth Camp at Ely.  Sarah has now been selected as the Youth Coach for the Eastern Region and is enjoying getting to know the up and coming riders in that area.

There are more camps coming up, both at Ely in August and Aston in September - please look out for more information!

Working with Alison Kenward we are very excited to be launching a 4 week series of lesson plans to Inspire and Motivate.  Each week you will be provided with lesson plans, floor plans and a video of the exercises. There will also be a weekly Zoom discussion group. 
£15 / week
£50 for all 4 weeks (8 sessions)

email sarahgairdner@icloud.com for more details

Monday 2nd Nov - All day
Managing the inbalanced rider with Andy Thomas
Edgcote
Click here
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Wednesday 4th Nov - Pm
Pilates, Poles and Ponies
Edgcote
Click here
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Sunday 8th Nov - All Day
Combined Training Clinic with Alison Kenward and Sarah Gairdner
Edgcote
Click here
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Wednesday 18th Nov - Pm
Pilates, Poles and Ponies
Edgcote
Click here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 21st Nov - All Day
Clinic
Firs Farm, Caxton
Click here
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Wednesday 2nd Dec - Pm
Pilates, Poles and Ponies
Edgcote
Click here
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 6th Dec - All Day
Combined Training Clinic with Alison Kenward and Sarah Gairdner
Edgcote
Click here
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 13th Dec - All day
Clinic
Firs Farm, Caxton
Click here
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday 16th Dec - Pm
Pilates, Poles and Ponies
Edgcote
Click here
​
​All clinics are subject to alterations in order to comply with the latest COVID19 restrictions.  Where possible, coaching will continue on a one-to-one basis etc.  We are currently working on virtually facilitated coaching – please keep an eye online.

Sarah will also be running some Zoom sessions through the winter. Dates and Topics are still being finalised so please get in touch if you have a topic you would like covered. Topics so far include planning 2012 and goal setting, mental preparation, introduction to eventing........

We are planning several camps both at Aston le Walls and Ely Eventing Centre.
The first camp at Aston is February 20th & 21st. Keep an eye on our page for more details or drop Sarah an email on sarahgairdner@icloud.com

It’s been a short but busy season with the young horses all having some very good outings: have a look below to see how some of them have done.

We are very excited that Cute has scanned in foal to Future Hepsilon, so fingers crossed for an exciting edition to the team next year. Sadly as we used frozen Pimms didn’t take so we will try again next year.

​The hunters are now all in work and the hunting season is upon us the again lets hope play doesn’t get stopped this winter. 
We have plenty of horses to showjump through the winters so the yard will stay busy and a few youngsters waiting in the wings. 

Nigel Taylor’s Musterd has also had a good season stepping up to Novice, this has been very much a fact finding year with him and we now have lots of winter homework and exciting plans for next year. 

Helen Rothery’s Iona, was very consistent at 100 level picking up several top 10 places. She has really grown and strengthened up this year and is now on a well deserved holiday. 

Merrilyn Berry’s Dougie also ran very consistently at 100 finishing the season with a good placing at 1.05 and a cracking run around his first Novice finishing just outside the ribbons. 

Tina Ure’s Harper has just show jumped this summer picking up some decent prize money. We will continue to clock up her double clears for 2nd rounds next year. She has also run around a few training events and is proving to be bold XC, so watch this space. 

We are currently looking for someone to join our team full time.  The Job will include all aspects of yard work, riding (depending on the candidate).  Some experience required although we would consider an apprentice or a working pupil.  There is on site, shared accommodation available and potential to bring own horse.  Contact Sarah on 07967365062 for more information.

What can I say…… so much has changed. We enjoyed getting to a couple of events before the lockdown hit, but alas no more.

I thrive form being out and about in the lorry and I am now finding it difficult being confined to barracks - it’s a strange and difficult time for everybody in so many respects. Several of the horses have been turned out to enjoy a spring holiday but we have kept a few in work; those horses in rehab and youngsters can enjoy this time to go back and work on the basics. With the clocks changing and the ground finally drying out, we have been lucky enough to be able to turn most of the horses out at night and whilst they are still working, we have let them down a bit as they don’t need to be so fit. All this has enabled me to keep my full time staff employed and in turn has allowed me time to catch up on CPD etc as well come up with some new ideas. I’m currently working with Alison Kenward to deliver some online coaching and we are teaming up to deliver content for the BHS challenge awards. (See clinics below).

We are also trying to have a bit of a spring clean in the yard and you never know we might even end up painting some jumps!  Just before this all kicked off we teamed up with Kublox to sponsor our poles and Pilates clinics - please see below for more information on this fantastic product. This new company makes the foam blocks for raising poles here in the UK and their uses are many - take a look futher down the page!
 
Just one other thing……I’m really hoping that if nothing else comes out of this, it makes us all look at supporting British food and industry. Please when ever you can buy local and support British

​For obvious reason we are not publishing any clinic dates until we have an idea of how things evolve. For the same reason Sarah is currently unable to teach privately. If however you are still keeping your horse ticking over and you would like to send some video of your riding for analysis or would like some ideas for lesson plans to keep you inspired please get in touch.

Sarah Gairdner and Alison Kenward have been working together to deliver Combined Training Day Camps and now bring you an online training programme to help you get ready to enjoy your horse once lockdown is over. 
Each week Sarah and Alison will lead a workshop created with the adult amateur in mind. Whether you love jumping and hate dressage or vice versa you will enjoy these out of the saddle sessions. As an added extra Riders, can work through the BHS Challenge Awards to broaden their knowledge of horse care and riding. The online course will conclude with a special one day camp at Danesmoor Eventing once the lockdown is lifted.

Please email Sarahgairdner@icloud.com or alison.kenward@btinternet.com for more details.

​(All questions have a tenuous link to horses...!)

1. Can you name the three small bone in the ear?
2. Which blue blooded mother and daughter have both competed in the Olympics?
3. Which 5* has a racket sport named after it and why?
4. What is the origin of the idiom “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” and what does it mean?
5. The pony Drizzle has served Prince Charles, Prince William and Duke of Sussex in which sport?
6. In Notting Hill, Will Thacker said he worked for which magazine during a press conference?
7. Which common household item is also known as a winterdyke?
8. Who wrote Black Beauty?
9. Which Derby winner was kidnapped in 1983 from his stable in Ireland?
10. Which Grand National winner (1967) was ridden by a jockey from Edgcote?

Continuing our series of profiles for the horses on our yard with...:

Horse: Daisy May VIII
Nickname: Daisy
Age: 8 yo
Gender: mare
Breeding: Daisy is owned and bred by Jacky Owen. She is the 3rd generation that Jacky has bred and is out of a Startlight XXIX who is by Primitive Star, she  was competed for Jacky by Kitty King. Daisy’s sire is Royaldik.  
 
The good: She is very quick thinking and tries super hard to please and has a great work ethic.
 
The Bad: Cant think of anything, just wish she was a couple of inch’s taller
 
The Ugly: Daisy has always had great manners but in her debut for a modelling career for Resp clothing she was less than amused and bounced a lot. When hacking back from the gallops she finally ejected Sarah for the first time ever and all Sarah could think was ‘I cant get the clothes dirty as we still have more pictures to take!’
 
Hope for the future: Daisy arrived in the spring as a rising 6 yo and spent a lot of that year at home building the foundations. She ran on a ticket a few times in the Autumn with mostly top 10 placings and also had an introduction to hounds. Last season she progressed to running at Novice in the summer again with good placings and a 2nd resulting in a NRF qualification at Lt Downham.  This season she was going to be aiming at consolidating at 2* level.

February has been busy with lots of dressage and showjumping, despite being ill Dougie and Cute both qualified for the BD combined training championships in March.  We have also had numerous placings in both disciplines for Iona, Dougie, Cute, Daisy and Delilah.  Blue, owned by Sarah’s capable apprentice Ella, has also been in the BS ribbons.

Sarah’s has reached the halfway point of her BS Level 3 UKCC (coaching qualification) and is thoroughly enjoying discussing and implanting best practice with fellow coaches.

It’s the small things that can make the most difference and despite the challenging weather the yard is now benefiting from HorseRail fencing around all the turnout paddocks.

​The eventing season is due to kick off with Poplar Park, Suffolk, closely followed by Swalcliffe Park on 14th March where Iona will have a canter round the 90 class.

​This April Sarah is looking forward to running a mix and match support and training clinic to help guide first time eventers or those moving up a level.  This will offer training at Edgcote as well as course walks and warm-up support at the Aston-le-Walls event.  This is not necessarily just for those entered to compete at this event: those looking to enter an equivalent event later in the year would also find this beneficial.

Each month we would like to introduce a horse on our yard so you can get to know us all better—so we thought we would start with our poster boy: Kenlis Lad.
 
Horse: Kenlis Lad
Nick name: Kenny (think South Park)
Age: 12
Gender: Gelding
By: Luidam out of a master hunt mare
The Good: Has yet to see a fence and jump it where effort is required.
The Bad: we found out why the breeders called him ‘little ninja’ - his reputation means there aren’t too many people willing to hack him out! 
The Ugly: ditching Sarah on the way to the XC start at Aldon International and her needing to see the doctor and a quick change of clothes due to a waterfall nosebleed
Quirks: he regularly lets himself out if you don’t bungee his stable shut!!  You may also have seen his eye watching you round the school...
Hope for the future: Kenny will not be eventing anymore after an injury at Ballindenisk International but look out for him at BS and BD shows near you.

8th March (Sunday)
All Day
Combined Training Workshop
Edgcote
Book here
______________________________________________________
9th March (Monday)
All Day
Andy Thomas  - managing the imbalanced rider
Edgcote
Email Sarah: sarahgairdner@icloud.com
______________________________________________________
11th March (Wednesday)
Afternoon/Evening
Ponies, Poles and Pilates
Edgcote
Book here
______________________________________________________
15th March (Sunday)
All Day
BE Clinic
Firs Farm, Cambridge
Book here
_____________________________________________________
22nd March (Sunday)
All Day
Arena XC - rhythm and related distances
Edgcote
Book here
_____________________________________________________
29th March (Sunday)
All Day
Aspley Guise Riding Club - Gallop Training
Edgcote Gallops
Book here
_____________________________________________________
3th - 4th April (Fri/Sat)
All Day
Mix and match camp with event support
Training at Edgcote; Event at Aston-le-Walls
Email Sarah: sarahgairdner@icloud.com
____________________________________________________
15th April (Wednesday)
Afternoon
Ponies, Poles and Pilates
Edgcote
Book here
____________________________________________________
18th - 19th April (Sat/Sun)
All Day
Eventing Camp
Ely Eventing Centre
Fully Booked

All events can also be found on the Danesmoor Eventing facebook page, https://www.horse-events.co.uk or the British Eventing website.

NEW IN - RESP Active Clothing and Danesmoor Evening Partnership
 
We are pleased to announce that you can now purchase RESP Active clothing with the Danesmoor Eventing logo on it.  Head to our shop on facebook to find their wonderful sweat wicking t-shirt, breathable jumper and vented jacket.  All of the items are both functional and elegant, designed perfectly to give a smooth shilloette and to keep your body temperature well regulated, thus improving your performance and keeping your mind on your riding task.  They will also be available through our website soon.

RESP Active Clothing
and
Danesmoor Eventing Partnership
 
Pleased to announce that you can now purchase RESP Active clothing with the Danesmoor Eventing logo on it.  Head to our shop on facebook to find their wonderful sweat wicking t-shirt, breathable jumper and vented jacket.  All of the items are both functional and elegant, designed perfectly to give a smooth shilloette and to keep your body temperature well regulated, thus improving your performance and keeping your mind on your riding task.  They will also be available through our website soon.
 

Coaching

Throughout this year I’ve been investing in CPD with the brilliant Centre10 course and the next level with UKCC. I am also a BHS accredited coach which means I have up to date 1st Aid, insurance, Child Protection certificate and am CRB checked. Due to this continued investment in my coaching skills and qualifications in the new year I will be increasing the price of my lessons and clinics.
 
Coaching Packages
 
1. 2020 - New Year Goal Setting and season planning
This includes 4 coaching session on the topic of your choice and an unmounted hour working on goal setting and plans for getting the best out of 2020. (This can be held at a venue other than Edgcote, though the hire price will be at the rider’s cost.)
£150
  
2. Competition fitness in 2020
This a useful package whatever your discipline or level.
It includes 1 coaching session, 2 gallop sessions and an unmounted fitness planning session. 
£100 includes gallop hire. 
 
3. Where to go: Moving forward with your horse
Struggling to know what to work on next or needing some guidance on how to structure your riding?  Then why not spend 2 unmounted goal and season planning sessions with Sarah.
£60
 
Also available for individual coaching ridden or unmounted.  Please get in touch for more details or to discuss your requirements.

19th January (Sunday)
1pm
Rhythm and Related Distances
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25th January (Saturday)
All Day
Combined Training Clinic
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26th January (Sunday)
All Day
Pre-season Fitness Training
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27th January (Monday)
All Day
Arena Eventing Clinic
Aston-le-Walls
Click here
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30th January (Thursday)
All Day
Managing the Unbalanced Rider with Andy Thomas
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Please contact Sarah directly to book
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st/2nd February
(Sat/Sun)
TBC
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10th February (Monday)
Morning
Arena  Eventing Clinic
Aston-le-Walls
Click here
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12th February (Wednesday)
Aftnernoon/evening
Poles, Pilates and Ponies
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16th February (Sunday)
Afternoon
Arena XC—Skinnies, Angles and Lines
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23rd February (Sunday)
All Day
BE Arena XC Clinic—Getting Ready to Event
Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire. CB23 3PJ
Click here

Vacancies at Danesmoor Eventing
We are currently looking for someone to join our team full time.  The Job will include all aspects of yard work and riding (depending on the candidate).  Some experience required although we would consider an apprentice or a working pupil.
There is on-site, shared accommodation available and potential to bring own horse.
Contact Sarah on 07967365062 for more information.

New Year Giveaways
  
This New Year we are offering the following to one lucky winner to help them start 2020 on a high:

•  a RESP hydration bottle
• a protexin voucher
• an embroidered hat to keep your ears toasty this festive season
• A lesson voucher

  
To be in with a chance of winning, you will need to

• sign up to our mailing list (go to our facebook page on a computer or laptop, click on "sign up" down the lefthand side of the page; or send your email address to sarahgairdner@icloud.com)
• like the Danesmoor Eventing facebook page
• like the page of the giveaway products

 
Winner will be selected at random on Christmas Eve...

Good luck!

NEWS

Throughout this year I’ve been investing in CPD with the brilliant Centre10 course and the next level with UKCC. I am also a BHS accredited coach which means I have up to date 1st Aid, insurance, Child Protection certificate and am CRB checked. Due to this continued investment in my coaching skills and qualifications in the new year I will be increasing the price of my lessons and clinics with a private lesson going up to £40. 
 
I've grouped together some session ideas to make Coaching Packages (that will make excellent Christmas presents!):

1. 2020 - New Year Goal Setting and season planning
This includes 4 coaching session on the topic of your choice and an unmounted hour working on goal setting and plans for getting the best out of 2020. (This can be held at a venue other than Edgcote, though the hire price will be at the rider’s cost and travel expenses might be added.)
£160
 
 2. Competition fitness in 2020
This a useful package whatever your discipline or level.
It includes 1 coaching session, 2 gallop sessions and an unmounted fitness planning session. 
£115 includes gallop hire. 
 
3. Where to go: Moving forward with your horse
Struggling to know what to work on next or needing some guidance on how to structure your riding?  Then why not spend 2 unmounted goal and season planning sessions with Sarah.
£60
 

Got an idea for a package?  Get in touch!

 EVENTS, CLINICS, CAMPS AND TALKS
 
29th December (Sunday)
All day
Combined Training Clinic
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
____________________________________________________
30th December (Monday)
All Day
Getting Ready to Event - Prepare for 2020
Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire. CB23 3PJ
Click here
____________________________________________________
8th January (Wednesday)
7pm
Bringing you’re A-Game to Competition - The Warm Up
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
___________________________________________________
9th January (Thursday)
3pm
Poles, Pilates and Ponies
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
____________________________________________________
12th January (Sunday)
9am
Getting Ready to Event  -
Prepare for 2020
Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire. CB23 3PJ
Click here
__________________________________________________
19th January (Sunday)
1pm
Rhythm and Related Distances
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
_________________________________________________
25th January (Saturday)
All Day
Combined Training Clinic
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
_________________________________________________
26th January (Sunday)
All Day
Pre-season Fitness Training
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
_________________________________________________
30th January (Thursday)
All Day
Managing the Unbalanced Rider with Andy Thomas
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Please contact Sarah directly to book

Coming soon….
 
Recently I have been working with the wonderful Carlene Goff of RESPACTIVE clothing to come up with a Danesmoor branded clothing range.  Watch this space for a breathable, water resistant coat, polo shirt and jumper….

​This season we have aimed to attend fewer shows with quality rather than quantity being our motto and it has proven beneficial.

• Premier Prestige (Pimms) - owned by Tina Ure - had several excellent runs, but particularly shone at Aston-le-Wells in August, finishing 2nd.  This was a direct qualifier for Gatcombe International Intermediate Championships next year: she is definitely one to watch.
• Daisy May VIII (Daisy) - owned by Jacky Owen - has had a really good season with four top ten finishes at Novice level.  This included a 2nd at Little Downham,  qualifying her for NRF next year.
• Kaylas Surprise (Iona) - owned by Helen Rothery—was purchased at the end of the summer and has already had two very successful runs over a 90cm course.  She has started both her showjumping and dressage career with alacrity, managing over 70% in both tests during her first BD outing.  Clearly an exciting prospect for the future!
• Kilcandra Ashling (Delilah) is proving very consistent at a novice level this season after making the step up.  She is also regularly in the money at showjumping competitions.
• Black Rock Cavalier (Dougie) - owned by Merilyn Berry - is normally evented by his owner but Sarah enjoyed two runs over the 100cm course at Aston-le-Wells, finishing 1st and 4th.
• Kenlis Lad (Kenny) is back to fitness after his injury and is thoroughly enjoying being back out competing, showing a strong capacity for speedy improvement.
• Harper - owned by Tina Ure - is scopey youngster sired Obos Quality that has recently joined the yard.  She has scope and tenacity and is proving to be a hard worker.

With further success at BS and BD events too numerous to mention, the yard at Danesmoor Eventing is always busy and we have several other up-and-coming youngsters on the yard that are showing great potential.  Now the eventing season has come to a close, the winter will be spent strengthening and honing the horses for the 2020 circuit.

This year I am delighted to be doing a giveaway every week in December.  Up for grabs are:

• a RESP hydration bottle
•  a protexin voucher
• Allen and Page voucher
• an embroidered hat to keep your ears toasty this festive season
• A lesson voucher

​To be in with a chance of winning, you will need to
* sign up to our mailing list
* like the Danesmoor Eventing facebook page
* and like that week’s giveaway post
 
Good luck!

 10th November (Sunday)
9.00 am
Get Ready to Event—Prepare for Arena Eventing
Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire. CB23 3PJ
 ____________________________________________________
16th November (Saturday)
12 noon
Arena XC - skinnies, angles and lines
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
_____________________________________________________
20th November (Wednesday)
2.00 pm
Pilates, Poles and Ponies
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
____________________________________________________
1st December (Sunday)
12 noon
Gymnastic Jumping
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
_____________________________________________________
3rd December (Tuesday)
9.00 am
Managing the Imbalanced Rider with Andy Thomas, Event Physio
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Email sarahgairdner@icloud.com for more info
_______________________________________________________
11th December (Wednesday)
2.00 pm
Pilates, Poles and Ponies
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
______________________________________________________
15th December (Sunday)
12 noon
Rhythm and Relates distances
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
Click here
_____________________________________________________
29th December (Sunday)
All day
Combined Training Clinic
Wardington Gate Farm, Edgcote
See horse events website at late date
_____________________________________________________
30th December (Monday)
All Day
Getting Ready to Event - Prepare for 2020
Firs Farm, Caxton, Cambridgeshire. CB23 3PJ
Click here 

​All events can also be found on the Danesmoor Eventing facebook page, https://www.horse-events.co.uk or the British Eventing website.

Recently I have been working with the wonderful Carlene Goff of RESPACTIVE clothing to come up with a Danesmoor branded clothing range.  Watch this space for a breathable, water resistant coat, polo shirt and jumper….

​Oops just realised we have been very quiet.....the end of the season was very busy with some great results. We had a play with the stats and over 50% of starts resulted in top 10 placings which for a team of fairly green horses was a nice result. 

We have also been very busy showjumping with Delilah qualifying for winter champs and 2nd rounds already and most outings resulting in a profit. 

The lovely Duffy has gone north to a new home and we look forward to seeing her have a very successful season. 

On the coaching front last year saw investment in my coaching. I am part of the Applied Psychology for Equine Coaches course which has been a great journey so far and given lots of ideas and support. Among other courses I also attended a course on Riders Physio for Coaches with Andy Thomas and if you look at our what’s on page you will see he’s running some rider days with us. I have also been accepted to do my UKCC level 3 with British Eventing. We are running a variety of clinic and training days this year both mounted and unmounted so keep an eye on the website What’s on as well as social media. 

We are excited about our team of horses for this year, with a new addition who will we introduce when we know more about him......
We do have room for a couple more so if you know anyone looking for a small, personal and professional yard who prioritises the horses journey and happy progression through the grades then please get in touch. We can provide excellent references and are happy to discuss your requirements. We also have very good contacts to source quality young horses. 
​
Now is also an excellent time to join our eventing club and take advantage of the discounts and offers available as well as being part of the team. 

Wishing everyone a very successful 2019. 

Well I’ve been a bit quite lately but the yard hasn’t been. 
​
At the end of June Pimms had her second run at Intermediate level at Farley. It’s the first time we have been to Farley and we were pretty impressed. She did a nice dressage with a silly mistake towards the end of the test scoring 32.1 and jumped a cracking show jumping round on a course that was causing plenty of rails to fly but sadly rubbed out the last part of the treble (as did a lot of combinations). The course didn’t walked the biggest but it got fairly intense from half way round and again seemed to cause enough trouble. She was classy and although occasionally giving a fence a little too much height when a bit green that’s not a bad fault to have! She added a few time faults to finish 15th. 

The beginning of July started well with plenty of show jumping, the ponies all on great form and I do enjoy it even more when all the ponies decide we are coming home in profit. 

We had planned a quiet time eventing with several close runs through the end of July /August and with the ground as it was we were feeling very happy that we were doing plenty of show jumping on a surface, careful schooling, dressage and not rooting too much. 

So off we went to Upton BE with 1 proven Intermediate and 2 first timers & a nice early start. Pimms was first in and honestly we were really disappointed with her dressage mark, it was by far the nicest Intermediate test she’s done so we weren’t really expecting a 34. Cricket was feeling very well and thought moving up a level that freestyle sounded more fun but settled back down to finish his test nicely. Again both show jumped really well and both seemed unlucky to have a rail. The cross-country was always a nice first timers course which is why Cricket had waited till now and Katy was coming for her first intermediate run but I think it’s fair to say they had beefed it up a bit not necessarily in size but plenty of repetitive turning questions.

Pimms was on great form. She’d grown up so much from Farley, focused, up on time and foot perfect through the combinations. Then came the water...can’t really tell you a huge amount about it but I gather she overjumped the log into the water, landed steeply and pecked...for some stupid reason I got pitched forward (something I’m not proud of) and clung on for dear life trying not to fall off. We were only 3 from home, finishing inside the time we would have been 3rd and with 10 time would have still been in the top 10! Anyway gravity got the better of me and I managed to land badly giving myself concussion (& a 21 day ban) and rip a couple of holes in my quad muscle twisting my leg on the way down. Fortunately as she didn’t fall and Pimms was fine it was clear but an unseated rider! Sadly that was the end of Crickets day too. 

Katy and Bruno were following me round so poor Katy had to canter past me on my feet and jump the last 2 fences before finding out what had happened. She had a great cross-country round with a slight loss of steering in one combination but otherwise good solid performance. 

So home we go and my leg is swelling like a good one. Katy and the girls have been fantastic at taking over the reins and keeping all the ponies working and in tip top condition.  

Katy has also taken over the ride on my own lovely 6yo Delilah who was scheduled to have her first run at Lt Downham. This was a good successful first run with a rail show jumping where she saw something in the distance and closed down over a fence but a fantastic clear Xc. Katy will pilot her at Aston for me but we have already moved her up to 100for her next run. 

Sam has taken over the ride on Duffy for me. We dropped her down to the 100 at Lt Downham and again they had a good solid performance with a double clear (both Katy and Sam ended up in open sections and had they been in the straight sections I think both would have come home in the ribbons). 

Sam has also had Duffy out show jumping winning the Newcomers at Aston last week. 

Katy has been busy schooling the youngsters and selling ponies out and about ready for some debuts next month. 

Sadly with me being out of action Crickets owner decided to move him to another yard, he will be much missed. 
​
On the positive side the leg is finally starting to heal so I’m hoping that taped up I might be back to light duties mid August and am now planning a very busy September campaign.  

Katy had a great spin around the CIC* with a lovely clear cross-country at Rockingham, while Duffy scored a 30 dressage and a great double clear to finish 6th in the BE100.

Next was Tweseldown and both of the girls (Pimms & Cute) were in the Intermediate Novice. Least said about the dressage the better, it was a very high scoring judge with a lot of competitors in the 40’s and reading the sheets after you slightly wondered who the judge was watching! Cute jumped a lovely clear show jumping and Pimms uncharacteristically had a rail. However, Cute wasn’t happy coming out of the start box and we pulled up by fence 4.  With her not feeling 100% we had her fully checked out by our veterinary team and are now aware that she has a fractured tooth which would explain her not being 100%. She subsequently had some time out and has been to a specialist and after treatment she is now back in full work. Pimms jumped around the strong Novice track well, although she seemed convinced there were monsters in the bracken as she was busy spooking between fences!

Little Downham was fantastic and I couldn't have been more pleased with Pimms. Her first Intermediate and she was pure class. A nice dressage and great clear show jumping was followed by a confident round cross-country making it feel easy. Sadly she was let down by the jockey coming out of the second water putting an unnecessary 20 penalties on her record. Once I got over being very cross with myself I was able to appreciate what a smart pony she really is.

Also moving up a level, Duffy jumped round her first Novice. The dressage was nice, she had her first ever affiliated rail show jumping (but not a bad thing for her to not get a grown up point yet as she’s on the market) and jumped a lovely steady clear cross country. 

The new boy Cricket also jumped a great double clear and gave me a lovely feel. His dressage was work in progress but happy we are going in the right direction and he only just missed out on a place. I also picked up the ride on Emma Pitt’s Holly in the BE100, who  added nothing to her 27 dressage to finish 3rd. 

We had four horses at Stratford Hills last weekend, with some very good results from Pimms and Cricket. Pimms pulled off a fabulous double clear to come 3rd in the Novice Regional Final and Cricket jumped a double clear with an improving dressage to come 4th in his Novice section, which made up for a slightly disappointing morning with the ponies in the BE100.

In between the eventing we ran a very successful talk with Jin Langstone on Getting the Balance Right - Asymmetry and Rehab training. This was a sell out and we will be running future talks together, watch the Events/Clinics Page for further details. As well as regular teaching at home I’ve been heading home to Firs Farm, Caxton running successful BE clinics on a monthly basis. 

There are quite a few youngsters who haven’t been introduced yet. They have all been on the lorry regularly to small jumping shows and cross-country schooling. We'll be making some formal introductions very soon.

I’m continually updating and developing my coaching skills and am very excited to have been accepted onto the Charlie Unwin Applied Psychology for Equestrian Coaches Course. This is a topic I’m really interested in developing and I look forward to it starting in October.