Amy - Petplan Equine Ambassador

Tico and Jasper my two dressage horses are my world. Tico is an 18.2hh homebred British Warmblood and Jasper is a 16hh sport Friesian. I have to confess that I am not the most interesting person because with the exception of working in a major trauma hospital as a radiographer, nearly every other waking hour is spent at the yard or teaching some of my loyal clients.

I do not come from a horsey background and didn’t get my own horse until I was 18. However, I am extremely dedicated and keen to learn. I have maintained a ‘go get it’ attitude which seems to have worked so far so I’ll stick with that mentality and see how far we can get!

I am in a lucky place right now, I am about to go and compete at Hartpury Winter Dressage Championships for the 3rd year in a row. This year I’ve qualified at four levels, two with Tico and two with Jasper. I appreciate this opportunity even more after being horseless for several years due to injuries on my part and multiple problems that my big horse Tico faced so I know only too well how much I need to make the most of these opportunities. We are definitely making hay whilst the sun is shining!

Tico is competing at Medium in the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships and Elementary in the NAF Winter Nationals. He has previously gained 8th at Elementary and was Reserve Champion in the Novice at the Petplan Equine Champs. For Jasper it is his first time competing at a big Championship. He is competing at Novice and Elementary in the Petplan Equine Championships. I am really excited but a little nervous for the Championships.

This year we have already competed at the Winter Regionals at Myerscough College. Tico was a superstar and although he scares the living daylights out of me with his quirky nature, he went into the competition arena like he owned it scoring 70.21% and gaining his ticket for the Winter Champs. He was 2nd to an exceptional combination of Lucinda Elliott & MSJ Top Secret. Jasper was competing in the Novice and Elementary classes gaining fantastic marks of 7.5 & 8 for trot work but his lack of experience just showing as he got far too eager in the canter work. He took a give and retake of the rein in canter as his excuse to medium canter! You can’t fault his attitude and effort but we need to work more on gaining relaxation throughout the canter work. It’s just far too exciting at the moment!

The Regional Championships were another big learning curve. I took on board many things about my horses. I need to believe in Tico a little more, I can get a mental block because of my fears but I just need to trust him and let him do his thing. Part of it is just his sheer size (18.2hh) and there is not much I can do about that so I will just have to grow a pair! With Jasper it’s the total opposite, it’s nice to be able to relax and know you are safe. He just needs to give less bless him. He’s like an ever ready battery. We have been working on getting him out and about seeing the world and relaxing.

We have been hiring Crow Wood Equestrians spooky indoor, doing farm rides, buckle end hacking and going to the beach. He doesn’t need to do too much school work because he tries so hard when does. I really enjoy doing the fun stuff as well, it’s always nice to have a change and take the pressure off.

My ultimate aim with Tico is PSG. I would love to be able to qualify for the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships at every level as we go but we are going to have to work hard. I’m hoping to do our first Advanced Medium together shortly after the Winter Champs. Jasper has excelled himself and we have got ourselves a little ahead of eligibility. By riding the Winter Regional at Elementary we now cannot ride an Area Festival at the same level. We are not quite ready for Medium so instead we aim to ride the Summer Regional at Elementary. Perhaps by the later Area Festivals we will be ready to have a go at Medium. After the Winter Champs we are going to work on teaching Jasper his changes. It’s all exciting stuff and I’m hoping it goes to plan!!

My top tip for the start of the season is to, as much as possible go buckle end as I allow my horses to look at everything as a refreshing change to our dressage work. This really helps with their confidence and spookiness. If they are never allowed to look at things, they will never get any braver. I also like to do pole, grid and jump work with them. This really helps with balance and strength as well as using it to get them to be a little quicker on their feet. Happy horses means happy me and happy horses are so much easier to train... bonus!