Amy at the Area Festival Championships

It’s been a busy start to the year! April came around too quickly… again! Every year I promise myself that I will be much more prepared for the Winter Dressage Championships held at Hartpury College. Yet every year, April suddenly appears despite it feeling like the tinsel has only just been taken down off the Christmas tree! I guess with horses, that is a feeling that never actually goes away. Continual improvements in way of going means you always want that bit more time because it could just be that bit better! I think it’s worth taking a moment to reflect and take a look at how far you have come – it’s a great reminder of the progress you have made. Considering what you have achieved as opposed to focussing on what you haven’t creates a much more positive outlook. Although I love to set targets, there is no point over pressurising yourself or your horse. Keep focussed and make training varied and fun!

So, April arrived! We had done all the training we possibly could and had been learning Area Festival Championship tests for weeks. The horses were bathed that well it was a surprise they didn’t shrink and tack was the cleanest it had been all year. The wagon was packed full ready for six days at the NAF Five Star and Petplan Equine Winter Dressage Championships! We set off all smiles and excited about our time ahead but a whopping six hours later we were only a few junctions further down the M6 than when we set off. A double decker bus on fire had shut the entire motorway. The poor horses stood for hours and typically it was the hottest day of the year so far. We stopped to offer water which Tico happily took but Jasper tends not to drink out in the lorry - with the heat and length of journey that was a concern. Quick thinking gave me the idea of apple juice! I added a good slosh to the water and after a few dubious attempts Jasper was slurping away. I was so relieved.

We finally arrived at Hartpury after an eight hour journey (it should have been three) but lacking in the joy we set off with! The arenas had closed and we missed vital arena walks and familiarisation. Instead, we found our stables and got the horses quickly settled before it went dark. Tico had the same stable he had been in the previous two years which was comforting. The Winter Champs are always so well organised and run so we read all the various times for arena walks and working-in and went to bed ready for an early start. The following day Jasper was contesting the Petplan Equine Elementary Silver Championship. An early morning arena walk allowed Jasper to see his first ever Championships. He was so well behaved walking round buckle end, he was very interested in looking at everything which I was more than happy for him to do as obviously I didn’t want him looking later during the test! He produced an accurate but exuberant test scoring 67.13% taking us through to the second round. In the afternoon we completed the second test which was again fairly accurate but eagerness in the canter work showed a little too much. However, we were thrilled to bits to finish 14th overall from 60 starters in the Elementary especially as it was Jaspers first Championship. His hardest test was now complete, so for him I could relax. In the meantime, big fella Tico had been working himself up quite significantly! Not at all impressed about his stable mate leaving the yard three times that day, it was clear I was going to have my hands full. Now, I don’t mind admitting that I have a few confidence demons with Tico at stay away Championships. I tacked up, bravely mounted and confidently directed Tico to the indoor to work in. But unfortunately it was at its maximum capacity and we got turned away. Cue Tico’s full blown melt down, excitement and adrenaline was pumping high. The poor lad had tried to keep it together, he just needed to get going but we had nowhere to go! He erupted into a glorious display of lack of control before I jumped off and put him away. I was not very impressed by the whole ordeal and given that I hadn’t actually managed to exercise him yet, I knew it was not over. Each evening the Petplan Equine warm up arena was open for one hour after competition for general exercise. By the time I had stopped my legs from shaking, competition was over. I remounted a fire breathing Tico and was lead down to the warm up arena. He pretty much held it together and we got him away without any further trauma. The situation had left me a little nervous for the week ahead.

After a day without competition it was time for a very busy day; Jasper won the first round of the Petplan Equine Novice Silver with over 72%, finishing 5th overall in the second round with a lovely big cheer from the Petplan Equine team on completion of our test. We were ecstatic with Jaspers results. Tico’s turn had arrived; we were contesting the Petplan Equine Medium Bronze. He worked in well, just a little tense. However, shoot the jockey! We entered the ring and Tico went very insecure and looked to me for help, but I was having a melt down and provided zero help. We produced the worst test we have ever presented. I felt so disappointed with myself as all Tico needed was a confident leader but I had focussed too much on the antics of the first day. I had let myself, my horse and my team down but the fear in my head was real. I had a day to compose myself before riding Tico in the NAF Five Star arena for the Elementary Silver. I had two options; get myself together and ride or withdraw and go home disappointed. We gave it our best shot and despite a little tension we finished 8th overall. A fantastic achievement all things considered and we went home proud but with plenty to work on.

Our 2017 Winter Championships consisted of six tests ridden with four top ten finishes. Click here to watch more from my time at the Championships.

Packing up is always sad but it is our aim to return again next year! We are setting our sights on the Petplan Equine Area Festival at Myerscough to compete in the Medium with Tico and if we manage it, Hartpury for the Advanced Medium.