Amy - Petplan Equine Ambassador
Petplan Equine provides peace of mind for my most precious possessions. Tico, my advanced dressage horse, flourished from failure to superstar thanks to the support they provided.
Well 2018 was not the year we had been hoping for! Poorly horses in the early part of the year saw us miss the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships 2018. This was such a shame for not only myself and my horses who had exerted so much time, effort and money in training, competing and qualifying but also for Petplan Equine who I felt I let down. We have qualified and ridden the Championships every year since 2014 and it has always been a favourite show due to all the support that Petplan Equine has provided Tico. It's always been very rewarding to qualify for and ride at their Championship. On reflection of Tico's achievements, he has done an amazing job to qualify every year and at every level from Novice to Advanced Medium. Bless him! He's had so many issues (still does!) but he gives his all under saddle and from his little time in full work has moved quickly and successfully though the levels.
Amy and Tico had to miss the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships in 2018
Tico didn't come right after being unwell last winter. We just couldn't get him fit and he couldn't seem to get enough oxygen into his lungs. He was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, requiring surgery. He was operated on in August, followed by a period of box rest and walking, then was turned away with his now best buddy Caffrey, a retired 17hh big softie. They came back in from their big turnout field at the beginning of December and Tico is now ready to come back into work- any volunteers? Yet again, Petplan Equine insurance has been invaluable. I could not have afforded this operation without the insurance. We are really hoping there will be a big difference in his performance in terms of being able to get fit. I don't want to make direct aims for Tico as I feel he has given so much through some difficult times. I would like to get him back competing at Advanced Medium and I would still love him to be my first PSG ride even if it was for just one test but I also know it will happen or it won't and that he will give me what he can, so I need not ask for more.
The goals we made for 2018 admittedly got washed away, however there was still plenty of success. Jasper successfully made his Medium level debut promptly qualifying for the Petplan Equine Area Festivals. He smashed the first round despite wobbling out of the arena at A! He won another sash, good boy! The second round went very well with just one costly mistake (rider error) but we qualified for the Petplan Equine Area Festival Championships 2019 which we are super excited for! Jasper has also qualified for the Winter Regionals at Elementary level. He did exceptionally well at this level at the Summer Regionals gaining over 70% but the class was very hot and we didn't qualify for the Summer National Championships. His flying changes remain a work in progress so hopefully 2019 will be our Advanced Medium debut year.
Amy and Jasper hope to make their Advanced Medium debut in 2019
Yinthe, our 3 rising 4 year old Friesian, has been backed, spending several weeks riding around the yard and fields and trotting on the tracks. He has had the summer off to grow and came back into light work at the end of October. He is such a cool dude and not fazed by much at all. He also has the kissiest nose going!
We just hope to survive winter without any mishaps and look forward to the 2019 competition season.