Heather - Petplan Equine Ambassador

Since our last blog we have been very busy! The weather has finally cheered up and the nasty snow a distant memory.

I have been doing a lot of training and schooling at home. I have also been lucky to ride my trainer’s retired Grand Prix horse regularly which has been super for riding the higher level movements.

Taz and I did some filming with Petplan, working on stepping up the levels and movements required in dressage tests from Prelim to Medium. This was a great experience and Taz loved being in front of the camera! I am looking forward to seeing how the videos turn out and hope people find them useful.

In my last blog I said that Taz and I would be having a go at our first Advanced Medium! I’m pleased to say we did it. We competed at the Tyne and Wear Dressage series held at my yard which is a great confidence boost and less pressure than going out to BD. We achieved 62% in the April show and in June scored 63% - we are making progress!

Taz and I have been out competing and finished our regional qualification for Elementary. We also competed at Alnwick Ford Petplan Area Festival in the Medium silver. I had a navigational error which was costly but we came 5th and qualified for the second rounds. I’ve ridden that test so many times I should have known it inside out so I was disappointed in myself. But Taz cheered me up, he has an infectious cheery personality and always makes me smile. We will do better at second rounds – lots of time to learn it inside out and practice to perfection!

At home Leckie is now under saddle and taken it all in his stride. We are just walking and trotting, taking it slowly but his attitude has been amazing and I am really looking forward to next year when we can finally get out and start his competitive future. Feels like forever waiting for my baby to grow up!

I sold the racehorse I mentioned in my last blog – she has gone on to be a broodmare at a racehorse stud, so will have a wonderful life I’m sure. I now have a lovely chestnut ROR called Norman who I really should sell but he may stay and be competed for a while first as he is really lovely (plus he is ginger, they are the best!)

Anthem and little legs are doing a great job of munching grass, sunbathing and generally living a life of luxury while everyone else works – it’s ok for some!

So plans moving forward, regional championships, Area Festival second round practice and maybe some more exciting news…