Heather - Petplan Equine Ambassador

Since my last blog it's been a very busy time filled with ups and downs, which I think is definitely a horse owners' life!

Taz and I qualified for the regional championships in July and we travelled to Port Royal equestrian centre. We finished on a score of 66% and out of the top ten; we could have been a bit more expressive in the mediums and an impromptu toilet break (on the first centre line) was a bit costly! But we had a lovely time and I was very happy with his attitude and how calm he was. He can be a bit spooky and tense if he's not been to a venue for a while but he took it all in his stride and we were up against some very good combinations.

We were crowned Champions at the Tyne and Wear Dressage Championships at Advanced Medium Level! I was super proud of us as it's our first year of Advanced Medium and we're still learning our changes. We won a lovely sash and rosette – so I'm hoping next year we can take the next step of competing at BD at this level.

We were then selected for the British Dressage Senior Home International team competition at medium level. I was very proud and thrilled we had been selected. All our goodies arrived, including a saddlecloth with the England flag on and a badge to put on jacket. My focus was on training to perfect our individual and team tests. We had lots of training booked and felt ready to perform.

Then the happy feeling came crashing down. I went to the field to catch Taz and the other horses, shouted for Taz who always comes to call and he just stood there. I immediately knew something was wrong and my heart sank as he took a step towards me and limped. When I got to him I realised he had injured his foot. I hobbled him back to his stable, tears flowing. I called the vet and he prescribed box rest. I knew then our chances were over to compete for England but none of that mattered – I just wanted my Taz Bear to be ok.

I had hoped he would be ok for the Petplan second rounds but a week before I decided to withdraw, as even though he was sound he just was not fit at all and it would not have been right or fair to travel three hours then compete. I always have his best interests at heart; he is my best friend.

A few months later and we are back on track. He's now back into work and we are building up our fitness slowly. He is feeling super – maybe the break has done him good mentally! My farrier has done an amazing job with his feet, the vets have been brilliant and of course Petplan. I didn't once worry about how I was going to pay for his treatment, I knew Petplan were there for me every step of the way. One less worry at such a horrible time for me and Taz.

So the plan now is to take it slow, get fit and strong then hopefully compete locally before getting back out properly for the winter qualifiers after Christmas. I don't want to push him and break him, so as they say slow and steady wins the race!

The other horses are good; Leckie is now walking and trotting confidently under saddle and I can now start planning next year's dressage debut! It will be strange going back out at intro and prelim level – I'll probably get lost! It's also exciting and I will aim him towards the four year old BD classes. He has grown too, as I was worried about him making the height. He is such a willing horse and I'm really excited about him.

Anthem and Little Legs are happy chilling in the field, as always. Someone has to look after the grass!

So in my last blog I also said I may have some exciting news- I have two new additions to the team. Meet Neroli and Sacramento my yearlings! Well technically Sacramento is my partner's!

We had a sneaky trip to Belgium to meet Neroli and to see where Taz was born and meet all the lovely baby horses. While we were there we visited the Belgium dressage championships which was an amazing experience and watched the elite foal auction.

So after meeting Neroli (who is Taz's nephew!) my partner Robert fell in love with another of the foals we met, a lovely big black colt who is Neroli's half-brother. I told him at the time we would be crazy to buy two and we had only gone to see Neroli. But Robert could not stop thinking about him when we got home.

They both arrive in December! I will certainly have my hands full when they arrive but what a lovely Christmas present they will be to us. Happy Horsey Christmas!