Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Jack

November and December Update

November and December have been a busy couple of months with lots of different things squeezed in. Scooby had a few quiet weeks at the end of October, but he was back in full work in time to go to Cricklands for their arena eventing challenge in the torrential rain. I like to train in all conditions as long as the horses are kept warm and fit as you never know what the weather will be like at an event. He shocked me by doing a super dressage scoring 24, putting him into the lead by 4 marks, and achieving our new personal best! There were 27 jumps in total on the main arena so my Sat Nav was required! He jumped a super clear around the show jump half, then between cross country fences 1 and 2, he skidded to a very quick halt. I shot over his ears and sat on the floor nowhere near an actual jump! Luckily only my pride was dented. I also took a super little grey pony I've been riding called Barclay. Barclay did a super test and bounced around the whole course, completely unfazed and came 5th in the BE90.

Scooby and I were very lucky to be invited by Petplan Equine for a lesson with Lucinda Green. This had been in the planning for a few months, so Petplan Equine sent me all the details; all I had to do was turn up. Easier than it sounds! I checked the best route to get to Addington Manor, so we were nearly all set. I double checked an email with timing on and noticed that the location said Attington Stud. Two very different places! All was well and we made it to the right location at the right time on the right day! Apart from the nonstop rain, we had a great time, once Scooby realised that the jumps were in fact jumps and did not need avoiding at all costs! Lucinda did ask me "what on earth are you feeding him, you need to stop now", I did have to tell her he lives out 24/7 and gets a small amount of leisure mix!

I took Scooby and Barclay to West Wilts combined training at the beginning of December. Barclay is so lovely on the flat and did a super test and jumped round to finish in 4th place in the BE90. I rode Scooby in the novice and he tried very hard in the dressage just got a little flustered in the medium trot, but jumped a super clear to finish 2nd! I then headed back to Cricklands this time with Tambourine Man (Jerry). I've ridden and looked after Jerry for the past five years, but have never competed him. He did a stunning dressage test and was super jumping! We just had one pole down, due to the canter being a little long and flat, but we still finished 2nd, not bad for our debut together.

Rocco has been given the all clear from my vet, he came back into road walking at the beginning of December, he will now increase his hacking over the next few weeks and once checked over again by the vet will start, trotting, school work and will be aimed at starting the event season. My three year old, Cuba, has been going so well, schooling, jumping and hacking out, I felt that there wasn't much more for her to do as a three year old so she's spent December turned out and having a well-earned rest, she will come back into work in January as a four year old and continue her education.

2015 was rounded off rather well and in grand style! Petplan Equine invited me to their offices in London. After getting Attington and Addington mixed up, the team at Petplan Equine double and triple checked I was heading for the right place! It was great to meet the other sponsored riders and have a catch up about the past year with Petplan. We had training from different agencies including media training from Petplan Equine’s PR agency, JB Promotions, who I am very excited to be working with this coming year. I also had a tour of the call centre, claims, underwriting and marketing departments and I was surprised at how small such a big company is and that you really do get that personal touch. We were also treated like true professionals with a trip to Olympia to watch the Freestyle dressage to music with the opportunity to meet equestrian journalists.

I can't wait to spend another year as a Petplan Equine sponsored rider and am very much looking forward to getting out competing in 2016.