Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Jack

January to March Update

The past few months have been very busy, mostly full of training. I am definitely starting to feel like winter is coming to an end, it felt like a long wet winter. I've been to lots of training competitions over the winter, trying to fine tune our weaknesses before the season starts.

The first competition of the year was dressage with Scooby and Barclay. Scooby excelled himself by coming second on a score of 75.5% missing out on a win by less than one percent and Barclay scored a super 71%.

Our second, third and fourth outings were to eventers challenges with Scooby and Jerry. They have both been on fantastic form and jumped some super double clears. We've had the odd pole here and there but we've all learnt from them. It's been great to get both horses out jumping as they are very different to ride, Scooby is very light and bouncy and Jerry is big and strong.

Rocco is now back in full work after his injury and schooling beautifully. He's increasing his fitness and will start jumping at the end of March and the aim is to start eventing in May. My lovely four year old Cuba had been working better than ever and even went on her first outing to Rectory Farm for schooling and was just a dream to ride there - like no other four year old I've ever ridden. Sadly she has now been sold, I'll miss producing her a lot but I know she's a super young horse and I'm sure her new owners will bring the best out of her.

With the first event of the season just around the corner, I headed to Rectory Farm combined training which is brilliant prep for me as a rider as well as the horses. Unfortunately I was struck down with a flu like bug, but I soldiered on and took Scooby and Jerry. Scooby was very pleased to be doing dressage on grass so had a few fresher moments scoring 35.8. Jerry did a lovely smooth test to score 31, this was only my second ever test on Jerry so I still think there is more to come this season. Feeling pretty horrendous I had thought about withdrawing before our next competition, but like some crazy person I powered through. I just got a bit too forward and flat on Scooby so had an annoying two down but I will definitely learn from my mistake. Jerry jumped a perfect clear to finish in 6th place.

I've held off starting my season until April as it has been so wet. I had entered Goring Heath but sadly I've been balloted out, so it's full steam ahead for Larkhill. I am very excited to start this season and I can't thank Scooby, Jerry and Rocco's owners enough for the rides and Petplan Equine for their continued support this season. Fingers crossed for a lucky one!