Katie - Petplan Equine Ambassador

A Few False Starts

In my last blog I told you of my season plans but spring eventing this year was certainly frustrating! A long drive to Aldon coincided with some more heavy snowfall and no chance of any eventing so an overnight stay with some friends was all we achieved! Onward to Burnham Market for the 3*and we did our dressage on the Friday only for some monsoon conditions overnight leading to abandonment of the jumping phases. The rain continued and our local event at South of England was also forced to abandon. It’s so disappointing for everyone, especially the organisers, as so much careful preparation goes into these events but sadly the weather Gods weren't cooperating.

Thankfully the old parkland at Belton had coped amazingly with the weather and the rain kindly held off for a few days to give us our first proper run of the season! Tia really struggled on the sticky ground in the SJ but gave me an incredible ride round the XC, she's such a fun little horse to ride. TJ was certainly rather excited to be out after several false starts which certainly didn't help our dressage or SJ marks but he stormed round the XC and both of us finished with huge smiles on our faces – 2018 eventing finally underway! More wet weather followed so sadly Withington was cancelled and I spent the day as vet on duty at Chilham Park in horrific conditions, all credit to the organisers for making it happen despite pouring rain and very cold winds and lots of mud! As the rain continued we turned to some British SJ In the hope of keeping ourselves entertained and amazingly managed four double clear rounds (Tia in the 1.05 and 1.10 and TJ in the 1.20 and a huge 1.30) laying to rest our disappointing rounds at Belton.

Getting 4* ready

So next in the game plan for TJ and I, saw us heading up to the stunning Chatsworth house. We are so lucky to compete at such incredible venues, which just add to the excitement! We had an amazing weekend with TJ doing a much calmer dressage, jumping fabulously in the huge atmosphere of the main arena and storming around the XC for a truly foot perfect and speedy round to bring us our first top 10 placing at 3* - what a legend my little horse is!

Our final prep run was at Houghton 3* 2 weeks later with the boy feeling very fresh – he was wild in the dressage, good SJ round with only one down and a clear XC. He was feeling very well so I took the time in the XC to attempt to remind him that I was in control and reinforced the need for him to concentrate – sometimes he just finds it all so easy that he gets cocky and totally takes over. Whilst this makes for some interesting discussions XC, it is crazy and exciting to think that he is finding tricky 3* tracks so easy – as I keep saying he is one very special horse.

The next couple of weeks were spent on dressage training and trips to the water treadmill with the occasional gallops trip. This was more to keep him happy than through a need for increased fitness, being a thoroughbred that part is easy for him. A trip to South of England show for some final SJ practice was slightly hindered by TJ hearing the hunting horns and getting very over excited but amazingly he settled to jump two lovely rounds. I have been crazy busy at work recently with several late finishes and early starts which whilst proving pretty tiring has certainly distracted me from getting too excited or over-analysing things during the final build up. Before I knew it we were madly packing ready for our much anticipated trip to Luhmuehlen, our first 4*!

Having fun on Tia and Juno

So whilst I was madly chasing runs with TJ and trying to second guess the British weather Tia was forced to take a back seat. Luckily for me this does her no harm and I easily picked her back up again and headed to Rockingham castle where we encountered some fairly firm ground! Total madness given the spring we have had but as this little mare loves the firmer ground it suited me fine and she skipped round with just a few time faults costing her a top 10 placing. Three weeks later and it was her turn again, this time at Berkshire College, and she only went and WON the novice! She was absolutely foot perfect in every phase to finish on her dressage score of 29 – pretty exciting on any horse but especially on my first homebred.

Juno meanwhile continues to take everything in her stride and despite only being ridden a handful of times she is happily hacking out, popping fences in the school and has even been XC schooling. She amazes me with her attitude and willingness to do everything I ask of her. I have high hopes for her but it’s so important not to rush these nice young horses and she will just be playing around at home and enjoying herself as she learns.