Laura - Petplan Equine Ambassador

What a busy few months I have had since the last update! I continue to receive regular chiropractic treatment following my fall three months ago as it was an extensive sprain/strain injury to my sacroiliac/pelvic and lumbar region. The treatment is helping and I am noticing a difference already.

FINLEY

So with my treatment ongoing; I was deliberating whether to run Finley in the Novice section at Berkshire College at the beginning of June; but after a fantastic jumping lesson with Caroline Jeanne a few days prior to this; I put on my brave pants.

The cross country course was a lovely inviting Novice test with some forgiving fences mixed with a few technical combinations. I had already planned for a steady round to ensure Finley jumped every fence confidently and correctly. But first we needed to get the other two phases out the way!

I was pleased with his dressage; although the judges’ marking was a little harsh. The show jumping was on a surface, in a slightly smaller arena; but this seemed to suit Finley and he jumped an amazing clear. His first at Novice level! I was thrilled our performance which showed our hard work is paying off. We then flew round the cross country course with a brilliant clear picking up only 2.4 time penalties. We had achieved our double clear at Novice level! And the icing on the cake is that we were in the rosettes picking up a 10th place!

Our next event was back at Tweseldown in July to face up to my demons after the fall in May. I decided to compete in the 100+ class to keep our confidence up. Again, our dressage continued to improve and this was reflected in the mark. He then went on to produce another fabulous double clear. This time for 7th place! I was thrilled to have been in the top ten at our last three events, which had already made my eventing season!

August was a busy time for Finley with three events before some time off. We competed at Smiths Lawn, Firle International and Wellington Horse Trials. Show jumping is our biggest demon; and despite the improvements we make, luck isn’t always on our side and Finley just needs to breathe on a pole for them to come down. He also gets a bit green and tense in big competition atmospheres so I have to work hard at controlling his nerves.

Smiths Lawn: I was competing in a very tough Novice section with lots of professional riders. I was so proud we held our own with a beautiful dressage test, few poles show jumping and a fab clear cross country in the time. This was the first time I felt him take me round a Novice track completely full of confidence. I was so thrilled.

Firle International: We stepped back down to 100cm; as I knew how tough Firle could be. We produced our best dressage test this year; and the mark reflected this. The show jumping was very atmospheric; and I did well to contain his tension and nerves, leading to two poles down. The cross country rode well with yet another clear just outside the top ten.

Wellington: This was our first 105cm competition at a venue I hadn’t been to before and what a super venue it was! This was the most atmospheric competition we had attended with so much going on with the horse trials and the game fair. I knew this could easily affect Finley and his nervous disposition but he coped so well. We finished in the top half after the dressage in what was a quite difficult and demanding test. The show jumping itself was much improved with him being confident and clean up until the treble. He had a green moment heading towards a large bouncy castle filled with screaming children! We quickly corrected the blip and flew round the rest of the course. The cross country was long, technical and had our first jump in water! No issue for my fantastic flying machine and we finished yet again clear in the time.

So we have one, maybe two events left before our 2017 season is finished which makes me sad. But I am also very excited that we are currently in the placings of the Ex-Racehorse to Event horse section in the South East Eventer League. Fingers crossed we can hold onto this until the end of the season.

RANSOM

Ransom has also had a very busy time competing at two Petplan Equine Area Festivals to qualify for the Petplan Equine Area Festival Finals. Our first qualifier was at Pachesham Equestrian Centre at the beginning of June. We were competing in the Advanced Medium section which had some very tough judging. Luckily it was all relative and we achieved equal first place (second on 1 collective).

The next qualifier was at Crofton Manor Equestrian at the beginning of July. It was an incredibly hot day to be wearing tails! But as I love them I managed to grin and bear it. This was only our third PSG competition, which came with two costly mistakes; but thankfully was good enough for 4th place and the qualification for the Finals that I needed.

So we are heading for the Petplan Equine Area Festival Finals in September at both Advanced Medium and Prix St George at Oldencraig Equestrian Centre. If I was told this several years ago I would have laughed! I have been lucky enough to have some training sessions at Oldencraig over the last few months as I was selected by the British Dressage Southern Region to be a guinea pig rider for the UKCC level 3 Dressage coaches. I have learnt a lot and it has been great to give back to a profession I love so much.

I know both Ransom and I needed more arena practice for our PSG so we headed to Step Aside Dressage. My goal was to improve on my previous scores and that we did scoring 65.5% and coming second! We still had some errors, but he gained the higher marks where credit was due even picking up 7’s for his three time changes. I will continue to beaver away until the Finals.

NELSON

Not to be out done by the other boys; Nelson and I headed to our first Veteran showing class. He still enjoys going to a party even at the age of 26 so we went to a local venue. I haven’t been in the showing ring with him for about ten years. We used to be quite successful in the Working Hunter Pony classes. He behaved beautifully and did a lovely show. This meant he won his veteran section then was Reserve Champion. We received an Olympia qualification ticket, as well as qualification for the Hickstead Sunshine Tour. Nelson pulls it out the bag every time he goes out. I’m so glad that he still loves his job.

IN OTHER NEWS

June was the birthday month with both Ransom turning 20; and Finley turning nine. It is nice to reflect on how much we have achieved over the years, and I look forward to plenty more adventures and hopefully success with them both.

I have been doing a lot more teaching over the last few months which has been really rewarding. I was lucky enough to teach for my old pony club (Petersfield) the first week of August at Junior Camp. This was at the same venue I attended at least 20 years earlier on Nelson; and brought back so many memories of how much I used to enjoy camp. We had some typical ‘British Summer Time’ weather. Luckily this only lasted one day with the rest of camp being greatly enjoyable. I had a great group of girls who were a joy to teach. Hopefully I can attend more camps next year.

The boys are just about due some down time whilst I head off to the sunnier climates of Mexico for a well deserved break. It will then be all systems go once I return as we prep for the Area Festival Finals, and my last British Eventing events. Time flies when you’re having fun!!