Rachael - Petplan Equine Ambassador

Since my last update I have been juggling horses, work and more work as it is always hectic, but somehow it seems to be working and we’ve been on a roll! (I’m trying not to jinx things here!)

Tristan has set us off with a great start to 2017 in the ribbons and our luck (mixed with hard work and training) seems to have continued!

On the 2nd of April it was our first side saddle show of the year, the Area12 Spring Show, held at Wellow Equestrian. We made good time on the trip up and had a lovely warm up for the Intermediate Equitation. Marcus (Kingsclough Masquerade) was his usual fantastic self and gave a great ride, winning us the class! I was so pleased. We were off to a good start!

Our next class was the Open Equitation. The standard of riding in this class is much higher, the judges are very ‘picky’, so to speak, and although Marcus was great, we couldn’t stay at the top, but we did manage 3rd place in a very strong class. We then decided to have a go at the Classical Ladies, which we had previously qualified for. Marcus was mannerly, gave a great ride and we won! Qualifying us, already, for the National Classical Ladies final at Addington! I was so happy!! It was a great day all round and so nice to be back out with Amanda and David and of course the lovely Marcus!

On the 9th, Sleet had a trip out to Hargate. The intention was to take Lordie for his first outing of the year but a bite to his cheek that had swollen, meant he managed to get out of work! Sleet gladly took his place, getting very excited about being made to look pretty and even happier when the trailer came out!

It was only a walk trot test for him (which is his current limit anyway) and after getting some funny looks for my warm up technique (basically let him walk around on a long rein in walk and trot for 15 minutes and occasionally throw in some leg yield), he performed a very obedient and relaxed test to get 66.95% in his smart new Petplan Equine kit and sparkly browband. Comments were, as always, ‘need to soften across the back, work through from behind more’. Which is all very true, but for an older boy with kissing spine and arthritis in his hocks, you just have to take it on the chin and know he does the very best he can; that's why I love him!

At the very end of April I took Lord Gale (Lordie) out to Hargate Equestrian for their dressage show. I planned to do the Intro, and his first public Prelim test. This then gave me something to aim for, as his walk and trot work had become reasonably established in comparison to last year, but canter could still be a little ‘ropey’ under pressure.

We arrived, worked in nicely, and braved our first test. Unfortunately I had no ‘caller’ this time around, as my usual helper was elsewhere. So I’d had to learn two tests (which for anyone who knows me, knows I have sat nav issues at the best of times), but I successfully navigated my way around the arena, with a horse that was cool, calm and collected. To my amazement we came 2nd, with just over 71%! (The winner was 72% so we were so close!) You can watch the video here.

Our next test was the Prelim; the big stress! Our first public canter in the dressage arena, and we managed it! Once again Lordie managed to please, with a lovely test and managed both canters on the correct leg, and reasonably balanced! I was so pleased! We weren’t placed, I think we were about 6th, but I wasn’t bothered because he did everything I asked of him! Big pat for the gingerbread! This video is available here.

On the 7th of May it was Sleets birthday! He was a whopping 17 years old! He’s currently been unsound again, with his arthritis, and suspected arthritic changes in his knee, so at the minute he is on gentle walk work to keep him mobile and entertained. I cannot believe when I think back togetting him, just how far we’ve come together, and how much he’s done for me. He really is my horse of a life time!

On the 11th it was my dog, Tintin’s ‘gotchaday’, and his nominated birthday. I collected him one year ago from The Dogs Trust in Loughborough, and he has changed so much. He’s a quirky little monster, but I adore him!

Next, we ventured back to Hargate with Lordie. There was dressage and show jumping on, so we decided to have a little play at both this time. The dressage was, in my opinion, not as great as earlier in the month. He was very twitchy in his head, and not really paying attention, which gave an unsettled test and ride. Some how, we still managed to come 2nd in the Intro and 2nd in the Prelim though, so it must have not looked as bad as it felt.

After the dressage we changed tack, and headed over to the jumping. I have to admit, the only jumping Lordie has done since last August was a few fences on the lunge the week before, but we thought it might give him something to think about and a challenge. I entered the 65cm, and went for a school and trot round. He was surprisingly calm and just pootled round in trot, happily popping everything! Our nice little clear actually left us in 4th place and we even got a rosette! As we were on a roll we entered the 75cm. Again I aimed for a nice little school round and it payed off. Although we had a couple of careless poles down due to his untidy technique, he was mannerly and listened, and made an effort for me, so I was very pleased with how he went. A good day all round.

On the 20th it was double trouble. There was a local show on and nothing much else, so I decided to rope in a few friends for help, and take both Lordie and Tristan out. My friend, Francesca Burchill ran Tristan in the in-hand, and I rode Lordie.

Lordie hadn’t been to a ‘showing show’, since ‘parting company’ with Frankie the previous year, so I was slightly apprehensive. Overall he was well behaved. There was one moment when as I entered the ring and the tannoy went off as we were directly under it, and he lept out of his skin, but thankfully it wasn’t too bad, and then he settled again. He was mannerly, rode well, and we had a great day out! Lordie took 1st in the Open horse/pony, turned out as an ROR, and then 1st in the hunter class, obviously with a brow band change as turned out as a hunter! Seeing as we’d been placed well, we stayed for the ridden championship, and to my amazement, we actually won Ridden champion!

Tristan had a reasonable day, taking two 3rd places and a 4th place in his classes (youngstock, coloured and cob), but was obviously not to the judges liking. You can’t win them all. Tristan’s behaviour was great, he didn’t put a foot wrong all day, and even stood patiently on the box while I was riding without a fuss. Not bad for a three year old entire!

Our most recent outing has been side saddle. The Area 12 Summer Show, held at Pleasley Vale with the kind permission of Donita Welch. I had been to see Marcus on the Friday, to give him a treatment session and make sure he was in top shape. Sunday’s classes started at 10am, so it wasn’t too early, and his first class was the style and appearance with his owner Amanda. He was very good but, unfortunately was only pulled 3rd place.

Our first class side saddle was the Intermediate Equitation. Marcus was not quite himself, and seemed very behind the leg. He was mannerly and did everything I asked, but was just not as forward as I would have liked. Unfortunately I’ve also developed the extremely bad habit of turning my toe out. After our individual show, we had the turnout section, and the judge pointed out that I had managed to mark him with my spur. I was mortified!

Results were however great, and we were pulled 2nd giving us four points, and qualifying us for the equitation champs at the Nationals! That’s qualification after just two outings this season; I was pleased!

Our second class was the Concours directly after the Equitation. I was regrettably still in my bowler hat (as topper is incorrect turnout for intermediate), and I’d have liked to have been in my topper. Marcus was again behind the leg and I struggled to motivate him, although we did a lovely simple show piece and I was happy, the spur mark had unfortunately dropped us down the line with no placing. I was so upset I had managed to mark him, and after an emotional wobble, we decided to withdraw from the Open Equitation. Not only is having a spur mark classed as a welfare issue in the judges eyes, I also don’t want to do that (obviously it was unintentionally) to any horse, and Marcus’ welfare is far more important to me than any ribbon. He has his banana for being a good boy, we relaxed for an hour and watched some classes and then packed up to go home. It was a lesson learnt.

I’m so pleased we have qualified for Nationals, in both the Equitation and the Classical ladies and I will be working hard to correct my lower leg and up my game!