Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Charlotte

July and August Update

So we are now in 'Summer', and with the temperature getting better, my luck also seems to be. July started off with Troy still on box rest, which he clearly finds very stressful and all the other horses working on their fitness at home. We had a brilliant horse called Flo come in for sales livery. She is beautiful on the inside and out, and she was sold within a week, with people fighting over her! She went to a brilliant home where she has been constantly winning since they picked her up.

Towards the end of July, I received some brilliant news. Andy Austin (my trainer) had given me the ride on a stunning six year old gelding called Empire. On the 25th July I met Andy at Quainton Stud to jump Empire in what would only be his third show. He is still very green, but has a very willing attitude. In the Discovery he went very green and thought all the fences were monsters and going to attack him so we had a few fences down. Then I jumped him in the Newcomers where I had eight faults in the jump off, which were both jockey error. Empire is such a quick learner, and just needs rounds and experience under his belt. He really is a horse for the future. He has beautiful paces, a lot of presence and such a willing attitude.

On the 27th July, I taught my last rally for OBH South Pony Club in the absolute pouring rain. It was nice to see such a big turnout despite the weather conditions. I have been a member of OBH South on and off since 1998! It is a brilliant branch, with fantastic members, which I will greatly miss.

On the 1st August we finally moved yards! The day went very smoothly with everyone being very helpful and supportive. We set off at 10am and made the journey of moving eight horses to the new yard. They all immediately settled in, and they absolutely love the yard. It is so quiet and peaceful, and the indoor arena has been a god send with the wet weather we have had. The day we moved in, we had a sales livery dropped off called Dinky, who was owned by Megan Brooker. She is the world's most amazing six year old, a very well-bred show jumper, with a heart of gold. Safe to say, she wasn't here very long, and sold to the first people who came to try her!

We ventured off to Crofton Manor on the 12th August. It has been a good learning curve trying to find my way to new and different show centres. I had a brilliant day. Dinky had an unlucky four faults in the Discovery. Bivanti owned by the Porter Family also had an unlucky pole in the one metre open. Castleview Bouncer won the one metre Open and Empire VI went double clear. In the Newcomers, Empire VI had a very unlucky four faults in the jump off. I am very impressed with this young horse, and have very high hopes for him. He improves every single time I ride him, and he just wants to please his rider. Castleview Bouncer jumped a lovely, if not a bit too enthusiastic, double clear in the 1.10 Open.

Then on the Friday, we went to Quainton Stud. Empire VI jumped a beautiful double clear in the one metre Open and then in the Newcomers we had the slightest of rubs going into a double of verticals, which came down. Other than that, he jumped a foot perfect round. Castleview Bouncer yet again jumped another double clear round in the 1.10 Open.

With more competing and more horses on the yard I have been riding a lot more, I have made sure to keep up to date on sports psychologist sessions, as I think that 90% of riding is mental ability. I have a very good psychologist called Louise, who I have worked with for many years. When I was younger, I used to struggle with my nerves no end, and she has helped me overcome these problems. But I know how easy it is to slip back into bad habits, so I keep up my sessions with her. We are looking into the possibility of running practical sports psychology sessions at our yard during the winter months.

During August we had two schooling liveries sent to us as well, whilst the families were on holiday. Monty and Fabio had a brilliant time with us, both enjoying work combined with hacking and down time in the field.

The plans for the next few months are very varied. Troy will finally be coming back into work! Hopefully he will be jumping not before long. Lilly and Carly will be having their foals weaned, and Lilly will be coming back into work, whilst Carly will enjoy retirement. We have decided to put her to Kannan next year! We are hoping to do more away shows, and for all the horses to progress up the levels. We are hoping for more horses to join the team, and for the yard to build and grow. I am very excited for what the future has to hold.