Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Amy

September and October Update

Ghost’s eventing season has now come to an end, we didn't quite end on the Badminton dream that I was so hoping for. At the end of September we had a good run at Pontispool in the BE90 where we came 9th in the Regional Final. Ghost was superb as usual but unfortunately an annoying fence down lost us a qualification, story of my life!

The following weekend we had entered Bricky Horse Trials, however with Port Eliot Regional Final fast approaching, I withdraw to keep Ghost fresh for the qualifier. We had a cracking training session three days before Port Eliot, but, yet again, bad luck followed me. He finished sound, and then went lame and then sound again. I was gutted. The vet came out to scan Ghost’s legs but no obvious tendon damage was found so I made the decision to give him a month off. I have since made the decision to not event Ghost next season and instead aim him up the levels in dressage. As soon as he is back in work we can crack on trying to gain some Petplan Equine Area Festivals qualifications.

All the foals are due to be weaned now, and will be in their new homes for Christmas. It is lovely to see 18 months of waiting, heartache and happy memories all coming to an end as they go onto the lorries to start the next chapters in their lives and I look forward to seeing how they progress. As a breeder, it's the very best feeling in the world.

Little orphan Loki, from my beloved Zoe, has now been weaned off artificial milk and will be weaned from his nanny in due course, and has now started staying out at night. He needs to learn to be a horse, but it's hard to let him go. He means the world to me.

I have had some new arrivals join the yard over the last two months. The first were a couple of broodmares so we now have four foals due here next season. Our season starts in April, and ends in August.

My future dressage superstar arrived at the start of November. My favourite dressage horse of all time is Moorlands Totilas, and I was lucky enough to be in the position, thanks to Ghost, to purchase the most exquisite Tolegro Filly, out of a Negro/Welt Hit mare. I could not believe it and I owe an awful lot to her breeder for letting me buy her. She is simply divine.

The final new arrival was a lovely four year old filly, Wup/Welt Hit/Mettal/Ferro bred, who has arrived as a broodmare. I plan to do some work with her over the winter before she has any foals. As you can imagine with a pedigree like hers, she can really move.

I have lots to look forward to including plans to begin competing some of the youngsters next season so I will have to dust off my in hand showing gear as it has been a while! I am now looking forward to this year ending and starting afresh.

Top tip for the festive season

If your horses are stabled, try and put a radio on loud to muffle the sound of the fireworks. If you plan to keep your horses turned out, make sure the fields are safe so they cannot escape or injure themselves. I always dread firework night, however so far I have always been lucky as my horses have all coped well.