Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Charlotte

November and December Update

November started off amazingly with my first ride on Buenos Aires II (Troy) since May, due to him being off with injury. When I say first proper ride, I mean we could trot around the school for a little bit. I do not think I have ever had such a big smile on my face! And, surprisingly he was incredibly well behaved.

November also started off in flying form, by a new addition to the team; Ebbie. She is an unbroken 6 year old, chestnut mare. She was bought from Brightwells Elite Auction as a 3 year old, by my vet, to breed from, and had two foals since. We sent her away to be backed, by the amazing Jamie Jenkinson, who is a jockey based five minutes from us. She came back from him and straight away has an amazing attitude to work. Nothing is ever too much to ask, everything we have asked of her, she has performed to the best of her ability. We are going to take her slowly, but I cannot wait to see how she turns out. I have a very good feeling about her.

Throughout November and December, we went to a few more shows, where all the horses jumped very well, and produced more double clears. Empire gained his last Newcomers double clear, and he has qualified second rounds, which started in April.

Renkum St George, a homebred horse, came back to us from Jamie's yard, and he has settled back into the yard well. He is a very timid, nervous horse, that shows a lot a talent loose jumping. Due to his temperament, we are going to take him extremely slowly, and try to make every experience a good one.

Unfortunately Lilly (Iliandra) who has had two years off with a hind suspensory ligament, has not shown any signs of improving. She started to come back into work, and just did not feel the same. I got the vet out to confirm my worst fear, and she is lame on the leg that was injured. Instead of trying to treat her further, we have made the decision to retire her, as we think this is best for her welfare. We will continue to breed from her, as she loves being a mum.

We had geared the whole of December up to an away show at Arena UK over the New Year, taking 12 horses. The horses were all going well, and feeling great. Unfortunately the day before going, one of the foals came in the yard with an abscess in her foot, which was quite aggressive. She also showed signs of having a virus. We got the vet out, who confirmed our suspicions. Although the older horses were unlikely to contract the virus, we decided in the interest of the horses' welfare, and for ethical reasons, not to travel to Arena UK and compete. Not quite the way I expected the year to end, but that is horses for you.

Looking back on 2015, it has been one up and down year. Here is to a more successful and less unlucky 2016!