Petplan Equine
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April to June Update

April started off in a great way, with one of my best friends coming to stay. We did lots of hacking and with Fons going through a wild stage, it was lovely to have eyes on the floor too, thanks Steph.

I went to Eland Lodge competing with both Fons and Zu, scores were mediocre, but horses were well behaved and yet again, a nice day out for us all.

I had another lesson with Charlie Hutton, who I met through Petplan Equine. Very excitingly, we started the piaffe. Something I have played with Paddy, Spaceship seemed to have it in his blood as no one ever taught him and he could do it. So it was really good for me to watch Charlie and then have a go myself. The important thing with Fons was to feel the engaged back come up first, rather than the joggy steps as that meant he really was straight. Charlie instructed me to click, but not in a rhythm and then ask with one whip aid if he tunes out. Really exciting he looked awesome with Charlie, he is going to find this sort of work incredibly easy (If I can keep him straight!). It was a really good session and I got a lot out of it.

In the same week I had a lesson with Charlotte Dujardin, this was another excellent session, she pushes me so positively and Fons went brilliantly! I have been very busy with lots of teaching but I managed to fit in a sponsored ride with my dad at Belvior. We raised nearly £2,000 for Macmillan which was brilliant. Even better, Zu was perfectly behaved for my dad, which after he ejected him on the last sponsored ride, was a relief!

We were so lucky that we got a cancellation for another lesson with Charlotte, two in as many weeks! She again was really positive, and I can’t deny that it feels amazing to get feedback like that from her.

I then took Fons to Hargate to ride two elementary tests. Still super green at this level, I was delighted to win our section in the first. We had some really great comments from the judge, and were given lots to work on. His attitude was amazing, he tried so hard, just lacking balance at times, thanks to Roosa, dad and Tom for being amazing grooms on the day.

Towards the end of the month, there was a certain trepidation as I was soon to turn 30. I don’t feel 30! My friend softened the blow with a polo lesson with Conroy Polo which was amazing! I wrote a full write up on my Facebook page, Brooksby Dressage, if anyone wants to read it. Thanks Ryan, totally out of my comfort zone and I can’t wait to go again!

And so I turned dirty 30 and I didn’t suddenly feel any worse. In fact it was an amazing weekend, my friend gave me a jump lesson on Fons, and my husband arranged a secret meal and a secret pony picnic!

I have recently taken Paddy out to ride an advance medium dressage test. With a super tough but very good judge, we scored 60% which I was so thrilled with! He felt really happy to be out and about again, having some fun with my best friend- it was because we are insured with Petplan Equine that I could find out what was wrong with him a while ago, get the best care for him at NEH and with time and careful management, get him back out again!

I am still busy teaching and filming for my Youtube channel, under Furfeathermeds with Equestrian Pro Media which was really fun. Everything felt like we were on countdown as we went on our delayed honeymoon to the Maldives for two weeks. I won’t make you jealous, but it was every bit as wonderful as you might imagine it to be. I like writing these blogs, it makes me realise just how lucky I am with these gorgeous horses of mine, and a superb network of friends and family behind me.