Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Lili

January to March Update

New year, new dreams.

We started the year in fine style, taking Zu to Swallowfield Equestrian Centre to do his first elementary! I never thought this would even be possible. I knew he wasn’t quite ready but I thought “now or never”. It was windy, cold, and rainy and he was very fresh. However, he perfectly behaved and scored around 64% which I was overjoyed with, super feedback from the judge and lots to work on.

Two days later, I lost my wonderful Kiki. I always knew he wouldn’t be a horse that I would grow old with, and he was only a young chap. But he irreparably damaged his suspensory ligaments, albeit two years later than the vet said he would. He was the most wonderful character- we nicknamed him The Spaceship, for the crazy moves he would pull, right up until the night before I lost him. I had him scanned just in case I was wrong, and there was absolutely nothing I could do for him. I would never see him suffer, or in pain. Whilst it left me hollow for weeks, I did the kindest thing I could for my beautiful boy. I miss you very much Spaceship.

The next few weeks were a blur, sad and with no get up and go. I had lots of teaching which kept me busy- many kind people who have loved and lost. We finished the month with a Charlie Hutton lesson and Jane Peberdy session. On the very last day of the month, Zu went to Barleyfields, where I rode two novices in a half-hearted fashion and was marked accordingly!

February was also a strange one. I had a brilliant light bulb session with Richard Davison, who seems to know me so well. “Why are you here?” he asked, “I feel stuck” I said. Basically I had got Fons to a point with his dressage training, but he was being a mad spooky thing. Richard gave me some sterling advice, and we drew up a plan. Long story short, this involved my not very well kept secret power - Kieran Leonard. Kieran is an 18 year old showjumper who has been helping me desensitise Fons and make him more responsive to the leg. It’s been one hell of a journey but I am thrilled with the progress made in such a short space of time.

Addington Regionals with Zu - I went to jelly. I was very happy that my long-time friends Harry Payne and Craig Milliard stepped in to help me. I felt totally unworthy of even being in the warm up. I rode like a sack of King Edwards in the test and was disappointed with the mark. Don’t get me wrong, it was only worthy of 60% but we scored under that which was disappointing. He looked amazing in the warm up and I can see my mistakes in the test. I will pick up and move on, learn from it and have another bash I am sure.

More Kieran lessons followed and more terrifying experiences for Fons (and me). Riding in the arena with a running tractor, haylage bale, walking over sheets, around boards, cones, cars and of course the bloody Christmas tree. All of this was so I could go to a show! When the day arrived, we all piled into the slightly wiffy Landrover, myself, Kieran, Tom (husband) and Roosa (long suffering friend) and I laughed none stop. No time for nerves!

This was an unaffiliated show, and we scored 69% in the novice. I threw Fons in at the deep end and rode an elementary for 63% so I was absolutely thrilled! It was such a good start and in a relatively short space of time since feeling “stuck”. Also, I should say that we have started to jump Fons. Terrifying for me, he loved it (after he stopped napping!).

March - looking in my diary I see lessons, teaching and “pick up cat trap”. I caught a stray cat, and named him Black Adder IV and he is currently residing in my very small cottage with my other three cats. I did say this was a strange quarter. Charlie Hutton who I met with Petplan Equine came for a clinic and he was really pleased with how much Fons has improved (me too!). He said he will always be a bit of [youcanimaginetheword] but he will be worth it and a different horse in a year. Lovely praise from such a top rider.

I will finish with a good note. Fons and I ventured out to the world of BD again, which wasn’t in my plan at all this year. But since working with Kieran, I feel much more confident. We went to a new venue and it took me 20 minutes to get in the warm up due to a puddle. No I am not joking, I so wish I was. Fons was wild, spooky and horrible to ride in the first test, and I thought about retiring, then realised I never lie about my scores, I am never going to sell him so keep going. He scored 62.9% and I have no idea how! I really have contemplated giving up, he is such a good horse and I feel someone could do a better job than me. But I love him to bits, even though I want to get off and stamp my feet and cry.

Into the qualifier N30, the trot work felt immense! Like it does at home, the walk was good. Into canter and he’s such a big powerful thing, he snatches and naffs off, pulling me off my seat and into orbit. I was gutted, as the other work felt so good. Never mind, I was still so pleased with the improvement from even the test before, no spooking, lots of pats.

Up to the scoreboard, and we won overall on 71.3%! So the giving up went out the window and we live to fight another day. I guess that is horses, you win some, you lose some, you get a sniff of victory and you forget all the bad bits. Looking forwards to progressing again that is for sure.