Petplan Equine
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July to September Update

July

We managed to go to our first show on our own at Field House. It was an early start, the type where lots of small things go wrong; you can’t get the fuel cap off at 6.45am, you bugger up hitching that you have done 1,000 times, your black beauty gets an attack of the wiggles whilst plaiting, meaning we hit the A50 at rush hour, that sort of thing.

Anyway, we arrived and Fons happily stood munching his haynet seemingly very chilled. Into the warm up and he was a bit behind my leg and tripped behind which made me ride him more forwards. Into N23 where he felt good but not wow, not spooky but he felt happy. I was still pleased, so big pats and a polo. I was utterly amazed to see we won our section on 72.5%.

We then rode the N39Q at silver level where he felt really confident again but he felt a bit on half power. We scored another brilliant mark of 69.6%.

The rest of the month was filled with lots of teaching and another great session with Charlie Hutton who I met through Petplan Equine, a fantastic lesson with Richard Davison and of course lots of hacking. I had a business trip to Germany to pick the new collections for Fur Feather Meds, a hard job but someone has to do it. I was also invited to host a demo for Keyflow Feeds, which was really fun. I took both Paddy (who my friend very kindly warmed up for me) and Fons. Both were exemplary in their behaviour, with Fons only having one baby moment, but with so much for him to look at, I was so pleased.

I took Fons and Zu to Barleyfields Equestrian centre. Fons felt really sweet in the N27, with one lazy trot to canter transition we gained a very pleasing 71.6% and a win. II then had a speedy change onto Zu to ride the same test to score 66.25%. We stayed in for the N34 which didn’t give us the time to do a small polish before the next test which reflected in the score of 66.42% but I was pleased as we came 2nd.

Back onto Fons for the last time and he warmed up in front of me and we had a nice ride. We scored 70.71% to win the class which finished Fons’ regional qualification in only two outings- very proud moment. It was lovely for Fons to get 8s for his paces,he got eight 8s in one test and even Zu scored some 8s as well.

We finished July with an outing to Hargate, Zu was a menace and a pest and showed the world just how stubborn Irish Draughts can be when they set their mind to it. Huge bucks and a lot of swearing from me, I was disappointed at the time, slept on it and forgot it. Fons was a bit “average” but green at elementary and well behaved.

August

Another outing for Fons and a pleasing 2nd place in the elementary in a big class. Though the mark was only 65% I was pleased under a tough (brilliant) judge and a big class. More to come I hope!

Lots more teaching and a trip to the BEF Futurity with Fifi, my little yearling, who flattened me in the vetting and used all her energy in that! She gained a first premium, and flattening aside, was very well behaved if a little stubborn to load on the way home!

I’ve started jumping Fons, with all kinds of varied successes and scary moments too

Everyone knows how much I agree with turn out, that’s why I thought this photo was beautiful.

Every year, on our anniversary we go to the beach; the husband, Sausage and Paddy. We had an amazing time – I highly recommend this. Of course then to the Petplan Equine Area Festivals! I was as prepared as I could be, in every way possible- I had run through my elementary test, I had all my stuff (usually I forget a stock, spur etc, you would think I would know by now!). I was nervous as hell, but once I was on, I felt fine. In the test I didn’t have him connected, Fons was brilliant so I feel like I let him down. Still 63.87% in the elementary silver Petplan Equine Area Festivals - on a bad day isn't the end of the world is it? We improved from our last outing and I know what I need to do for the next one.

To prepare for the next day’s novice test, I looked through the photos from today’s test and practised the next test. I was really pleased with the run through which I filmed and my con-tact was so much better.

I was utterly determined not to let me reins get any longer than the last bobble, remembering Charlotte Dujardin saying "short reins win medals!" I was over the moon with the test I didn’t let them get long, I lost balance on a give and retake but everything else gave a good view of where we are at the moment. 66.81% super fair, was a smidgen disappointed but I can totally see where the extra marks will need to come from to get the 70’s which feels so achievable now. I was even happier to be placed 5th out of a big class of 26! I am already excited for next year, I highly recommend that everyone has a go at the Area festivals!

September

I put my brave pants on and took Fons to the sponsored ride at Burghley. Well he was foot perfect! I am so glad he seemed to have a lovely time with his friend Izzy and my friend, Lucy. Two Charlotte Dujardin lessons in a week, sorted me right out, and fixed some of the mistakes I made in the Petplan Equine Area Festivals, she is really so on the ball - suppleness and connection was the aim of the game this time.

Lots more teaching, an outing to an unaffiliated dressage competition in the dark, where Fons was again very well behaved. I had the opportunity to film with Mark from Equestrian Pro Media on my experience at a Petplan Equine Area Festival. You can watch the video here.

We finished the month off by going to a new venue, Vale View, where I rode two elementary tests. In my first test, I played it too safe and lost connection and got a suitable mark of 64.06%. I then rode my pants off in the second test, I made a few mistakes so got lower marks for these but then scored 8s for my last canter and medium trot. It averaged out to a percent higher than the first test, 65.31% but I can’t tell you how much happier I was! My only advice is “go for it”, nothing was ever achieved with mediocrity!