Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Lili

October to December Update

I cannot believe how fast the time has gone being sponsored by Petplan Equine. I will be forever grateful for the experience and opportunities that it has provided for me and my horses as well as the insurance cover we have used for years. A big thanks to the Petplan Equine team, it’s been lovely to get to know different people, fellow sponsored riders, as well as feature in training videos too and meet Charlie Hutton, who I continue to train with. Thank you so much for all you have done for me and my horses.

It says a lot when I do these updates that I have to look back in my diary to see what on earth I have been up to! The first weekend in October was my Fur Feather Meds fashion show, in aid of UK charity, Equine Market Watch. It was a super success, we raised over £3,500 for them and it was a brilliant, well supported fun night.

I “lost” a weekend to a husband’s birthday but then back to the horses, more teaching, farrier, and a Richard Davison lesson which is always fun. We headed to Moulton College to ride an elementary test and I was super disappointed with the marks. On reflection, I gave myself a kick up the backside and chalked it up to too many small mistakes and a slightly grotty day.

Loads more teaching saw out the end of October and quickly into November where I took Zu to the ID Champships at Keysoe. We qualified for the novice but he was a bit of a lazy so and so, and marks reflected that. I kicked and huffed all the way round the ID class for a decent mark (it was very well judged, and he is now back in my good books) and 5th place nationally, which made it worthwhile.

I managed to squeeze another Richard Davison lesson in which was perfect. I was then very excited to be asked to film for Piaffe Presents, who manage the likes of Charlotte Dujardin and Scott Brash. After much flapping and me thinking how I was vastly under qualified, the filming took place of me training all three horses and I had a ball! You can see the videos on their website now; I look forwards to doing more for 2017.

I decided not to compete Fons over the winter and instead to try and consolidate his training more. He’s such a clever quick learning horse, the tricks aren’t an issue, it’s keeping the way of going really good too. After many airs above the ground, Charlotte got me kick started and for my final training session of 2016; it was a blinder! I cannot wait for spring and to see how he is when we get out there again.

Wishing you all a lovely festive time with your horses, friends and family, I started ‘December don’t give a flying pig diet’ already so let’s hope the horses’ suspensions don’t go when I get on!

Festive tip

Don’t beat yourself up if you cannot fit everything in. So many people I teach and deal with feel that they have to ride when it’s howling a gale. Take the pressure off yourself and enjoy your horse and a mince pie.

I ride even when it snows, the snow balls up and out of their feet and we haven’t had any problems, they are also used to going out every day and so if you feel it’s safe, carry on even when it snows. I do boot up their legs for protection.