Petplan Equine
Sponsored Rider - Rachael

July to September Update

The past few months have been very busy, with show season in full swing, as well as trying to fit in some other events in between side saddle, it feels like we’ve not stopped!

Sleet

Following his rehab, then colic/peritonitis case, Sleet has been struggling with his soundness again. With some gentle work, and a few vet visits, it was decided to treat him again with Equidronate and medicate the hocks once more. This helped him hugely, and enabled me to work him that little bit more, so that once again we could build top line and help his back.

Although he’s not been out competing, he is now sound and happy, and we will hopefully be back out over winter to do some low level dressage.

Tristan (My little wing man)

Following the removal of his left eye due to Uveitis, Tristan suffered an ulcer in his right eye early in July. A trip to the vets and some medication meant it was under control quickly and there was no risk of any lasting damage.

On the 1st August we went to Broomfield College to compete in the ‘In the spotlight’ show. It was his first one since having his eye out, and I chose it carefully, as it was indoors so we could stay out of the sun!

After the mammoth task of getting the little monster clean, he looked fantastic, and was such a well behaved boy. Our first class was a learning curve though, as previously when running him out I would stand off and let him go, but he just had no idea and was very insecure, so I hooked my finger under his noseband and he was much happier to trot out.

The surprising thing was that the judge didn’t even notice he was missing an eye!! We went the whole day, not actively trying to hide it, but not showing it. We were placed in the cob and youngstock classes and won the coloured class! We even had a cheeky photo in the disabled spot! He is blind after all!

Lordie (Lord Gale)

Lordie has been improving daily, his schooling and ground work is getting much stronger along with his muscle tone and attitude!

On the 21st August we went to Eland lodge for the Elympics one day event. It was teams of four and we were given Estonia to represent. Lordie was his usual surprising self. We never really know what to expect with him, previously he has been unsettled in the dressage and better with his jumping, but this time, he pulled it out of the bag to do what in my opinion, was his best test to date! We even managed to canter correctly on both reins to get 31.25%! His show jumping was an unfortunate two fences down, not even really registering the first fence as he was too busy looking around. The cross country, previously his best phase, was well, a bit of a disaster! He managed two strides out the start box, threw a major strop, and stood up! To the disbelief of the stewards I managed to stay on, have a ‘discussion’ with him about it and get the first fence unharmed! From that point onwards he was slightly reluctant over fences two and three, but then flew the rest like a lunatic! We’ve come to the conclusion he has ‘start box syndrome’. Quite common in ex racers, who have only ever started off in groups or run in strings, he just finds it slightly stressful to be alone in that type of situation.

Over the next few months the plan is to quietly practice, build a start box at home and see what happens, while also aiming to work on his groundwork, in case a career change to dressage is required!

Lordie also went to the ‘In the spotlight’ show, and was very well behaved. It was his first indoor event; we only entered the inhand, but was placed in both the open horse and sports horse class.

Marcus (Kingsclough Masquerade)

What can I say about this boy other than he’s been very busy! On the 24th July we took part in a side saddle demonstration at Gartmore riding school, in aid of the Free Spirit Horse Memorial. Marcus was fantastic, we showed off all three paces, and even jumped! While this was happening, Charlie Parkin was explaining the history of side saddle and what we wear. Kirsty Heathcote rode Rhapsody in Blue (Destiny) and Amanda Chatfield who owns Marcus rode Kirsty’s other horse Galloglass! It was a great afternoon, with lots of spectators and raised over £1,000!

The first weekend of August was the Side Saddle National Championships. This is always a great show whether you’re competing or spectating (of which there is no such thing, you will generally end up grooming for someone!). Marcus is used to staying away from home so it was no issue for him, and settled well. Our first class was the novice equitation test. He was very good apart from one blip in the left canter. From there it was straight into the turnout section. This is always a tough one as the judges are so critical, even to the point of telling you if your tie pin isn’t straight or you have hair out of place! There’s no margin for error or untidiness. Fortunately I had Charlie and Amanda on my side who are both amazing at turnout, and a gorgeous new hunt stock from ‘The Old Hunting Habit Company’, which was then tied for me by the lovely Amy Bryan-Dowell herself! It was perfect. I’ve still never been able to tie it as well to date.

The Saturday afternoon was our equitation jumping. Marcus warmed up well, and gave me a great trip round. I was very happy. The equitation results weren’t as great as I’d liked, but over all, I was pleased with Marcus and pleased with our performance.

• Novice Equitation 8th place
• Novice turnout 4th place
• Novice equitation jumping 12th place

This left us in 9th place in the Novice rider of the year championship.

On the Sunday we were booked into the HOYS Ladies qualifier, after the go round we weren’t pulled, so decided to withdraw and save him for the Classical Ladies championship. This went much better, and in a huge class of nearly 30 entries, all having qualified around the country, we were pulled 10th! Marcus went sweetly and mannerly and was a joy to ride.

The rest of the season has been filled with HOYS qualifiers. A huge amount of early starts and late finishes! The first was Stoneleigh International. This was a great day, the ride judge loved him and we got moved from our original pull of 7th, to 3rd! It’s such a shame we missed out on our ticket, but with a move like that, it was certainly a great day!

Our next trip was Monmouthshire show, in what felt like the middle of nowhere! It was torrential rain and dull, and Marcus struggled with the slippy ground. The judge was very much into the lighter show horses and unfortunately we did not get a pull. Next was Morton in the Marsh. What started a dry and bright day turned wet and miserable. Marcus was great considering the conditions, and although he went impeccably for the ride, the judge only placed him 9th in the end.

Our last chance was Addington, at the BSHA Hunter championships. With a 4am start, and knowing we got home at midnight last year I was set for along day. It was not to be. There were two or three naughty horses in the ring, and one that didn’t gallop when asked, but Marcus still went like the mannerly hunter he is, and gave the ride judge a good trip round. Again, a lot of the flashy show horses were pulled for the top 9.

It is disappointing to know that we tried so hard to get to HOYS, and Marcus was so good, for both myself and the ride judges 99% of the time, but we just couldn’t manage it. As the class is now open to all types (hacks, riding horses and cobs) instead of being a ladies hunter class anymore, it seems the heavy hunter types just cannot compete with the lighter flashier show horses. The reign of the producer is also string, and sometimes causes questions to be asked by a lot of competitors, as to whether it is even worth entering anymore.

For us, we won’t be campaigning for HOYS next year. The alterations to the class have meant that Marcus is no longer the ‘type’ the judges are favouring, and along with many other side saddlers (following discussions at great length), we just don’t think it worth while to spend the money there. Our efforts will be focused back on the equitation and pure side saddle classes, with the hope of competing at the National show in 2017!

I would just like to say thank you to Amanda and David Chatfield, who have not only allowed me to ride and compete the amazing Marcus, and campaign for HOYS 2016, but who have also taken us to every single competition, no matter how early the start or how late the finish! You are both complete wonders and fabulous people!