Well sorry folks it been rather a long time since I updated my blog - time stands still for no-one! So here goes with all our news.
Alfie (Times Square) went to Mid Herts to do the Novice Riding Horse with Steph behaving beautifully as usual and was second - he is maturing all the time now and his muscle tone is altering - it takes some four year olds longer than others but I am very pleased with the way he looks now and he is a beautiful balanced ride. Toby and Ginny went to the Side Saddle Championships to do the Mountain and Moorland class with Holly as top groom and they came a very creditable fifth. Poor Toby had had only one practice at the weekend beforehand but as usual with his brilliant temperament took everything in his stride. Within his usual weekly routine he regularly jumps and pops over our cross country fences which he loves and this helps him to keep sweet and his body supple.
On Tuesday 4th August we took Warwick to Aston Le Walls Dressage with Holly to do the two Novice qualifiers which he won on 69.8 and 72% - brilliant scores which has now secured his Novice Winter Regional qualification.
On 6th August I left Holly in charge of the horses and flew over to Dublin to judge the side saddle classes. I love going to this show - it is a really sociable occasion - many stories and yarns are spun over many a drink! It is a great time to sit down and watch some lovely young irish horses going and the supreme champion was a really worthy winner. I flew back on Sunday night having had a fabulous time but with a few muscles aching from riding on different side saddles - some of them are not the most comfortable - in general I had some really good rides. One of my favourite classes this time that I watched was the retrained racehorse class - to watch some of the really famous racehorses being shown in the show ring was quite a sight. Hopefully I shall have one of my clients (Patrick and Ku Scott) contesting this class next year!
On 11th August Holly and Warwick went to Rhett Birds for a training session and we have all decided that now is the best time to advertise him for sale. He is a fantastic horse with a really trainable brain, lovely paces - what more can we say - Holly has become really attached to him - he is a really loveable character and they have formed a great partnership so it will be sad to see him leave the yard but hopefully he will find a lovely new owner to look after him.
On 15th August Alfie and Bow went off to Ashbourne Show. Alfie won the Novice Riding horse with Steph - great news! Bow went immaculately in the large hack HOYS qualifier not turning a hair at the flapping tents which many other hacks objected to so I was a little surprised to be pulled in further down a line than I would have liked only to be told by the judge that it was a shame that he was so naughty going round when she came to ride him - I did say that he didnt put a foot wrong. Anyway he behaved well for the ride judge and finally was pulled up to sixth. I was very disappointed especially when the horse behaved so well - I can fully understand when the horse is not a judges type but do get frustrated to get comments like I did!
Warwick went off to Aston Le Walls dressage again on 18th august and once again went well finishing with two seconds despite Holly not being quite on the boil this time due to personal circumstances.
On 19th august Ginny and Toby trundled off to Equifest for four days for their holidays and Toby was 2nd and reserve champion with Jack riding him in the Junior Mountain and Moorland class. Ginny then dressed up as Lady Penelope and rode to music from Thunderbirds and finished 4th in this class. I must say I would have loved to have seen this performance because we put this music together a long time ago with the help of Mary Martin and it really suited Toby. I know that this is a CD that will be getting a few more outings! On the last day Ginny was 2nd in a large class of pure Highlands - this was one of the few classes where the judge actually gets to ride them so a pleasing result. Toby has now gone back to Checkendon Equestrian Centre near to Ginny where she can look after him every day herself. I know that she has missed being able to do this whilst he was being produced with us. He was a lovely person to have on the yard and we shall miss his cheerful little face every day.
Warwicks advert came out during this time and I was inundated with phone calls. He has now been sold to Helen Turk from Cobham - a really lovely home for him and we wish them all the success in the future.
Kate Masters Sams owner has now started riding him and getting to know him and I am pleased to say they are making good progress. He is a bright four year old and Kate has not had experience at producing this type of horse so we are monitoring their progress carefully. She is a very determined girl which is great and I think with lots of help they will form a good partnership although I shall be watching their every step!!
On 29th August we had a lovely evening out with Denise Bumford and her husband when we all went to the European Dressage Championships to watch the Grand Prix Kur. Denise had bought these tickets for Holly and myself as a treat last year after Horse of the Year Show. As anyone will know that enjoys dressage we were lucky enough to be there on a day when history was made with Totilas and Edward Gal scoring over 90% for their Kur programme. I can only say that is was truly breathtaking and made the hairs on my neck stand up - what a horse!! The atmosphere was great that night and I was proud to be British and watch our three put up such fantastic performances. What a night!!
Sunday 30 August saw Daisy (Shybont Navaho Girl) arrive back at the yard for her build up to HOYS. I really love this mare and am so looking forward to having her for longer this time. The first show was shall be doing will be the Coloured Horse and Pony Championships on 5th September.
I took Bow on Bank Holiday Monday back to Lady Benton Jones for a well deserved holiday. He has been a brilliant four year old and has behaved beautifully all season for such a baby.
I have just returned back from the Coloured Horse and Pony Championships on 5th September with Daisy and Teresa. Daisy surpassed herself by winning the overall ridden Championship on the Saturday night - she loved it. She also won the Sports Horse class in hand with Teresa. Teresa and I were both besides ourselves - so excited with what Daisy had done - she is a real little superstar! Hopefully we shall get her winning picture up on the web site soon so that you can all admire her!!
Anyway this week I am off to judge the sport horses at the Hunter Show on Wednesday at Addington and then two days at the Show Horse Championships on Fri and Sat with Alfie and Daisy so I shall post more news then. I promise to get blogging more regularly!!!
More news later!!
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