British Eventing at Gatcombe Park

Louis first event of the season at Gatcombe Park…

Gatcombe Park is situated in Gloucester about a two hour drive from Hertfordshire. I expected Louis to be a bit mad with excitement but he managed to contain himself very well and warmed up for the dressage beautifully. His test went well, with one blip in a canter trot canter transition but I was pleased with the rest of it (especially as you could see all the XC excitement from the dressage arena!).

Link to Dressage test- 24.5

The going in the show jumping was beautiful on arrival but after a few random hail showers the ground was a bit sticky with mud. Louis jumped really well, unfortunately knocking the second element of the triple and double to finish on eight faults.

Both Louis and I were so excited before heading cross country, nothing beats the thrill and adrenaline rush of XC!   

Link to XC- final fences              

He jumped an amazing round, he felt fit and raring to go! He went through the water brilliantly, down big hills to skinny jumps and drops, up steps and through the woods. Our round was quick and we only had 0.8 time penalties to add to our 24.5 dressage and 8 faults show jumping, finishing on a total score of 33.3 penalties.

It was very close at the top and 33.3 left us in 6^th which meant we were in the prize giving which was presented by Princess Anne.

It was a great day; we got home at about 10pm, unloaded the lorry and repacked it for my brother Bonar who was out eventing at Munstead at 7am the next day….Thanks mum! He had a good day too and jumped a double clear. It was great to catch up with old friends and thank you Juliet Sjoborg for the videos.

Young Professionals Award 2014

Young Professionals Award 2014 Sponsored by Penny Pollard on behalf of Core Context Consulting and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers

I applied for the Young Professionals Award last year about a week before the deadline, I’m so glad I did! At that point in time I wouldn't have dreamed of coming second and winning a cheque to further my career in the Equine Industry.

I would really encourage any under 25’s to look into the application process and attending a this new workshop in April

  http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/show/1948-u25s---looking-to-build-a-career-in-dressage

My educational journey started when filling out the first application for the award, it helped me map some of my dreams onto paper and start to work out some of the small steps that I need to take to supplement my career, help me progress, technically develop and further my education in the Industry.

I got through the semi-finals at Carl Hester’s and went onto the finals held at Talland School of Equitation.

The day started with a forty five minute session riding three ‘problem’ or ‘difficult’ horses which were all challenging in different ways. We then discussed our opinions of the horses, their strengths and weaknesses and how we might improve them. We then went on to (hopefully) put into practice our suggested improvements!

We then went on to our second riding group, a mix of Prix St Georges and Grand Prix horses, all of which were highly trained, but still had issues to be improved and worked on. The riding sessions brought up interesting topics with top International trainers Dan Sheriff and Becky Moody.

I really enjoyed my interview with Penny Pollard and Dr Moira Lafferty; it’s a privilege to be able to discuss future plans, goals, aspirations and hotly debated topics in British Dressage with such key members of the Industry.

Lunch was held at Pammy Hutton’s, a generous hostess without whom the event couldn't have taken place. Talland is a venue unlike any other; it has the facilities to host such a unique competition.  

Afternoon interviews were one on one sessions with Dan and Becky discussing riders and horses working and performing. This was really interesting and educational.

I am excited about the doors that winning silver at the Young Professionals Award  2014 has opened for me and look forward to keeping you all posted on the adventures to come!

Winter Regionals 2014

We had a very successful Winter Regionals and have secured five qualifications for the British Dressage Nationals!

Cleopatra II secured our first two qualifications at Addington Manor Regionals after coming second in the Elementary Open. Later that day she scored a whopping 80% in the Elementary Open freestyle, winning by a huge margin and gaining her second place at the nationals. Her freestyle test felt amazing, her best test to date! She has dramatic film music with plenty of phrasing, which makes it really interesting to ride to.

http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/show/1947-winter-regionals-central-daisy-coakley-storms-the-freestyle

Patchetts Equestrian Center was host to the next Regionals. I had  four horses competing.
Show-Off (aka Mabel) was first to compete. She was brilliantly behaved unfortunately her jockey didn't have her head screwed on the right way and completely forgot to perform a left canter circle, this cost us a qualifying place, Poor Mabel!

Cleopatra II won and qualified scoring 72% in the Medium restricted Freestyle test.
Bing performed his best Medium 75 test to date and won on 68% securing his qualification. His test was flowing after a blip on entry. He scored 8's for lots of his canter work and extended walk.
Urbanus IV (Louis- the eventer) came 2nd and qualified in the same class. He kept his cool and didn't add any of his own freestyle movements!

Now looking forward to the Nationals in April (9-10th)!