Jumping, Jumping......

Yesterday we took 6 horses show jumping training at Mark and Tanya Kyles place at Wymeswold. I fancied a change of scene from Valeview, and it was a good opportunity to jump outside in their school. I rode Milly, Flint, Desi, Bee, and Nenagh. All the horses jumped well. Milly reminded me just how fun she is to jump, as she has been on her winter holidays since last year, but not forgotten a thing! My friend Sally Williams (who's Auntie Nicky bred Milly) is staying for a few days intensive training and she took her own horse Toggi, who jumped very well.
Today I jumped Fitz, Saffy and Mossy in preparation for going to Markfield tomorrow for their first proper show. I will take Nenagh to Markfield as well, and Sally will take Toggi, so we could be in for a long day if it's busy!

On Monday it was such a nice day I disappeared from the yard to follow the hunt for a few hours. Dean was trying a horse for someone so i wanted to have a look! Everyone enjoyed a busy morning, but unfortunately Quorn Master Joss Hanbury had a bad fall and was taken to hospital with neck injuries, so we wish him a quick recovery.

What has been going on.........

We've had a busy week as Heather has been away, so Lucia and I have had some big days, but we've enjoyed better weather to work the horses in. Everyone is well, Mickey has been ridden again, and now has all four shoes on so he is very grown up! Hannah came on Tuesday and I enjoyed three lessons with Nenagh, Fitz and Saffy. Hannah had a sit on Nenagh and Saffy, so I decided I got off lightly! However thinking i'd not worked hard enough I took four horses to Vale View for the clear round jumping that afternoon. All of them were a little wild! A combination of feeling too well, and not enough work due to the bad weather last week. The next day I knew I had ridden a lot of fresh horses as my body hurt! They had made me use muscles I didnt know I had! Today I had the pleasure of showing Bee off to her owner Gilly Kinloch. Gilly travelled up from Kent and spent most of the day with us. It's the first time Gilly had seen Bee under saddle, and I hope she liked what she saw! We are looking forward to getting her out eventing in the Spring.
I've also done quite a bit of teaching this week, everyone is getting ready for the season ahead.
We have a new arrival in the yard, Valerie Moreton's 'Onyx' who we did a bit of work with last year as a three year old. He has come to continue his education.
Looking on to next week, I hope to go showjumping on Tuesday and Thursday.

Millie is back.....

Millie arrived back yesterday, and I sat on this morning. She feels really well and I think she has grown a bit. Every one else is well, the weather is a bit depressing, but once we get out there it's not been too bad. Heather is having next week off as she is due some holiday, and she is taking her HGV Theory test one day. I'm looking forward to Hannah coming on Tuesday, and Marcia Hawley and Granville Thomson are coming for lessons as well.
I'm hoping for nicer weather next week!

Back in to the swing of things........

It was a busy day yesterday, I took 6 horses to jump at Vale View Equestrian Centre in Old Dalby. Heather and I managed to work all the horses not going to the show before we left, despite horrid weather, and then took the first four to the show. I jumped Bee first, who was impeccably behaved at her first show and jumped round very nicely. The feel she gives me is so scopey, I'm looking forward to the day I can jump some big fences on her! Flint was next, and always finds Vale View the most scary place as for those of you that know Vale View the jumps are very bright, and flowers are everywhere. Although a bit tense and spooky, he jumped very well, and has improved a lot from last year. Chrissy had her first show in 15 months, and felt as good as ever. She has her own way of doing things, but her will to do it is so strong....she just loves it....too much sometimes! Mossy had his first round of jumps since he won at Blenhiem, and felt great. However when I do the second round he thinks he is in the jump off, and starts cutting the corners!
We took those four home, and thanks to Penny who finished off the yard duties we were able to take Fitz and Nenagh to Vale View. Fitz was full of himself on the lorry, but when I got on he relaxed and jumped round very well. Nenagh was fresh over her practice fences but was settled in the ring and kept a nice rhythm all the way round, jumping very well. So not a pole down all day, let's hope they all stay as consistent!!! I'm looking forward to going jumping again.... soon hopefully!

Looking Forward to tomorrow....

I've had a slight change of plan, as the forecast for tommorrow is gales and rain, so I have decided to go to Vale View instead of Field House to do some show jumping. I am really excited to be getting back on the road again. I plan to take Flint, Nenagh, Mossy and Bee. If i can I will do a double trip and take Fitz and Chrissy as well, but we will see what tomorrow brings.

Re Photo....

I Can not believe i just managed to post a photo on my last blog, it was surprisingly straight forward and so far as computers go, nothing is ever straight forward!!!!

Wind, Rain, and......Dressage?

Yesterday I enjoyed, (and I really did enjoy) four dressage lessons with Hannah Esberger-Shepherd in the wind and rain. I guess it is good practice, but you do question what you are doing. I felt I had a major break through with Fitz, who produced his best work to date. I was pleased as my last lesson left me wandering if I could ever achieve good work from him. I also rode Nenagh, Desi and Saffy. Saffy feels so much stronger this year, and she is finding her work much easier. Desi felt excellent at the end, after Hannah suggested I did a lot of suppling exercisers to help him swing a bit more through his back. Nenagh is improving all the time, she has moments of being very good, but is still young and weak and finds it hard to hold her balance.
So now I feel totally re inspired, although the amount of rain we had this afternoon was far from inspiring!
I've just finished writing my second article for Equestrian Life. The January issue with my first article of a 12 month series is already out.
I took Lucia to the airport this afternoon, she has gone home to Slovakia for a few days. She returns next Wednesday. In her absence I have begged the help of Anna Marshall who used to work for me a couple of years ago, so it was nice to see her today and catch up.
Bee is clipped and looking smart. Mickeys holiday is over, and he looks like a woolly, muddy bear....serious make over needed!

Happy New Year!

I would like to wish you a happy new year!

I have just returned from 8 days skiing in Tignes, France. I had a great time, the snow was good on the piste, and we enjoyed 5 days of sunshine and blue sky. As I left it was snowing heavily so I'm envious of the amazing off-piste skiing that will follow a large dump of fresh snow.

Meanwhile at home I left Dean, Heather and Lucia in charge, and all the horses seem very well on my return. They have had their teeth checked by Dean, and my physio Janet Ellis has been to check each horse for any problems so I can start the year with happy horses.

I am looking forward to tomorrow and getting back riding, at the moment my legs think they are still skiing!