June 2011

Since my last update there has been lots happening. Maddox has been ploughing on with his dressage, we have had lots of lessons and his lateral work is much stronger again. He has also started jumping and had another check up with the vet, he has had the all clear to keep progressing with his work which is great.

Bambi has been out eventing, he ran at Eland Lodge in April, he was rather fresh in his dressage so scored 38.5, 4 faults sj but clear xc with no time faults. Next was Milton Keynes for a 100+, he was good in the dressage but unfortunately the judge didn't really like him so he scored 37.6, again 1 down sj but clear xc and a couple of time faults as we weren't in a competitive position so I didn't push him.

Keysoe was next and he was fantastic, 26.5 dressage and double clear which should of won it for us but unfortunately the ground was running very fast due to the hard work the organisers had done on it and we clocked up 8 time faults for being too fast!!! I was very disappointed as this dropped us from 1st to 5th!!

Bambi then had his final run at 100 level at Shelford, 35 dressage and again double clear with 3.2 time faults as parts of the course were slippy from the rain that day but finished in 7th place. Next was his first Novice, we were first to go all day so he didn't get much time to trot around the arena before his test so wasn't as settled as I would of liked and scored 37.6, a lovely clear sj but an annoying run out xc at a double of corners on a curve, he got his turn but then turned too much, so we have lots of practicing to do!

I am also pleased to annouce that I am being supported by Rob Baker, Professional Equine Photographer. www.robbakerphotography.co.uk

Some more info will appear shortly on the sponsors page.

April 2011

Unfortunately Bambi didn't run at Lincoln as he picked up a bit of a skin infection after Oasby. He will be running at Eland Lodge on 16th April. I took him to Arena UK schooling and he went very well.

Maddox has been out to do some more Dressage, he qualified for the Sheepgate Indoor Winter finals, he produced a good Novice test to score 67% for 3rd and then scored another 67% in the Elementary for 2nd. He then did his first Medium test and scored 64%, he tried hard but lacked some expression so we have lots to work on.

Cracking start to the season.

I ran Durcouf (Bambi) and Spooky at an unaffiliated event on 26th Feb, Bambi completed with a 35 dr, double clear with some time xc for 3rd place and Spooky completed with a 29.5 dressage, 2 down sj and clear xc for 7th.

Bambi had his first affiliated run of the season at Oasby, he did a lovely dressage test for 33.5 which I think was the second best score in his section, he then jumped a lovely double clear with just 2.4 time faults xc for 3rd place!! I'm really pleased with how he has come on, he found all 3 phases very easy which is great. He will stay at BE100 a little longer as he has only done 5 now so I feel he needs more experience before moving up to Novice. Next stop is Lincoln on friday so fingers crossed for some good weather.

Maddox has been out doing a little bit of dressage, he has only had unaffiliated tests so far but always scoring in the high 60's%. He has also started cantering out as the ground is so good at the moment. I will hopefully start jumping him at the end of the month.

Thats all my news for now!!

Last week I took both the boys training to Arena UK, Maddox was very excited and a bit of a handful, the windy weather didn't help but it was good for him to be out. Bambi jumped a couple of show jump rounds, he was very good and keen.

I took them both to Laughton Manor for unaffiliated Dressage, both did two novice tests. Maddox won both his with scores of 71.2% and 69%, Bambi got two 3rd's with 63% and 62%. He still needs a bit more work but will soon get into the swing of it again.

We're off to Arena UK again tomorrow for more training and Bambi will hopefully being doing indoor xc at the weekend.

January 2010

Maddox and Bambi came back from their holiday at the end of October, both were relaxed but pleased to be out of the weather. Bambi started back with some gentle work. Maddox went back to Oakham for another scan and was given the all clear to start working again. He is allowed to compete in Dressage and start some jumping in the spring which is great news. I had planned to have Bambi out to BSJA over the winter and Maddox to BD but the weather put a stop to all that.

Bambi was treated to a trip to the beach on New Years Eve to give him a change, he loved it but did take some persuation to go in the sea.

My plan now is to take both horses to Arena UK's training shows to get them out and about. Maddox will be registered to British Dressage and hopefully will himself some pennies to put towards a new jumping saddle. Bambi will be prepared for the season by doing some unaffilaited Dressage and Show Jumping, as soon as the ground is good enough we will be out xc schooling and possibly for a days hunting!!