Neither of us were quite at our best on the cross country and I didn’t give her the best line into a corner where she had no option but to run out- a good sharpener for the jockey! She also didn’t run and jump with her usual ‘ping’ so a check from the physio confirmed that she had given something a tweak, which most likely occurred when she was having fun in the field. In a way it was a relief to find that there was something minor amiss but she is now back to her usual bouncy self.

Zak and Molly have been kept busy working away at home and also went to the hunter trial run by Strathearn pony club at Gleneagles. Zak thoroughly enjoyed himself as there was no dressage to put up with, just the fun bit! He pinged round in the open class to finish joint first to top up his rosette collection for the season – he is currently top horse! Molly was very fresh and did eventually complete the intermediate course but started to enjoy herself when the penny dropped. She seems to be feeling a bit more comfortable so hopefully her hormone issues are on their way to being resolved.

Even though there were no events I was still kept busy teaching, schooling, and I had a schooling livery in as well. In one week I was riding a Highland pony one day, a dressage horse the next, and the eventers squeezed in inbetween so plenty to keep me on my toes!

Uno has left the yard and gone to Aileen Craig and Trevor Nicholson to be sold as a showjumper. He was in the money on his first outing so seems to be enjoying the career change (no more dressage!).

The showjumping was up to height and asked a few questions, I was disappointed to have two down but otherwise she jumped really well and didn’t pick up time penalties as a lot did. For the cross country I again let her go at her own pace and didn’t worry about the time. We took all the direct routes and came home with one of the quicker times in our section. She was full of running, so much so that she went bouncing back through the lorry park! We finished out of the top 10 but have gained another qualifying result which was the aim, and once we get some of the finer details polished up there will be a lot to look forward to.

Molly didn’t have a particularly good day although she was only 4 marks off the dressage lead after a tense test which was a sign of the problems we were going to run into in the jumping phases later on. She didn’t seem comfortable and is in season so we will try to get the hormones under control before her next outing.

She then did a lovely double clear in the time to finish third so exceeded all expectations for her first run. I didn’t wear a watch cross country and let her go at her own pace; she doesn’t have a huge gallop but she is very easy to set up and responsive so she made the time without too much effort. She trotted up well the next morning so now heads to Weston for the advanced.

J, Molly and Zak have been to the arena events at SNEC, Howe and Gleneagles and have jumped very consistently and pleasingly. J gained enough placings and the first win of 2012 to come out top in the points championship which has got us off to a good start this year. The same three also went out to do some dressage, Molly and Zak at Prelim and J at Medium with 3rd placings for Molly and J.

Mop has also had some outings. He went along to the arena event at SNEC to be worked in the warm up and behaved very well although he was shouting to his chums back on the lorry who weren’t the slightest bit interested in replying. After this encouraging start I entered him in the training class at the Gleneagles event where he was much more settled and jumped a very nice round. He is still growing and needs to do a lot of strengthening up so I’m not sure when the eventing debut will be but in the meantime I will continue to take him on schooling outings.

I have been busy teaching in the evenings and weekends, and have also had some schooling liveries in. My clients have had some super results from pony club to the dressage regional championships and there are still lots of goals to be aimed for this year.

The first clinic with Markus Bauer ran in February and I was pleased with how Molly, Zak, J and Mop performed. The next two clinics were full before the first one ran but a waiting list is being kept so sessions may become available if there are any cancellations.

The first events of the season have been entered. J is heading to Burgham for the open intermediate and the pre novices, Molly and Zak, are starting off at Kirriemuir.

The preparation for the forthcoming season began as soon as the previous one ended. The lorry went back for maintenance work as there is nothing worse than finding out something isn’t working just before an event – prevention is much better than cure in this case! This lead to a very quiet October and November due to no wheels, then there wasn’t much to choose from in December as it seems the last two winters meant fewer activities on offer.

In terms of horse preparation, Mop spent a couple of months in the Borders as there are far more opportunities to get young horses out than there are locally. He still has some growing and filling out to do but so far he seems to have a super attitude to his work. Rod has been given the all clear to return to work which is great news as his future was looking fairly bleak in October. He will be back eventing this year along with J so I will have two advanced horses to run. I have been concentrating on building a partnership with Molly and she has matured and strengthened up a lot over the winter. Zak has enjoyed a short holiday and is as enthusiastic as ever about his work.

I have been very busy teaching as people are keen to make use of the indoor school. The diary is already filling up with clients getting set for the start of the season. With horses finding this winter’s unusual weather patterns difficult to thrive on, these sessions are focused as much on riding as feeding and horse management.

I have organised for Markus Bauer to come to the yard to do some dressage clinics on the 28th February, 20th March and 4th April. There may be some limited spaces available so if anyone is interested please get in touch as they are filling up fast.

First outing for four horses tomorrow at Les Smith’s Arena Event. Velcro breeches may be required!

27 BE points, double clear at intermediate. Placed at Newcomers BS in limited outings.

Perfect horse with untapped potential for competitive show jump rider as effortless scope at 1.20m (BE intermediate) and the ability to go much further in this discipline.

Only for sale as a horse with this much jump is wasted on an eventer!

POA

This time I have included published articles and a For Sale page.

The end of the season is fast approaching, lets hope for a less disruptive winter than last year!

Advanced ex racehorse by Deroulede out of Buckskin mare. Produced to advanced level, twice placed top 10 at 3 star and winning a Young Rider Gold medal en route. Now semi retired.