Last weekend saw us eventing at Bickenhall in the glorious sunshine, although the downside to this weather is the ground is now already very firm. On the Saturday i took Archidamus (Big Archie) having his first event outing for nearly a year. Whilst the dressage was disappointing and he rolled a pole in the show jumping form just getting rather strung out, he really performed cross country to post a lovely clear inside the time and felt great. I also took Tilly for ther BE100plus, but only run her in the dressage. She unfortunately had developed a swelling around her fetlock  a few days before and although completely sound it just didn't seem worth the risk on the hard ground. She warmed up great, but we both tensed a little trying to fit the movements of Novice into the 40 by 20m arena to score a respectable 36 which can definitely be improved on so I was very pleased. I did however feel so guilty taking her home without the fun bit as she was raring to go, but better safe than sorry.

Sunday was the turn of little Archie who felt rather important having the lorry to himself. A dressage time of 3pm meant a leisurely start, but unfortunately by then the temperature had risen enough to bring out lots of flies which really made this connie crazy despite puring copious amounts of fly spray all over him. As a result I did not manage to get him to settle before we had to go in for the test and we made it round with a lot of head shaking, grabbing the bit, running and a couple of minor explosions breaking into canter; so infuritating when he had scored 70% last time out.

He did however redeem himself slightly with a clear show jump round and then a foot perfect cross country round in a new bit we are trying, a cheltenham gag. In the warm up I found he jumped rather stickily if I checked him too much in it so I decided to lengthen the reins and just keep coming to every fence and it worked a treat, definitely helping to keep his head up and saving my arms being pulled out. Fingers crossed it continues to have this effect as in the past different bits have lost their effectiveness after 2 to 3 events. In the end he finished 11th on his dressage of 40.5; with the winner on 32, he really could have had a good placing if he had just behaved in that first phase.

Archie as the only horse yet competing BE is definitely feeling king of the yard and was pleased as punch to be taken to Aldon for the BE100 on Friday. He has come out this year with a pretty much 'I'm invincible' attitude and as such is rather taking charge cross country. In the week I had a quick bit trial on the cross country course with both a myler combination bit and the nathe tandem bit, but neither seemed to have any effect so I opted to stick with the tomb thumb gag which had been partially successful last year. 

With his customary nupafeed syringe of calmer he felt lively but relatively controlled warming up for the dressage. Wearing tiny spurs for the first time this year I was definitely getting more engagement and energy in the warm up, but it was all a bit touch and go whether we could keep this from over boiling over in the test. Overall he behaved brilliantly just marred by myself sitting that bit too quietly in the first canter which is where he has in the past exploded. Instead he actually broke into trot which suprised us both but was quickly remedied. A smile from the judge left me hopeful, but not counting my chickens as judges often mark him quite harshly.

Straight on to the show jumping and unfortunately the light but very wet rain, that was to continue all afternoon, started. By now any calmer had all worn off and he felt strong and excited warming up, but jumping superbly. The course looked huge after Moreton BE90 and had some difficult lines and as I approached the first the judge announced my dressage score as 30 (one of his best yet) and so the pressure was on. Archie however spooked at some sand on the grass and I made the cardinal sin of putting my leg gently on to try and bring his focus back to fence 1. Well that was it, we were off with Archie relishing the freedom of a lovely big grass arena and all I could do was sit and steer which itself was made more difficult with my old gloves loosing grip on the now wet rains. Thankfully we got round all the turns and he jumped like a stag, giving the fences feet, for a great clear round although it was up a gear or two from what I would have wanted.

Finally the cross country and as the rain was getting heavier and the ground decidedly greasy bigger studs and the thumb thumb were installed and I started off with the vain hope that as Archie has never been round Aldon before the unfamiliar territory coupled with substantial well dressed fences would hopefully back him off. No such luck, he stormed round in fine style but my arms did finish a couple of inches longer trying to keep some control. No worries at all the combinations and technical fences and he jumped the tricky corner out of the water very well, it was just the straight forward ones where he couldn't resist the odd flyer followed by head down charging and as a result I did not let him go quite at full speed to pick up 4 time penalties. I think if Archie has his own way he would much prefer going around without a rider intervering at all! His owners Suzie and Kieron managed to get some cracking photos which show that his technique has improved massively from when he started eventing two years ago and is now very tidy over his fences.

Overall I great result although in a tough section the time penalties put us down to 8th place. Some more experimentation with bitting may be on the cards before our next outing at Bickenhall, although hopefully he will start to settle now as the season progresses and perhaps I should just relax a bit more and just let him get on with it. Afterall it take two to pull....

Yeah, finally after a cold and wet winter we have finally had a dry week and the eventing has started. Due to weather, holidays and injury only Archie was ready to go and needed to outing to calm him down a bit! A very short cross country school on Friday was a scary experience as I could hardly hold him just cantering around the field and the only way to get him to lift his head and stop broncing was to face him to a fence, although this only work for about 10 fences hence it being a very short school! However new he would settle a bit more on a course when all the dressing an atmosphere makes him focus more.

Back to Moreton. Up at 4am to muckout 8 before leaving and arrived with time to spare only to find out there was a one hour delay due to frozen ground. Archie was behaving remarkably well and I opted for a rather dull but atleast obedient test as if I had put on any pressure to engage like he can at home I would have been told where to go! Just spoiled at the end when he stumbled turning on to the centre line and shot off on his head in reponse meaning we rather over shot it. Score of 38 which I thought was quite harsh, but understandable as he wasn't really through and engaged.

Show jumping next and a 3 fence warm up was perfect as he seemed not yet to have clicked as to what was next. The course seemed tiny and he calmly popped the first 3 and then jumped so relaxed over 4 that I had to put my leg on gently to get the 4 strides to the next. Utterly disgusted with such an action some broncing followed and the last few fences were taken in a higher gear, but clear.

On to cross country and as expected in the warm up he was pulling with his head on his knees and paying no attention to these boring fences. So I was towed over a couple and straight down to the startbox and luckily he did then focus and listen to me over the first few up the hill jumping beautifully. Slight disagreement on what speed we should go down the hill to the drop, i had visions of him rolling all the way down if I didn't interfere a bit, but then jumped great until going back down the hill towards the finish. Serious brakes were applied before the two logs on a curve, but on jumping the first he went into overdrive determined to get as few as strides as possible in between them. So i just sat back and braced as I did over the last two brush fences where he gave a finish any grand national horse would have been proud of; standing off them both and giving them feet to spare....

Unsurprisingly no time faults (Archie would never let that happen!) and he finished 9th on his dressage. So all in all good day and he has had his first adrenaline fix which will hopefully settle him a little for BE100 at Aldon in two weeks. Photos below and for professional photos click here.

Dressage warm up

First jump in the arena when he was still half asleep; trying to tell me he can do this size with his eyes closed!

At the XC start with ears pricked and raring to go

I rode Archie and Millie in the Prelim class at the Affiliated dressage for more practise. Ben should have done a test as well and went beautifully the day before, but unfortunately aggrivated a tiny sore on his mouth so I decided it was not worth making it any worse so he got of lightly. Archie first warmed up calmly while everything was nice and quiet. In the arena he produced a similar test to the week before when he won apart from two bad mistakes breaking in the walk and getting the wrong canter lead which were both caused by complete lack of concentration when he became mesmerised by a new horse in the warm up!

Millie on the other hand came out rather argumentative, but with plenty of energy which was very welcome. I decided to really ride every movement and she felt great throughout the trot work with much improved stride length and rhythm; being able to carry a whip makes a huge difference for her. She did lose a bit of her engagement in the canter work which she does find harder, but I was generally pleased. Sorry, nobody was around to take her photo this time.

I wasn't really sure which horse would get the better score, but Millie came out on top coming 2nd with 64%. Acheiving straight 7's for her trot work and 6's for everything else I was very pleased as the judge has marked quite harshly. Archie was understandably punished for his mistakes and scored just over 60% with the judge also commentating that he did occassionally come to low in his frame which is an ongoing battle with him. I text Fiona who was at work and she was ectastic that Millie had managed a rossette and prize money at her first attempt at affiliated and she told me it left her smiling all day!

Monty the ex-racehorse has now been here 3 weeks for his re-training and is being a star. He has settled down really well and is now not bothered working with horses in the arena next to him. He has fantastic potential on the flat but does like to lean on the left rein and slip out through his shoulder so I have spent a lot of time teaching him to turn his shoulders from my outside leg. Jumping wise we have been doing a lot of work over poles and from trot, progressing to a grid with 3 fences on a one stride distance. He has proved to be totally unfazed by fillers and is quickly learning to work out how to just pop the fence rather than launch at it with a huge leap! Photo's below courtesy of Dee, Monty's owner who was a little unsure with my camera!

Archie arrived at the yard a couple of weeks ago having had a holiday at home where he had very quickly reverted back to his natural state of Irish Bog Pony! Despite being all clipped out and trimmed in October he had grown amazing amounts of hair everywhere and a mane on each side  to look decidedly shaggy.  Alongside a rather portly tummy and a nice red tail from the mud he looked a far cry from the little eventing superstar of last year.

Archie on Arrival

Something had to be done fast. With 3 inches of hair on his body the clippers came out straight away and much to his annoyance his mane was attacked and his tail washed.  The farrier provided a new set of shoes and viola! Event pony rematerialises. Amazingly his tummy was mostly fluff so he has escaped a dreaded diet.

Archie after some TLC

Archie is a serious workaholic and is very happy to be back being ridden, but does have a very cheeky sense of humour.... After a few days power hacking I took him in the arena for a gentle school and he was exceptionally obliging in his trot work. However having lulled me into a false sense of security I gently asked for canter and was answered by a high pitched squeak and some impressive bucks across the school! 10 minutes later and countless transitions Archie was still sounding like an irate mouse and was completely adamnant that he had completely forgotten how to canter, but surely broncing would do just as well! Eventually we manged to hold a few strides of canter without an explosion and as we were both getting rather puffed left it at that. Fortunately things have improved over the last week although there is still a lot of work to do before the events begin in March.

The next aim is to give him a little jump at the weekend although Archie, who hasn't had a jumping fix for three months, may have other ideas. After his break last year he did his very best to put me into orbit, so I am prepared to hang on very tight.

Ok, my New Year Resolution is to keep an online diary for South West Eventing with at least weekly updates. For the last few days snow has stopped all activity, so it gives me a chance to kick start this, but it is going to be quite a challenge when it all gets manic in the next few weeks. I thought if I put it in writing then it would give me more will power and anyone reading is very welcome at an time to email and chase up for updates if I am being a bit slow!

Thought I would start with introducing the equine residents at South West Eventing.

Benvolio 16.1hh Gelding 8 years by Chairman. Owner Anita Pidgeon

I have backed and bought on Ben from a wild 4 year old and to say he has been a challenge is an under statement. However he has an effortless jump with perfect technique and oodles of talent and presence, so he has well be worth persevering with. Underneath his sometimes wicked antics, he is a friendly and loving horse.

 Having done some baby classes as a 4 year old where my only goal was to stay on he had a year off as a 5 year old and came back to be evented in 2008. After a hairy start mainly in the dressage arena where there were no jumps to keep him focused, he went from strength to strength storming around BE100 tracks. Last year he upgraded to Novice and gained a couple of points before he unfortunately took a dislike to trakheners and when Ben says no he means it! He has therefore had an extended holiday and will go back a step and consolidate his training. Before eventing I hope to do some BSJA where he is fabulous as he is bold and careful and loves it.

 For more photos of Ben visit his album which will be updated regularly http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Benvolio/

Bellindene Archdene 14.2hh Connemara gelding 9 years by Garryhinch Prince. Owners Suzie and Kieron Marston

When Suzie first brought Archie to me at Christmas 2007 it was very hard to imagine this incredibly hairy, muddy pony as an eventer. However he has real ability combined with that amazing connie mentality to never give up. At first his desire to get to the other side of any obstacle at any cost meant throwing himself over any which way, but his technique has improved immeasurably with lots of work and we now have a great partnership where he at least occasionally concedes that I may know best. He proved quite a rosette machine in 2009 and achieved 2nd place event pony in the British Connemara Pony Society performance award scheme.

 Archie may be small but manages horse distances easily and is as brave as a lion cross country although tactful riding is required as if you take a check he tends to pull twice as hard! With him finding BE100 tracks so easy the next step is Novice although the fences are going to look mighty big from a 14.2hh. He comes back from his holidays and the first step will be staying on as he tends to be very happy about being back in work after a break.

For more photos which will be regularly updated visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Bellindene%20Archdene/

Ramillie 15.1hh Mare 8 yrs by Remexico. Owner Fiona Robertson-Jones

Millie is a long term livery here who I also evented for her owner, Fiona in 2009 and hope to continue this year. With a tendency for being a little lazy she is feeling full of life in the current cold weather and with that comes a certain amount of arguments as she thinks she always knows best. A very careful show jumper she really enjoyed her outing BSJA before Xmas so short term plan is to get her out a few more times before eventing starts.

 For more photos which will be regularly updated visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Ramillie/

Aragon 16.2hh Gelding 7yrs by Sir Isaac. Owner Ross Tully

I backed Aragon early 2007 for breeder Anita Pidgeon and had the most wonderful season bringing him on and competing unaffiliated and in young horse classes before selling him to Ross Tully in the Autumn. After two great years Ross has just asked me if I would sell Aragon for him and I jumped at the chance. With stunning looks, movement and a great character Aragon is an absolute joy to ride and combines the rare combination of 'wow' factor whilst being totally safe and easy. I am sure once advertised he will sell easily, but am hoping for a chance to have some fun with him before that.

  For more photos which will be regularly updated visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Aragon/

Irish Affair 15.1hh Mare 8 yrs by Accondy. Owner Kate Chambers

 Fling is a new addition to the yard and eventing ride. Previously ridden by Mary Edmundson in Suffolk before Kate moved to Somerset, she has competed at Novice level BE successfully and completed an Intermediate at the end of last season. Bred for the job being out of advanced event mare, Welton Romance. She may be small but is incredibly athletic with a phenomenal jump and is as brave as a lion. A sensitive and fiery mare I will be taking the next few weeks getting to know her before building up to the 2010 season.

Steeler's Singalong 16hh Mare 4 yrs by Up With The Lark. Owner Isobel Hudson

 Sadie is my homebred filly by my wonderful mare Steeler's Texarkana. Breeding has not proved straight forward and I very sadly lost both her younger siblings last year to colic and an accident. Sadie herself so very nearly died of Septicemia in the first week of her life. However against the odds she pulled through and I am now looking forward to producing her to follow in her mothers footsteps. She is the spitting image of her mum, with the same laid back yet very determined temperament.

 Very straight forward to back last summer, when she mainly hacked, she is having the winter off before continuing with more serious schooling when the weather improves. With so many years ahead of her she won't be rushed and how much competing she does will depend how her training goes and how much time I can fit in for her.

 For more photos which will be regularly updated visit http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Steelers%20Singalong/

Steeler's Texarkana 16hh mare 21 years by Dallas. Owner Isobel Hudson 

Roodi is the mare that showed me that you can achieve without huge finances and fulfilled my dreams of first competing at CCI*** at both Blenheim and Branham. When I got her in 1997 I was warned she would not go advanced, but she proved them wrong and amassed 118 points over the next 5 years completing all six 3 day events that we entered at 2 and 3 star level. These were all long format and although she was not naturally the fastest and we learnt to save valuable time setting up for fences.

 At the beginning she taught me how really to ride every fence as was only as committed as I was, but as our partnership grew she tried her very utmost especially at the big occasions and always looked after me. Not naturally built for dressage, she did find this phase hard, but was so consistent in the other phases. Unfortunately she tied up after the cross country at Branham, but still bravely got round the show jumping. After that small injuries and repeats of azoturia led to her retirement. Truly a horse in a million she owes me nothing and may she reside with me for many years to come.

 For more photos which will be regularly updated visit  http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/ab115/southwesteventing/Steelers%20Texakana/