Millie and Archie sporting some of the rossettes

I have decided show jumpers have it easy; you just load up a lorry load of horses with minimul preparation and then 10 minutes warming up each one before jumping round; all quite different to the endless preparation for the 3 phases of an event. We took Millie, Ben and 'big' Archie to Hand EC yesterday and jumping them each in two classes was still back by 2pm. However as the classes weren't that large it did mean very quick horse changes and warm ups in order to fit them all in and I couldn't have done it without the help of Dee and Fiona who were fabulous. One thing I have to admire the show jumpers for is remembering all the different courses as once I have memorised one course my brain really finds it diffucult to adapt to a new one over the same set of jumps!

Anyway despite these lapses which were fueled partly by tiredness and me forgetting to eat or drink anything all morning, it ended up a very successful day and it was very refreshing to actually get enough prize money to nearly pay for the day! In the British Novice I ended up 1st (Ben), 3rd (Millie) and 4th (Archie) and then in the Discovery was 1st on Millie and 3rd on Archie having one pole down on Ben as well as jockey forgeting the course, oops! Videos are available here. 

Millie was sporting a hackamore which she really likes and is much more focused and bold jumping in than with a bit that she tends to lean on. When I decided to up the pace going last in the jump off of the discovery she responded brilliantly and really attacked the fences so i think we will continue with it. Archie, who belongs to Ben's owner Anita, is just with me for a week for some fun and felt fabulous, very quickly getting back into jumping and really enjoying himself giving the fences feet in the warm up just for fun. Considering he is a well built 16.3hh he was remarkably balanced and easy to steer around the relatively tight courses and very light on his feet. Finally Ben was very well behaved and was also trying a different bit, the nathe tamden combination, as when out competing in the nathe snaffle even that can cut his very soft mouth if he gets strong. This bit acts also on the nose and the plus side was his mouth didn't get at all sore, but unfortunately he did back off it a bit too much at times and didn't like me putting any pressure on the ren as the day progressed. I think this might be a great bit for the cross country, but for just one round show jumping when eventing the snaffle may be better, but it is definitely a useful option to have for 'Mr Sensitive'.

Millie at the head of the line in her first win at BSJA

The yard is now literally over flowing with horses, although thankfully the recent gorgeous weather has made the daily task of caring for and riding 10 horses everyday a joy rather than a chore. New equine arrivals  over the last couple of weeks include Ronnie and rising 7 year old Arab ex-racehorse who has come for 2 months schooling, Ted a stunning  6year competition pony in for sale, Louis a feisty welsh cob back for a repeat of 4 weeks training he had last spring and Tilly, a gorgeous 9 year old warmblood mare who he with me to event for the season whilst her owner Sarah has a baby. Tilly is already established at Novice level and has some points and I am very excited to be eventing her. Fortunately I have also found a lovely new groom, Amy to help cope with all the new arrivals and she is settling in quickly and will soon be working full time. Her next task will be to become photographer and get some photos of all the horses as their training progresses.

In the meantime Millie and Ben competed at the unaffiliated ODE at Stockland Lovell last Saturday. Millie produced a good, accurate dressage and probably the most active one I have ever managed without a whip! It was only marred slightly with her beinga little uncomfortable in the mouth which has prompted an investigation into finding a bit she is happier in. She scored 34 which was good in her section.

Video of dressage

I then jumped her in a hackamore  and without a bit she felt wonderful, flying round giving them feet to spare.. However I chickened out taking her cross country without a bit and opted for the rubber pelham I used last year and found once I was on the course that I had no steering to the right! Coupled with her being very spooky we unfortunately had a little altercation when she refused to turn right to the small wall before the first water which gave us 20 penalties which cost us a rossette, but after that flew round.

Video of Show Jumping

Video of Cross Country

In the BE100 class Ben was very tense to warm up for the dressage, but did keep a lid on any antics in the ring to score 39.5.

Dressage Test Video

He then was beside himself with excitement to jump a lovely show jump round.

Show Jumping Video

I then made the hard, but sensible decision to not run cross country as he is not yet fully fit and had not had any cross country schooling as yet due to the course being closed. Whilst I am sure his adrenalin would have seen him flying round, it was not worth the risk with such a sharp sensitive horse.

Instead on Monday he did the cross country clinic with Jeanette Brakewell when I tried out a new bit called the nathe Tamden which is a combination of a nathe straight bar and hackamore. Ben has a very sensitive mouth which splits easily when he becomes onward bound jumping, but doesn't need a very strong bit as such as he is horse that goes better when he thinks he is in charge! He started the clinic on his best behaviour and was so happy to be jumping cross country again, just desperate to jump as many fences as possible and not backing off anything! As the clinic went on he did unfortunately get rather wound up with the stopping and starting which prompted a couple of bronco displays, one of which was captured by the photographer; Click Here for the evidence! Luckily I did stay on and despite these antics I was pleased with his jumping and boldness and he seemed to like the bit. Click Here and here and here and here and here for more!

Ben has finally come back from his winter holiday complete with a rather huge stomach. That means diet and that is something that Ben does not take kindly to. His modest haynet this morning disappeared in 10 minutes flat so he was put on the walker where he squealed alot, complaining that everyone else still seemed to be eating. As he was rather bright I decided a lunge would be the easiest re-introduction to work and to be fair, he was very restrained on the lunge. After jogging and spooky up to the arena and a couple of circuits bucking her realised that it was quite hard work with the extra weight and soon settled down.

Back at the yard the banging demanding more food started and so I decided that turn out was probably the best option as there isn't much grass at the moment. I tied him on the yard and then popped to the tack room to get the camera to take some first day photos. Ben obviously thought I was taking much too long and immediately pulled back, breaking the lead rope, and bounded down to the fields himself naked. As I followed him down he found the huge pile of droppings by the gate from pooh picking and yes, turned looked at me shouting "NO", he got down and rolled in it!!! After 5 minutes chasing him around he finally gave in to the temptation of food and I caught him and dragged him back to the yard. His penance for his antics was putting on the 'lovely' new, bright pink print rug that Anita so kindly sent down with him. I assume all her other horses refused point blank to wear it, as you can see from then photo even Ben looks a bit dazzled by it!

Down at the fields the other horses did look slightly alarmed at this luminous creature, not that Ben cared as he has some serious rolling to do and preceeded to spend the next hour rolling in every possible muddy patch. When I brought him in a few hours later, said rug was more brown than pink and there was definitely a smug look on his face; 'That will teach you to try and ruin my street cred and don't worry it will be all brown in a week.'

Think I need to browse through photos of Ben jumping just to remind me why I love this horse so much!

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/