In the last few weeks Sadie has been doing one session a week over the show jumps and her progress is incredible. She has hardly spooked at any fillers and we have progressed from a small grid to single jumps from both trot and canter with or without placing poles. I like to mix it up to keep her think and I am conscious to just keep her straight and in a controlled rythym and leave the rest to her so she learns to look after herself. I am really pleased that she always seems to learn from her mistakes and is developing great technique whilst staying very calm and relaxed. Yesterday she had her longest session yet and got lots of photos and video.

Started with a simple grid approaching in trot of two cross poles with a one stride distance and placing poles and this was her reaction when the filler was added to the second one!  Then built up to an upright and a spread and started putting it up a bit as she was finding it effortless.

Sequence of three as she popped down it as if she had been doing it for years. Whilst she was spot on, I must admit I was rather excited at jumping my first proper size fence on my baby and let myself get a bit too far forward on take off.

Next took her round the rest of the show jumps

Finally the water tray which warranted a little look and a big leap.

Videos of various below which I have finally managed to embed into the website.

In summary I am really can't express how pleased I am with my girl who is so rewarding to ride. I am still determined to take things slowly although after such a good performance we have decided to do the clear round at the show Jumping on Saturday here at Stockland Lovell just for a bit of fun!

Finally tired out and hot, but still happy! For a horse that loves to pull faces in the stable she has her ears permanently pricked when being ridden.

Introducing Sadie (Steeler's Singalong) who is my own homebred mare 4 years in May and the last few days she has really made me smile through what have been exceptionally tiring and hectic days. She is out of my 'horse of a lifetime' mare who went clear at CCI*** by Up with the Lark (one of his first crop of foals) and we nearly lost her to septisemia when she was 2 days old. Coupled by the fact that both her younger sisters were lost through tragic circumstances, she is very special and means the world to me. I backed last summer and just hacked her a bit and she then had the winter off before coming back into work a few weeks ago. However as I have 11 other horses to ride for owners it is hard to find the time to fit her in and she is ridden 3-4 times a week and lives out.

I have however just managed to ride her a few times in the arena and started some trot and canter poles/cross poles and I haven't stopped smiling since. Understandably she tires after 20 minutes but as such enthusiasm for it all and whilst she may look a bit plain just standing comes alive when she is moving. I put the back protector on just in case, but really she feels safe as houses just quite bouncy.

On to trot poles and initially she found it the best thing ever to bound through them jumping each one!

I did however calm her down and make her trot through properly



On to jumping. She has never loose jumped as I just don't have the right facilities and I was so unsure how she would react. She is such a laid character I could imagine her just ploughing through them but how wrong could I be, she can get that huge stomach off the ground and be co-ordinated when she wants to!





Understandably did tire quite quickly so we kept the session short, but have since gone back in and jumped a small double plus a filler which she didn't really notice at all.

Choccies all round to those who have got this far. I am just so pleased she is enjoying herself and it is like having her mum back again (hence the awful grim I seem to have in most of the photos!). Also so nice to get on a baby who feels safe! Plans for the year are not fixed as I will be taking it slowly, but a 4 year old class later is not out of the question building upto badminton in 5-6 years time!!!!

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!

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!

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.

Today the snow finally started to thaw although still too much in the arena to ride yet and a rather bitter wind made it feel pretty cold.

The horses are still going out for a few hours although the fields have got slightly slippery now the snow is rather wet. They are also rather bored of the walker now, as illustrated by Millie who has a couple of times stopped it dead by planting her bottom against it, ignoring all vocal attempts to get her to move. However a quick flick of the electric fencing button shows how quickly Millie can accelerate when she puts her mind to it and normality returns! The only exception is Sadie who was only introduced to this idea of going round in circles this week. As yet, the novelty hasn't worn off and she still marches on very keenly. I think she sees it more of a social occassion with her mates than a way of excercising.

Anyway, tonight we have more snow forecast, but it is warmer and there is a chance it could be more sleet and rain at the coast where we are. So please let it rain and we can wake up to see green outside with all snow melted so I can get back riding. Wishful thinking maybe, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed all night....

I know that it is everywhere, but we are really not use to so much white stuff in the balmy West Country: Frozen taps, icy tracks and the arenas covered in snow means hard work, but no riding just when I was ready to crack on with all the horses to prepare for the coming event season .

Archie and Ben are still at home ready to return as soon as the weather improves whilst Aragon  and Fling were just ready to start some serious schooling and a bit of jumping. Millie who had been in light/medium work all winter is raring to go out BSJA again and Sadie is getting bored a bit although I definitely wasn't planning on doing much with her until the weather is a bit better. Instead lessons with my trainer Sue Edwards were obviously cancelled today and I won't be risking taking the lorry out down the lanes until they have melted. Thank heavens for the horse walker situated right next to the yard and I am still turning everyone out for a few hours as the snow is powder and not balling up in their feet. With big pile of hay each they are behaving remarkably well although Sadie did have some acrobatics at first and even got her Mum to join in briefly!

Video taken on  mobile so not the best quality and some photos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv-b99c7Avk

 Aragon and Fling

 Aragon and Millie

 Mum and daughter Roodi (behind) and Sadie; not always easy to see which is which!

Sadie looking very furry and glossy who was very interested in Fiona's son Ben who came to visit the horses this weekend

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/