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/
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