World Class Development Squad...

I have been lucky enough to be part of the World Class development programme since 2005, it provides the most fantastic support and training with the very best in the world.
The selection process happens every 2 years. This year I had been put on GOLD level so I didn't have to go to selection trials, I am so grateful for everything the programme has done for me and it is a great honour to be part of the squad once again....
Training days kick off in January and all the horses will benefit from this....

Christmas Puissance...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS everybody!!
Yesterday we had a lovely christmas lunch at the Walkers.... Sarah is simply the best cook!!!
After lunch Philip and Sarah came up to watch some of their horses jump, I always have a puissance competition between the horses on christmas day!
This time we needed taller wings as they only went up to 1m65, FERNHILL CRISTAL, JITTERBUG and VANCOUVER all cleared the top of the wings, however the real treat came when Philip said I could jump NOBLE SPRINGBOK... He might only be a 14.2hh pony but he is a legend!!! He cleared 1m65 easily!! Next year santa will have to bring some taller wings so we can have a proper puissance!!!!!
Next week we are off to Hand EC... lets hope the horses all jump well......
HAPPY NEW YEAR.....

Spotted from the stands....

When i was at Olympia watching the showjumping, I saw a lovely stallion jumping called TRESOR, I knew I recognised the name and I now know why.... This is FERNHILL CRISTAL's Sire!!
I have now told Cristal he has no excuses for having any fences down in the showjumping as his Daddy is jumping Grand Prix classes!!!

Snow has fallen....

I am at here in the nice warm office, putting off going outside in the freezing cold! We have had our dumping of snow which makes everything so much more hard work.... we are seriously lucky to have the fantastic facilities here at Membury Estate which means all the horses are in full work and apart from missing hacking out, they have missed no work due to this awful weather.
Last Tuesday I went to Addington BSJA with JITTERBUG and RAYEF. They both did the 1m15 and the Foxhunter. In the first class we were all a little ring rusty and both horses had a rail down, in the foxhunter JITTERBUG jumped an immaculate double clear to finish 3rd and RAYEF had a rail but all in all, considering this was his firsg since Jne I was really pleased with him.
I have been to Olympia this week and got all enthusiastic about showjumping.... so I have entered JITTERBUG, RAYEF and FERNHILL CRISTAL into a 4 day jumping show at Hand EC over New Year!!
I have also been to meet the team at 'weighed in', this is a new website that produces video footage! I went to Warwick Racecourse to meet them and have a chat.... check out the link...

http://www.soccerx.co.uk/lauracollett.htm

This is probably my last post before Christmas so I would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a very MERRY CHRISTMAS....

Updates....

DASSETT COURAGE (Teddy) has been sold to a syndiavte for Emily Baldwin to ride. He is a fantastic horse and we wish Emily the very best of luck with him.
MINIMEE is for sale and anyone interested in a fantastic juniors horse should email me.... he has been super consistent finishing 2nd and 3rd in his CCI*'s this year. A video of him can be seen at www.eventingspecialist.org.uk
Most of the horses are back in work now... RAYEF and JITTERBUG are gearing up for some showjumping and once the others are back to full work we will have lorry loads going BSJA!!
The cold weather is becoming a bore now... we even had the first lot of snow this morning.... Thank Goodness for the indoor school!!

THANKYOU!!

I would like to say a BIG Thank You to all my sponsors, owners and support team for making this year so successful.

OWNERS:

Philip and Sarah Walker - GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST, FERNHILL CRISTAL, GI MASTER CASTER, MINIMEE
Jason Houghton - RAYEF
Lucy Sangster - MERE OAK
Simon and Mags Hope - MILLFIELD CONDESCEND
Kelly Ward - NOBLE BESTMAN
Denis and Sheila Collett - UNO DI LANDRO
The Vancouver Partnership - VANCOUVER
Anna Windsor-Clive - QUERIDO E
Nicky Betteridge - MY MEXICO
Cindy White - ROYAL HILARITY
Heather Butler - HUNTERS LEGEND

SPONSORS:

ARIAT
www.ariat.com
BARSNBY
www.barnsby.co.uk
HOLLAND COOPER CLOTHING (Fantastic to win Best Trot up outfit at Burghley CCI****!!!!)
www.hollandcooper.com
MAXAVITA
www.maxavita.com
PENTLAND LAND ROVER
www.pentland.landrover.co.uk
THE PURE FEED COMPANY
www.thepurefeedcompany.com
SPORTING SPIRITS
www.sportingspirits.co.uk
WALKER LOGISTICS
www.walkerlogistics.com
WESTGATE EFI
www.wefi.co.uk



SUPPORT TEAM:

Alex Van Tuyll - This year wouldn't have happened without Alex, she has driven me everywhere, held my hand through my first CCI**** (which can't have been pleasurable!!!) done all my entries, kept everyone up to date with emails, as well as being in charge of the yard!!

Mum - This year Mum has kept the show on the road at home whilst we have been away competing, she gets the horses ready for the events and ensures they are turned out beautifully! Mum has also been in charge of helping Grace Walker and Noble Springbok through their Pony Trials and was there when she won Team Gold and Individual Silver at the Pony European Championships.

Felicity Organ - Flick was working for us full time and then sadly left half way through the year to work closer to home, she very kindly agreed to cover the weeks we were away and ensured the horses were worked and the yard was kept immaculate!!

Everyone else who has helped along the way.... there are too many to mention but I am truely Grateful to you all!!!

Review of the year...

2010 has been full of ups and downs, as every season normally is in eventing!!!
The highlight for me was going clear round my first CCI**** at Burghley on GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST. This has been a lifelong dream, so to achieve this on my first attempt and on my 21st birthday was amazing! I have to say a special Thank You to Philip and Sarah Walker for buying me such a fantastic horse to have my first go on!!
Tattersalls was most definitely a low point in the year, I went with two very exciting 8 year olds (MERE OAK and FERNHILL CRISTAL) who I believed had a very good chance of battling it out between them for a CCI** win. They were 1st and 2nd after dressage but then disaster occurred on XC day!!
Both horses flew around their first CCI** until two fences from home where they both misread the step into water and both ended up upside down and drenched in water.... A very disappointing day as neither horse deserved to fall.
After this it was onwards and upwards (literally!!) as we made the long journey to Burgie, chasing qualification for the Young Rider European Championships!! The two 'water boys' were in the CCI** again and we made the journey worth while by taking NOBLE BESTMAN for the CIC* and MINIMEE for the CCI*.
MERE OAK had another nasty fall, but the others were fab, NOBLE BESTMAN AND MINIMEE both finished 2nd and Cristal got his qualification when he completed in 4th.
Cristal put the whole experience behind him and went on to win the final trial at Barbury, win a team gold medal at the European Championships, finish 8th individually and then jump double clear at his first CIC*** at Blenheim!
All the young horses have been ticking along all year and MILLFIELD CONDESCEND will be aiming for Le Lion D'anger next year!!

The most consistent horse on the yard this year has undoubtedly been NOBLE BESTMAN, out of his 15 runs this year he amassed 76 BE points, had a top 10 placing at 14 of these events and his lowest placing was 11th at the Novice Championships, which is where he had his only rail down this year!!! He also started at Pre-Novice level and ended winning the Under 21 CCI** Championships!


I achieved a personal best this year... not during eventing but during a fun class at Blenheim, the Eventers Puissance. Fun was had by all and as Mark Todd stripped down to just his breeches to win another 'life' I went for the bareback option and took my saddle off!! Approaching a 1m85 fence is terrifying enough as it is, let alone coming at it without a saddle!!! JITTERBUG was awesome and I got a real buzz doing it!!

Nearly end of season!

I have now finished eventing for 2010. However Wills and Grace are finishing this weekend.

The majority of the horses are on their well desreved holidays. We do have some youngsters that have recently been backed in work, They are learning the basics and the plan is to sell some over the Winter months.

As the end of the season approaches, it is time to catch up with the sponsors and ownwers to make plans for next year and to check everyone is happy. I am also approaching new companies with a view to sponsorship and even possible event horse ownwership. Fingers crossed! I also intend to go to ireland for the sales to see what is around and hopefully find some budding new stars for the future. Lets hope...

In the meantime, I am going on holiday and Mum and Wills are in charge....

FOR SALE

We have a few horses for sale. Ranging from 4yo to CCI*. If interested, please either email or text. More details and photos coming soon.

Querido E

I am very sad to announce that Anna and Thomas Windsor Clive's Querido E has been put down after sustaining a serious injury in the field. 'Tosh' was only bought this Spring and was progressing well in his first season eventing. It is a very sad loss and my thoughts go out to the Windsor Clives.

A good way to finish the season......

After a muddy week at Osberton I was not looking forward to the prospect of a muddy Weston Park...

Alex returned this morning after a long journey from the States via Leige in Belgium and within the hour was ready to go to Weston. Lorry loaded and we set off with my two, Noble Bestman and Minimee, and Wills, and his two. Much relief was had when we drove straight in and not a tractor in sight. As Philip was sponsoring the CCI*, we had allocated parking right at the front of the lorry park and directly opposite our stables... how lucky are we?!

Minimee trotted up on Wednesday afternoon and was fine. He had a light schooling session directly after trot up as he was doing dressage early on Thursday morning. Steve and Wills' two all trotted on Thursday as they are in the CCI**YR section, which does not start until Friday. Minimee did a very accurate test to gain a mark of 41.1 which left him at the top of the leader board until Piggy French came along! This was followed by a fantastic round across the country inside the time. We did hit the fence in the arena and nearly had a close experience with the soil but luckily we stayed upright! Coincendentally, this fence was sponsored by Walker Logistics, not a good look if I had hit the dust! On Sunday, after our early morning trot up, which Minimee took in his stride, I hastily walked the course in preperation for our round. As Piggy collected some time faults across the country we were in the lead, and I wanted no excuse for having any fences down. Minimee jumped the most superb round and sadly hit the rail going into the final combination, it came down and we lost our lead and slipped into third. Not a bad result but he did not deserve the rail at all, another day he will be a winner.

On Friday, Steve having been quite frisky and full of life, settled really well and got down to business. His test was very good and there is still room for more improvement but he scored 44.7 to head the young rider section. This was followed by an awesome double clear to win. My first and last win of 2010. I cannot wait to take Steve to a CCI*** next year, the aim being Bramham but over the Winter I need to find an owner who is willing to help pay his running costs.... Know anyone? Send them to see the supersonic STEVE, they won't regret it.

Wills did not have such a good day on Saturday when Fred decided that getting his feet wet was not for him, naughty Fred. Luckily for Wills, Orly was fab and flew round. A good weekend but lots to build on for next year for Wills and his horses. They are also having a well deserved rest before coming in to hone the schooling techniques....

Osberton

Mud, mud glorious mud.....

Not sure what else to say! We have survived and I owe the organisers and land owners of Osberton a massive thank you for continuing with the horse trials. The mud has been cleeaned away, the kit no longer smells, the washing machine still works and we're going to another three day tomorrow. Please make the sun shine!!!!

Mere Oak contesting his third CCI** of 2010 was for once not drawn 1st. A massive relief. He sailed through trot up and was even very cheeky with bucks and squeals thrown in for good measure! He did a 41.4 dressage on Thursday morning which left us in the lead until Mathew Wright and his more experienced If You Want II came into the arena and did a 38! However this was not going to be a dressage competition and the weather was dreadful and continues to rain constantly. The big, well built course definately caused some problems on Saturday and the ground conditiond were not great, but no worse than a good old fashioned hunting day. Sadly for me Jambi glanced off the corner and so it was 20 penalities. Very annoying andf i was disappointed with him as normally he is so straight and accurate. On Sunday he rolled one pole to finish 35th. Not a result I would like to finished the season on, but there will be all to play for next year now. Jambi now heads home to the Sangsters for his Winter holiday while plans will be discussed for the future.

Dassetts Courage aka Teddy was in the 6yo class and he managed to score 48.8. He was not as on the button as normal, but in his defence has probably never been in conditions such as those before. On Saturday he rolled one pole in the jumping but I was delighted with him. This was to be the finale for him as after the continual rain the remainder of his section was abandoned. He has no more entries this year so is on holiday for a couple of weeks then I will bring him up early to do some indoor jumping and dressage with him.

Outward Bound aka Buddy came on Friday to contest the 5yo class. It was seriously competitive. Buddy scored 33.3 and I was happy with him. We had an expensive rail down in the jumping and then flew round the xc to pick up 0.8 of a time fault. An overall good result for him and I wiah Sam and Fiona all the best with him in the future, I will be keeping watch for him.....

Weston here we come, plus Alex is back....

South of England

Having worked out the logistics of getting to Ardingly as Alex is away. Competing seemed like the easy bit! Pella (Wills' Mum), Will and I left for Ardingly showground at the crack of dawn, only to be greeted by a large queue on the M23. To say the lease we were not amused! The traffic was at complete gridlock and so the obvious thing to do was hop in the back and start plaiting. Meanwhile, as Will cannot plait, he was in charge of making breakfast. The aroma obviously waffed outside and soon we had people knocking on the door to ask if we'd sell some..... My new business venture?!

Finally we arrived with very little time to spare but we quickly swung into action. Steve did an ok test but initially was given a mark of 35, much to my disblief. Sadly later on it was altered to 52.8. It still left us in the lead but with very little leeway. As always, Steve jumped an immaculate double clear to finish 6th. Beated not only by Wills Goodhew..... he went like a rocket and I went like a snail in comparison. One day the results will be reversed!

Minimee, who was a late substiution, did a lovely test to score 22.3 but the show jumping was upto height and sadly he rolled 2 poles. I am not disappointed with him as recently I have hardly ridden him and so this was a hard task for him. I withdrew him from XC as it hardly seemed fair as his last run was a pre novice! All being well I hope to get a late entry in the CCI* at Weston Park with him.

Mark Ford kindly brought Get Up and Jump aka Lilly for Wills to ride. It was their first outing together and they did not disgrace themselves. The plan is for Wills to ride Lilly for the remainder of the season and then for her to be sold. For anyone interested please email me. Her details are:
GET UP AND JUMP... Bay mare 16.1hh 7yo. 10BE points.Clear xc Tattersalls CCI*.Clear xc in all intermediates. Needs to continue her training on the flat but machine xc... Scopey and will go on beyond junior and young rider level. I have owned her since 3yo.

We finally made it home on Sunday evening after a long weekend and various diversions due to traffic and road closures. Thank goodness for sat nav..... we would have been even longer otherwise!

On Wednesday, I head to Osberton with Mere Oak and Dassetts Courage. On Friday Mum and Fiona will bring up Outward Bound for the five yo class. The weather forecast look pretty dreadful so fingers crossed they have it wrong.....

Moreton Morrell

We took 'Outward Bound' aka Buddy and 'Dick Taytoe' aka Spud to Moreton Morrell. Buddy is a new short term ride for me as I am filling in for Sam Griffiths while he is away in WEG. He is qualified for the Lycetts 5 year old championship at Osberton next week, but being fair to everyone we have entered him here to get to know each other in a competition environment before we head to Osberton. He did a lovely smooth and fluent test to get 26 and followed that up with a double clear to win his section for the day. We could ask for more in our first appearance together.

Meanwhile Spud had returned from the Hopes' for me to ride in one more event while they decide what to do with him. Sadly this was not his day and he marred his test with a couple of mistakes and then rolled two poles in the show jumping and then to top it off had a glance off cross country. So after some discussions with all concerned it has been decided to retire Spud from eventing and let Millie focus on doing some dressage with him over the winter. I wish them all the best and think thry will both be very successful.

Updates....

Since Gatcombe I have been very slack at keeping everyone up to date with my news especailly since Alex is in WEG and I am fending for myself! So over the next few days I will update you all on the goings on at Membury! Watch this space......

Gatcombe day 2!!!

Back to Gatcombe yesterday with MERE OAK and DASSETTS COURAGE, both had done good tests on Friday to leave them in 13th and 9th place respectively.
DASSETTS COURAGE jumped really well but had a slight 'green' moment coming into the treble and forgot to bend his front legs, so he added 4 faults to his 47.3 dressage.
He absolutely flew around the xc which is great as it was his first CIC*. He finished with 3.6 time faults and ended up in 17th place.
MERE OAK was first to go in the CIC** and he jumped a faultless round of showjumping and follwed that up with a fast clear xc... adding just 2.8 time faults (only one made the time)finishing in 5th place in a very competitive section!
Both these boys are now heading to Osberton for their final run of the year. DASSETTS COURAGE for the 6yo championships and MERE OAK for the CCI**.

Gatcombe

Yet another early morning as we headed off in the dark to Gatcombe with four on the lorry. Dassett Courage and Mere Oak both did dressage in their respective CIC sections and both lie in 6th place overnight. GI Master Caster and Noble Bestman both in the intermediate did good tests and and both jumped clear rounds show jumping. Sadly Caster took a small aversion to the corner at fence 6, so it was 20 penalties on this occasion. Noble Bestman excelled himself in his fourth intermediate to finish 6th. He now heads to South of England for the CIC**, the final part of his qualification for Weston Park CCI**.

Tomorrow its a day off from Eventing and we head back to Gatcombe on Sunday for the jumping phases of tht CIC. More updates to follow next week.

This week I have aquired a new ride for Osberton 5 year old championships. It is Outward Bound, previously ridden by Sam Griffiths but with him being in WEG I have luckily come in for the ride. We are going to have a run at Moreton Morrell in the BE100, before heading off to Osberton.

Pontispool

Yesterday after we had a quick turnaround from Blenheim Alex and I headed off for Pontispool. We took GI Master Caster (Caster), Dassett Courage (Teddy), Vancouver (Couver) and Querido E (Tosh). All the boys did good tests despite the ground being on the firmer side. Show jumping was in the outdoor school and both Caster and Teddy jumped clear rounds in their sections with Couver rolling one pole. Sadly Tosh was not quite right so I withdrew him them. The others all went cross country nicely and well within themselves. So we were lucky enough to come home with some rosettes.

The organising team had done a good job to put the extra day on and it was very much appreciated by the riders as some of us have been on the road fir a few weeks so it meant that the youngewr horses got a look in.

The final day a Blenheim with Cristal was awesome. He was brilliant cross country and jumped very confidently round his first three star track and I now have high hope for next year. For him his season has ended and he will start his well earned holiday this week. Before he gets roughed off completely he will have a through MOT! Over the next few weeks I will sit down and try and make some kind of plan for him and the others for next season.

The remainder of the week looks remarkably normal....!! Most odd as Alex and I haven't been around, so it will be a shock! At the weekend we head to Gatcombe for the CIC*/** and the Intermediate. All being well the horses will gain their necessary qualifications before heading to Osberton and Weston Park. Meanwhile Alex is off to WEG with team Portugal so Mum, myself and Will and will be busier than normal.

As for 2011 I hope to have two at my first Badminton in the Spring and then some of the younger ones at other three days, bit I will keep you all posted on that note as Winter progresses.

Over the Winter, I hope to head to New Zealand for a couple of weeks to catch up with my family over there and then I will be out and about doing dressage and jumping with those that need it. Fingers crossed it doesn't snow like last year!!

Blenheim

This week I have Fernhill Cristal at Blenheim in the CIC*** for 8/9 year olds. He did his test yesterday morning and was very exuberant! He did some of his best work but that was marred slightly by Cristal showing everyine he had learnt changes as I entered down the centre line! HHe did manage to score 58 but that does not leave us in the top group but there is all to play for tomorrow and Sunday. He show jumps at 17.06 and goes xc on Sunday morning.

I also have Jitterbug doing the high jump class this afternoon. It starts at 15.45 and we're in it to win it. I practised 1 metre 65 in the schoo at home on Monday bare back so I hope the others are ready!

Monday Morning....

Things were a little hectic to update everyone yesterday.

The good news is that I have completed my first 4*. Ginger had two fences down in the jumping yesterday, but despite that i am utterly thrilled with her.

The early morning began with a healthy leg stretch in hand for Ginger before she had her breakfast at 5.30. Then her legs were routinely iced while she ate while having a lovely massage for the blanket. I took her for a gentle stretch at half six to see how she felt. Perky...., really good news after the endurance day on Saturday. Trot up was at 9am which we sailed through. Then off to walk the course..... It seemed huge with lots of lines on related distances, not Gingers' forte. But all was to play for! I watched a couple of early rounds before heading back to the lorry to change. Meanwhile Alex had packed most things away and got everything organised so we could both watch the afternoon jumping session.

We were randomly selected for the dope testing by the FEI after jumping, needless to say Ginger did not oblige so we spent an hour in the stable before having her bloods taken. She even managed to roll, did not please Alex as she had her plaits in for the parade! Oops.....

We watched the final 10 horses jump in the afternoon when we had paraded in the main arena and I'm so pleased for Caroline Powell and Lenemore on their victory. It was much deserved for them and the MacKinnon family.

We have made it home in one piece and both Ginger and Cristal are having a lovely time in the field before Cristal heads to Blenheim on Wednesday.

All the horses at home are in good form and are having a day of jumping and schooling. Tomorrow we head for Weston Lawns with a lorry load for World Class training before packing and heading off to Blenheim on Wednesday morning.

While we have been away at Burghley, Wills Goodhew has joined us for the foreseeable future to come and see how we do things. He has brought his horse 'Fred' to come for schooling.

I also need to say a massive thank you to my crew on Saturday who helped to make things run so smoothly. They consisted of Fergus Payne (in charge on water bucket filling and general icing), Felicity Hook (washer off'er extrodinaire!!) and Tom McEwen (holder of the Ginger Ninja!). This meant Mum and the Walkers could watch and enjoy things. John Studd, the breeder of the Killinghurst family, also very kindly came to add his support to the cross country day.

Thanks must also go to Leigh Miller and Andy Thomas who help to keep me and Ginger on the road during the season but particulary during this week. My body is hugely appreciative of all the poking and proding they do!! I promise one day to be a good patient!!!!!

All can say now is ROLL ON BADMINTON 2011

XC Day

Just had the best 21st birthday present ever.... GINGER went CLEAR today and I had the best ride ever. We finished with 21.8 time faults but I was expecting some as I took my planned long routes and also did an additional circle at the fence in the main arena. I am utterly thrilled with her and couldn't have asked anymore of her. Ginger guided me through my first four star, I was just the passenger. I must thank Philip and Sarah Walker for buying her for me to ride and to Yogi for all his help and advice this week.

At present I am lying in 28th place so will jump just before the lunch break provided the trot up goes well. Tonight Ginger looks ok just stiff all round and like she has gallopewd a few miles! Fingers crossed and doubled crossed tonight for the morning.

Second day of dressage

Today after the end of dressage Ginger and I are in 11th place. Ruth Edge leads on 38.3 so all to play for as less than 10 penalties behind.

Both Cristal and Ginger jumped this morning with Yogi before Alex and I took them for a hack. We then headed to the celebrity chat area with Christoffer Forsberg to chat with Jonty Evans. I have also managed to walk the course again and finalise my plans. I will walk early Saturday morning to check my lines.

In the morning, Ginger will go for a hack at 6.30am to have a good leg stretch and loosen up. Afterwards she will have a massage and the magnetic rug on to ensure she is in tip top shape before she runs. My start time is 11.16

The ground on the course is fantastic and all credit must go to Liz Inman, the director, and her team.

Finger crossed for tomorrow

Burghley 2010

I have walked the course for a second time today and it still seems huge. My initial plans still stand and I plan to take two long routes on Saturday. I will walk again tomorrow with Yogi and for a final time on Saturday early morning.

Today I did my first interview for BBC with Clare Balding, it was a daunting experience. But not as terrifying as going to the press conference and being sat next to Mary King and William Fox Pitt. I then did a radio interview for radio Burghley and a TV link.

Overnight after day one of dressage the results are:
1) Mary King 44.8*
2) Willliam Fox Pitt 46.8*
3) Laura Collett 47.0

Tomorrow I plan to jump Ginger and Cristal in the morning and then watch a few young event horses.

Burghley Dressage

Ginger scored 47 and is currently in the lead!!!

See http://www.bdwp.co.uk/bur/10/ for all the results

Burghley - Wednesday

We have arrived at Burghley and all settled in.

This morning Ginger went for a hack which she found all very exciting and spent a lot of time snorting at the deer!

She then trotted up really well and I won the trot up prize and won 2 Waterford tumblers! How exciting! A Big thank you to Holland Cooper for providing the stunning outfit - I hope to post a photo later

I took Cristal hacking in the park as well

My dressage Test is at 1007 on Friday and then I will taking part in the celebrity talk at area at 430

My 21st........

I have been truly spoilt this morning, thanks to everyone!! Celebrations started on Friday evening in The Plough in Ford with alot of my friends from the Stow area. On Sunday evening, I went a select group to support the local Lambourn Carnival and had a very good evening, despite being covered in bruises from the dodgems. On Monday, I went out for a quiet meal before heading home to start my packing for Burghley, all getting close now.

This morning packing has started and the fencew outside the yard resembles a washing line.... drying begins in earnest! Hope to leave around 11am to go via the pool with Ginger before heading to Burghley.

Cristal is joining us for the week as he qualified for the CIC*** at Blenheim next week by jumping a fantastic round cross country yesterday. Despite having 2 fences down we finished 11th in a strongly contested advanced section. His first ever!! So proud of my boy, he's growing up quickly!! All being well and if Blenheim goes to plan he will go on a much deserved Winter break before starting work again in December.

My Grandparents are over from New Zealand and are coming to support the team for the week. They are also using the chance to catch up with all their friends in the UK before making their way home after Blenheim. Its been so nice to have them around.

Hope to keep updated frequently on my progress from Burghley.....

Dassett Courage

I am very lucky and i have been bought Dassett Courage to ride. He is a 6 year old bay gelding aiming for the CIC* at Osberton this Autumn. 'Teddy' to his friends has settled in really well and will run at Pontispool and Gatcombe before heading to Osberton. I hope to have a photo of him soon.

Burghley 2010

To subscribe to Burghley TV go to: www.bdwp.co.uk and register with Burghley TV to see the action live from the event.

Day 2 at Highclere

Yet another busy day at Highclere with 5 on the lorry.

Noble Bestman did a 35 dressage followed by a double clear in the inermediate and was pipped o he post by Sharron Hunt. But a second place in his third intermediate is not bad. His aim will be Weston CCI** in October, providing he qualifies at South of England.

Vancouver was out again and did 38 in dressage, hit the first rails of the treble in the showjumping and went briiliantly but slowly accross the country to get 19 time faults. He too might aim for Weston CCI**.

Master Caster did a lovely test marred by one mistake in the canter work, but i feel was harshly marked to score 37. He hit the first show jump and then jumped his socks off. Which is very pleasing as it was a big show jumping track, Sadly his performance was marred by a naughty stop xc, but having been reminded that her was here to jump the fences, not stop he went really well. What annoying stop!!

Mere Oak did a fab test to score 29.5, but had 3 fences down jumping followed by a fast cleasr xc to come home with a rosette for 9th. He is aiming for the CCI** at Osberton.

We also took Lottie Kennedy with us as she has been based with us over the Summer. She did a lovely test on her mare Sunny. Sadly show jumping did not go according to plan and she had a parting of the ways. Having beem checked by the doctor it was decided to send Lottie to hospital for a more through check up. Good news is that she was let out that night. Wishing her a speedy recovery at home now.

Today Fernhill Cristal goes to Highclere for his first advanced with the aim of securing a qualificaion for Blenheim CIC***.

Mean while hings at home at ticking along as usual. I jumped Jitterbug bare back o pracise for the jumping class at Blenheim. I have taken a video and will try and get it up later.

Ginger has had her last jump for Burghley with Yogi his morning and then went and did 32 laps round the poool. She will be fit for Burghley!! Tomorrow she will have a gentle swim before we leave as she will be unable to swim whilst we are at the event. She has been swimming three times a week, averaging 75 laps a week.

Packing for Burghley begins in earnest tonight when we return from Highclere. As we plan to leave at about noon tomorrow. Fingers crossed now for the 'Big One'!!

Catch up!

Ok ok ok - Apologies for lack of news recently I have just been so busy in the run up to my first 4* at Burghley and celebrating my 21st but don’t worry am back on the case now!

The Europeans was an amazing trip for me - the team won team gold and Cristal and I finished out of the medals in 8th place but I am delighted with his progress this year and to stand on the podium with my team mates was a special way to mark the end of my young rider career.

The whole week was an emotional one for me as Grace was part of the european pony team with Spring. He yet again proved he is the best pony in the world by winning a Silver individual medal and team gold. Grace and he are a great partnership and I was thrilled to hear their progress over the weekend but sad not to be there to witness it.

Felicity , a member of my hardworking back up team, recently got engaged and left us to concentrate on her wedding and the next phase of her life – we will miss her

Back home and back to earth with a bump. We headed to Gatcombe and Ginger did a great dressage to score 32, a fantastic clear show jumping and was then withdrawn. I always planned to run at Hartpury the week later.

West Wilts was next with the younger horses and 3rd and 8th was not too bad a day at the office

Aston Le Walls was the next stop with the intermediates – they both went well and jumped clear xc but our show jumping let us down

Ginger was having her final run before Burghley at Hartpury and started well with a great test and a fantastic clear round show jumping. She got really strong on the cross country and sadly we had 2 run outs – not the perfect prep for Burghley so we decided to enter her at Hatherleigh the following weekend for another run. We borrowed a bit from Lucy Wiegersma to try and moved on .

The trip to Hatherleigh was fitted in at the last moment and down the M5 and the A38 on a summer weekend was a trial all on its own but we made it and were greeted with the best ground we have seen for ages. Ginger did a great test but 2 down marred that score but we came here to test her brakes before Burghley so that was the important phase. Lucy’s bit did the trick and I pulled up after 8 fences with mission accomplished. We took her home and will wrap her up in cotton wool until we leave for Burghley on the Tuesday.

We have been lucky to be able to swim Ginger at Harry Dunlop’s http://www.harrydunlopracing.com/ and Oliver Sherwood’s in Lambourn http://www.oliversherwood.co.uk/ and thanks must go to both of them and their team at home for helping us in the run up to the big one

We left at early o’clock for the trip to Somerford park and yet again were greeted by amazing going – Noble Bestman was 8th but Caster was naughty and stopped twice at the third last. Vancouver came for an outing too – he did a great test of 28 and then was withdrawn as it was his first outing since April.

This week has been full of lessons with Yogi and gearing up for 8 at Highclere over the weekend. Oh yes and a small matter of the start of my birthday celebrations!

Today MILLFIELD CONDESCEND did a test of 29 and followed it up with a double clear and finished 4th in the five year old section

Re-routing to Burgie...

After my tumble in Ireland we re-routed to Burgie... It is a long way to go as it is in Scotland but I went last year so knew it was a lovely event and well worth the drive!
We took the two water babies... CRISTAL and JAMBI (Mere Oak) and then to fill the lorry we took STEVE (Noble Bestman) for the CIC* and MINIMEE for the CCI*.
JAMBI and CRISTAL had had a week off after Tatts and then XC schooled 3 times the week before Burgie so hadn't really done any dressage... JAMBI was rather tense and made a few mistakes to finish on 53 which left him lying in 9th place.
CRISTAL did a nice test but not as polished as his Tatts test to score 48.1 and top the leader board.
MINIMEE did a lovely test to put him in 3rd place on a 42.5 in the CCI*.
STEVE was rather excited and was cheeky in his test so only scored 54.4 but this was good enough for 3rd in his section.
MINIMEE went XC first and it was a decent track that was catching lots of people out. He went clear and added 1.2 time penalties which left him in his 3rd place.
JAMBI was first to go in the CCI** and he was feeling great up until fence 10 which was a step up, bounce to a log... he jumped up the step but for some reason he didn't get his front legs up over the log and fell...
CRISTAL was next and I was worried that it was going to be a repeat of Tatts but he was awesome! He lost a shoe at fence 5 so I had to slow down on the corners so he didn't slip too much. He came home with 6.8 time faults which dropped him down to 4th place but I was thrilled with him!
STEVE showjumped his normal immaculate clear round and then followed up with a speedy XC round which moved him up to 2nd place as he was the only one to finish on his dressage score!
MINIMEE and CRISTAL both trotted up well with Alex whilst I was doing STEVE!
The CCI* showjumping was first and MINIMEE jumped really well but just rubbed the front rail with his hind legs on an oxer. He ended up moving up to 2nd place which was a great result for him.
CRISTAL was fresh and jumping his socks off outside... he jumped just as well in the ring but had a very unlucky rail but it left him in his 4th place.
He has now qualified for the Young Rider Final Trial and has been put on the shortlist.
A successful and fun week was had....

Butgie

BRAMHAM...

Last week we headed North for Bramham, Ginger was competing in the CCI*** Under 25 Championships, Rayef was having his first outing since Europeans last year in the CIC*** and Jitterbug was coming for the Mix and Match. We also had the added nerves of Grace doing her first three day event at Brand Hall on Noble Springbok.... this was the British Pony Championships!!! A busy week was beckoning!!!
On Thursday, Rayef had his dressage, in the warm up arena he decided he couldn't possibly cope with people sat watching him and reversed around the arena acting like a 4yo!!! Alex had to lead him round once to show him they were infact people not monsters!!
After this he was working well, however none of us quite knew what to expect when he entered the arena!! He was however an angel!!!! He did one of his best tests and even managed to perform his flying changes without bucking!!! He scored a 42.5 which left him in 2nd place behind none other than Mark Todd!
Ginger came out on Friday and did her best test ever, she was soft, supple and really moving! She scored a 41.3 which put her into the lead by 4 marks from a Frenchman!
Immediately after my dressage I had to jump in my car and head 15minutes down the road to an airfield where Charlie Walker and his little plane were waiting to fly me to Brand Hall to walk the XC course with Grace... It was an experience... rather like being on a ride at Alton Towers, only it lasted 45 minutes!! I was not feeling so good when I arrived at Brand Hall!!
We walked the course and then back in the plane to trot Rayef up back at Bramham! The timing was spot on but mainly Thanks to Alex who had Rayef ready and waiting down at trot up, with Kate Honey at the ready just incase I didn't make it!!
Saturday morning began with Rayef showjumping... he was chased by a dog in the warm up which he thought was very exciting! When he went in the ring he jumped really well, he just made up too much distance down a line to an oxer and had the front rail so finished with 4faults. We withdrew him before the XC as it was too much of an ask first time out!
All our attentions moved towards Gingers XC... I watched the seniors on the big screen and it was causing chaos! I had decided to go long at the water as not many had attempted the straight route and it was early on in the course so it would have been a long way round if you had a 20 penalties there!
Ginger set off on the course and was flying, I then got held just before fence 15. The next fence was a double of corners on a tight right turn. Ginger had switched off during the hold and as I jumped the first corner she never looked at the second one and annoyingly ran past it. She then turned round and popped it easily, a very frustrating 20 penalties so I then just went in a nice rhythm round the rest of the course which she jumped brilliantly.
I added 20 jumping penalties and 19 time penalties which dropped me down to 15th.
I then had to hot foot it back (in my car this time!!) to Brand Hall to walk the showjumping track woth Grace!
By the time I arrived back at Bramham my bed was more than just calling me!!!
Ginger sailed through the Sunday morning trot up!
I walked the showjumping track and it was quite twisty with lots of related distances! As I met Yogi in the warm up arena we both had a laugh and said the course was not suited to Ginger and that maybe it was a good thing that I had not retained my lead as the chances of her jumping clear were slim to none (bearing in mind she has never showjumped a clear round on the final day before!)
This time though I had an incentive as Alex had said that if I jumped clear she would take me to The Ritz for dinner!!
As I entered the ring I wasn't sure what was going to happen!... Ginger jumped her socks off though and jumped a brilliant clear round!
As I came out Alex said that was the most expensive clear round I have jumped!!!!
So we are off to The Ritz!!!!
I was obviously thoroughly disappointed to have had my 20pens on the XC but now we know that with an incentive like Thr Ritz... Ginger can jump clear!!!!
JITTERBUG was next up and I was paired with George Whitaker in the Mix and Match... this is a fun class where the eventers jump out of the arena onto the XC course where they jump 7 XC fences and then back into the arena, where the showjumper then jumps a course and the whole thing is against the clock!
JITTERBUG has only had one novice run this season so it was a huge ask for her to jump 7 *** fences including into the water! She was amazing though and George went like a rocket but unfortunately roled a pole so we ended up 4th! £400 for us both meant it was fun and well worth it!!
Grace rounded off a good weekend by just rolling one pole to finish 5th in the British Pony Championships!

My WET weekend!

Lots to catch up on!!

Since my last update ALOT has happened!!
Firstly we had a successful trip to Chatsworth... Ginger didn't win me the £50 from Kenneth for showjumping clear but she did only have 2 down and then flew round the XC which meant we were qualified for Bramham CCI***. Landro, Steve(Noble Bestman) and Mexico all went well with Steve picking up a 5th placing.
The following weekend we were at Mattingly with Minimee and Caster in the open Novice, Caster did a lovely double clear but not such a good dressage left him just out the top 10! Minimee was leading on a 25 going into XC but took a dislike to the white Polar Bear coming out of the water so unfortunatele picked up 20 pens. In the Novice Regional Final, Steve and Mexico both jumped double clear to finish 5th and 9th respectively.... This meant Steve qualified for the Novice Championships but sadly Mexico just missed out!
Next stop was Tattersalls, Ireland with Cristal and Jambi(Mere Oak)... They were both doing their first CCI** Under 25. Jambi was first to go and he was doing a super test until the second walk pirouette, the wind got caught of someones jacket outside the arena and it started flapping... Jambi thought this was terrifying and so messed up the pirouette and the last canter movement down the long side as he thought the 'monster' was still there!!!! He still ended up on 48.8 which was pleasing but annoying to think it could easily have been a 43!
Cristal was next and he can be spooky at home so I wasn't too sure how he would cope in the main arena,however horses love to prove me wrong and he went in and did a beautiful test, he did everything I asked of him and was really impressive. He shot straight into the lead with a 38.5.... This meant I was lying 1st and 2nd with my two boys after dressage!
The XC was a big bold test with lots of ditches and a tricky sunken road at fence 4. Jambi was first out, so I didn't get a chance to watch anyone else... He was absolutely flying round until we came to water complex 3 from home, he jumped the skinny, then I got him right back as 3 strides later was a big step down into water... Jambi never read it as a step and before I knew it we were submerged under the water!!
A quick change of clothes... Polly Stockton very kindly leant me her Body Protector, whilst Winston Williams ran up to the trade stands to get a new air cannister for my Point 2 air jacket!
Then it was a phone call to Yogi to find out what I did wrong.. he assured me that neither me or Jambi were to blame and that it was just unlucky!
He came down to the warm up for Cristal and said he had seen a few falls in the water and that I needed to make sure I had cristal in trot after the skinny and then soften my hands to allow him to look down the step!
I had a plan and I was really looking forward to running Cristal as he was feeling mega in the warm up!
He set off and felt incredible... he was like riding an old campaigner not an 8yo doing his first **!!
As I came to the water I knew my plan... I got him back and he popped the skinny, I had him right back in trot and then softened... he dropped his head to look but didn't jump down... he took a stride so landed on one front leg and lost his balance... he was trying really hard to stand up and I was still sat there waiting for him to find his feet but unfortunately he lost his back legs and fell.
Two duckings was not what i had planned at all..... Thankfully both horses were absolutely fine and we will all live to fight another day!
I had started to ask myself if I could have stayed on Cristal so the next morning I went to watch the video replay... I then realised that if I had stayed on him I would have been underneath him!!!!!
I was so cross that the water had punished the horses unnecessarily... neither of mine did anything wrong they just didn't read it right, along with a number of other horses who also fell.
Onwards and Upwards.....

World Class training with the DREAM TEAM!!

Yesterday Alex and I set off for Weston Lawns for a World Class training day... With GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST, RAYEF(Henry), MERE OAK(Jambi), FERNHILL CRISTAL and UNO DI LANDRO on board we decided we had the DREAM TEAM!!!!!
Henry was having his first public outing since his European Championships last September... He made sure everyone knew the beast had been unleashed!!!! He was however on his best behaviour!!
I'm not sure Kenneth Clawson appreciated all his extra jumps he did between the fences during his little jumping session!
Henry did put his best foot forward for Angela Tucker on his dressage lesson!
The others all went really well and found the training very beneficial as always!
I also have the chance of winning some money this weekend... Kenneth has said if i showjump clear on Ginger at Chatsworth he will give me £50... Come on Ginger!!!

Pretty Blue Bells....!

Last weekend we were at Hambleden in the pretty blue bell woods!
Alex actually made me buy her a photo of Caster cantering through the blue bell woods!!!!
Enough of the site seeing!... MERE OAK (Jambi) and FERNHILL CRISTAL were doing the Novice Regional Final, both boys performed a good test, infact they were on the exact same score of 31.8!!
Both showjumped clear, Jambi then came home from XC with 4.4 time faults to finish 10th. Cristal on the other hand decided to take his time and enjoy the views so it was a very steady round from him.
Both horses now head for Tattersalls CCI**... Both doing their first CCI** and both 8years old...The challenge is on!!!!
GI MASTER CASTER was out doing his first OIU21, he was doing a lovely test until a trailer drove behind the arena down a bumby track... for a few moments Caster resembled a giraffe but luckily settled down again as soon as the trailer had passed! He still managed to score 33 so I was pleased.
Yogi very kindly came to help warm me in for the showjumping as we have had a few problems with Casters confidence at recent events... He showed us he was back on form and just had one unlucky rail but jumped fantastically other than that!
The XC was causing quite a few problems so my main aim was to get him round and build his confidence... He settled into a rhythm and felt great, a little hesitant at the first combination at fence 4 but other than that he flew round. I even got brave and jumped the direct route into the water.... I was pleased when Alex Colquhoun had photographic evidence!!!

Sorry...!!!

Firstly I would like to apologise for the lack of updates recently…We have not been very good at updating the blog so here go’s with a months worth of our antics!!!
It kicked off a month ago with Jitterbug going to the British Open for the Eventer’s Grand Prix, she had a great time and so did I… she is awesome at these classes and even though we only finished 5th she is my favourite and puts a huge smile on my face when ever I jump her!!
Next stop was Weston Park on the Saturday… And the British Open!! We weren’t quite sure how we were going to manage to be in the right places for the right times!!
Alex drove the big lorry to Weston with Noble Springbok for Grace and GI Master Caster for me, I followed in the car to help Grace who was doing the Pony Trial. Whilst we were at Weston, Mum was on her way to the NEC with Noble Bestman. I helped Grace showjump and then hot footed it in the car to the NEC where Mum had Steve looking beautiful ready for the Working Hunter Grand Prix.
I hadn’t competed in a Working Hunter class since 2003!! Luckily nothing had changed and although I think I stood out like a sore thumb… Steve looked the part!!
The confirmation judge didn’t give him a good mark, I think he was looking too much like an eventer and wasn’t carrying enough weight! He gave the judge a good ride and then jumped out of his skin to score 19/20! With his good style mark for jumping he finished 4th… In our minds he won!!!!
Straight back in the car and up the motorway to do a dressage test on Caster… Alex had lunged him and he did a lovely test to score 29.5.
Whilst I had been at the NEC Grace had flown round the XC on Spring and finished 3rd.
Back to Weston on Sunday, Caster didn’t enjoy the ground in the Showjumping and had a round to forget, so we then withdrew him from the XC.
I was doing my first Advanced on Ginger May Killinghurst, she did a nice test although didn’t do her flying changes on the markers! She scored 35. The showjumpig was up to height and very airy! She jumped very well even though she had 3 down we were all really pleased.
She gave me an absolutely awesome ride XC, picked up a few time faults and finished 10th.
It was a really lovely day as John Studd who bred Ginger came to watch and he was thrilled to see her out competing again!
Mid week we had World Class training at Weston Lawns, we took 5 horses and they all benefited greatly from Tracie Robinson, Angela Tucker and Kenneth Clawson.
Next stop was Belton Park. Uno Di Landro was in the Novice, he did a nice test and jumped double clear but due to the hard ground he just ran slowly XC.
Mere Oak (Jambi) and Fernhill Cristal were both in the OIU21.
Jambi started of with a very nice test with one mistake in the simple change to score 30.5, Cristal then made a couple of mistakes and scored 31.4, this had them lying 3rd and 4th after dressage!
Both boys jumped lovely clear rounds show jumping. I decided to run Jambi steadier XC as he didn’t feel like he was enjoying the ground as much as he had at Burnham Market. He still managed to finish 8th.
Cristal was the star of the show and flew round the XC picking up a couple of time faults but it was good enough for him to be a winner!!
A few days later the lorry was loaded again for Sapey. I was having my first run on My Mexico, which went very well, jumping double clear and just adding a couple pf time faults to his 28.6 dressage and picking up a 2nd placing!
Noble Bestman was a winner!! He finished on his dressage score of 26.7.
GI Master Catser and Royal Hilarity had educational outings!!
Hunters Legend had his first run back for about a year… he was feeling very well and went well, just had a few cobwebs that needed dusting away so hopefully he will be in flying form next time out!
From Sapey we went to Withington.. Noble Bestman (Steve) and Uno Di Landro were out again in the Novice. Both went well again, Steve was cheeky in his dressage so only got 36, he jumped double clear but steady XC and finished 9th. Landro did another nice test to score 32. He rolled one pole in the SJ and was steady but clear XC. I was also riding Grace’s little horse Minimee in the Open Novice… he is lovely and led the dressage, followed by a super double clear but with a few time faults to finish 5th.
On the Sunday Ginger was in the Advanced but the ground was a bit too hard so we withdrew after the SJ.
Finally to finish off, we headed to Moreton Morrell, Steve was a superstar again and added just 0.8 time faults to finish 2nd! Landro led the dressage with a 26.7, had one rail and then a brilliant XC round with a few time faults, picking up 7th place. Mexico did a 33 dressage, had the last 2 fences down SJ and flew round the XC to finish outside the top 10. Unfortunately Royal Hilarity didn’t want to play today and I retired him on the XC…
Now you are fully up to date with our antics… off to Hambleden on Saturday… With Yogi lessons tomorrow!!!

A few pics of recent outings...

UNO DI LANDRO

MERE OAK

FERNHILL CRISTAL

An update on our busy life at Membury...

Life at Membury has been a little busy of late. We went to Gatcombe Park for two days, on the first day I took my new ride Eliza Sangster’s Mere Oak (Jambi) to do the novice. He did a lovely test despite being a little ring rusty and scored 28.1. This was followed by 4 faults in the show jumping, he had jumped a flawless round until we got to the last upright when he took his eye off the fence and took the top rail with him. He jumped a super round across the country to finish the day and collected 2.4 time faults but I was delighted with his first run with me. This left us in first place less than one penalty in front. Not a bad start! Uno di Landro (Landro) was having his first novice run the year and scored a very impressive 19.5 in the dressage, followed by one down show jumping. I took him slowly cross country in order for him to read the fences himself and enjoy the whole experience. He jumped brilliantly and came home with 16 time faults. A very encouraging result for him and I am looking forward to his next few outings. Then on Sunday we headed back with Vancouver who had a late entry in the OI. He did a good dressage to score 31.4 followed by a not so good appearance in the show jumping. He stopped in the middle part of the treble, having landed very short and unable to make the distance. Luckily he came round again and popped over it second time round. This resulted in 19 faults but he followed up his misdemeanour with a faultless round across the country. He is heading to his first CIC** at Burnham Market at the weekend.

During the week, I had a jumping session with Yogi at Boomerang. I find a change in venue helps to keep the horses fresh and looking for new things. Then on Wednesday I headed to Somerley Park with GI Master Caster (Caster) and Noble Bestman (Steve). I couldn't quite believe they were running after all the torrential rain we had had over the previous few days. Needless to say we were towed in, albeit backwards!! Both horses tried their best in the dressage, getting stuck in the mud occasionally and scored perfectly reasonable marks. Against all the odds they both jumped super clear rounds in the jumping but when I went cross country on Caster he appeared to dislike the going and slipped into a fence badly so I pulled him up. There will always be another day. So I then decided not to run Steve as his next outing is at the NEC doing a working hunter class!

The week ended with a long drive to Burnham Market with four horses on board. The Lochore family did a fantastic job with the ground and keeping the event going. I had Fernhill Cristal, Vancouver and Ginger May Killinghurst in the CIC** and Mere Oak in the intermediate. Quite a luxury of four horses over three days! Mere Oak was a winner in the intermediate having scored 32.3 in the dressage and then jumped a double clear with a few time faults. He has yet to blot his copybook and is the main yard winner so far! Cristal did a good test despite being very tense in the wind and did not enjoy my tails flapping around on his back! He too jumped a super double clear and came third in his first attempt at this level. Ginger did a good accurate test to score 45.8 just behind the leaders. Her jumping is improving all the time and despite two down I was happy with her overall performance in the ring. Cross country was awesome, but we had a slight miscommunication coming out of the water and she locked onto the advance fence, and when I said no, she argued and dropped her head and by that point we had gone past my intermediate fence. Whoops!! However it is still a learning curve for me with her and I am very privileged to ride such an amazing cross country horse. Vancouver did a good dressage to score 48. However he picked up a stone bruise and so was not presented at trot up on Friday morning so sadly had to be withdrawn. Typically as with horses he was right as rain come Saturday morning, but it was obviously not meant to be. A long way to go for an expensive dressage test!!

The week ahead is fairly hectic as I have been invited to the NEC to take part in the Eventers Challenge on Thursday evening with Jitterbug and also the Saturday I return with Noble Bestman for the Working Hunter class. During all this I am also competing at Weston Park with a couple of horses. We are still trying to sort out the logistics of the whole operation!! At home things are going well and I'm pleased to say Hunters Legend has been coming over for me to ride, I hope to be out eventing on him soon. Also I have been given the ride on Nicky Betteridge's My Mexico. He will have his first run with me at Sapey.

Also this week we have visits from Simon Pratley, the dentist and Leigh Miller, the chiropractor. They are both an essential part of the team to help keep all the horses on the road to being happy and healthy and performing at their best!!

Pictures from a successful Burnham Market...

MERE OAK... 1st Intermediate

GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST

FERNHILL CRISTAL... 3rd CIC**

A hectic weekend...

It started on Friday with an early start for Lincoln. Mum and I left at 4am, alarm clock at 2.45am (seriously unpleasant)!! We went in the little lorry with Noble Bestman (Steve) and Uno Di Landro (Landro) so that the big lorry could be packed at home by Alex and Felicity. Steve did a lovely test marred by a few unasked for flying changes and scored 31.5! His trot work was very flashy!! He followed up his good dressage with a lovely double clear to finish on 31.5 and a rosette for 4th. Landro having his first run of the year scored 33 and jumped a super double clear in the pre novice. He came home with a rosette for 3rd. He is now off to do a novice at Gatcombe on Saturday. Meanwhile back at the yard Alex and Felicity were busy working and washing horses, however Vancouver wasn’t too sure he wanted another early morning on Saturday and didn’t feel quite right when being exercised. So he was carefully examined and some pain was located in his foot and the offending shoe was quickly removed and he spent the day having his foot tubbed and poulticed! However it was obviously not meant to be, as on Saturday morning we trotted him up while preparing the others for travelling and he still wasn’t quite right. I am pleased to report that now he is fine and I hope to get a late entry in an intermediate section at Gatcombe at the weekend, fingers crossed! So the lorry left with Fernhill Cristal, Ginger May Killinghurst, Noble Springbok (Spring) and Blackwater Clover (Sid). Guy Pearson Gregory has been based with me while he is at uni in Reading so we gave him and Sid a lift to Lincoln. Grace and Spring were doing their first pony trial together and I think I was more nervous than Grace was which resulted in a few emotional tears when they finished a brilliant clear xc. They finished 2nd in the trial and have been invited to the final trial which is a great result for them. Meanwhile Cristal was first in the arena in the Young Rider trial and scored 35.5 which I was a little disappointed with. He did some lovely work, notably his shoulder in and canter transitions. However square halts were eluding us this week, so a little more practise required on those I think! He jumped well in the show jumping to have the first upright down which was a shame and we also picked up one time fault. Xc he was awesome and jumped everything brilliantly considering this was his first intermediate of the year. His next run is the CIC** at Burnham Market. My first run on Ginger was a learning experience which I thoroughly enjoyed. Her dressage was very good despite going a little flat in the arena, next time I don’t plan on being on her so long in the warm up. She scored 25.5 to head the Young Rider trial after the dressage. Show jumping was interesting and she had three down, however I am not too despondent as she improved in the arena when I left it more up to her!! Obviously she knows best….. Xc, her forte, was very good and I enjoyed the whole round. It felt a huge privilege to be riding such a xc machine. When everything was done and the lorry packed up we made a beeline for home as we didn’t fancy sitting on the A46 in the roadworks!

This week there will be an outing to Boomerang to take Eliza Sangsters horse, Mere Oak (Jambi) cross country schooling before my first run on him at Gatcombe at the weekend. Also Hunters Legend (Willy) is coming over for me to sit on him for the first time this year. He has had some issues with his feet and as we all know no foot, no horse so we have been spending a long time to get it all sorted. All being well he will be out and about soon.

Pics from first few events....

Tweseldown...

Last week at home started with dressage lessons and a show jumping session later in the week. On Wednesday we took Vancouver and Jitterbug to The Hand Equestrian Centre to do some BSJA jumping. Both jumped very well and Jitterbug jumped double clears in the newcomers and the foxhunters and picked up 1st and 3rd rosettes. Vancouver jumped double clear in the newcomers to finish 2nd to Jitterbug and in the foxhunters unluckily rolled a pole at the last fence, but I was pleased at his overall performance.


(Noble Bestman competing at Tweseldown)

The weekend has seen a busy few days at Tweseldown. On Friday Vancouver, GI Master Caster (Caster), Jitterbug, Fernhill Cristal (Cristal) and Noble Bestman (Steve) all performed. Cristal finished fourth on 35.9 penalties having added 4.4 time faults to his very good dressage. He will go to his first open intermediate trial at Lincoln on Saturday, along with Vancouver and Ginger May Killinghurst. Vancouver finished just behind Cristal in fifth on a score of 38.1, having rolled one pole in the show jumping. Caster finished just out of the money in 13th, having decided to run him slower cross country and just let him settle into a good rhythm. Jitterbug had her first outing in 18 months and was extremely lively in the dressage which marred her faultless jumping display, however we’re not too worried as her next outing is at The British Open in Birmingham. Steve just had his dressage and returned on Saturday to do the jumping phases.

On Saturday we returned with Noble Bestman (Steve) and Royal Hilarity (Hills). Steve just needed to jump, which he did superbly and did a lovely double clear. However this was a very long drawn out day due to a delay at the event. Luckily the organisers coped brilliantly and were extremely helpful and managed to run the whole day’s competition except one section, by some small miracle! Hills also on his first outing of the season was extremely fresh in the warm up for the dressage and managed some beautiful acrobatic manoeuvres, shame they are not required! In the arena he did settle slightly and managed to score 32, despite being tense. This was followed by a double clear to finish 7th. On Sunday saw a return to the event too, and the lorry now knows its own way there!!

This week there are no mid week competitions and no jumping excursions planned. A small rest for the Membury team! At the weekend the lorry heads north to Lincoln for 3 days of competition. Luckily there is stabling on site so the horses will not have to travel on a daily basis.

Isleham...

On Sunday we had our season debut at Isleham... It was a shock to the system when we worked out we had to get up at 2.30am!!!!!
We had FERNHILL CRISTAL and GI MASTER CASTER in the Open Novice, with VANCOUVER in the Intermediate-Novice.
Cristal started out with a lovely dressage to score the second highest place of the section with a 28.
Caster then followed suit with another nice test, he was a little tense at the start but settled really well in the second half. He scored 32.
Both boys then jumped brilliant double clears. The ground was getting quite deep so I took them quite steady, Cristal picked up 10.8 time penalties which was good enough for 3rd place. Unfortunately they had a mix up with Caster's timing and gave him 53 time penalties, they then realised there was no way I went that slow so changed it to 20 penalties, this in my opinion was unfair on the horse as he deserved a placing.. even with 20 time faults he finished 12th!
Vancouver not letting the side down produced another good dressage, with a 32, which left him lying 2nd. Unfortunately the ground in the showjumping was very deep now and he had 2 rails down, I think he just got a bit stuck in the mud!!
He then flew round the xc but after 2 rails I just went steady and picked up 14 time penalties but he still managed to finish in 9th place.
A good day all round and it was a long journey back with Alex Van Tuyll and myself singing along to the top 40!!! I hope no one could hear us!!!!!!!!!!

Jitterbug is a flying machine!!!

Last night I took Jitterbug for the Eventers Grand Prix Wildcard qualifier... I have already been invited to the British Open so it was just a practise run as she hasn't seen xc fences for a good 18months!!
She was absolutely amazing.. the corners were causing problems but she never wavered off her line! She ended up 4th as I didn't turn tight into the bounce as I wanted her to have a good line to it... she pulled off all the other tight turns and I am now really looking forward to the British Open in April!!!!

Busy week ahead....

On Saturday I took Jitterbug, Uno di Landro and Noble Bestman to Addington for the JAS Final. Jitterbug excelled herself and won the Novice final. Noble Bestman was 5th in the novice too. Uno di Landro didn't disgrace himself and finished 5th in the pre-novice final, I just picked up a couple of time faults with him. In the Open Jitterbug wasn't feeling herself and had a couple of rails down and a couple of time. Noble Bestman also had a fence down with some time faults. But I was extremely happy with all three horses before the start of the season next week.



(Noble Bestman collecting Jitterbugs winning prize at the JAS Championships)

Then after a quick turnaround Alex and I left on Sunday morning to Crofton Manor for some BSJA jumping. We took Vancouver, Ginger May Killinghurst, GI Master Caster, Fernhill Cristal and Royal Hilarity. This was the new lorry full..... A good day was had and the weather was not as bad as forecast and everyone jumped some clear rounds. We even came home with some rosettes!! When we returned home I managed to show off Gino to some potential customers for him. He is my 4 year old stallion that I have been bringing on this winter with the plan to sell him on. He is beautifully bred and will make a fantastic competition horse. He has the most phenomenal jump, matched by super balanced paces> It is going to be very hard to part with him!



The rest of the week will be spent aiming towards my first event of the season at Isleham. On Wednesday, Nick Burton is coming to put me and the horses through our paces on the flat. If the weather holds up I will try and take a couple more cross country schooling on Thursday. On Friday, Yogi is coming to the yard to put a few of the horses through their paces. I normally try and do 6-7 horses with Yogi to make the most of his expertise. Then in the evening I am returning to Addington Manor to jump Jitterbug in the British Open Indoor Qualifier. Sometime this week I also have to fit in an outing to the gallops, not quite sure when! Luckily I have an extra pair of hands on the yard this week, Natalie has come to join Collett Eventing for some work experience. We are very grateful for all her hard work. Mum and Felicity have been brilliant in the cold weather and surprisingly both in high spirits considering how cold it has been…



More updates after Isleham, fingers crossed that the weather continues to improve and that we get a run at the weekend! Speak soon

XC Schooling...

It is snowing again today so I am very pleased that we managed to Xc school all the horses yesterday!... And in the sunshine!!!!
It was very chaotic having landed in the morning after an amazing week in Barbados with the Walker family, it was all systems go... luckily for us we are within hacking distance of the fantastic facilities at Boomerang. Felicity and I hacked some whilst Mum shuttled backwards and forwards in the lorry!
Yogi very kindly kept his watchful eye on me throughout the day and all the horses were on great form.
It was really exciting to school Ginger for the first time... I can't wait for the start of the season now... only 2 weeks to go!!!

World Class Programme Training

Today I have been jumping at Summerhouse with Peter Murphy and the World Class coaches. I took Fernhill Cristal, GI Master Caster, Ginger May Killinghurst and Vancouver. They all jumped two rounds at various heights. Each round was videoed and commented on by the coaches when the videos were analysed back at the Unicorn Centre. When we had finished jumping we took the horses back to the Unicorn Centre so that they were all stabled together and the team vets and physio have had an opportunity to look at the horses if it was necessary. Also at the Unicorn Centre was the team nutrionist and the strength and fitness coach. We also had some Media training to aid us in our interview techniques, much needed for me! Tomorrow we are having another jumping session before we have some talks from outside coaches.

International Eventing Forum Day

Yesterday,I took Jitterbug to Hartpury College for the International Eventing Forum. I had been invited by Eric Smiley to be a guinea pig for the jumping phase. Shane Breen and Di Lampard were in charge of the jumping and I found the afternoon very interesting and extremely beneficial. Jitterbug was fab and completed all the tasks that where put infront of her with ease and I was delighted in her performance. She has now earnt herself a few easy days of work.

Competition for top horse is on...!!!

Yesterday we were at West Wilts JAS, I had Jitterbug, Noble Bestman and Uno DI Landro all in the Novice and OI.
Jitterbug and Steve seem to be havong a competition as to who is top horse at the moment, at the first JAS Steve won the Novice and Jitterbug won the Open, then the following weekend Steve won the Novice again but this time Jitterbug was 3rd in the Open and Steve 4th... So the battle continued this weekend... Jitterbug held her own and won both the Novice and the OI, however Steve was right behind her with 2nd in both classes!
They both jumped 2 lovely double clears, with Jitterbug scoring a 4 in the Novice and Steve a 5. Then in the OI Jitterbug got 2 and Steve 5 again!
The next outing is the JAS final and I hope they both continue their winning streak!!
I was laso pleased with Landro who finished 7th in both classes, just adding 2 fences in each class... he found the arena a bit tight and the fences came up a bit quick for him. He seems to be improving each time and will be a better horse outdoors!
This morning we had Yogi for jumping lessons on the horses that didn't go to JAS, they all went really well and seem on good form....

Hectic few days...

We have had rather a hectic few days.
On Saturday we were JAS at Hartpury, I was riding MINIMEE, UNO DI LANDRO, NOBLE BESTMAN and JITTERBUG.
In the BE100 Minimee jumped a lovely double clear but was HC so wasn't placed. Landro then followed with a fluent double clear which won him the class.
I then had all 4 of them in the Novice, Landro and Minimee both had one fence down in the sj and xc sections, but jumped well and Landro was placed 10th.
Steve was next and he was on top form again and repeated his win from last weekend after leaving all the fences up!
Jitterbug also jumped double clear and finished 4th.
In the OI Steve and Jitterbug both jumped another double clear, this time finishing 3rd and 4th repectively. Another successful day out!
On Sunday we went to pick up ROYAL HILARITY, he has been at Di Lampards over the winter having some showjump training. I had a lesson on him and he has come on leaps and bounds!
The next 2 days were spent at World class training at the Unicorn centre. I took GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST, GI MASTER CASTER and FERNHILL CRISTAL. It was 2 days of dressage with ANgela Tucker and Gill Watson. They all went really well and seem to be on the right track for the season ahead! It was so exciting to have Ginger there and I really feel I'm getting to know her better now!
Off up the gallops today, JAS on Saturday and then lessons with Yogi on Sunday....

Winning start to 2010!

Yesterday we were having our first outing of 2010!
With Mum having been away in Scotland for the past week, Felicity and I have been in charge! With 7 horses competing at JAS, we had a manic day on Saturday trying to get everything worked and then washed.. it was a serious system we had going... Tack up, ride, pass to felicity to give them a make-over under the lights and on to the next!!
Then came the packing of the lorry... I have to admit I was rather excited when Philip parked the shiny new lorry outside the yard!!!
Sunday morning came and it was another manic session.. Grace and I getting the horses suited and booted for their travels, whilst Felicity mucked out and fed the ponies staying behind!
We loaded the big lorry and then the little lorry!... Off we went to Solihull.
I think I will be here all day if I try and go through each jumping round, so here is a short recap!!
UNO DI LANDRO jumoped double clear in the BE100 and the Novice, finishing 9th and 4th respectively.
NOBLE BESTMAN was a star and jumped double clear to win the Novice, we then had a minor miss communication and he turned too tight into a skinny and missed it! He still finished 9th in the OI.
JITTERBUG was on flying form, considering she hasn't been to a party since 2008.. she was on best behaviour! Double clear in both the Novice and OI, finishing 2nd and 1st respectively!
VANCOUVER was rather excited in the Novice and thought he knew best so wasn't really listening to me! He had one fence down and was HC as he has too many points! In the OI he redeemed himself and finished 3rd after a lovely double clear.
FWENHILL CRISTAL was a little shocked at how many fences were in the arena... his eyes were on stalks! He had one down and a stop (very unlike him) in the Novice and then 2 down in the OI to finish 10th.
All in all a good start to the year...

News Travels Fast

Happy to announce that our good news has reached New Zealand and mainland Europe today including our own Horse and Hound Website..... Looking forward to things come!

NEW ADDITIONS

Before Christmas 2 new additions came to the yard... NOBLE BESTMAN (Steve to his friends!) and NOBLE SKYBOY (Sky).
We bought the legendary pony NOBLE SPRINGBOK from Kelly Ward as an unproven 5yo, so when she called to say she had just jumped his 4yo brother we got straight in the car to have a look at him! Philip Walker drove and it was like a trip down memory lane for me... when we arrived Skyboy was in the same stable as Spring had been when I went to try him 7 years ago!!! It is quite scary how similar they look!!
Whilst we were there Kelly asked if I would have a sit on her working hunter.. NOBLE BESTMAN, he is clearly her favourite and she has had him since he was 3yo (he is now 9yo)
He hadn't jumped since HOYS and was rather pleased to be doing something!
After discussions on the way home, Philip agreed to buy Skyboy as a project for me to produce so Grace can do pony trials in a couple of years... We can't wait for the day when she is competing the 2 brothers against each other!! If he turns out half as good as Spring we will be happy!!!
Kelly wanted Steve to do some eventing so I have bought a share in him and he will start his eventing career this year... with a background of Working Hunters and Showjumping he will hopefully take to it like a duck to water!!!
Fingers crossed for the season ahead.... !

KILLINGHURST line comes to Membury!

Philip Walker has kindly bought the remainder of the 'Killinghurst' breeding line from John Studd.
Heading the pack is the very exciting ex Andrew Nicholson ride 'GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST'.. she has successfully competed at 4 star level. She has not competed since 2008 so I will be aiming her at Bramham CCI*** under 25 Championships.
'MARY FIVES KILLINGHURST' is a 16yo broodmare, she is out of the same mare as 'LORD KILLINGHURST' and 'GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST'... she will be our first breeding project!!
Then we have Mary's two daughters... both by the French sire 'KADASTROF'.. a 4yo called 'VOCAL KILLINGHURST' and a 2yo called 'KITTY KILLINGHURST'.
To finish the pack off we have 'GINGER JUNIOR KILLINGHURST', she is the daughter of 'GINGER MAY KILLINGHURST' and by the showjumping stallion 'FAVORITAS'.
We are all very excited about this new chapter and can't wait to see how the youngsters turn out....

SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW!!

We have had so much snow recently... Luckily the luxury of the indoor school has meant the horses havn't missed any work!
Having done circles in the indoor for a good few weeks now we decided to have a fun time in the field with them..the pics show how much they enjoyed themselves!! They definitely appreciated seeing the outside world!!