What a year 2016 turned out to be, had a great year getting to know both relatively new horses and some great results, with a lot of fun along the way!
My biggest highlight of 2016 has to be Royal Cornwall with Ed, he is such a little superstar and will hopefully only continue to get better. Figi was so consistent throughout 2016 and I am excited for her future.
Plans for 2017
As for my plans with them for this year, Figi has already qualified for British Novice and Discovery Second Rounds which I will aim to do with her, and just to continue her education and start jumping some bigger tracks and really working on her flatwork – I sometimes forget she is only 5 this year as she has such a super temperament!
Ed more or less the same but with the bigger classes, so Newcomers and Foxhunter, and getting him really competitive at this level as I know he is more than capable.
I started working for the family business again in September so being so busy with working and having a busy show at Hickstead, I just did the odd show at Colraine and Tall Trees over November/December, where the horses jumped well. At the beginning of December, I took their shoes off and they have been having a lovely well deserved holiday getting fat and fluffy! They have now returned to work and I will be slowly building them up again. I have also moved them to Knightswood Stud & Equestrian Centre, with their fantastic facilities this should make things a lot easier for me with a busy job and two horses.
Bringing the horses back into work
The most important thing when you bring them back into work is not to rush, so I will probably start with lunging them for the next week or two, then some hacking and light schooling and build it up from there, with lots and lots of pole work and schooling before jumping again, also giving me a chance to get myself back riding-fit. Hopefully their first show back will be the two day show at Bicton in the middle of March. I have also booked in to do the Geoff Billington Clinic at Colraine EC in the middle of March with Ed which should be a good experience. We are so lucky to have a top showjumper like Geoff coming to Cornwall to teach!
I was extremely lucky at Christmas and got a lovely new Antares gloss galaxy helmet which I am in love with so am very excited to get out jumping again with my new hat!
Will keep you updated as to how entertaining it was bringing the fresh horses back into work in my next blog!
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