NO BADMINTON GRASS ROOTS TICKET FOR US THIS YEAR.................

AUGUST 2014

(Pictures courtesy of Nick Gill Photography)

It’s been a busy few weeks with the horses and with a further 5 entries already in, we’re having a big push in the lead up to the end of the season.

Following a nice run at Frickley Park back in July, Alfie headed off to Skipton with a move back up to novice level and Herbie headed to Bold Heath for his first attempt at a BE100 regional final.

Alfie performed really well at Skipton, he did a lovely dressage test to score 31.5 (which included a buck in the middle…very out of character!), he then had a fence down in the showjumping and jumped a lovely clear cross country. We had quite a lot of time faults as I wanted to make sure we had plenty left in the tank near the end but I was really delighted with him.

Herbie’s regional final at Bold Heath was a bit of a mixed day. I thought he did a reasonable dressage test, had one down showjumping and a steady clear cross country but the reality was, he did a pretty good dressage test, one down showjumping and clear cross country inside the time. This left him 14^th with the one fence down costing us over 10 places and ultimately that very precious qualification ticket! Badminton Grassroots Championships is a fabulous event and it wouldn’t be so special if it was easy to qualify. Sport is full of ‘what ifs’ and it doesn’t do you any good to dwell on them so it’s onwards and upwards in an attempt to go one better in our next regional final!

Herbie is also going to Prestwold to do the BE100 so we will be busy next weekend and I’m hopeful they will both perform well.

In the meantime, I’m praying for good weather so Jim can get on harvesting.  Why is it June and July are so hot and August ends up being a wash out?! We needed a bit of rain to soften the ground up but we’ve had what we need now so I’m hoping for the sun to come back out.

Hopefully by the time of my next blog, all will be safely gathered in and I will have a happy husband!

Lucie xx

THREE BURGHLEY QUALIFIERS ALL IN ONE MONTH!

I’ve been frantically busy in July, which is a great month for competitions, which means I’m a bit like a kid in a sweet shop – I just don’t know which to choose!

 We kicked off with some training shows at Arena UK for BSJA and then Manor Grange for BD all the horses went exceptionally well and won prizes. 

I spent my birthday Stafford Horse Trails with the 4y/o and 5 y/o qualifiers.  Caresino won his qualifier, and Promising Vision was 2nd in the 5y/o also qualifying.  What a great birthday present!  

The best birthday present came at Field House where I picked up my first ever Burghley ticket on Promising Vision in the BYEH 5y/o. I’m so thrilled to have qualified and Burghley cannot come soon enough!

Frickley Horse Trials next. We started well with Rachael Evision’s Joker coming 2nd in his first event.  However, I took a tumble from Grace on the cross country – which was very annoying given that I was in the lead and the error occurred on a simple fence 4 from home.  That prompted the purchase of my bright pink air jacket that my lovely groom Jess kindly pointed out makes me look like a bright pink turtle!  Promise saved the day with a lovely double clear and finished 3rd in his section, so despite my bruises and dented pride all in all it was a good day out.

I had a full day eventing at Breckenbrough and my first ever BE wins courtesy of Dayton in the BE90 and Grace in the BE100 (forgiven for face planting me at Frickley) I also got my best ever dressage score of 19.5!

Huby and Sutton Show followed and then Arena UK to give the babies experience BSJA.  Then it was off to Ryedale Show for my last chance BYEH qualifiers.  I was thoroughly delighted and surprised to get two more tickets to Burghley.  I’m beginning to think the tickets are a bit like , buses, you wait a year for one then 3 come at once; Rachael Evision’s amazing 5y/o Ebolensky got 2nd in the 5y/o and my own Cornets Steal won the 4y/o with Etasja and First Caresino both getting a prize as well. 

At the beginning of August we went to Skipton.  Unfortunately Grace was under the weather so couldn't compete in the 5y/o but Penhill Promising Vision finished 4th in his section on Saturday and on Sunday First Caresino finished with another win in the 4y/o qualifier.  Joker won his section helping me get the £150 winner accumulator prize.

On Tuesday I went to my first ever BD regionals.  My owner’s Bev and Josie talked me into it, although I honestly did not think we stood even a small chance, but First Caresino pulled it out again to finish 2nd out of nearly 60 and qualify for the BD National Championships.  Dayton also finished in 10^th.  What an experience the regionals were, I don't think I have ever been to such a peaceful show but the atmosphere in the ring was electric for the horses, it was pretty amazing.

I did manage a rare day off to visit the Yorkshire Show and as well as doing some retail therapy I loved watching one of my favourite classes; The Cock of the North.  It’s on my bucket list to ride in this one day.

I'm off to Shelford next before having a short but well-earned weekend away in London.   After that I'm planning on a couple of quiet weeks training and chilling before the action of all the championships in one month kicks in.

Sam