A QUIETER NOVEMBER AND A MOVE TO PASTURES NEW.

November 2014

We had lots of people read the October blog with all the gory details of my collision with a tree.  I am pleased to report no bleeding and broken noses this month and it's all healed nicely.  

November is a slow month on the competing side; although we managed to pick up another Blue Chip finals ticket.  I did my last big competition of this year with Dayton at the Petplans finishing 5th in the warm up and 6th in the championship.

The rest of the month has given everyone, human and horse, a little break with some extra TLC from the physio to make sure all the horses can come back well rested and ready for action. 

November's news is that we've moved bases, although we are still in the early stages of getting settled and making sure everyone is happy.

There's some big news to come very soon but we will be keeping you in suspense for a little while yet!  Watch this space.......................

Sam

A REST FROM RIDING AND THE START OF TRUCK DRIVING!

November 2014 

After a very busy season and a full on 2014 in general (what with getting married!) I am now enjoying a lovely break from riding for a few weeks. Herbie has had a very busy season of eventing and is still only 6 so we are keen to make sure he doesn’t do too much. A full time job and horrible dark nights are also an excellent excuse for a bit of ‘feet up’ time!

This said, Herbie hasn't had it as easy as me. Mum also rides Herbie and needed just one more point to qualify him for the Winter Dressage Regional Finals so he still had to do that before he got his holiday! Luckily, Mum and him are a great team and didn’t find it too difficult so that’s all sorted and in the bag. They just needed one more score of 65% or more to secure the qualification and managed to get two scores of 66% so a big well done to them!

Herbie is now having a proper rest before a big year next year with Winter Dressage regionals and Badminton Grassroots Championships both on the horizon.

We have also decided to sell our lorry and buy something slightly bigger with a living area so I am starting the process of taking my HVG lorry test. My husband, Jim, passed his some time ago so is offering plenty of words of wisdom (and also piling on the pressure as he passed first time!). I have passed my medical – probably the easiest bit! – and have now applied for my provisional licence so the next step is to complete the theory test and start learning. More updates on ‘Trucker Lucie’ to follow!!

Our broodmare, Umber, is getting fatter by the day and I’m so looking forward to meeting our little bundle of joy (fingers crossed of course). She is due in March so once we get into 2015 I’m sure it will all come around very quickly indeed. I spend many an hour thinking up potential names for him/her!

For now, I’m going to enjoy the remainder of my little rest before I crack on with some hardcode training for next year!

I hope everyone is keeping well wrapped up in this chilly Winter weather and starting to get in the Festive Spirit!

Best wishes,

Lucie

A MEMORABLE EVENTING SEASON FINISHES WITH A PAINFUL BROKEN NOSE!

October 2014

Not sure where the last month has gone, so my October blog is a little late.

The first week in October ended the event season for me.  We went to Osberton for the 5y/o final with Penhill Promising Vision.  We had a fab day even if I did come home with a broken nose and covered in blood after an altercation with a tree at the gallop!! I managed to finish the course which I was pleased about and learnt a valuable lesson, don't argue with trees they win!! 

We also did the BE event at Bishop Burton with Dayton as his last outing of the season.  We jumped double clear and finished 10th, although it was nice to come home in the same condition that I left in!

With the end of eventing we've been concentrating on showjumping, dressage and training.  We have had a good run with lots of wins and places already in dressage and jumping so we have qualified for everything we have aimed at so far including the BD regionals and the Blue chip championships. 

I have a couple of new rides this month in Kate and Tim Betteridge's Bonus and Paula Milburn's Bobby's Swop and of course we have a whole new bunch of youngsters raring to go!! 

(Bonus wearing our very smart Fulmart Feeds saddle pad!)

Looks like a busy and fun filled winter!!

Sam x