Departure and Arrivals

March 2015

I had a steady start to the month of March with our impending arrival of Neil and I’s first baby, it’s been an opportunity for the horses have had their teeth and backs done in readiness for me getting back in to the saddle. We have had a big session cleaning tack and getting any repairs done, it’s not often I get a chance to send things away to the saddlers for a tidy up as I’m always using them. 

I've also been busy making plans for my young horses, and Chatsworth, Hambleton and Bramham entries are all ready to be sent off for the Burghley Young Event Horse classes. There is plenty of work to be done behind the scenes before big days like this, so they will all be doing some dressage, show jumping and possibly some cross country schooling along the way in preparation. I’m really looking forwards to getting back in the ring and progressing their careers to the next level.

Some of my other rides have been having short breaks whilst I’ve been the wrong ‘shape’ to ride, but I’m really excited about getting back in the ring on Ebolensky and Dipinahoe, they are sure to feature in many of this seasons plans. 

I bid farewell to my Princess ‘Grace’ who I have achieved so much with since buying her as a 3 year old, I’m so happy she has found a forever home to do dressage and eventing. She will be much missed by us all and is going to take a lot of replacing.  

Whilst I’ve not been to many shows recently, I’ve still been keeping a close eye on the horses I’ve sold and it was great to see Tracy and Eleta won a class together at a recent show at Bishop Burton, the first of many successes for this partnership I’m sure.

The end of the month always promised to be rather more exciting and we are pleased to announce that Charlie Thomas Clark, who arrived a day early, born in the early hours of Friday 27th - Neil and I are very proud parents. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the lovely, messages, cards, emails and gifts we have received. 

Sam x

Herbie's season is off to a flying start at Askham Bryan and Port Royal

Team Stephenson all branded!

March 2015

Well the week after a win always seems like a great time to write a blog! Our first event of the season was last weekend at Askham Bryan and I knew preparation was going well. We had won the British Novice at Port Royal the previous week and Herbie seemed to be really trying in all disciplines of training but a convincing win on a dressage score of 22.8 certainly wasn't expected!!!

He was a joy to ride in the dressage and I could have done the whole test again I enjoyed it so much! Thankfully I didn't know just how good his score was going into the show jumping so we managed a really relaxed clear round a course which was proving tricky. Whilst he tends to really love the cross country phase I was aware it was our first event of the season so was ready to kick on! I needn't have worried though as he stormed out the start box and never missed a beat to enable us to finish on our personal best dressage score!

It was a lovely day and I'm really proud of how mature and willing to listen Herbie has come out this year.

Things are set to hot up now as it's only 8 weeks to Badminton and we have a foal due a week on Saturday!!! I am also heading to fellow Fulmart Feeds sponsored rider Tiny Clapham's in a couple of weeks for some intense training which I’m really excited about.

April's blog may be a long one!

In the meantime I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and managing to get out and about.

Lucie

Fulmart Feeds "props" put to good use in training

March 2015

February has been a somewhat frustrating month as the weather has not assisted us, this has made training the young horses rather challenging.    However, we have had a days training over the portable cross country fences on the all-weather at Keysoe, this proved to be a very productive and an enjoyable day with the horses, Paddy, Sneezy, Timmy, Pat and Daley.   This brings me nicely on to our team of horses.

First Date (Daley) 5 year old dark brown gelding by Up to Date, aimed at BYEH, 5 year old series and BE100.

Fire Power (Paddy) 6 years old bay gelding by Catherston Dazzler, aimed at BE100 and Novice Mr Sneezy (Sneezy) 7 year old bay gelding by Oroko, aimed at BE100 and Novice Bay Gabriel (Tractor) 8 year old bay gelding by Amiro M, aimed at Intermediates and 2* DHI Timeroy (Timmy) 14 year old bay gelding, Shane 10 year old bay gelding, Timmy and Shane belong to Simon Grice and he will compete them himself at BE90 and BE100, the dream !!!! would be to qualify for Grassroots.

Also this month we took the horses to Houghton Hall Show Jumping, they were all a little fresh, but we jumped plenty of clear rounds, we also made sure the horses went into the Dressage Arena and familiarised themselves with the arena and judges box.

Hopefully we will get some cross country schooling in next week, fingers crossed the weather stays fine, I would also like to find a couple more Show Jumping shows to attend before our  season starts at Great Witchingham 27 to 29 March, we will then head off to Norton Disney.


I have taken some pupils cross country schooling to Little Downham, the facilities were in full use, the biggest challenge was the ground, but at least they have had a cross country school of turf in preparation for Aston this weekend.

If any of you are familiar with the Eventers International Facebook page you will see we have been using the Fulmart Feed banner to great effect.   Last weekend’s challenge was to ride a beautiful square holt in the middle of the banner.

The next Fulmart Feed Challenge will be to jump a single bale of your haylage (it will have guiders attached!!!!)

Next month’s blog will be about Lucie, one of the Fulmart Feeds sponsored riders, who is having a training session with me as part of her preparation for the Badminton Grassroots Championship.

As the season begins this weekend I would like to wish you all the best of luck.

Tiny