test test test

Back in the saddle for Sam Jimmison

 After a few difficult weeks I'm feeling much, much better and I'm finally up and about. I'm still pretty lame and I feel quite a long way off race fitness but I'm on my way back.

I've always enjoyed cooking and baking so this unplanned break has provided lots of time for Charlie and I to have fun creating some different dishes.  We've also done plenty of playing - I can't believe how much he's growing up and that he will be one at the end of next month.  Wow, how time flies when your having fun!

Playing and cooking aside, it was particularly good to get back in the saddle last weekend. It was my old boy Oscar M who did the honours of making sure I was safe.  I'm planning on building my strength on him for a little while before I brave the young mob.  I'm still struggling with any feeling in my foot, so I'm having to ride without stirrups while I teach my leg to work again as well as making sure I avoid any unnecessary risks that will set me back.

Oscar M putting me through my paces

All being well I want to be back competing next month.  To start with I'm planning a few British Dressage competitions and then I'm going to steal Scylla D'Ouilly for a few weeks, from her owner Rachael, to get my jumping legs back. 

Before getting back into the full swing of it I'm hoping to sneak off for a short break.  Normally we would ski at this time of year but obviously we'll have to give that a miss this year. So it's going to be a sunshine break and I cannot wait.

Hopefully next time I write it will be full speed ahead and I'll be bringing you up to date with my crazy adventures, getting all my lovely youngsters out and about and prepared for their busy summer seasons.

Sam x

My stable helper.

A bit of bling and we're ready for the regionals.

It’s 6 o’clock on a very windy Friday night and I’ve just sat down with a glass of wine after a busy old week.

Since I last wrote we have upped the training in preparation for the Winter Dressage Regionals which are now just a week away! Herbie and I have loved channeling our inner dressage divas and have even invested in a blingy browband and some white boots (I think it’s known as all the gear and no idea!!!).

I have been having lots of training sessions with Zoe and it’s great fun to push Herbie (and me) out of our comfort zone learning new movements and developing our way of going. This has really paid dividends as we have had some brilliant results with 3 wins at Elementary and we are just one qualifying score away from securing qualification for the Summer regionals….I’m starting to realise this dressage lark is somewhat addictive!! I also attended a really useful training day at Bishop Burton (the venue for the regionals) where I had the chance to ride my test in front of a British Dressage judge and then receive feedback afterwards (see photos). It was really useful to hear this feedback straight after the test and gave me some useful pointers in tightening up the whole picture and picking up those critical extra marks.  

The standard at the Winter Regionals will be high and I know that in order to qualify for the Nationals we would have to pull a faultless test out of the bag but you’ve got to be in it to win it and I’m going to give it a bloomin’ good shot!

Our (not so) little foal, Ginny Rumber is growing by the hour and will be 1 in March, I don’t know where the past year has gone! It seems like yesterday the gangly chestnut foal was staggering around the stable trying to stand up for the first time. She now has no problem at all galloping full pelt round the field but is actually proving very manageable. She’s been in the stable for a few weeks during shooting season and has been turned out and brought in daily, it’s been great to handle her and she’s gotten used to having the headcollar put on and being led round the yard. Weather permitting though she’ll be going back out in the field for some chill out time and to continue growing.

Ginny’s mum is starting to get fatter now and (all being well) will give birth to Ginny’s half brother or sister in May. Exciting times ahead!

For now, I’m going to bunker down for the evening and hope it’s a bit quieter in the morning as we’re heading off to Bishop Burton for my last run out before regionals.

Best wishes

Lucie