Sam Jimmison continues to recover from injury with her sights are firmly on the season ahead.

This month has been pretty crazy, I didn't think I could get any busier but I have.

The month started with highs and lows, Badminton kicked everything off and was a fabulous experience, after the first day of dressage we were lying 3rd.  I have to admit to being disappointed with showjumping penalties but Dayton then absolutely flew the cross country which was by far the biggest question either of us have ever faced.  I forgave him a little as it was a great learning curve for both of us and we know now the bits that are needing work and we will be working hard in the hope we are lucky enough to qualify again in the future.

A bit of a change in scenery followed the next day; my surgery - it was so lucky that the dates fitted perfectly around all of our important fixtures. Needless to say I was a little nervous, although my foot was giving me lots of issues and pain I had kind of learnt to live with it and deal with it so the thought of the unknown unnerved me slightly. It was definitely wasted worry, the operation was quick and I was back in the saddle just over 24hrs later.  It's amazing the difference having the screw removed has made and I now feel like I'm firing on all cylinders again, at last!

The rest of this month has been focused on keeping everyone consistent ahead of their respective qualifying classes, Ebolensky made her competition comeback a seriously awesome experience! She has done two shows and jumped two double clears and won a prize at both - it's so good to be back out on her. My gorgeous young horse Henley made his competition debut at Port Royal for unaffiliated.  He showed enough to excite me and won a couple of rosettes so I'm going to focus on his training while the older horses are busy in competition and bring him out in registered competition later in the season. Dressage diva Billionaire Z gained his last few points at novice level so we have decided to give him a mini break ahead of the regionals, with two classes we need him feeling fresh! Gott You J and Fleur T also collected their last prelim points so roll on regionals now.

This next month sees my favourite part of the year really get into motion.  Some of the bigger shows that I really enjoy are getting very close and by the end of June my eventing season will be in full swing.  It's such a relief to be back feeling fit and well and ready to hopefully win lots of prizes!!

Look forwards to updating you on my progress next month.

Sam x

After a long search for the right horse "Baxter" joins Team Stephenson.

Herbie Show Jumping

Well, we’ve had snow, rain, hailstone, wind and sunshine in the past week!!! I can’t decide whether to light the fire or the BBQ!! Let’s hope things are finally on the up and summer is on its way…..

The eventing season has had a pretty slow start due to the weather, after Lincoln in March we were due to head to Breckenbrough and then to Eland Lodge but unfortunately Breckenbrough was cancelled after a week of non-stop rain. The week leading up to Eland wasn’t much better and they had to cancel the first day of competition. Although the ground had dried up enough for them to run on the Sunday we were on at the end of the day and unfortunately Herbie just didn’t enjoy the mud. Having had a team talk and a chat with a friend whose advice I trust we decided to withdraw before the cross country phase. It’s such a shame for the organisers who put in a huge amount of work but when the heavens open there just isn’t a lot anyone can do!

With the hope that the weather is going to pull its socks up we are entered in the novice at Richmond this Friday and then the CIC1* at Chatsworth the following week which is very exciting! I’m looking forward to donning my tailcoat again and strutting our stuff!

While it’s been quiet on the eventing front, it’s been all go in other areas. We have finally managed to buy a new horse! Having looked all over the country for the next horse we ended up finding him just down the road! We bought Baxter from a good friend of mine and have now had him just over a fortnight. He’s a 4yo who had just been sat on and was ready to be ridden away. He’s Irish bred and currently proving to be very sweet and well behaved. It’s lovely to have a youngster on the yard and I love achieving those tiny little goals like ‘our first canter’ or ‘doing our girth up while on board’!

All in all it’s a pretty exciting time as not only has Baxter joined the team but our broodmare is due to foal in 10 days! We’ve brought her in from her winter away so we can keep a closer eye on her and I just can’t wait to have a little foal around the place.

Lucie