It's been a couple of months since my last blog and much has happened in those few weeks. We had some
great family time, it was Charlie's first Christmas when he understood what Christmas is and he got very excited about opening his presents. He's grown and changed so much
recently and is a proper little man now. He helps me everyday and I can't
actually imagine life without him.
After our break I was refreshed and ready for a show fix.
All the horses were feeling and looking super. We did a few local stops at
Arena UK, Vale View and Bishop Burton and with some pleasing results decided
some dressage was also in order. Epworth and Manor Grange made perfect venues. I made the big step up (for me) to elementary on Dayton and true to his style
he smashed it. I feel we are established at that level and even in just a few
shows I'm much more comfortable and already thinking that Medium isn't to far
away now. I do credit this to the hours of training and the correct method my
amazing instructor has educated me to use, patience, practice and understanding
is absolutely everything.
I've also enjoyed a few sessions with some new coaches; Caroline Moore really upped my game in my cross country training techniques and
I'm now itching to try them out in competition; and Noah Brook also gave me quite a
firm lesson on a training day at Somerford. He really made me realise that I can do it when I trust what I'm sat on. I felt I jumped some real
tough fences that day and actually did it technically correct rather than as
a showjumper.
I have to admit to being a touch sad waving Ebolensky off
for Spain where she is competing on the Sunshine tour with Matt Sampson. We
have had the best four years together and I'm pretty sure I'll never get a
horse quite like her again. She was an absolute princess but the time in her
career had come for her to step up and she deserved the chance with the big
boys and I know she will do me proud.
I have had one disastrous moment that I feel very
thankful to have survived and fortunate that the horse involved is on the mend. Scylla D'Ouilly (Ruby) and I were out enjoying a hack when we were approached by reckless
drivers, paying little attention to the conditions, resulting in Ruby landing on top
of one of their cars. It was extremely upsetting for everyone involved; seeing
your horse gallop off down the road bleeding is not something I ever want to
witness again. As she made off down the road I was relieved that she had all her limbs and
they were working, but terrified at the same time as I had no idea where she was
going or what damage she had sustained. The car was written off and Ruby
is still on box rest with stitches, cuts and bruises. I feel thankful that she is still
with us but I'm so angry with the drivers involved and their lack of respect for other road users, which caused an accident that was totally preventable. Ruby is a very experienced horse who
is not easily upset or spooked!
As I write we are heading off to Helen Bell's for some
cross country schooling. I have lots of exciting and challenging ventures
coming up this year and I look forwards to sharing all my experiences with you.
The BE season kicks off in just two weeks time - it's scary how fast this has
come around, it will be Badminton and the BYEH season on no time at all.
I'll be writing again in April, until then, that's it for now.
Sam
