Luke just misses Badminton ticket!

Dear Luke tried his socks off on all three days in bottomless mud in Ballindenisk. He did a very relaxed test, with one minor blip finding his feet in the testing conditions to lie 4th on a score of 50.6 This lovely picture shows my superstar 'Frantastic' hard at work having Luke looking immaculate despite the mud!

He gave me an incredible ride XC with a very unfortunate over exuberant jump over a road crossing to normandy bank to skinny combination. The resulting 20 penalties for missing the skinny was hugely frustrating.

He jumped as best he could out of the bottomless mud for two down yesterday, again not a reflection of his super jumping technique, but the best we could manage in the circumstances. We had a wonderful trip with fab support from owners Ann Taylor and Kathy Brown, Trainer Gill Watson and Chief manager Mum there and our clever boy finished 8th with only 11 finishing the competition its still a result to be proud of but I can't help thinking ... if only!

That's life though I guess, and I learnt a huge amount, its kick started this hugely important season so its onwards and upwards...next stop Aston le Walls on Friday, Iselham on Sunday and Tweseldown on Thursday and Friday..no rest for the wicked!

Cover Boy!!

I'm proud to show you all that Luke is gracing the cover of this months Eventing Magazine.


I do hope this is a sign of his model behavior next week in Ballindenisk. Since our Friday trip to Addington in the snow, the 'Big Boys' have enjoyed a couple of easier days, some dressage practice on grass to get them used to their competition surface again, a gallop at the all weather track for their fitness and a training day of athletic jumping work with Luis.

This weekend we're packing for Ireland, working the boys we're leaving behind fairly hard so that they have a well earned easier time in our absence.

Hopefully by the time I next write, Luke will be officially qualified for Badminton ..

So the busy week has continued despite the dreaded snow. We had a super day on Monday as gineau pig at the International Eventing Forum. Luis Alvarez trained Caroline Powell, two of the Japanese team riders and I infront of some 250 delegates. It was great experience for Sprout to behave in front of a crowd and I brought Willy and Luke along to work in the indoor as snow is restricting action at home!

Wednesday saw a flying visit to Aston le Walls for dressage coaching with Andrew Fletcher on Rowan, Willy, Luke, Sprout and Jack. I was really particularly pleased with Willy and Luke, and as Ballindenisk draws closer I can't wait for Luke to make the most of his winters work with a good test in Ireland.

Then yesterday we went to Addington for the team New Zealand combined training. I have hopefully attached a video for you to see dear Sprouty doing what he does best, jumping a beautiful round: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ffDCE-3OyM His dressage was marginally less satisfactory, given that his canter work went slightly sideways (unintentionally!). The trot was much improved.

Luke and Willy jumped well too and behaved in their tests!! The squad system is an incredible opportunity to experiment in a competition atmosphere, a fabulous chance to be part of the set up and I can't wait to make the most of every squad session we get as we carry on through the year.

So as soon as possible we're going to dash out Cross country schooling, then another session with Luis next week, and some test practise with Gill, on grass if we can possibly manage it, and Tues 21st should hopefully see us setting sail for the emerald isle.

Snow Mice

My 4* snow mouse...Kilcoltrim Ambassador!!

Well we've had an easy run of winter so far, I guess I shouldn't be complaining about the wretched English weather! Thanks to our new smart neighbours Austin and Katherine O'Connor, with their fancy indoor school, today is the first day our ponies have missed any work due to weather.

The big boys still went out for a roll, everyone went on the walker and we've all spent the rest of today catching up on paperwork, telly watching and chocolate eating!! This week, weather permitting we have a lecture demo tomorrow at the Eventing Forum with Luis Alvarez, a day of dressage on Wednesday at Aston le Walls with Andrew Fletcher and a Team New Zealand Combined Training on Friday at Addington..so away with you snow!

This is hopefully the first of many 'official' Team photos that I might be part of! We had an ace day at Hartpury where the squad members all brought a number of horses to jump a difficult track built in the amazing indoor at Hartpury by our jumping coach luis Alvarez Cevera.
Although this was not an affilliated competition, it was a fiercely competitive day, with selectors, fellow team mates, owners and trainers watching closely. I was delighted with my boys jumping lovely clear rounds, with an unlucky 4 faults down the last line for Animator in the 1.25m.
This training day was followed by a days racing at Cheltenham watching the awe inspiring BigBucks winning his 15th race on the bounce. Then two days dressage coaching in Nottingham with Andrew Fletcher.
We're now at home in the big freeze, willing the spring to arrive soon.