NEWS
2-August-2010
I had a great morning at Burghley catching up with friends and companies that support me. Its good to catch up with Mountain Horse and Allen & Page and see whats new on their stand. I also took a friend to meet Intelligent Worming and was very interested to see what other products Equine Fitness have. I think I might have to test their heart rate monitor out.
Back at home I had 2 fantastic lessons with Sara Green on Cuddly and Herbie. Both had come on a lot since their first lesson and Herbie in particular was very exciting.
31-August-2010
Geena
24-12-1996 to 31-08-2010
Beanie finally lost the fight against her tumour today and was put to sleep this afternoon.
Beanie really missed her best friend Bonnie who we sadly lost earlier this month. Now the girls are back together. Its going to be very strange out in the lorry without either of them.
29-August-2010
It was a bit of a shock to the system to have 3 at Highclere today as it has been such a quiet season.
Tiny started the day with an 8am dressage which was a respectable 33. He then jumped his socks off in the show jumping by contrast he went very green cross country, having a silly baby stop early in the course but he did improve in confidence and jump the second half much better.
Herbie was next on. He was a very last minute substitution and as he wasn't planning on running (and he was HC - non competitive) we took it nice and steadily cross country. He jumped a fantastic double clear felt very happy and did a reasonable 35 dressage. I was just grateful for his first competition since April that he was ridable but he was very excited to be at a party.
Cuddly finished the day in the intermediate. His dressage mark was slightly disappointing but he is still weak in this phase from all his time off.
I was thrilled with his show jumping, he was jumping his socks off and trying his hardest. We were really trying to work on what we had learnt on Monday and I think it really helped. Unfortunately I got a little excited at how well he was jumping and let him drift around a corner having an upright down and we had the last down as I was a little quick jumping out of the double. But the feel he gave and the pictures the photographer took, I definitely think we have something positive to work on.
He was his usual cool pony cross country. It was quite a chunky track, he looked after me but even Cuddly couldn't help me out at the off set houses where my line wasn't very good combined with being on a bit of a half stride. I'm pretty cross at it was my error not his and a blot on his almost perfect cross country record with me.
Hopefully though all 3 have pulled up fine have had some good experiences and ready to fight another day.
28-August-2010
Feisty had her first party at Addington for their arena cross country. She was very well behaved and grown up, coping well with the flags and banners, a successful outing.
26-August-2010
Izzie will soon be leaving to go to college, so I will be looking for some part time help. Fairly flexible, some mornings and/or evenings. If interested please ring or email me.
25-August-2010
I had a good meeting with Intelligent Worming and have decided that they offer a very competitive package with lots of guidance and backing to form an individual worming programme. So all the horses are registered and it will be very interesting when the first set of results come back. For more information click on the link below.
23-August-2010
I had a fantastic day with Herbie and Cuddly as a guinea pig for the British Eventing's Instructors accreditation day. Herbie had a good show jumping lesson and Cuddly did the xc. Again with them both being out of work it is a while since I have had help with them, so I now have lots of ideas to play with.
Indie also had her first outing in the lorry and managed to not chew too much!
20-August-2010
We have just completed 3 long days of Pony Club camp at Ely Eventing Centre. I am teaching in Cambridge on my way home tomorrow.
16-August-2010
Herbie and Cuddly had a great flatwork lesson with Sara Green today. As both have been off work through injury it was great to get her to cast her eye over them. It has certainly given me plenty to work on.
15-August-2010
Back to Aston for a 4th and final day. This time there was no chance of getting wet as I was sat in the car dressage judging. All went well, I seemed to miss out on the very exciting horses trying to demolish the arenas!
14-August-2010
Back to Aston for a 3rd day and a 3rd day of getting soaked to the skin.
Tiny and Khan both did their first pre-novices (sorry BE100). Both Ponies jumped really well.
Khan jumped double clear with a few time penalties xc. Tiny just lowered a rail show jumping and was also clear cross country.
Both of them felt much stronger and more confident in both jumping phases so I was really pleased just a little soggy.
This afternoon we picked up a new arrival. It seems a little soon but the oppertunity was there so new to the team is Indie.
She is 9 weeks old.
13-August-2010
It may have been friday the 13th but that didn't stop Pan from jumping a double clear in the Intermediate Novice finishing a creditable 6th. Running less often seems to suit her much better and she was much keener and fresher.
We also took Feisty (Pan's daughter) for her first trot around a show. She took it all in her stride and was very well behaved. She will be seen out at some baby competitions soon.
12-August-2010
After a very sad start to the week it was fantastic to pilot Cuddly around the Intermediate at Aston. It is so nice to be jumping some big fences again and he gives you such a great feel across country.
I was pleased with his dressage as he still has a lot of building up to do after his time off and I am also dabbling about playing with bits for him in an effort to get him more level and secure to the contact.
The show jumping was causing plenty of problems and to be fair to Cuddly he was not over prepared for the phase as the only course I have jumped on him this year was the Novice at Aston last month. He also does not find the show jumping easy so I was quite happy that he jumped a confident round and lowered 2 rails.
The cross country, well that was just awesome!
10-August-2010
Today was a very sad day for us. We had to make the decision to have Hamish's adorable labrador, Bonnie, put down. She was only 8 and it was a shock as she became very ill very quickly.
She will be greatly missed as she loved hacking out around the estate with the horses and came to most competitions with me.
9-August-2010
Today was the last of 5 days training in Hampshire towards my BE accreditation and UKCC. It has been a fantastic course and really helped with ideas for my coaching. The August exam is full so hopefully I will be able to take it at the next day which will be March next year.
6-August-2010
Cuddly, Herbie and Khan had their first treatment with Tori Graham today. Since moving I haven't really found anyone to massage them and Cuddly really benefited from all Emma Thomson's help when she was treating him. Tori has also just qualified as a McTimony Chiropractor on top of her massage qualification. It was great to get the boys done. Cuddly was the same old problems. Interesting how much Herbie is still holding himself from his injury, so hopefully now he will start putting on some more top line. Khan as suspected was tight in front. All 3 boys certainly felt better the next day.
31-July-2010
Tiny and Khan went to Vale View for their Arena Cross country. It was a great experience for both horses having to jump in and out of the indoor school through water and up and down steps. Tiny who has been quite cocky around his last couple of intros didn't know what hit him with everything coming up thick and fast. I think it will have taught them both a lot and I am very keen to take them back to the next one.
30-July-2010
Hiawatha went to his new home today. We wish Michaela and him a very successful future.
25-July-2010
Tiny and Khan had another outing in the Open 90 at Aston. Both horses went really well but the results do not do them justice. The dressage judge was consistently marking 10 marks higher than most horses in the section normally score. They both show jumped very well. As far as I am concerned Khan was clear xc tho I didn't manage to get his stop removed. Tiny was just being a little cheeky and blasee. They will both run BE100 at their next outing.
Off to pony club camp for the week.
23-July-2010
I finally got back on my old pony at Aston to have a fun blast around the Open Novice. Cuddly was a dude and back on form jumping a great double clear. We'll gloss over the average dressage as it was great to be back on him eating up the cross country. The plan is to run him in the Intermediate at Aston next month.
I then skipped off to the Game Fair to see Hamish and celebrate getting another year older!
18-July-2010
We had the afternoon at Kirtlington Polo Ground watching Hamish's brother Sam and his team win their game, not bad as they were a 6 goal team playing a 9 goal team, and take the trophy.
15-July-2010
I have been showing my age by saying that the last time I went to Upton House Horse Trials we did the dressage on a stubble field but I enjoyed my return visit. Tiny and Khan (Lucky Shamrock) were both in the BE90open and both were placed. Tiny did a 27 dressage and Khan a 29. Tiny jumped a double clear finishing in 2nd place. His outing at Aston meant he was more settled in the dressage and jumped really well. He is now giving me the feeling that he is ready to move up a level.
Khan was also good in his test and show jumped well being unlucky to roll the last fence. He was gave me a great ride around the cross. He is very straight forward to ride and will make a good horse for the future. He is FOR SALE.
Both of them run at Aston BE90 next weekend and then will go up to 100 in August.
13-July-2010
As it has been a while since some of my ponies have been in a dressage arena we popped down to Aston for their affiliated dressage.
Izzy and Toby did a good prelim test. Khan was 3rd overall in the prelim with 65%. Tiny did a good test for his first novice scoring well over 60% but was feeling very cocky in his second test so we threw away quite a few marks having a chat about his manners.
Cuddly had a trot around the elementary as I haven't yet ridden a test on him this year. I have been playing about with bits for him and was pleased that he too scored over 60%.
4-July-2010
We had a good weekend at Purston Manor. The organisers did a great job with the going as I now can't remember when we last had some rain.
I rode Ronnie (Debbies Treasure) in the Open Pre-Novice. The idea of giving him a fun and easy run worked. He finished feeling full of confidence. He gave me a great ride xc and was very unlucky to have the planks down in the show jumping as he barely touched them. His dressage was a little of the mark as he arrived with not much time to warm up.
Izzy also rode Cuddly in the OPN. They had a great double clear and he looks really happy to be out competing again.
Pan competed in the Novice today and finished 10th. She had a reasonable dressage of 35.5 and jumped double clear. The show jumping was in usual 'Pan' style but she was pretty good xc. She struggled a bit with the ridge and furrow which I think accounted for her few time penalties.
30-June-2010
Chinnor Hillary and her little girl
Shinglehall Tandoori
Born 6th May 2010
She is by Shingle Hall Tzar who is by Big Time.
For more info:
27-June-2010
I know this weather isn't conducive for good ground eventing but I do love it when the sun shines. With not too many horses to compete at the moment I used the opportunity to have a few days away from the yard. A free ticket with hospitality pass, a bed with a roof and our own shower and toilet was a good enough excuse for me to find out what Glastonbury is all about.
Wow. Random, awesome and maybe a bit surreal. It was certainly an amazing experience. It is a see it to believe it, the shear size and diversity of the festival, we will be buzzing for the next week.
So batteries re-charged, sun tan topped up and back to the horses this week. I'm at Purston both days at the weekend and xc schooling Tuesday. Back to Cambridge Monday and Thursday teaching so its a busy week ahead.
And now I'm back from a normally muddy Glasto we all need to do a rain dance.
23-June-2010
For Loan: Hiawatha
Ex-racehorse 15'3" 11 yo bay gelding. Looking for a loving home to lightly compete, hack or hunt. Good home is a priority and will be vetted.
He is a lovely horse with a fantastic and trainable temperament and likes to please. Super to do in all ways.
19-June-2010
Wendy had a good day with Harry at Stratford Hills with an 8th in her section. Tiny didn't fare so well. Having warmed up well for the dressage he was messing about spooking at the boards going around the arena. He either tweaked something or jarred himself and was unlevel in his test, so we withdrew. I did mean that I had time to help some of my clients warming up.
Herbie has been feeling well and was rather lively hacking out with the dogs yesterday, I think he will be going on his own next time!
13-June-2010
Ronnie was a much better boy at Gt Tew than his results would indicate. We were pleased with how relaxed he was in the dressage and I thought his canter had really improved. The show jumping seemed to be causing some problems and we were happy with his performance. He flew around the cross country jumping all the straight routes. Unfortunately by the time we got to the water he had a bit of a moment, nothing to do with the fence, getting a stack of time penalties and a stop.
I think he over jumped a few of the fences and lacks a little confidence in himself so we are going to drop him down a level for his next run so he can have some fun.
I then flew home for a shower and off to the Cambridge with Enfield Chase Puppy show in the afternoon. Where the horses might have been lacking the two girls we walked last year made up for. Random was 2nd and Rattle 3rd in the bitches and showed themselves off really well. Meaning I came home with a collection of glassware; 2 highball glasses, what I called a water jug (but has already been deemed suitable for Pimms) and a clock. Go Girls!
11-June-2010
Great news! Herbie went for his scan today and got the all clear to start working. Climbing aboard tomorrow should be fun, think I might need some super glue.
05-June-2010
We had a rather exciting day today. Our times at Little Downham meant we had a very early start. All was going well until we came across a loose horse on the A428. So we stopped ,caught it and ended up helping the police who couldn't trace its owner. In the end we put the horse on the lorry and drove him to my yard at Caxton, which just happened to be the next village.The owner was eventually found and picked him up later in the day.
So off we trundled to Ely now running a bit late. Despite the lack of time Tiny was a little star, he shouldn't have rolled a pole show jumping but still finished 10th.
Cuddly also had an outing round the Intro with Izzy. He was a last minute substitution so it really was his first outing anywhere. He was very excited but gave Izzy a cracking ride. He was so happy to be out again. Fingers crossed he pulls out well tomorrow.
30-May-2010
Tiny performed well at Borde Hill today. He did a 33 dressage, popped around the show jumping with an unlucky pole down and was a little star cross country. I was really pleased with how his confidence is growing cross country helped by fantastic going and fair but educational course.
21-May-2010
Pan did an average dressage test for her at Mattingley in the Intermediate Novice. She show jumped well with an unlucky one pole down. She gave me a good ride cross country and we had our first hold out on course when a frangible pin had been broken. Unfortunately I wasn't stopped till the fence before which was the double of corners, She did manage to jump them well after being held but having jumped a lot of skinnies on her way around the course she was a little cheeky glancing off a triple brush two from home.
With the ground now getting hard we will make our plans for her day by day.
15-May-2010
Ronnie, Debbies Treasure, had a good run round the novice at Aston-Le-Walls. The dressage still needs a bit of work but he jumped two super rounds finishing 9th. He doesn't live with me so I don't get to sit on him very often but I was really pleased with his performance.
13-May-2010
Tiny got his name in print in Horse and Hound today. 3 paragraphs in the central dressage news section. Hopefully for him the first of many.
11-May-2010
A slight mix up on times meant we missed our first prelim test at Aston le Walls but they kindly found us spaces in the Novice class. So Tiny managed a very credible 63% in his first novice and Izzy and Toby had a 3rd for their first attempt.
08-May-2010
Chinnor Hillary is the proud mum of a filly. Pictures to follow.
07-May-2010
Hambledon was beautiful as ever with the bluebells out in the woods. Ronnie, Debbies Treasure did a lovely double clear.
05-May-2010
Tiny impressed at Moreton Morrell BE today narrowly missing the placings. he had a reasonable dressage but jumped a fantastic double clear feeling much more confident across the country. With every outing he has he feels stronger and more confident so we are really pleased with him today.
27-April-2010
Toby and Tiny popped down the road to the British Dressage at Aston-Le-Walls today and had a rather successful day. Tiny kept up to his form with 70% in his first test and 75% in the second winning by nearly 5%. Toby was hot on his heels in the second test with just over 69%, he and Izzy also took 3rd in the first class.
25-April-2010
Tiny had a good day at Solihull intro. A very respectable 32 dressage and good clear show jumping. He was a little green cross country but it was a very educational round.
Harry was competing with Wendy in a riding club event at South of England and the reports are that they had a fantastic day, well done.
24-April-2010
Pan went to Withington ON. She has been getting out of bed the wrong side this week and was not in a very co-operative mood in either the dressage or show jumping. However she more than redeemed herself her by flying around the cross country inside the time.
20-April-2010
Harry left us today to have the summer with Wendy. After a good performance at Aston she is going to have him on loan and hopefully will let me have him back for the winter to hunt. We wish Wendy and Harry a very successful and fun summer.
On a sadder not Herbie went to the vets for a scan today and has managed to separate his check ligament from his deep flexor tendon. So he is on the easy list for 6 weeks. Herbie thinks this will be a great opportunity to work on his tummy!
18-April-2010
Tiny has really grown up since his run at Gt Witchingham and was foot perfect round the cross country at Aston unaffiliated. He had a good dressage and jumped clear in the show jumping but unfortunately had a 'moment' going through the start and managed to get given a stop and 3 time which lost him his first eventing rosette.
I also had an outside ride in the intro, who hasn't been cross country for 4 years. He enjoyed himself and so did his owners.
Harry had a spin around the intro with his 'new' mum. He is going to Wendy on loan for the summer to have some fun before he comes home to do some serious hunting.
10-April-2010
Pan pleased her connections to finish 5th in the Novice at South of England. She struggled a bit in the dressage as the going was soft in places and her little feet means that she is like a girl on stilettoes! Her fitness work has really paid off as she flew (for Pan) around the Xc with her ears pricked and loving every moment.
Herbie however has been having a few confidence issues not helped as I now think he has banged his splint. Being a careful horse having him confident and happy is crucial so as he felt unhappy in the show jumping it was wiser to retire and save him for another day. He will probably have a few Pre-novice runs just so he can have some fun.
We were able to get to SoE in my lorry despite an interesting moment when picking it up from the garage to take it for its test. The power steering oil was leaking heavily and I now appreciate power steering! Fingers crossed that is enough lorry dramas for the time.
06-April-2010
Space available for competition/schooling livery
04/05-April-2010
Due to a slight glitch with the lorry still being at the garage I met Pan at the Northants area Show. She jumped a cracking jump off to win the Newcomers. Having enjoyed the show I set about borrowing a lorry for the Monday so that I could take my boys back.
Tiny has decided he has grown up (at the moment!) after his run at Gt Witchingham and jumped a super double clear in the British Novice and won his first affiliated prize money with a 3rd. He also jumped well in the Discovery and was unlucky to rub out a fence. I was thrilled with him.
Toby popped round the clear round with Izzy and jumped on a ticket in the British Novice he was also unlucky to tip the last in the jump off.
04-April-2010
Cross Country Clinics.
- Tuesday 6th April at Milton Keynes Eventing Centre
- Sunday 11th April at Carlton, Bedfordshire
contact me for more details
23-March-2010
The lorry had to have a visit to the doctors, so Herbie and Tiny had to hack to their dressage competition at Aston-Le-Walls. This didn't stop their good performances, both came home with a first and second. Tiny continues his good run as a dressage queen with 66% in both classes and Herbie managed to wow the judge in his first elementary with 69% - not bad as he was only doing the ele's as they were scheduled before the novices! Herbie had a quick getting his toes wet on the XC before they both very smugly hacked home.
20-March-2010
Harry was awsome.He lined up with nearly 50 horses at the start of the Harborough ride and loved every moment of it. We stayed a little wide at the first, then got caught in a bit of a snarl up at the 3rd but once past that chipped away at the field. 3 1/2 miles later he was still feeling well and jumping his socks off.
13-March-2010
Herbie and Pan headed off to the east cost today to Poplar Park BE. Herbie just managed to contain himself in the dressage to score 34 although he did finally explode and nearly dislodge me on the way back to the lorry. Poplar is always a good event if you want to see some exciting dressage tests, it is early in the season so fresh horses next to the cross country a great combination. I was a little disappointed with Pan's score of 39 but judges can either cope with her conformation or not! Pan then went on to jump a good double clear but we were not speedy cross country and Herbie had an uncharacteristic pole show jumping, a bit lazy, and a nice clear cross country. Herbie finished 6th and they both finished the day adding another point to their records.
09-March-2010
Herbie and Pan jumped really well at Addington. Both were placed in the 1.05 and Herbie was in the ribbons in the Newcomers, tho let down by his jockey who forgot about the last fence so wasted an awful lot of time. Pan also jumped a good double clear. Tiny was still in xc mode in the British novice but jumped really well in the discovery just dislodging the last part of the double in the jump off.
07-March-2010
Cross country clinic at Milton Keynes eventing centre on Friday 19th March. Contact me for more details, 07967 365062 or sarah@firsfarmequestrian.com
06-March-2010
Cobwebs were blown away at Aston-Le-Walls unaffiliated. A few electric ponies getting their feet on grass especially with the xc nearby but they all performed well enough, especially as with the weather they were all a bit short on the cross country schooling front.
03-March-2010
For Sale
Power to Burn. Thoroughbred by Super Power. 8 yo 15'2 bay gelding.
He is a lovely little horse who is easy to do and has great manners. He moves very correctly on the flat, he has 3 good paces and good hind leg. He has started competing at British Dressage.
Super technique over a fence. He was in qualifying team last winter at RC novice championships and jumped very well in summer qualifiers (with different jockeys).
Looking for a loving home for this super guy who will give someone allot of fun.
02-March-2010
We took 7 horses to the BD at Aston-Le-Walls. Emma back from her travels did some very good tests on her two and Izzy rode Toby leaving me only 8 tests to ride. All had settled down as they are now having more outings and everything came home with a rosette. Pan and Tiny managed 3 firsts between them and I thought Harry did rather well in the elementary's as he had been hunting 3 days ago.
23-February-2010
A rather chilly day Show Jumping at Addington, thankfully we were inside as yet again it snowed most of the day. Tiny jumped very well and grows up each outing he has. Flo was 2nd in the BN and Herbie 5th in the 1.05m. Pan also jumped 2 clears.
16-February-2010
6 very fresh horses went to Aston-Le-Walls BD. They hadn't been out for a while and were all fairly on their toes. Tiny was first in one of his classes tho a little fresh in the other. The rest managed some placings as some very good movements were mixed with some rather exuberant movements.
18-January-2010
It has been a slow start this year with the weather, especially the snow. We were able to blow a few cobwebs away by going to Addington BSJA.
Tiny and Harry both jumped well in their classes. Pan was 4th in the 1.05m and Herbie was the star of the day with a win in the 1.05 and Newcomers.
25-December-2009
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
13-December-2009
Aston-Le-Walls BD. Tiny and Nina again both competed in the prelim classes. Tiny was a little on the fresh side warming up but posted some good results and won a pound for his share of being 3rd = overall!!! Nina's first test didn't happen as the day was self stewarding and being first in I managed to go into the wrong arena thus riding the wrong test!! But she went well in the second class. Herbie was on form and more settled scoring mid 60's in both his novice tests with Pan close behind him on her first affiliated outing.
28-November-2009
All 4 horses had a trip to Vale View BD. Tiny was the star of the day this time with 2 firsts gaining 66.52% and 70.83%. Nina also continued to shine in the prelim with 69.17%, 2nd and 61.3% gaining a 3rd.
Nina Tiny
Herbie is still convinced that dressage is boring, not helped by a very quick turn around from the previous horse and a short warm up. He managed 2 rather exuberant tests scoring 63.21 and 62.96% but still receiving rosettes for minor placings. Harry had strong competition in his elementary tests gaining 63.57% and a second place and 60.31% in his second test. His reward of a days hunting with the Bicester in the week was not a classic warm up!
22-November-2009
We took 4 horses to Swallofield Equestrian to their affiliated dressage. With my first time at half 8 and last time just after 6 it made for a long day, not so bad when it is successful!
Nina (the mare for sale below) had her first party. She scored 70% in the first class and won her section being 2nd overall. For her second test a crowd had gathered in the gallery next to the judges box and she found C a little more spooky causing her second mark to drop to 62% but still gaining a second place. She got lots of 8's and some great comments from both judges.
Tiny managed a first and second with 64 and 65% and was on good form, hopefully this winter he will strengthen up, he is already starting to find the work easier.
Herbie was like a coiled spring warming up for his first class and eventually did blow! His test was marred by a horse calling from outside which was just too much of a distraction for him so he decided to show the judge what other exciting moves he had!!! He got my only under 60% score of the day but did get an 8 for his paces!! He was slightly more refrained in the second test gaining his first points and a 4th.
Despite having stood on the lorry all day before his turn Harry came out in fine form and was 3rd in the novice and 4th in the elementary. As his reward he gets a days hunting with the Bicester on Tuesday.
1-November-2009
24-October-2009
We had a good day at Aston-le-Walls even if we got a little soggy!! Tiny, who competed in the intro, was a little fresh in his dressage (his first time outside with his new hair cut) but jumped a good double clear. Harry also seemed to be back on form and enjoying himself with a good double clear in the novice. I also had 2 outside rides both with good dressages and show jumping clear with the PN horse finishing 3rd.
17-October-2009
Pan (Panache Du Chene) was 11th in the novice at Little Downham. It was her first run since the beginning of July and we just wanted to get a feel for next season. She did a reasonable dressage test for her, was a little rusty in the show jumping and tipped a pole but gave me a good ride across country. So all being well we are looking forward to 2010 with her.
OCTOBER 2009
We have moved
The horses have settled in to their new yard well and are very happy. They have started exploring the hacking and having moved from Cambridgeshire they are not sure about the hills!
Horses In Balance
