Stepping up !

After the most brilliant August show at Weston Lawns it was time for me to get cracking with the 3 year olds. We have Pumba, bought as a foal, he is a stunning gelding by Tangelo van de zuutheove x Cassini and the other is a gelding, Timone, by Zirocco blue x Tornesch.

 After being backed they both had a couple of months holiday to grow and mature. Yesterday they came out of the field to come back into work. Hopefully by January they will be jumping round a little course ready for their 4 year old classes. 

During the summer, with the ever changing Covid restrictions, I eventually managed to arrange a flight over to Ising, Germany, where my 8 year old Dakota is based.  I finally got to meet Dietmar Gugler, his rider Elisabeth Meyer and the team. I watched the show, which is run from their beautiful estate. It was incredible, both the standard of the horses and the riders were amazing. I think we all dream of owning horses of that calibre! 

I was privileged to sit in on the lessons Corinne was giving to Patrick (one of the Team Hong Kong riders). It was so special and I learnt so so much. 

But the hi-light of the trip has to be coming away with two stunning 5 year old horses, one a gelding by Canturano x Quantum and the other is a mare by Cornet Oblensky x Stakkato.  Gugler Sport Horses have given me the opportunity to go halves with these two fantastic horses, with the offer of some more young horses to produce in the future. 

After getting back from Ising it was straight back into riding and getting the horses ready for the next few shows.

The new horses arrived in the UK a few days after me and settled in super quickly.  I had my first few rides on them at home which was fantastic, in-fact I am still beaming from ear to ear. I’m so excited about both of their futures, they both have so much jump, super conformation and brains. Both are very special horses. The 5 year old gelding, Jabrun LVP aka Dodger, is super confident and ready to go to a few shows. The 5 year old mare, Cornet Royale PS aka Elsa, is a little greener so needs a little work at home before she is ready for her first show. Gugler Sport Horses definitely have some stunning horses.

Arena UK was a super show for the whole of my team. I took a few young horses alongside Hamish. 

My main aim was the Grand Prix with Hamish.

I took Rolanda’s Glory (simba), Pele STN (Pele owned by Michelle Whall) History (Hamish) and one of the new 5 year olds Jabrun LVP (Dodger owned by ourselves and Gugler Sport Horses). 

The show went brilliantly with all the horses getting placings and qualifying for their Grand Prix’s! Simba stepped up a height and jumped some super double clears in the newcomers, Hamish was fantastic, finishing in the top 10 in the 140cms and qualifying for the Grand Prix and Dodger qualified for the 5 year old Grand Prix at his first show with two double clears !!! 

I was absolutely thrilled with the way they all jumped ! 

The highlight of the show for me was Hamish in the Grand Prix, we are both still gaining experience at that level and he jumped his socks off for me ! I couldn’t of asked for a better show. 

For now the plan is to get the 3 year olds ready for the new year and get both the new 5 year olds up and running for the Winter Classic shows that are coming up November time, Hamish will also be competing in the Winter Classic.

I have been lucky enough to be able to join the AASE squad for this year which enables me to further myself with my horses. I have access to more trainers and coaches, whether it’s for my fitness and nutrition or the horses. 

To top off a brilliant few months I’ve been offered sponsorship from the luxury clothing line, Lord and Lady Equestrian. They offer a premium brand of rider wear in beautiful colours. Check out their website lordandladyequestrian.com. 

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