Since my last blog the British Eventing 2015 season has come to an end, but before that I managed to squeeze in two more events.

Back at the end of September, Skip and I were up early to head to one of our local events, South of England held at Ardingly. This was to be Skip's last BE100 before moving up to Novice. I was second in the dressage warm up so it was nice and quiet where I was joined by Bridget and Martin (Skip's owners) and my Grandmother. Skip did a very calm and controlled test to score one of her strongest marks, 30.5. The ground in the warm up for the show jumping was very tacky but Skip coped very maturely and jumped fantastic. She went in the main ring and jumped the first three fences so cleanly. As I came round the corner to the double at fence 4, the sun was still very low and I don't think Skip saw the back rail on the parallel so caught it as she landed. At the end of my round I could not be disappointed with her as she jumped so well with just 4 faults. After a little break my Mum managed to come and watch me go cross country. There were a couple of fences I was wary of, including a bright blue corner and some steps down to an angled roll top. Skip showed no hesitations and flew round the course so easily and gave me a easy ride. She is such a pleasure! We finished with a top ten placing in 7th. Since using my new Lorenzini titanium three ring bit, I have had so much more control jumping without affecting the way she jumps. A must have this Christmas from Arka Equipe!!

Meanwhile, our young horses from Symphony Sport Horses have been to grid work training at Sands Farm. Laddy and B have both been and it has improved their jumping technique enormously. It starts off as a line of poles, and gradually builds up to a line of jumps with cross poles, bounces and oxers. They have to think on their feet quickly with sharp reactions. It gives them lots to think about and focus, something so important to young horses. I have been lucky enough to be asked to ride a horse called Crystal, owned by Kate and I took her to grid work one week to give her some jumping. She is a relatively green 7yo but with a super jumping technique. She flew through the grids and I look forward to some more outings with her. (There is a video on my Facebook page.)

Rounding off the season was a big decision to move Skip up to Novice level for her last event. I was so gutted with the cancellation of Larkhill as I know that is a very nice 'first Novice' track. We studied the Eventing mag and by judgement chose Broadway Horse Trials which was a few weeks after SOE on the basis it was not far from Bridget's brother's yard so we could stay overnight. On the Saturday, Bridget and I left on a road trip with Skip and arrived at Guy's yard around tea time. I rode her when we arrived to stretch her legs and just run through a few movements in my dressage test. I was very lucky to then meet 'Briarlands Matilda' (ridden by Izzy Taylor at the Blair European Championships) who is currently out on holiday at her owner's yard. I couldn't believe she made Skip look big!! The next day we were up early and on our way to Broadway which was about 45mins away. I got straight on and warmed up for my dressage in a nice quiet spot. It was lovely to be at a new event and I must recommend it as it was run so smoothly and efficiently and the layout was great and not too spread out. I was second in my arena and I entered as the hounds at the kennels were barking like mad over the hill and the cross country was going on right next to me. We kept our cool, however we had a slight blip when someone fell off and their air bag went bang! Not ideal! We scored 37.5 which in our arena and for our first Novice test, was not a bad first effort! Looking over the threatening black clouds, Bridget and I had breakfast and walked the cross country (which was very very hilly!!). The first few fences were very encouraging and inviting but up to height. Several fences had enormous drops which I was preparing my parachute for! Towards the end of the course was the water jump which was a combination of a log to a step down and then a barrel jump in the water. Skip has never jumped in water until this point!

We were joined by Guy and some friends for my show jumping, (which was a little nerve racking!!) but nice to be supported. The warm up was a little busy which makes Skip a bit up tight so I did not over jump her. The course was very 'up and down' the hills and lots of turns back and fourth, and the last fence was brown plastic planks downhill! Skip jumped the MOST foot perfect round and responded to everything I asked of her. She loves to be dared at her fences and just pings off the ground. This was the first time I had jumped her since SOE, proving how good she is at jumping! I could not stop smiling after we jumped clear! I was feeling very positive going into cross country and after holding on for dear life having taken off (literally!) over the drop fences we were cruising along. We had a slight hesitation at a skinny box arrowhead but luck was on our side and we were given a clear! A super super way to end the season with a double clear and Skip's first BE point! She is a total superstar as only a 6yo, I am so excited about her future as she is showing endless talent. We couldn't stay long as we head off to Izzy Taylor's yard to pick up 'Briarland's Birdsong', Bridget's other horse so Skip had a companion on the way home. Arriving home and the realisation of a fantastic and successful weekend sunk in. The 2015 Eventing season is over which is a sad time but I have achieved two of my aims this year, the first was to ride at Gatcombe (let alone the Festival of British Eventing) and the second to qualify Skip for Blenheim (and then to win!!).

Nothing could be achieved without the generous support team around me including Arka Equipe who have supplied me with the most beautiful pieces of tack and clothing made from highly technical and quality materials. Huge thanks for their on-going support and I am proud to be an Ambassador for them.

Nigel Goddard from KSDigital Photography supplies me with gorgeous snaps from competitions which I can share with my owners and supporters and use to reach out to a wider audience. Not only that, but he also does photo shoots for you and your horses on commission which I highly recommend.

Symphony Sport Horses continues to be a growing success producing quality horses and ponies. I am lucky to be able to ride and help produce these lovely horses.

And last but not least, my owners (Bridget and Martin Lyne, Sue Bunn and Ellie Brown) and my family who could not go without a mention for all their dedication and help to my eventing career!

As I write this, we have just got back from the C&H Opening Meet with Laddy and Joss who were fantastic. I now look forward to a Winter of lots of cleaning tack!!