When Burghley comes around we know we are in September and the daylight is starting to lessen day by day...
Another exciting competition and awe inspiring as always to see such wonderful combinations grace our screens for the prestigious 4* event. Fantastic to see a locally based rider - Chris Burton- take top honours.
A roll- reversal at our local Hunt hunter trials as my boyfriend, Edward, took Joss for their first XC competition as an individual. This was only the third hunter trial Edward has ever done so I was very nervous watching! They did me SO proud going clear and winning the prize for best hunt member! A very smooth and stylish round from the pair who have gained such a strong partnership together.
C&H Hunter Trial | Hay Josephine
With no rest for the wicked, we hurried back to the yard to do evening stables before packing up and heading off to Wylye in Wiltshire with Myrtle as we were staying over with friends the night before competing at Pontispool in Somerset. Last Winter I met a lovely lady from the EHOA out hunting who I contacted to find some local stabling and she very kindly offered to have Myrtle stay with her. We were up and off early the next day to Pontispool in time to walk the XC before my dressage. Myrtle and I were doing the OIu21 class and it was my first time here. The XC was tough with questions coming up very early on the course, including three water combinations and a very tricky line of big corners on a tight curve. Myrtle warmed up really nicely for the dressage and kept her cool when there were other horses exploding around her. A 29.8 dressage was good enough to be third best and I was delighted to have another sub-30 score. The show jumping was on a surface and a seriously tricky course with difficult lines to execute. I was a little apprehensive before but Myrtle jumped beautifully, filling me with confidence. It was to my disbelief when the last fence fell which was the second part of a double of uprights- she must have literally breathed on it! When I arrived at the XC they had a hold on course as they were changing the last water combination after three people had falls at it. After a little time I was off and at the first water at fence 4 I managed to lose my stirrup. As I was heading for the difficult corner combination I lost a few seconds of time making sure I had my foot secure to tackle this one! I held my breath and a bit of a 'wing and a prayer' moment round the final turn Myrtle flew over the last element and I was so happy! It had caused a few problems and the commentator complimented how well we did it. With so many combinations we took each fence one by one and I was ecstatic to come home safe and clear. We picked up a few time faults but most people did - I think because there were a lot of questions. After Mum had driven over 6 hours for me to compete here I was so pleased to have come 5th so the trip was well worth it!! Another placing at Intermediate level! We finally made it home that night at about 10.30pm...
Click here for Pontispool video.
September brought an exciting new arrival to the MJEventing team. After a careful search, Star Of Equites (aka Tia) was bought by Kate Purchase. She is a 5yo Hannoverian grade 1 listed mare who oozes class and talent. We wanted to get a couple of events under our belt with her before the winter so we know what we need to work on before next season.
Star Of Equites
Her first event with us was Munstead horse trials. Dunny was also competing here - both were doing the BE100. Dunny was up first and and as always she did a lovely consistent test- very good considering the arena was ever so slightly sloping! The judge was obviously marking very harshly as she got third best with only a 30. However, a totally foot perfect double clear meant she stayed on her dressage score and was 3rd! She has made the move up to BE100 superbly. She has an amazing attitude and boldness for a 6yo. Up next was Tia and we had no idea what to expect having only had her a couple of weeks and I had only jumped her once! Nevertheless I was very pleased with our dressage test and a good starting point. She scored an amazing 14.8 which we were all stunned by! Just one rail show jumping after a sharp turn where we got a little unbalanced but then a storming clear XC and she gave me a great feeling! We picked up 7th place which was a bonus but just pleased to have had a good first run. Huge thanks to Carolyne, Kate and Mike, Mum, my Gran and my Sister (who came along for the first time!) for a really fun day out!
Click here for Tia at Munstead.
After Munstead was South Of England. Where there is highs there must be lows. I was absolutely devastated to have to withdraw Myrtle from what would have been our first CIC** together after she got upset in her stable by another horse and got a small cut on her leg which required antibiotics. As she was not 100% I was not happy to run her at this level. Myrtle out, that left Skip (CIC*) and Tia (BE100) flying the flag for the MJEventing team. Tia had Friday dressage which was very quiet as I was the only arena running. This was new for her but she coped well and scored a respectable 32. Early Saturday morning she jumped a beautiful clear round in the main arena at SOE where she really listened to me. We were all fired up to go XC and when we set off she was flying around the course, which I think was quite tough for a BE100 with lots of questions. She was clear all the way until we were three fences from home at the double of drops. We turned to the drops to face them and she half went down them but got her legs in a muddle in the middle which was very awkward so I made a very graceful departure due to the force of gravity going down! Both none the worse we live to fight another day and I am already looking forward to next season!
Thanks to Nigel Goddard for the photographs.
Saturday afternoon, Bridget and Martin very kindly brought Skip to SOE to do her second ever CIC* dressage. This mare has gone from strength to strength since I started riding her and I never imagined I would be lying in 14th / 75 after our dressage with a fantastic score of 47.8 (FEI scoring)! I was so excited for the following day of jumping and it was lovely to be joined by so many family and friends to watch. The show jumping was up to height and had a precarious looking treble combination down the side of the Norfolk Pavilion. Skip gave me no reason to worry and jumped down it so cleanly. I couldn't believe she had one down in the ring as she hardly touched the pole. Just as I got to the cross country (XC) there was a long hold on the course after someone had an accident. Always nerve racking when this happens as you never know why it has happened. I had walked my minute markers and was focused on sticking to my plan. Skip took off out the start with no holding back! She loves XC!! We were making it round the course, clearing each question as it came up. I looked at my stopwatch and was amazed when I saw we were well up on time! As I approached the water, Skip was pretty keen and I was holding waiting for my stride as I needed to turn right to make the direct route out. Well Skip was SO bold she took a stride out and landed nearly half way across the water- I had no hope of turning so made a split second decision to take the long route which she jumped clear. After this was the big drop to an angled roll top at the bottom. Again she jumped so boldly down I had to turn and put in a circle before the final element which resulted in us picking up 20 penalties for crossing our tracks. Skip thinks she jumped clear and had a fantastic round with no issues. We were still only a couple of seconds over the time!! I think she has proved that she is ready to move up to the next level as she is finding this far too easy! As this was her last event I have to say a big thanks to her wonderful owners, Bridget and Martin Lyne for their continued support and giving me the opportunity to ride this spectacular horse. I was delighted to see my written feature in the B.Eventing magazine for 'featured owner' on Bridget who I have been lucky enough to ride for, for the last 2 years.
Click here for Skip at SOE.
This time of year is one of the busiest for us, as not only are we still competing but also Autumn Hunting has started! Joss is very much enjoying being out again with Edward and also Crystal has been for the first time and found it most exciting! We hope to find something that 'floats her boat'. Watch this space!
Joss & Crystal
The beginning of October brought the biggest news of the year for MJEventing- The big move!!! I have been SO lucky to move into brand new facilities with beautiful stables for my beloved GG's. We celebrated the new start for Mum and I with a small BBQ with close friends and family and to give them a chance to see the new yard. The weather shone for us and it was lovely to spend time with everyone! Thank you to all that came. We occasionally have spaces for schooling and competition liveries so please get in contact if you are interested!
Our first visitor to our new abode was the lovely Dunny who came to stay whilst I competed at British Dressage at Belmoredean and then Littleton Horse Trials as Carolyne (Dunny's owner) was away herself competing. At Belmoredean we were having a go at Dunny's first Novice test. We warmed up with a Prelim which she won with over 72%... she then posted a huge 74% in the Novice to win by over 5%! A fantastic first go and amazing when I still think she has a lot more to give! All prepped from our dressage competition we set off for Dunny's final event (BE100) of the season at LMEQ. It was a lovely sunny day and I was pleased my Grandma could be there to watch. She is one of my biggest supporters! Dunny did a stunning test and I was not surprised when the show jumping commentator said she got the best dressage of the day with a 14.5! Quite a remarkable score and my best one yet. Yet another foot perfect double clear left Carolyne's wonderful mare unbeatable again! I am so pleased to have gained the ride on this little superstar thanks to Carolyne, who has been so supportive and kind since joining the MJEventing team. I very much look forward to next season with her!
Click here for Littleton video.
The following week I was back out to Hickstead to gain more points for British Dressage with Dunny this time doing two more Prelims where she was 1st and 2nd. She is so consistent and every time she is improving and never going backwards in her training which is a testament to her temperament. Afterwards Mum and I went and joined Edward for the post- cubbing breakfast at my friend's house which was a real treat- I haven't had a cooked breakfast for a very long time!! Naughty but nice!
At this point I only had one more event to go. The season was drawing to a close but a phone call one evening from Horse and Hound magazine for the third time this season made my day! I rang Carolyne straight away to let her know that they had phoned about Dunny's superb win at Littleton. I was overwhelmed to see a huge picture of Dunny and I in the Horse and Hound magazine with the page title dedicated to us on 20th October (page 46). A lovely write up really rounded off what an amazing season it had been so far. I was very pleased to see the 'Arka Equipe' logo very clearly in the photograph as they have been unbelievably supportive sponsors to me who have made a huge difference to my career.
Silken Creme featuring in Horse & Hound Magazine
Last, but my no means least, was Aldon International Horse Trials. Take 2 for Myrtle and I having a go at a CIC**. Having missed SOE with her I had kept focussed on making it to this event with no hiccups! As the event was in Yeovil and with day before dressage it required some logistical planning. The lady Myrtle stayed with for Pontispool was so kind to let her stay again so that she could be spoilt with a lovely quiet stable for the night. As Myrtle had not been out for a while she was a little over excited to say the least!! We left very early on Saturday morning so I could walk the XC course before my dressage. The ground was absolutely perfect and the layout was great at Aldon. Edward, Mum and I walked the course which I thought was tough but fair and that I could confidently tackle it! Some clever use of terrain and tricky lines showed it was a true 2* track.
In the dressage warm up we started off very calm until we cantered and then Myrtle thought it was a huge party! Luckily, I had given myself enough time to tame the wild beast so that we could enter the arena in a respectable manner! She did some really beautiful trot work at the beginning of the test that I was so pleased with. We did one of our best medium trot's and one judge rewarded us with an 8.5 for that movement! All was going smoothly until my eyes started watering (from the wind) and I by accidentally rode a little close to the boards which Myrtle knocked causing her to unsettle a fraction during my canter. This resulted in a cheeky flying change in our counter canter but Myrtle came back immediately and carried on like nothing had happened to score more 8's. Our mark was 47.8 (FEI marking) which was an incredible 8th overnight! Couldn't have been more chuffed at my first attempt especially as I know it could have been better! Post- dressage, cue Myrtle exploding like a bomb so Edward having to do MAJOR polo distractions... Back in the box back to Wylye quick!
Sunday morning I was feeling very nervous for the first time. I so wanted the day to go well and to end on a good note. I gave Myrtle plenty of time to warm up before show jumping as obviously she had not done her dressage that day. It was a big arena and lots of people were getting time faults. It was a very technical track including 3(!) doubles- one to another right at the end of the course! We jumped by far our best round ever together. It felt smooth and rhythmical. We met every fence spot on. As I came round from the penultimate double to the last double (of uprights) Myrtle was a little keen and just caught the rail going in with her back feet. Such a shame as 4 faults did not do our round justice I felt- however that is the name of the game! I had an hour or so before my XC so we spent that time perusing the shops (anything to keep me occupied!). My time had come and off we went to the XC warm up. Myrtle was very keen to get going and felt on fire! Just as I went into the start box ready to go the lights went red... my heart sank. Back to the warm up as a fence had to be repaired out on the course. I was so thankful that I hadn't started as being held would not have been ideal! By this point Myrtle was VERY on her toes and wondering what all the waiting was about. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... GO! Off I went into my first 2* track! Myrtle was flying and nothing was going to stop her. She took on each fence one by one. Each time we cleared the tricky combinations the smile on my face was growing and growing. I was not worried about the time I just wanted to complete my first one clear so that I would be ready for next season. As I came over the finish line I felt a huge sense of achievement. This was one of my goals this year and I had done it. I had finished the season with my horses all safe and on a high. I must say Myrtle helped me out a couple of times and was a complete superstar carrying me round. It's like she knew how important it was to me. We finished in the top 20! A long drive home but back at the yard a lovely welcome was waiting for us with balloons lit up to celebrate our triumphant return. I am pleased to say that after a long weekend Myrtle was 100% the next day and very happy and content. She is now enjoying a well earned break. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season with Myrtle and I feel like she is my best friend who has taught me so much. I have gained so much confidence from her that I have been able to apply when riding my younger horses.
Click here for Aldon video.
Welcome home!
To end this MAMMOTH blog (the big move took up A LOT of time!) I must take the time to thank the people who make it all possible. First, is my team of owners. Carolyne, Kate, Bridget, Brigitte and Edward. Without them giving me the chance to ride their special horses I wouldn't be riding at all! I love every single one of the mares (yes, all mares!) and each of them have their own characteristics, but, they are all triers and extremely talented.
I must thank my generous sponsors- Arka Equipe and KSDigital Photography. Arka Equipe have supplied me with the most beautiful and technically brilliant tack and clothing which has helped me step up my career as without my saddles and equipment it would make life a little challenging! I am so lucky that the clothes they supply me with from brands such as Dada Sport, Dainese and Accademia Italiana all fit my 'small' frame like a glove. I really struggled to find breeches that fit before they sponsored me! Nigel Goddard from KSDigital Photography takes the most gorgeous photos which I love to look back on from an event and they are lovely to be able to send them to the owners. Nigel also does 'home photoshoots' which I highly recommend as he is a trained professional photographer.
My family is my backbone. Many people know what a heroin my Mum is and she really is the star behind the scenes making everything I do possible! She drives the box to most events and is the absolute boss and top groom I could ever wish for! Edward has been my long suffering- waking up at silly o'clock- scratching post- handkerchief- score watcher- giving me leads on young horses- leggerupperer- loving other half who I can trust to give me the most honest opinion of my riding!! And of course my Grandma who makes the most AWESOME picnics!!
This season has been one of my best ever with 9 wins, 2nd at Firle CIC*, a top 20 at my first CIC**, 26 top ten placings, three sub- 20 dressage marks (18, 14.8 and 14.5), 9/10 BD wins so far and three H&H appearances! And to top is off all my horses made it through the season with no major injuries and all fit, healthy and happy.