Para Power: Laura Gulliver, Part Six

After what seems like forever (6 months) I felt she was ready to be put to the test of some more pressure. We have been building up to this with quiet clinics over the recent months, with no adverse effects or signs of ulcers it was time for the next step.

I opted to go very low key to a quiet unaffiliated competition and ride H.C in order to use the whole process as part of her education. Something I will be continuing with.

Of course getting plaited is always an indicator of an adventure and cause for excitement.

I was super pleased with how she travelled, the warm up went better than anticipated with no extracurricular aerobic moves (red ribbon need not have been used!)

Our turn to go and I used the whole test to make corrections where I wanted, it was a lovely feeling to be able to do this as I was H.C but to also be in a competition environment and not be worrying about chasing points and qualifiers.

My main worry was Natalia may feel pressurised in the arena and feel the need to down tools but she didn’t let me down and also afterwards continued to eat which is the one thing she stops doing as soon as she is not feeling 100% or stressed. Happy Horse – Happy Rider.

However the next day and a surprise snow fall caused a lot more bother with her getting extremely over excited and a funny tummy but this year I’m well prepared for these instances and the Protexin Quick Fix at the ready worked a treat, by afternoon all was calm and well again!

This month I had a fabulous day at the Para Symposium which was very educational but above all the message was clear from everyone “Team work makes the dream work”.

While there I was also privileged to get to watch Sophie Wells ride her Rio Freestyle live which I thoroughly enjoyed – What a treat and what an inspiration!