Preparing for Bicton in the spring sunshine!
Life at Church Farm has continued to be full on and it’s safe to say my alarms are not going off any later and our days are getting longer, but with the clocks changed and the weather warmer it is marking my life a little easier!
At last the horses are very happy to be out in the fields!
We have had horses out training most days and Away Cruising (Spot) preparing hard for Badminton which seems to be approaching very fast! With the weather beginning to pick up I had forgotten what sunshine looked like, so when we took 4 horses to Bicton in Devon it was an odd feeling applying suncream and seeing everyone dressed for summer!
Spot having put on 100kg whilst out on his winter hols after Burghley last year! Luckily there is a photo below where he looks a little different!
I came away certainly having caught the sun. Dare I say it, but it I was almost a little too hot! We had four intermediate horses there who all ran very well. It was lovely to be out eventing again on such a beautiful day. We also had a great few days up at Belton. Probably one of my favourite one day events. We took Away Cruising (Spot), Red Kite (Cooper), Monbeg Medlar (Gus) and Tenareze (Taz).
Spot was doing the 3* (his final run before Badminton), Cooper and Gus were in the intermediate and Taz was in the open intermediate. We couldn’t have asked anything more from any of them. Spot did a lovely test to score 30.2 and was well up there, he then did a great clear round SJ. He then went XC with a new bit in to try before Badminton. I’m glad to say it worked very well and Spot was brilliant as the course did cause a few problems and he seemed to cruise around it. He had a nice steady confidence giving run ready for the big one in three weeks time.
We have backed off his work in the final couple of weeks so he can feel as fresh and ready to go as possible. We were all thrilled with how he went and he couldn’t have had a better prep run so fingers crossed he can keep up the good work and he can pull it out the bag when he needs too!
The intermediate horses were all on top form too with Gus coming 10th, Cooper 6th and Taz winning the OI which we were all surprised about as Harry wasn’t pushing for the time and he didn’t have a stop watch on! There were some good horses in his class and Belton is always a tough track. I have a very big soft spot for Spot and Taz (also known to the guys at home as my children!) so with them both and the others too just going so well that weekend just made why I do my job so worth while and so rewarding. I felt like a proud Mother!
Enjoying a quiet sunny day at home. I am lucky enough to be able to hack out the wonderful Tenareze!
After getting those two events out of the way we could then concentrate on getting Spot to Badminton in one piece. He has been going well and is feeling fit and raring to go. It’s important to keep everything the same, stick to your normal routine and don’t get too stressed! It’s an exciting time preparing a horse for Badminton especially since I have looked after Spot since he was a four year old! It’s one of the best events in the world so I always still have to pinch myself when we are driving through the gates on arrival. It’s a very special feeling! It’s an amazing feeling for a groom to get a horse to Badminton and it’s scary/exciting to think that Harry and Spot have been preparing for this event since he was a young horse!
Spot 10 days before Badminton. I’m glad to say he has slimmed right down and is really a 4* event horse!
We haven’t been to Badminton since 2014 when Wild Lone (Alf) finished third there so I’m sure I will feel some emotional memories both happy and sad but Spot is my focus now and I’m hoping Alf can pass down his XC jumping shoes and tips onto Spot and bring us all some luck! Fingers crossed we get there.
Harry and Spot enjoying an early evening hack
With horses anything can happen but we are feeling as prepared as we can be and I know we will all give it our best shot! It’s a massive team effort and I am so thankful to our wonderful team at home who work so hard and it will be so lovely for them to see Harry and Spot in action at one of the biggest events knowing that they have all played their part in getting them there too. I am looking forward to sharing our Badminton week with you! Keep everything crossed for Team Meade and wish us luck everyone!
