After our great trip away to Tattersalls in Ireland at the end of May, it was time for a little bit of down time for the horses and myself. I managed to go home for a few days and re charge my batteries. Although I only live in Dorset, I amazingly haven’t been home since February. My parents had almost forgotten what I looked like when I walked through the door! It was lovely having a few normal days and switching off at home after a busy month at work.
Away Cruising enjoying some well deserved rest. Being the king of the yard he will get up only when he feels like it! You have no hope in getting him out of bed!
With the older horses on their breaks after their spring three days it was time to concentrate on the younger horses. We were quickly back to reality with lots going out to various training and events. We have a few new horses who are all lovely and it was nice having the time to concentrate on them and start to get to know their quirks and personalities.
Our lovely 5 yr old Monbeg Icon enjoying a sunny day at West Wilts
Every one of our horses are treated as individuals. Some are straight forward others are really not! I feel if you don’t have the time to deal with the slightly complex ones or are too stressed then working with horses would be very boring! I am a great believer in letting them have their own personalities and quirks, I never like the thought of not spending time with each one and getting to know them inside out. I feel if you don’t let them be who they want to be then they won’t and can’t perform to their best. If they are managed, looked after well and are happy they will then want to give you 110% in return. Sometimes you just have to accept who they are and learn and find a way to work with them not against them.
Our lovely new 5 yr old snipe nailing his first event with Harry on a 24 dressage and double clear!
After all the snow and freezing weather the sun has finally come out in force and we are now having a heat wave and how ever much I try not too I still manage to get sun burnt! I tell you I have some fairly funky sock, t-shirt and short lines going on, as I always say a grooms life really isn’t a glamours one! We have had a few very hot days competing and we had a very hot and long couple of days at Chepstow recently. All the horses went very well with Monbeg Medlar (Gus) winning the Novice Regional Final and two second places too. We then came back the following day with three more five year olds producing great tests and lovely double clears. We haven’t had them long so it’s exciting that they have got off to a great start.
Large, small and even smaller friends employing the early morning sunshine!
The Tattersalls horses are all back in full work and going well. They will be aiming for Barbury 2* and then we are off to Burgham, an event we haven’t been to before but have heard that it is lovely, so I am looking forward to that. We will take Away Cruising and Tenareze to do the CIC 3* and then Red Kite, Brookfield Quality and Monbeg Medlar are all entered for the 2* fingers crossed for a fun few days. Away Cruising is getting fit for Burghley which isn’t far away now and very exciting!
Away Cruising and Tenareze feeling well and getting fit.
A busy couple of weeks lie ahead for the team with most of the yard at Barbury for three days and then straight after that we are off to Tweseldown for two days. We then have team training for three days following straight on from that. It was a wonderful surprise for Away Cruising to be long listed for the World Championships, it had not crossed our minds at all so what a great achievement for Harry, who has had Spot since a four year old, it is very well deserved and lovely to think that he is being thought about and on that list of what is a high class field of horses and riders. I am very proud of them both and we shall see what happens!
There is going to be a lot of packing, washing, plaiting, bathing and stud holes to do all in double quick time and dare I say it not much sleep in the next 10 days or so. I’m lucky to have such a great team at home to make this all happen and help me along the way!
I look forward to sharing all my news about all the events that lie ahead In the next month or so and still my thoughts and prayers go out to Jonty Evans and his family and team at this very worrying time. Please wake up soon Jonty. Harry and my horses will continue to wear green to support the #WearGreenForJonty campaign.
