Friday 25th of April 2025
Willa Newton

Willa Newton: Reflections from Abroad

We are delighted to welcome Young Event Rider, Willa Newton, from Leicestershire to The Gaitpost.

In her first blog, Willa looks ahead to the 2016 Eventing Season.

 

 

Janet (bottom left) and the team keeps the yard running smoothly

With the wet winter weather seeming like it would never end, I was very lucky to escape for a brief break in the sunshine recently, which gave me a chance to reflect on the season ahead.

I firstly want to spare a thought for the event organisers who work tirelessly only – all too often – for the weather to put pay to their efforts as it seems to have done over the first few weeks.  And the winter always brings added challenges too for our yard team who work hard keeping seven of our livery and family hunters on the road throughout the season.

Now it appears to be drying up a bit, I am really looking forward to this season getting into full swing – not only have I got some exciting new horses to campaign this year but there are some great new competitive targets for riders to aim for, in the shape of the Tri-star Eventing Series and the Event Rider Masters.

Willa and Laury

Willa and Laury

The Rising Stars

My lovely young horses are now another year older and will step up a level, which is always incredibly exciting.

I am hugely looking forward to aiming Caja 20 (Caja) at her first two star; looking towards advanced at the end of the year.

Lauries Laudatio 2 (Laury) and Moonlight Dance S (Dancer) will both be looking to complete a one star before heading to an autumn two star and I would love to try and finish on a high with the British seven year old championships.

Both these lovely horses still have spaces available in their syndicates so please come and join the fun and excitement this season with Team Newton!

New Guard Replaces Old

We are definitely going to miss last years star, Newmarket Vasco One (Sully) as he now enjoys retirement and cross country won’t feel the same without him. But on the other hand it is hugely exciting to have Peter Thomas and Feena Machin’s Chance Remark (Austin) back in action as well as Neelix (Chip).  Both these horses will be aimed at CIC*** with an autumn CCI as the end-of-season target.

I am also very excited to have the new ride on a very lovely stallion: Champions Dynamo (Socks) for Shelby Smith. He – along with John and Judi Thurloe’s Rapide Gii (Pele) – are being targeted at Spring CCI** events with Advanced events the Autumn target.

We also have some lovely young horses who I’m looking to produce slowly this year including Viv and Chris Prior’s Cavatina Tinkerbelle (Bella) and Tim and Antonia Brown’ Freestyle R (Freebie).

They are all fantastic horses and I am very grateful to all my owners for their huge support. I also can’t thank my brilliant home team enough.  Without them, none of these plans could be realised.

janet at Willa's-2

This is the 31st year my head girl, Janet has been with us and it is Janet who should take the most credit for keeping Team Newton on the road and running super-smoothly.  I’ve asked her what she is most looking forward to this season and her response was ‘seeing the young horses step up a level and making it to Blenheim with Chance Remark’.

So, we’re all set to go now – Great Witchingham and then Burnham Market – and we just have to keep our fingers crossed that it’ll be our best season to date!!!!

Until next time, Willa

 

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