Finally finding balance!

A new ride - Natty (Natasha VII) at Aston-le-Walls    Photo courtesy Fiona Scott Maxwell

 

So there are no decent excuses for my blogging absence other than I’ve been slow in getting around to it  - so apologies for that! We are in to August and things are ramping up for the autumn three day event goals for some of the horses. I have a lovely team of horses at the moment some more experienced who will be aiming for three and four star three day events this autumn and some lovely younger horses who won't be doing an autumn three day but who will be consolidating at their respect levels be it Novice, Intermediate or Advanced ahead of doing a three day event next spring.

Since I last wrote, life has certainly not been dull and I’ve been privileged to have a fantastic summer with lots of firsts for me and with lots of juggling and a great team behind me we’ve had a lot of fun along the way.

I had a couple of quieter weeks post Badminton and Rolex and it did take me a few weeks to pick myself back up as I was feeling pretty sorry for myself post Badminton and Rolex. Although the horses went well, if I’m honest, I was hoping for better results with both of them. However there is no point looking backwards, only forwards and so with a little time I’ve taken stock, picked thru the good points, and bad and tried to consolidate as lessons learnt for next time! I’m so lucky to have a next time and so the focus at the moment is making sure no stone is left unturned as I move forward with each and every horse I’m lucky enough to ride.

While the older horses (Womble and Alfie) were having an easier few weeks in May and June it was time to crack on with the younger horses – we had a lovely time out at some events with Tonto and Dylan learning their trade

 

      Tonto with our long term owners Carol and Veronica

 

I really enjoy producing event horses so in many ways I take as much pleasure from riding a young horse around its first few BE100s as riding around a CIC***! I was lucky enough to pick up a new ride in a lovely black mare called Natty (Natasha VII) she is super talented and very athletic and a pleasure to look after at home, I have spent the last few months getting to know her and she’s been out competing at Intermediate level alongside Ziggy and Sparkles both of whom have made the step up to Intermediate level. After a few runs to get to know Natty at Intermediate level she is now making the step up to Advanced and she and Dotty (two lovely black mares) are making this transition together. We had their first advanced run at Aston and I was thrilled with both of them. 

Alex has also been quietly progressing with a couple of intermediate runs to get in the groove followed by some great performances back at Advanced level at both Aston at Hartpury – I am so thrilled about how he’s going as his owners have been very patient allowing me to take my time with him as he’s a big young horse and he’s really benefited from taking the time to let him mature.

 

       Alexander NJ (Alex) at Hartpury             Photo courtesy Fiona Scott Maxwell

 

Alongside riding I’ve been lucky enough to have some great experiences with the family this summer, firstly Jenny and I were invited to Royal Ascot which was an amazing experience. I worked in the racing industry many years ago when I left agricultural college, firstly in Australia, then a stint at Coolmore in Ireland before going back to Australia and working for Neale Leavis – I’ve always had a keen eye for racing and for race horse breeding so this was an extra special treat

 

 

The kids have also really gotten in to their riding, triggered by their first stay away camping over at senior camp, culminating in a one day event at the end of the week – they love to gallop and jump but are less impressed by the flat work, as you can see it sends Ursula to sleep watching me train the horses in the school!

 

 

My parents have been over from Australia for six weeks which has been great and we for the first time ever I took a week off mid season and we went ‘en famille’ to Norway to stay with my dad’s brother who has retired to Norway – it was a wonderful break and a great way to recharge without a horse in sight! 

 

 

Jenny and I also took a short break for three days, the first we’ve done since we got married to attend fellow event riders Nial Griffin and Polly Jackson wedding in Montenegro (where I hear you say – I did say the same, but I can highly recommend it – was an amazing country with wonderful people) so was another first and a real treat!

 

 

My other passion alongside riding is assessing young horses and so I was very excited and honoured this year to be asked to judge the young event horse classes at the Royal Dublin Horse Show, I’ve been lucky enough to ride and produce some lovely irish blood horses over the years  including One Two Many (now ridden by Nicola Wilson and heading to the Europeans), Improvise and Shannondale Titan who I’m currently lucky enough to ride. So in June and August I spent a few days in Ireland firstly juding the qualifiers for the three year olds and secondly judging the four and five year olds at the finals at the Royal Dublin Horse Show itself.

It was a great experience and a real eye opener, the Irish do love their horses and while travelling around the country for the qualifiers I came across an old fashioned horse sale which was an amazing site as there were horses of all shapes and sizes appearing from every direction and all changing hands, an amazing buzz in the middle of the irish countryside!

 

 

So as you can see I’ve been extremely lucky to have an interesting and productive last few months with the horses thankfully going well and also having the opportunity to do some great new and different things with family and friends. Of course none of this would be possible without my amazing back up team led by Emily and supported by Harriet, Christena, Laura and Megan – so a big thank you goes to them.

We are galloping towards the autumn season with the horses all heading to their own personal goals – all being well Womble (Improvise) and Alfie (Shannondale Titan) will head to autumn four stars and Alex to a three star three day event. Natty and Dotty (the girls!) will focus on consolidating their experience at Advanced and continue to work on their dressage with regular help from Gareth Hughes and Ziggy and Sparkles will consolidate their intermediate experience, while Dylan and Tonto making the step up to Novice this autumn.

So lots to look forward to throughout August, September and October in the eventing calendar.

Will promise to do better in keeping you all posted.

Cheers,

Bill