We had a great day at Knowle Farm on Sunday for the 2* and 3* Training Clinic with Gill Watson! Both Roxie and I learnt lots and also met some great people.

We started off the day meeting in the coffee room all stood round the fire to keep warm. We had a breif talk before going and tacking up, ready for our first lesson, which was Dressage. We warmed up and worked on some 2* and 3* movements before running through the 2* A Dressage test, which was judged by Gill and the other people that weren't riding. When I had to judge Hannah's test with Roweena it made me realise how quick the Dressage judges have to think as each movement / mark comes up so quickly!

Once we had all ridden we went and sat back around the fire to
defrost and have a bite to eat. Whilst we had some lunch we watched our tests back on the TV after Alice had very kindly videoed them all for us. Gill went through our marks whilst we were watching the tests so it was very interesting hearing from Gill what the judges are really looking for in each of the movements. We all took down many notes whilst listening too! After we had watched our videos we had a talk with Robin Balfour on FEI rules. This was very interesting and we all realised that wi didn't know as many as we proably should and the British Eventing rules are quite different to the FEI Eventing rules.....some bedtime reading for me then!

After lunch we went and tacked up again to begin our Show Jumping lesson. Before we started jumping we did lots of work on getting them really listening to the riders aids. To do this we worked them on serpentines in trot and canter, each time we crossed the centre line we changed the pace, either through walk, trot or by doing a flying change. This really helped get Roxie nice and supple and listening to me. During our Show Jumping lesson we worked on related distances, some slightly short distances, some slightly longer distances and some on the correct striding. To finish off we linked them all together as a small course and had to react very quickly on landing after each fence making sure we had the correct canter needed for the next line of jumps.

I would just like to say a huge thank you to Gill and to Robin for allowing us to invade his premises! It was a really good day and we have come away with little things to work on before the next day at Littleton Manor in March.....I can't wait!

Videos and pictures from the day are now uploaded on to Still Learning's Training page in Gallery......CHECK IT OUT!

We have lots coming up in the near future so keep checking back for regualr updates on what's going on at Sarah Gadd Eventing.

So, until next time,
X

Due to the recent snow and ice we have had many competitions and training sessions have been cancelled! The horses have enjoyed playing out in the snow and doing lots of hacking out, well once the roads had been gritted anyway! Now the weather has finally started to warm up again it is full speed ahead, ready for the start of the season in March.

Before the snow Milli went to Limes Farm for her first SJ show. She behaved beautifully and jumped two lovely rounds, so we are all very pleased with her. I also had a lesson with Ann Berry that day on Roxie and Roxie went brilliantly too....long may it continue!

During the snow we did lose one of the four legged crew from Sarah Gadd Eventing. Due to working full time to fund my eventing and Milli beginning to compete this year I was never going to have the time to keep all three horses fit enough to event or the finances! Sabrina (Dress Sense) has moved on to her new home with Annette Tomlin and i'm very pleased to comment that she has settled in brilliantly and they are already forming a huge bond!

Now, we have much planned over the next few weeks including Clinics, XC schooling and competitions. I am at a 2* and 3* Training Clinic with Gill Watson this Sunday at Knowle Farm which we are really looking forward to! Then we have got Dressage and SJ shows planned as well as going to Littleton Manor on Saturday 3rd March to do some XC schooling. I am also teaching on that day so for more info. please Contact Me or Click Here.

Oh, and before I forget there is some very exciting news.....I have been selscted and invited to attend the SupaStuds Scholarship Viewing Day!! Fingers crossed it all goes well on the day as the Scholarship would really help me train even more, helping me to acheive my aims for this year and hopefully, many more to come. Please take a look at their website for more information on the FANTASTIC studs and accessories they sell: www.supastuds.com/ 

Two years ago today (17th February) my life changed dramatically when I sustained life threatening injuries in a car crash (see About Me). I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all my friends and family who have helped with my recovery and more importantly and HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to the Kent Air Ambulance people that saved my life! I know i've still got a long way to go to but these two years have gone incredibly quickly and i'm doing so much more than all the Healthcare professionals thought I would be able to...just goes to show i'm a fighter and won't be stopped from acheiving my dreams of becoming an international event rider! I wouls also like to say thank you to all my brilliant sponsors who have helped get Sarah Gadd Eventing up an running and are continuing to support me! Lets all look forward to a great 2012 :) 

I will report back on how our Training Clinic with Gill Watson and other competitions goes with videos and pictures soon so watch this space.....

So, until next time,

X