Busy weekend competing & training.....

WOW, what a busy weekend we had, with competitions and training sessions! Unfortunately I'm not feeling so good now though! I've been suffering from what feels like a tooth infection and after two trips to the emergency dentist at Kent and Canterbury Hospital it is clear that one of my wisdom teeth is irritating an ulcer and the first lot of antibiotics didn't agree with me so after a few days on my second lot of antibiotics I started to feel a lot better, however this was short lasting as I've now the onset of tonsillitis so with a very sore throat and back on a liquid diet of soups and shakes, I'm writing this blog tucked up under a duvet watching tele!!! One of the benefits of being outside with the horses is I hardly suffer from colds and coughs, however when I do get ill, it really does effect me!!

Anyway, back to our busy weekend and I had a day off work last Friday to go to Blue Barn Equestrian Centre for one of their indoor XC competitions. I was very looking forward to this as they had some bigger classes which were ideal for Milli to jump in and as it was a school day there wasn't masses of people there which was nice, plus I persuaded mumto take 'big' Milli and I got the ride as Charlotte and Sophie were at school!!

I did the 80cm class on 'big' Milli to start with as she'd never seen anything like this and although the course looked very ride-able there were many horses finding it very scary and spooky!! 'big' Milli found it all a bit spooky when we first went in but as soon as we approached the first fence she concentrated on the job in hand a jumped a super double clear to finish in 3rd place! 

We went on to do the 90cm and we had an unlucky 4 faults in this one, it was a bit of first-fence-itus I think as she jumped the rest of the round super after having the first fence down. She clearly hadn't noticed it had gone up to 90cm!! We also did the 1m class on her which was by far the biggest she has jumped out in competition so we had a few down which were just baby / green mistakes but she jumped very confidently which is what is most important! Hopefully I might be able to pinch the ride off my sister for the odd event this season........!

With a quick change of tack it was Milli's turn to jump in the 1m class. I decided to start Milli of around the 1m class so we had a great run under our belt to start the day off, and I think we did that quite well as we won the class!! Milli jumped a super round and this brilliant jumping continued as we had a repeat performance in the 1.10m class!

 I then put a pair of my 'brave' jods on and we did the 1.20m class, this is the biggest we have ever jumped out competing together and knowing that she's a home-bred horse who I have produced myself really made it special! She jumped really well, we did have two down, one she didn't quite jump big enough and the other was the last fence and her stomach / studguard caught the pole! Although she felt a bit tired she jumped a super round for me and we finished in 2nd place!! Overall a great day out with both Milli's jumping very well.
For more pictures and a video of 'big' Milli's rounds please Click Here and for more Pictures and videos of Millis round Click Here.

(Please Click Here to see more training pictures)

 After a good nights sleep we were back out with both Milli's the next day with our fortnightly jump lesson at David Pearson-Smith's fantastic place in Alkham. Considering Milli was tired after her jumping she felt full of life the next day so someone clearly slept well!! Charlotte got the ride back on 'big' Milli and as usual we both had a fantastic lesson, they both just keep on improving each time out which is great as we approach the start of the season!!

Now, we mustn't forget about the 'most important' one....Roxie has been doing light schooling sessions and enjoying some nice hacks out recently and she just keeps feeling stronger and stronger, plus last time Sofia Graham treated them, week before last, Roxie came out the stable the best Sofia had seen her since her accident and trotted up 100% sound straight away which was great news!! Milli also went for a nice hack on Sunday and after a busy few days I had planed to just go for a wonder but when Milli's hooves touched the grass around the orchard she had other ideas and after an excited explosion on the spot we did some canter work and she felt great!! In fact it feels like she has found two more gears speed wise which is great news and after 5 mins cantering, with some uphill canter she got back to normal breathing very very quickly so I think she is much fitter than she is making out she is....typical Milli, only ever does as much as she knows she needs too! Now we are in February Milli's cantering work will increase each week as we approach the start of the season, and I'm sure you can tell we are all starting to get a little bit excited!!

SG Eventing
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***Keep Calm & Canter On***
***Eventing 2015***