On the move again!

JJ and I moved to college on Tuesday, he seems to have settled much quicker than he did at his previous yard despite only being there a few days. We have tried out the horse walker and also had a go at grazing on the bank in the cross country field!

Top row, left to right: JJ schooling on Wednesday, getting on well with a new friend, selfie time.Bottom row, left to right: Kisses, JJ tries out the walker, schooling on Wednesday.
  

Last night (11/09/14) we attempted a dressage competition at college. We competed in the Introductory A and Preliminary 4 tests and to my surprise we came 3rd in both with 66.3% and 65.5%! 

Overall he did very well, as he can be slightly spooky in new environments (the indoor school being a perfect example!) It was also his first time without a martingale and in a hanging cheek snaffle, which he seems to have responded to well.

The judge said he was 'an attractive horse with a good forward thinking attitude' that showed some 'lovely work' - long may it continue!

Chilling in his new stable

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VIDEO: Jump Training - 24/08/14 | Superheroes

VIDEO: JJS Clover

Major Updates

So one of my new years resolutions was to update this blog on a weekly basis, and I haven't posted since then... so time for some updates?!

Intercollege

I competed at two inter college competitions this year, we came overall 2nd in both, in addition to coming 1st in the quiz at the competition held at Oaklands College.

Team 2nd at Brooksby Intercollege

Quiz Team 1st and Overall 2nd at Oaklands Intercollege 

Jumping Academy 

Below are some photos from a few of the jumping academy training sessions and evening clinics held this year, including two cross country sessions this Summer. 

Gridwork at weekly academy training 

An evening jumping clinic

Indoor cross country clinic 

Dermot (the college cob) and I jumping a brush 

Mac and I jumping the final element of a grid

Dermot and I jumping into the outdoor arena

Introducing JJ!

This is JJ (JJS Clover) my 16.1hh 11 year old Irish Sport Horse gelding. He has previously competed up to 1.10/1.20m. I am hoping to get to know him throughout the Summer, before affiliating in Autumn with the aim of progress through British Showjumping so we're jumping Newcomers first rounds at the end of Summer 2015.

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Onwards & Upwards into 2014!

It's started an up and down year, but finally everything seems to be on track!

My Personal Highlights of 2013:

I have been very lucky to have fulfilled one of my long term ambitions this year - a cold and foggy beach ride taking place in Shoeburyness, Essex in January.

While competition-wise I achieved my first affiliated placing show jumping, as well as jumping round my first British Novice class (without dying).

However without a doubt the achievement I am most proud of is taking the first step in pursuing a career within the equine industry, and now I'm not afraid to say that I want to compete in showjumping to a high level. 

Obviously everything is subject to change when it comes to horses, but for now these are my aims (and new years resolutions) for the next year and a bit - my thinking is if I write them down I have to do them!

• Continue riding for other people, to gain the experience riding a variety of horses.
• I also intend to buy my own horse, that I will get to know throughout the summer, before competing in blue chip qualifiers during the indoor season, with the 'ultimate aim' of jumping a 1.10m/newcomers first round in the Summer of 2015.
• Take up any opportunity that may provide me with experience for the future.
• And finally, to update my blog at least once every week and my Facebook page as much as possible!

I hope you've all had a enjoyable Christmas and have a happy New Year!

See you in 2014!

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