Kauto Cyreo competed at the Mitsubishi Cup last year - this year it's Con Rico's turn
With the 2018 Event season looming the question we are all asking ourselves is “Have we done enough preparation?” Of course, what is enough? We will only know when we get to and once we have completed the first event whether we have done enough but it doesn’t answer the question.
I currently have three competition horses to focus on for this year; two of my own, Kauto Cyreo competing at Novice/1* and Con Rico competing at BE100/105 (doing the Mitsubishi Motors Cup 100 Championships at Badminton in May) and a client’s horse, Lady Solaire competing at the BE90 level. My goals are to move Kauto up to Intermediate, Rico to Novice/1* and Solly to qualify for the MMC for next year.
My season starts early with the first event on the 3rd of March. So, my preparation begins mid-December, bringing the horses back into more focused work after a let-down through November. Trips out to cross country schooling, speed training and dressage/jump training sessions through January and February are essential to keep the horses focused and reminding them of their job. So, they are now feeling very good and ready to get out there and get their first run in.
My lorry (Suzie Scania) is ready for the season ahead, serviced, fuelled and packed. This is important, for sure, to keep her up together as she works hard through the season going around the country and to be honest she never really gets any rest through the winter as she is always running horses here and there.
Getting the right equipment is vital to optimise your competition experience. I will be trying out some different bits of equipment (during training and at competitions) through the season and I will keep you posted on and my findings on how they fair in the job. So, first off, I am trying out some new cross-country boots. I have found previous one’s have slipped, twisted and dropped during the cross-country phase no matter how we tape them and strap them up. Let’s see how I get on with the ones I have chosen.
With now only five days to go before taking two horses for their first run at Isleham there is a MET Office Amber weather warning of snow with -15 degrees wind chill for the next few days!! Great!! This, coming after a mild, wet winter was not expected. However, the horses are fit and ready to go so their work this week will continue with setting them up for their first run. I think this almost answers the question that, no matter how much you prepare they could be something that will question it.
My finishing thought is that whatever preparation you have done, be confident with it and maintain a realistic view. Gather information from each outing to improve yourself further and remember that it is a long season ahead, always allowing you to develop and achieve your goals.
Good luck and enjoy your season.
Just a light sprinkling at Homelands Equestrian but is there more to come?
