My own private lake and water jump - created by the masses of rain we have had
After promising Alison to get this blog to her for a while now I must start of by apologising for it being a bit short and sweet! I will get better with practise.
I am sure everyone has heard about the dreadful weather we have been having over here and all the cancellations – it has been a complete nightmare. We usually compete so much (normally three or four times a week) that at first I have to admit it was quite nice to have a few quiet days. For once I actually had time to enjoy the local pubs (Sunday lunch is a must) and spend some time with friends. I even managed a few days away with Ed (the very non horsey boyfriend) which was a rare surprise, for him and I, mid season.
A few days away with friends was a nice surprise due to the wet weather
However when they had to cancel Badminton it suddenly became very serious. I felt so sorry for all the riders who were ready to go and fulfil their lifelong ambition and what about the ones hoping to use Badminton for Olympic selection and qualification. Of course there were all the businesses affected by it as well … what a disaster.
My beautiful arena in which I spend most of my time
No eventing meant I had to look at other ways to get the horses out. I took up show jumping for a few weeks and I have to say that maybe I should think about a career change. I won more prize money for show jumping in one day than I have ever won in a day's eventing and there is no mud, no studs, no endless hours of icing horses legs … it’s definitely much easier. I even went to a dressage competition where I witnessed the great Paul Tapner grooming for his wife – so nice to see the tables turned!
Luckily for us UK dwellers the weather has finally turned and today it was a whopping 23 degrees and I have to admit that I complained that it was too hot – what has happened to me? Maybe I have been living here too long! I have just finished a big three days of competition where I competed some nine horses and for someone fast approaching middle age that means a very aching, tired body! On Saturday as I drove to the event I found myself actually wondering if I would remember what to do – luckily I did and over the weekend I had six double clears and then it hit me that I had really missed eventing!
I am especially excited about new rides Dunbeggin Royal Imp and Warhorse who were 2nd and 5th in the novice. Shannondale Santiago was jumping his socks off in the intermediate at Tweseldown on Monday and was unlucky to have a rail down at the last. But he was great cross country around a very tough track and Kintara completed a beautiful double clear in preparation for the CIC*** at Tattersalls next week.
The fabulous Shannondale Santiago competing at Tweseldown
I have never been to Tatts before but am really looking forward to it. It is meant to be an amazing event. ‘Kintara’ aka Lotty is an incredibly talented however somewhat difficult character and I am hoping that at Tatts everything will come together. It will also be Ed’s first trip abroad in the truck – could be interesting! Let’s hope there are a few parties and he is not too bored. I look forward to telling you all about it next time.
Bye for now,
Sammi
