It has been a very busy month for me in my day job as quality manager for Cyden Homes. It was our business year end at the end of October so we had a lot of houses to finish and move the new owners into, and I am pleased to say Annabelle has loved helping me every step of the way.
Although work has been very hectic I have still managed to fit in lots of training and a bit of competing with the horses too.
We moved our youngstock and mares into their winter fields who I have to say look super this year thanks to the amazing feed and advice given to me by Baileys Horse Feeds, we are all very excited for the 2017 foals due by Bodyguard and Cadans.
Our homebred three-year-olds have started their education now so I am looking forward to introducing you to them at the beginning of 2017.
I have just started being a ‘proper’ mummy attending baby groups and baby massage classes, at which Annabelle just spends the whole time laughing with the other babies and holding their hands, it is so cute and makes me go all soft!
Annabelle has also had her first ride on our family pony Willow and she giggled the whole time and only got a little upset when we lifted her off.
This month, my trainer Rhett Bird and I have been working on strengthening exercises with Felix and keeping the suspension while running through test movements. Bodyguard is feeling exceptionally well and we have been working on the Inter II and Grand Prix movements, piaffe, passage and one time changes. He is loving life still living out in the field.
I have had my first training session with a homebred horse Gemini, who is owned by Jo Graham-Wright but was born and bred here at Cyden Dressage. She is by Vitalis (by Vivaldi) out of a Ferrgamo mare who is very special in so many ways especially to Jo and her late husband, Andrew.
I was over the moon with her, standing at 18hh and turning five-years-old, she struggles a bit with her strength and size but with time she is going to be lovely and an exciting prospect for 2017/2018.
Annabelle had another weekend away in the lorry at Rhett’s with Bodyguard, Felix, Jess and Gary; I think she will be the best travelled baby around!
We took Felix to Port Royal for some late qualifications for the Winter Championship. I have got to get him qualified at Medium and Advanced Medium and Bodyguard at Prix St Georges before the cut-off date.
A fantastic outing it was too, Felix, Jess, Annabelle and I all headed off in the lorry and to do two Elementary tests and a Medium. This was the first time Felix has gone straight into the arena without an arena walk, and he was not spooky at all.
He was so with me and felt great, although there were a few bits to still work on with his strength and suspension; I was over the moon to get 75%, 73.06% and 73.98% in the Medium.
I did attempt to learn all three tests while Jess was chief baby sitter, nanny and videographer but I will admit I lost two marks for going wrong in the Medium test – sack the rider!
This was Felix’s third ever Medium and the difference in strength from the two he did earlier in the year was unbelievable, he was able to sustain his movement and suspension in the lateral work and didn’t struggle with any of the exercises or movements so I was very pleased with three red rosettes.
Our next outing is to Sheepgate for a two day show with Bodyguard, this is particularly exciting as it will be his first time out competing for a long time.