Blog

Sunday 11th October 2009 - HOYS
So close and yet so far. That was my HOYS. Dooneens Future Star jumped in the 138 final and jumped really well in the first round. Clear. We were drawn early and I really let him go. He tried his heart out and clocked a great time. I asked dad if was good enough and he said "Only one pony can beat that" More than Milton and he was next to go. Darby Ward sent him about his business and he flew. We were beaten into 2nd by 100th of a second!
I spent the next hour trying to work out what 100th of a second was? Maybe if I hadn't clipped his whiskers we might have won!!!
Anyway well done Darby she deserved it...the cup just had her name on it.
Next day Tixylix jumped in the Show jumper of the year. She was awesome and coming down to the last I was going to be one of three clears. She just touched the fence and down it came. It was such a hard track that we finished 4th on 4 faults. On the way home we talked about Tixys year. She has been in the frame in nearly every class she has been in. This year she had been a superstar and its been a privilege to ride her. We will give her 3 weeks off then start her winter campaign.
Razorlite jumped a little tired and needs a break. Ultrador had the last down in the Foxhunter...that was my week so close and yet so far.....

Sunday 13th September 2009 - Barbizon
just got back from Barbizon in France. The horses and ponies jumped really well we just kept hitting the crossbar!
On the first day I just schooled Tixy round she was wild...kicking and bucking not really concentrating just showing off. The next day she was only a little better ....still jumping real. Day 3 and the Grand Prix was a difficult track. She once again jumped brilliant and clear. We were drawn early in the jump off and did a fast time to take the lead without going inside too many fences. I thought an inside turn could be done but Dad said no. Sadly Pippas Dad said go for it.. Pippa did and Maradonna took the lead. Then Van Nooren did the same and we ended up 3rd. I cant complain Pippa rode brilliant and Tixy did everything I asked of her.
Razorlight was once again on fire, finishing in the frame each day and in the 90 strong speed Grand Prix she set an unbelievable time. Then right at the end a French girl went round like the pony was on fire and we finished second. I went last on Ultrador and galloped her at everything....down came the last fence!
The horses jumped well enough and got in the money but no wins. All in all they jumped great and I was very pleased. Next stop HOYS.

Monday 7th September 2009 - Scope Festival
On day one Razorlite jumped really well and finished 2nd in the final of the Members Cup. On day 2 she won the Newcomers Masters and really jumped her socks off. Next day Ultrador and Razorlite jumped in the Foxhunter Masters final. Razorlite was really tired from the first day and had 2 down. Ultrador was fresh and nearly won it but in the jump off he ried to bounce a double ! Never mind she finished 2nd. I didn't have much luck with the horses. Starsky was motoring in the jump off turned really well and went over....we hit the deck and that was that. I thought Lanique would win the Children on horses class but he locked onto the wrong fence and by the time he looked at the right fence it was too late. So not much luck there.

Tixylix jumped really well and qualified with Razorlite for the Dunglenn. She was the first clear and the course really took some jumping. Razorlite had a pole in the treble but jumped brilliant...i think she will get to the top in time.
In the jump off I was drawn first. She did a good clear but we left a couple of seconds for someone on Tixy......nobody did a clear and it looked like we had done enough....Pippa Allen jumped Maradona and got inside a fence to beat my time. I hate losing but if anyone deserved to win it was Pippa. Its great for her after the disappointment of the Europeans. I will miss her next year. She really is a good competitor in ponies. We are off to Barbizon in France.......

Saturday 1st August 2009 - European Finals Morselle Belgium
Well we got there but luck was not on my side. The first day Tixy jumped brilliant never hit a pole. The other 4 Team members jumped clean and Chef D`Equipe Katrina Moore and Clare Whitaker were faced with who to choose. She chose Jordan Nathan over Pippa Allen. The next day was teams day. Tixy jumped great she was one of only three clears and she was going airborne over her fences. The next round proved even harder, we were popping away jumping everything with ease... I came down to the last treble .. put her dead right and bang! she took the pole out with her knee and sent it right in front of the second part of the treble. I had no chance of jumping it without risking an accident. She is so brave she would have had a shot but I turned a circle and came down the treble perfect on a second go. 4 faults for the fence 4 for the circle and 2 time. 10 faults....ahhhhh!!!
The rest of the team jumped and Chad did really well and just had 5 faults. It just did not go right for the others.
I looked at the start list the next day.....I had slipped from first to 16th.
The next day was a day off and we went to support the Event Team.
On the Monday it was back onboard. It was a monster of a track. Very big ...in your face... technical. There were tricks everywhere. No clears and we were 19th to go. Tixy just jumped her way round giving air to every fence. She was brilliant and registered the only clear to date. I sat and watched the remainder crash out and have faults. It was nail biting but I knew that it was just too big a bridge to gap.
The second round came again and Tixy just got better. Never looked like touching a pole and we ended up 6th Individually. Not so bad. But that one pole in the treble came back to haunt me. Never mind... next year!
Chad flew the flag for Team GB. He finished 3rd and won Bronze. Chad is a real good guy and a really good rider. I will miss him next year.

Monday 20th July 2009 - Hickstead
I thought that Razorlite would win the JC. She is flying. Show jumping is some leveller.....i was eliminated. She has never stopped ever. This red wall was not for her!
Next round and same again on Ultrador!
The last class was the 138s and Toby jumped really well. Clear in the first round and the last down in the jump off and we finished third. No luck today!!!!
Hickstead is best forgot and get on with the Europeans ... we leave on Monday.

Saturday 18th July 2009 - Wales and West
Quite a mixed show. Lanique jumped in 4 children on horses classes and won 2 and finished 2nd in the other 2. He really is the best horse in this class really consistent and careful. We sold Donneens Future Star and the new owners wanted us to jump him there. He won the first day and jumped really well. The next day we jumped him in the HOYS Qualifier. Great first round then I completely missed him. oooooh.
Next day we jumped him in the Teams. A really good 2 clears and there was a jump off. It was all down to me and Toby to shave off 5 seconds from the Irish....mission impossible. I galloped Toby at everything and got away with 5 fences then .. the next three fences came down and we got Silver.
Tixy just got schooled round to keep her sweet.
Razorlite won the Foxhunter second round by jumping three superb rounds she is flying and Hickstead at the end of the week.

Sunday 12th July 2009 - The Royal Show
We were all a little concerned that the Royal Show on grass would be a difficult ask for Tixy and there was always the risk that a bad round could end our bid for the Europeans. On day one Tixy was a little wild but jumped well and had 2 down. The next day was the big one and yet again Tixylix came up to the mark. A good clear in the first round meant there was three of us thru to the jump off. I really let her out and she did a great time .. but maybe too fast she had one down. I sat and watched Chad Fellows do a brilliant clear and knock us into 2nd. Just after the class, the team was announced. Pippa Allen, Chad, Tim Wilkes. Jordan and me. The only sad thing was my friend Yazmin never made it. She was trying to get Edzilla thru on an injury and it wa just too much. So off to Moorsele for the finals.

Monday 22nd June 2009 - Freudenberg German Nations Cup
I know I have said it before but things just keep getting better and better. Tixylix won their Grand Prix and Razorlite won the small Tour!! It was one of the hardest and biggest tracks I have jumped. Technical, on bad ground in the rain and very very big. The class was a disaster for all but three of the 70 starters. Tixy jumped in a rainstorm and just ate the track up. Clear and into the jump off. In the jump off I let her go and turned her. She was brilliant...just brilliant. The other 2 ponies couldn't match her and she added one more title to her CV. I just hope I can do her justice over the next 4 years in 148s.
Next day Razorlite went into battle. And like the Lionheart she is she jumped and galloped her socks off. On the first day she was really tired from the journey but she picked herself up and we heard "God save the Queen" for the second time. She really deserved her moment of glory.
On the Nations Cup day the ground and conditions just got worse. Tixy Jumped clear the first round and when she put her foot in the water the second day we were going to finish 2nd to the Swedish Team. To be fair they deserved to win. On the day they were the better Team.
We travelled 12 hours non stop back so at the moment I have no idea where is next......

Tuesday 16th June 2009 - Hand Premiere Show.
We decided to drop Tixylix back to a small track to keep her sweet. We jumped her in a 1.15 and she had 2 down. I think she was insulted!
Anyway it was a show for the other ponies and a chance to qualify them. We have spent so much time abroad we are missing the chances. Donneens Future Star jumped on day1. I have not ridden him for a few weeks and he jumped like a buck. Never touched a stick and felt like he was jumping a 80cm class not a HOYS qualifier. He jumped 3 clears finished 2nd and qualified. Job done. Next class was the Newcomers Second Round Qualifier for HOYS. Razorlite jumped brilliant turned like a motorbike and won the class with 4 seconds to spare. She will join Tixylix in Germany next week. On the Sunday it was Ultradors turn in the Foxhunter Second Round. She did not let the side down and jumped great to win her ticket to HOYS by winning the class. Great show and three qualified two of them winning their classes.....next stop Freudenberg Germany!
 

Monday 1st June 2009 - Moreselle International Belgium
Things just keep getting better....we really are on a roll. We went to Belgium to jump in their Grand Prix and Tixylix stole the show. She jumped like a cat. We were drawn 6th of 9 in the jump off and it was a big course that could only be won by galloping and turning. She did not let me down. Her time was just too fast to beat and she added yet another major prize to her collection. Razorlite stepped up again to the big time and she jumped her socks off second and third on 2 days and the fastest round and the last down on the other. She gave me a great feel and dad bought a picture of her with her legs out sideways trying to miss a pole. She really is a brave pony. All the other GB team jumped well and we are shaping up for the Europeans. The French look especially strong and have a lot of top riders and ponies. The rest of the guys went on to Wierden but I have got some exams now so no riding for 2 weeks. Then one day on them and on to Hand...

Monday 25th May 2009 - European Trials Southview
After coming back from Belgium we thought Tixylix would need 5 days off. Bad move. She was so fresh I could not hold her and had 8 faults. Day 2 and she was on fire again she jumped a double clear and got beat by Pippa Allen by 700th of a second. Next day she came out and this time I let her handbrake off and she won the class...really pleased with her and next week we go back to Belgium again. All the other ponies got placed and Razorlite and Ultrador just got out the qualifiers in the Foxhunter and Newcomers. I am sure they will qualify, so its not really a problem. Pippa Allen was in great form and I am really looking to a long hard season against her...bring on Belgium!

Monday 18th May 2009 - Grobbendonk Belgium NATIONS CUP
What a great time we had in Belgium. It was a Nations Cup and teams from France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and all the European Countries sent their pony squads. It really rained there and the mosquitoes and flies were really eating the horses. I was first to go on Tixylix and she flew round without touching a pole. Katie Spelar and Pippa jumped clear and we were able to discard Jazmine's 8. We went into round 2 and Tixy did her stuff again and jumped clear and clean. Going into the last round Pippa had 2 fences in hand and clipped the second last....we held our breath and she jumped the last. Great result and a really good team effort.
Ultrador and Razorlite jumped awesome...they had 2 second placings each and held the lead in the jump offs right to the very end each time and then one of the last of the riders came in and pipped us. I think that Razorlite really showed her ability and we tried her in the big class and she just jumped her socks off. Every day I ride her she gets better... I think she is going all the way to the top. Next stop South view Trials.....

Tuesday 12th May 2009 - Wales and West European Trials
Had a good show. We were a little worried that our form needs to continue and on day 1 Tixylix jumped well and she finished 2nd in the European Trial. On day 2 I just took it too easy. Everybody said just jump a clear and don't worry about time. I had a stop at the water. Next day all went well we jumped 2 real good clears without asking too much in the jump off we finished 2nd to Pippa Allen in the Grand Prix.
In the children on horses class Lanique was brill. as usual never touched a fence all week and won both his classes and jumped double clear in the Nations Cup. So he won the Grand Prix and sadly wont be jumping in the Nations Cup. I have my chance on Ponies and anything else will have to take second place. So off to Grobbendonk in Belgium on wed. for the Nations Cup with Tixy. Lets see how we do.

Wednesday 15th April 2009 - POYS
Just got back from POYS we had a great show. We tried to get Tixylix just spot on for the Grand Prix. We kept her nice and steady on the first day and she finished 2nd. We dropped her out the speed class on day 2 so she had 2 days off then schooled her round the next day. All ready for the Grand Prix. She jumped like a buck and did 3 brilliant clears. Luckily that was enough to win. She felt so good she could have jumped another 3 rounds. I am really looking forward to the European Trials. Next week we will school her round a small 1 metre class to keep her fresh.
Razorlite and Ultrador jumped really well. Ultrador won the Talent Spotters Grand Prix and was placed in every other class. She won me the leading Rider for that section. She is coming along well, she needs loads of schooling and flat work if she is to get to the top...so this holiday will be all work. Razorlite jumped really well and I went as fast as her Legs would carry her in the 148 Special on Sat night is was a really fast and furious class and Stephanie Gunn came out top. She is a really fast and determined rider and deserves to win loads this season. The 138s jumped ok....dad thinks its time to concentrate on the bigger ponies .. maybe he is right. Next stop Wales and West!!!

Tuesday 7th April 2009- Barbizon
We went to Barbizon in France. Its a lovely show and we took two horses Lanique and Usar Hune (I think that's how you spell it!) Lanique jumped well on the first day and finished second. The second day I schooled him round and finished 4th. All ready for the Grand Prix, I got in the jump off and really let him rip......maybe too fast.. I was well up on the clock but he got out of my hands and missed him at the second last. So we finished 6th....never mind. Next week is Pony of the Year. I have a real busy week and POYS always clashes with my birthday. Lets hope I am as lucky as last year. Andy Austin has given me the ride on a 148 called Sound Cat from Ireland. He is only a novice. He is very soft but has a really nice jump, I have big hopes for him. Next stop POYS....

Monday 16th February 2009 - Towerlands
We are really having a great run. Tixylix jumped in the John Whittaker Classic on the first day and won the class. She was brilliant and never looked like touching a pole. We had high hopes of doing the double on the Sunday and we went into the second round with two to beat. I thought I had gone clear but I had a pole and we finished second, never mind the class was won with a really good clear by Jasmin Pinchen, Razorlite jumped herself into 3rd in the JC, so she has qualified for Hickstead. We wont take the 148s to the last Premiere show because they have done enough we will give them a rest and have them fresh for POYS.

Saturday 7th February 2009
Snow ................................. Lorry got stuck in the snow. So we spent the weekend at home. Never mind Towerlands next stop.

Monday 26th January 2009
Just got back from Hand from the 148 premiere show. It went really well. Tixylix jumped brilliant in the John Whittaker classic and did 3 clear rounds to finish 2nd. I thought I had done enough to win it but forgot how good Laura Pritchard is in a jump off. She went really fast and won the class.
Day 2 and Tixylix jumped brilliant again did not touch a pole. Three clear rounds an that was enough to win it.
Ultrador jumped in the Hickstead JC qualifier and won that too so we had a really good weekend. Next stop Scotland!

Monday 19th January 2009- Arena UK
I took my 3 138s to Arena UK. Toby (Dooneens Future Star) really shone on both days. On the first day in the warm up he was really acting the fool ... but he's just like that getting spooky and leaping around. But in the ring he was awesome in the three rounds he never touched a fence and Jasmin Tanfield did a really good fast clear and dad said we could not beat it. But Toby flew and won. On day 2 it was the same. Acting the fool and then going in the ring and showing his class. He really is the "real deal" I cant remember any pony winning both qualifiers on 2 days and he is still just a baby. If he keeps improving he will something very special.
Creative Dancer also qualified.
Next stop the Hand for the 148 second rounds.

Tuesday 13th January 2009
We went to College for the first 148 premiere show and it went really well. Ultrador and Razorlite jumped good and got placed in both classes on both days. They really are coming along and I have high hopes of them in time.
Tixylix jumped brilliant on the first day getting into the third round of the John Whittaker. I pressed her too hard in the jump off and she had a pole. She finished 4th.
Next day I went a gear slower and everything fell into place. She was the only pony to jump 3 clears and she won. So now she is qualified.
Next stop will be the 138s at Arena uk.

Wednesday 7th January 2009
The 138s came out at Hand last week. They were very fresh but jumped brilliant. Toby (Doneens Future Star) won a class and Creative Dance won the other. In the Grand Prix I really let Dance go...so much so that we did the course in 28 sec and took 4 secs out the class...but I hit the timer and got disqualified! So I had to ride Toby flat out. He jumped really well. He won the Grand Prix in 27 secs. Lets see how they do at the Premieres.

Friday 2nd January 2009- Wierden
We went to Wierden in Holland on Boxing Day. After 12 hours in the lorry we got there. It was so cold that everything froze. But what a great show we had all my 148s jumped brilliant. They were placed in every class. Ultrador won a 7yr old class and came 2nd in the final to my friend Jasmin Pinchen. Razorlite was also placed in every class and came second in the small tour Grand Prix. The highlight was Tixylix winning the Wierden Grand Prix. It was a really fast time to beat but Tixy just flew! She really is amazing. I have now got to go to the premiere show over here and prove that was not just a one off and get consistent with her. So we start off at College next weekend. Fingers crossed.


Saturday 22nd November 2008- The run to Christmas
I finally had to let go of my 128s and move on to the bigger ponies. Tixylix and I are getting it together and I am really looking forward to the next 4 years! We are going to Belgium this weekend and it gives me a chance to go head to head against the Europeans. I have also got Ultrador and Razorlite coming along behind Tixy. Fingers crossed.