Today I did something I thought was going to be impossible 18 months ago.

Today I rode a dressage test.

This was no ordinary test though, this was a test on an ex racer whome I have only ridden 3 times, and who has never seen a dressage arena. Barton grey, or masie to her friends is a 9 year old dapple grey thoroughbred, and is owned by miss Gaby Reeves.

I began teaching this pair a few weeks ago, along with the rest of the yard, and masies talent shon through. Although she has had some good re education via someone previous, masie was still 'raw'. I had a quick sit on her during our 1st lesson, and in that short space of time she tried so hard to work out what I asked and gave me 100% of her capabilities. Something every trainer seeks in a horse.

On the 2nd lesson, Gaby asked if I could school masie, and during this session, wow, did that mare perform. During the time spent in the saddle I mentioned that masie ought to be having a go at some low key events, a passing comment that Gaby picked up on and ran with!!

From there we spent time drinking tea (something I am extremely good at!) And discussing what we should do next. There was a competition coming up at Sparsholt college, and Penny, one of my other ladies I teach, was entering her horse.

You guessed the next bit!

We decided that masie should go too. But Gaby was only wanting to do an intro class, so I was, well, given a chance to do more. So, we decided that it was for masies benefit that we should aim her at an easy test to allow her to build confidence in her new job. So prelim 12 was the chosen one.

As I had only sat on masie for approx 45 minutes in total, it was decided that perhaps I ought to have another sit on her before the test, so yesterday I rode her again. Once again masie was on form, leaving me feeling comfortable about the big day.

Being in a new situation we were unsure how masie was going to behave, after all, she was not used to collecting rings or the whole atmosphere. We needn't worry though, she didn't bat an eyelid at anything.

Gaby rode the first test, a lovely smooth intro, and gained a very respectable 64.35% and 5th place.

Then it was my turn, having seen how chilled she was with Gaby, I had no worries that she would be any different and she wasn't.

Masie warmed up like a pro and worked just as well as she had done at home, relaxed and giving me 100%.

Our test time arrived.

We entered and gave it our best shot. Some movements felt better than others but all in all I was so proud of her.

Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8yAZ4IJM1w

So how did we do? Well, we came home with 64.40% and 3rd place, plus automatic qualification to the championships next year!

Something else that I wasn't expecting was to find myself having part share of this gorgeous girl! Gaby has 2 horses and was looking for a sharer, and purely on todays performance, I feel it is too good an opportunity to pass on. So not only did we have an exceptional day in the arena, I managed to get myself half a horse!

Our future looks very promising and I am happy to say that my next few blogs will all be allocated to a 16.1hh grey mare!

Watch this space.....

We have had a few changes at Kilminster HQ.

There have been a few changes made to our small yard of ponies since my last blog.

Jamaras Hugo The Boss was successfully weaned and sold, he should make a superb addition to someone’s blood lines.

Lovins Valkyrie was also sold, she has now gone to live in Wales and will become a broodmare after this seasons showing finishes.

So left at home is Cledlyn Rocky and Boothsdale Dawnus (AKA Dinky).

Dinky has been busy with her motherhood duties so has had a season off from the showing, she will possibly do some winter shows though.

Rocky on the other hand, as a 2 and a half year old and standing mover 15.1hh, his future as a ridden horse is dawning rapidly, so this season has been all about him, getting him out and about, letting him see the world and take it all in.

He has started long reining, this he absolutely loves! We go around the lanes and woods, meeting people and traffic etc.

Here is a short video taken while we were out in the woods:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoyYNMNfHEM&feature=c4-overview&list=UUve3aX0Xomg6P8OZk1W3F8g

Rocky has also been to a couple of shows, recently he attended Littleton Horse Show, a “local” level show with a variety of classes, of which he contested the young stock class, gaining a 4^th place.

From Littleton, we stepped up to our first “big” show, The Romsey Show, an agricultural show with much more to take in for him.

Unlike Littleton, we had a specific age and breed class, so we had some good competition in the ring!

Once again though, Rocky stepped up to the mark and took everything in his stride, he was an absolute gem, didn’t put a hoof wrong and came home with a 6^th place.

I look at shows, not with winning in mind, but as a learning stage for all my horses, by attending shows, of any size, allows the young horse to absorb the atmosphere, accept strange things like the loud speakers, flags, other horses working around them etc. Once they progress to the ridden part of their career, their visits to competitions won’t seem so daunting, but a happy memory of their younger years.

So for rocky, there will continue to be more shows, his education will continue on the long reins and above all, he will remain a happy young man.