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11th November 2016

Winter is here :( It is cold, dark and quite unpleasant! It has been made worse by the fact I have just come back from sunny Adelaide! I took the opportunity to go as Nick was president of the ground jury. I asked if I could write for him in the dressage as I feel you learn an awful lot just by watching. I was invited to go on the official course walk which was fab and was lucky enough to experience being in the control box for the CCI4*!  I had a thoroughly amazing week, thanks to Nick and Gill Rolton, the show director. I have met some wonderful people who I am sure I will cross paths with again in the future and it was great to see a few familiar faces :) 

Adelaide city is great and it is so special to have a big event running in the middle of it! I stayed for an extra day after the event and went to visit the zoo and a couple of wineries before heading to the airport. The weather was glorious all week and I absolutely loved it.

 

so now back to the real world and back to the horses!

 

Annie

25th October 2016

sorry for the lack of update since last time, the weeks have flown by and another season is over. I had some ups and downs over the last few months.

Ninja had a few good confident runs and moved back up to BE100 which was great but then unfortnately took a dislike to the sj at Littleton. He then put an end to his season very quickly after that by being silly in the field and injuring his leg. Luckily it was all very superficial and bruising so a couple of weeks off and he should be fine.

Toddy had a great run at South of England CIC*. We didn't do our best test and made a few mistakes but he made up for it in the jumping phases. He was brilliant in the sj which is our weak link. He tried so hard all the way round to leave them up and I was so proud of him for that. XC was a tough enough track and he flew round like it was nothing.

Toddy at South of England 1*

 

I decided as he went so well at S of E, to run him in the CCI* at Aldon to finish the season. He did a brilliant test to lie just outside the top 10. The xc course was nice, usual Aldon style track with good ground and so I was looking forward to setting off. He felt terrific over the first 7 and then we had a communication error over the most influential combination on course. I was gutted....but at least we are both fine and theres always another day. We just need to spend the winter getting to know each other better.

Gucci had a good run with Rebecca at South of England which was a nice way to finish her season. Unfortunately I have decided to sell her as I feel we dont quite gel and I need to cut down on the number of horses for next season.

Marble is back in work and am very excited to get him going over the winter! Hes grown a big fluffy coat and looks like a big teddy bear!

I have been busy working with Nick and Corinne and looking at horses up and down the country for the Jockey Club. It is so exciting and also a great experience being exposed to so many horses. I can't wait until all the team horses are brought and we are all settled with a plan to get to know them over the winter as we are on a tight time schedule before the China Games next year.

All the horses will stay in work and I will try and have a short break before knuckling down to work

until next time....

2nd August 2016

well....there has been a lot of ups and downs since my last update. where do I start??

firstly I had to say goodbye to Harry. He unfortunately fractured his shoulder in the field at the end of June. No one really knows how he did it, but its one of those things. It was noticed very quickly thanks to Emmy, and my vet came out to see him within the hour and he didnt suffer. He was such a brave horse even up to the end and he will always be my special boy. That was a very difficult and sad day....

Ninja continued to improve and has completed his first BE100! He was mega xc and stormed round with a few poles sj, which is his most difficult phase. since then, he has had a couple of little blips where he went a bit green and so I have decided to move him back to BE90 for a few more runs before going back to BE100 to finish the season.

Sadly Marble has picked up an injury and will be off for the rest of the season but he will be back next year and go on to big things!

I have a new face on the block in Toddy! He is an irish grey gelding who looks like marble's twin! I have been lucky to buy him for myself to gain experience on. The plan is for him to help me do my first 2* and gain experience at the higher levels. He has been such a great addition and once we get to know each other a bit better, I am sure we will be away!

Toddy at Eridge

 

There is also some very exciting news from my sponsors HKJC which has just been approved. Lets just say I am a very lucky girl and watch this space!!!

The Rio Olympics start on friday and I am very much looking forward to spending 2 weeks glued to the TV and watching all the different sports on offer from swimming to gymnastics to athletics. I have a few friends that will be competing there and am looking forward to cheering them on and following their journey there. Good Luck everyone!

17th June 2016

I have just returned home after a 2 day team HK squad conference organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and what an amazing time it was! All the riders from 3 disciplines came so it was nice to catch up and see everyone as the last time we were all together would have been Asian Games in 2014. The key team from HK flew over and of course the 2 performance managers who are based here. We had 2 full days of presentations and workshops from speakers across the field which I found really useful and interesting. These ranged from a top sports physio, sports nutritionist, sports psychology, strength and conditioning, media, anti-doping and veterinary and farriery. We also collected our new team kit so many many thanks to HKJC.

Team Hong Kong!

 

The horses are well and I have been going to more show jumping shows including 2 days at South of England which was great experience for the horses in a big agricultural show with lots going on!

Gucci and Ninja are out eventing this weekend so I am hoping the rain goes away!!

21st May 2016

 

So the season is going well so far....but I can't believe its nearly June! where has the time gone?? I have been at Tweseldown today. I haven't been there for a while since its been under new management and they have made wonderful changes to the place. There is a brand new water complex right by the main building on the race track which brought a great new feel to the event and lots of new jumps!! The course was lovely and Ninja loved it. He gives me an amazing feel XC and makes the time quite easily! The unlucky pole put us down to 9th place but am so happy with him :)

I am back there again on Monday with Gucci who is doing her first novice of the year.

Lulu has gone to a lovely new home where she will mainly do Pony Club events with Megan. Hopefully they will have lots of fun together!

 

Annie

 

28th March 2016

Happy Easter everyone! Well the season has kicked off to a good start so far. Marble just came 2nd in the CIC* at Great Witchingham with a pb dressage score so I am very happy. Gucci has jumped 2 double clears and the 2 babies had their first run of the season. Ninja competed at his first ever event and was a very good boy. He was very excited to see so many horses and so many things going on around him! he did a nice dressage and had a baby mistake sj and then was fab around the xc. I was being cautious of not going too fast as there were lots of people getting too fast time faults, so I cantered round the second half of the course and had 2 time faults! He is so quick across the ground that I'm not worried at all about getting the time with him once he is more established. You definately know you are on an ex racehorse with exceleration like that!

Cross although made a few mistakes, felt lovely. I took her for granted at the 2nd xc jump and rode her round the corner like an older horse and expected her to jump. So she quickly reminded me that I was sitting on a young horse!! I wont make that mistake again. Their next run is at Portman in just over a weeks time.

I am off to Goring this weekend and then Portman, followed by South of England and Ascott Under Wychwood so am fairly busy and all this inbetweeen team training!!!

Will update you all again soon!

 

Annie

 

8th February 2016

Kung Hei Fat Choy!! Happy Chinese New Year everyone. Welcome the year of the monkey. Lets hope its a great year for everybody.

All the horses are feeling very well and fresh in this cold and windy spell. Training is well on its way and I have entered our first event of the season!! Not long now til those early starts!! I am fortunate enough to be sponsored by the HK Jockey Club this year and they have appointed a performance manager in Nick Burton for us. So we will now receive much more support and structure then before and regular training from Nick and Corinne Bracken, who is our show jumping performance manager. I am quite excited about the year ahead :) 

Another bit of good news is that I have the ride back on Baxo (marble). I am looking forward to regaining our partnership and moving on to more great things.

My next update will probably be after our first event so I will let you know how we get on!

 

Annie

 

 

5th January 2016

Happy New Year everyone!!

Hope you all had a lovely festive period, spent time with friends and family and ate lots over christmas!

I have been away for a few weeks in December to China competing at the China Eventing Championships which is a CIC2* level. 3 of us on the HK team were invited to the R & D stables (competition venue) owned by David and Rebecca Ha. We were very fortunate to be given horses by them to compete there and stayed in the rooms at their clubhouse. I had a lovely big chestnut horse called Warrenstown Vegas. He was not the easiest of rides but was a real trier. We had 10 days to get used to the horses before the competition started. For me, it was very interesting to see the level of riders and horses that were there. The xc course was very bold and upright and I could see there could be some problems. We managed to complete and it was a good experience riding in China for the first time and meeting new people. 

  

Once back home, I was ready to get going with my horses. The clippers made an appearance and all the hair came off the ponies!! Piggy came down to teach for the day which was super useful as always and had a lovely catch up with her.

The HKJC has started a new equestrian performance plan for 2016. Nick Burton is our new performance manager which is very exciting. It will be great to have someone of his experience to help and support us with what we do and I'm very much looking forward to working with him. We are also very lucky that we can work with the new jumping performance manager too! I am excited to receive our sponsored clothing which should look very smart in the HKJC colours of navy and yellow.

All the horses are feeling well and rather fresh! They will begin to go to a few small shows in preparation for the start of the season. It will soon be time to do registrations and entries for the first few events! The next few weeks will fly by and the season will be here before we know it. That also means winter is nearly over, yay!!!

Annie

 

 

27th November 2015

Winter is definately here!! I arrived back to Heathrow a few days ago in shock, it was snowing!! arrghh......I had just come back from Hong Kong and China where the weather was so lovely and hot with lovely sunshine and 28c. Luckily for me, the trip was successful and I get to go back again on sunday night for 2 weeks!! whoop whoop!!

I had a great time away. I spent the first day in HK at Beas River watching the local ODE. It was lovely to support the show and see the riders have fun and catch up with some of my old work colleagues there. The next day I travelled up to China with Tom, Nicole and Bee to the competition base and venue of the chinese eventing championship. It was 90km from HK and it took under 2 hours in a car to reach the place. The venue was quite impressive. It was a big set up with around 100 horses, several arenas both indoor and outdoor, canter tracks and a xc course. Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming and once we got settled into our rooms, and had lunch, we had our first ride on the horses. We were assigned 3 horses, so 1 each and we decided it was best to ride all 3 and see how they felt. All 3 were sweet horses with good temperaments. After trying all 3 horses, we decided with a rough plan of the best combinations together. We then jumped them the following day and got a feel of them over a fence. Ironically, me being the smallest rider has ended up with the largest horse! Vegas is very sweet and I feel I could get a tune out of him so have decided to take him for the competition. He is an irish 12 yo chestnut gelding around 17hh.

After 3 days riding the horses in China, we all returned to HK where I stayed for another day before coming home. It was great to come home to ride my horses for a week before going off again (apart from the cold!!) Piggy is coming to teach at the yard tomorrow which is exciting. Thanks to Lisa and Fred for accomodating her! Then I leave sunday evening back to China to ride Vegas for a week before the competition. The xc is big, upright and a solid 2* track. It is the largest course in China to date so will be interesting to see how it goes. Thanks to the Ha's for lending us the horses and letting us stay for the duration. I will let you all know how it all goes, am quite excited! I get back just in time for Olympia as that is always a fun night out!

 

Im glad to be escaping this cold weather for now, see you all soon!

Annie

 

 

2nd November 2015

So I thought this was meant to be quiet time for us eventers but it doesnt look like the case!! I have moved to a new base up the road from where I was before. It is a much bigger yard with more facilities and a better set up and support team for me. Horses all seem happy and settled into their new home and new friends :)

Gucci has come in from her holiday and will start hacking. Lulu's leg has healed well and she is back hacking already which is good news. Ninja is continuing to improve all the time and he came 2nd in his first ever dressage competition and has qualified for the South East region championships at Hickstead next year! I thought it was a great effort for his first attempt!

Cross is still out on her holiday and will come in over the next few weeks. I am off to Hong Kong and China next week to go and try the horses in China for our borrowed horse event in December. All three of us are going up together to see the place and decide whether the horses which have been kindly lent to us will be suitable enough to do the job. I will then come home again to ride my horses before going out again for the competition.

I have been going hunting more than ever recently. The Fords have very kindly supplied me with horses to go with them as mine are not suitable or not in work yet. I rode on both the Surrey Union and Crawley and Horsham opening meet. Both were long fun days and we were out for over 7 hours last week and apparently travelled 41 miles!! I had a super cob called Bryan for the Surrey Union opening meet and even braved the big kennel hedge!!

    

LOVE the super hedge hopping cob!!!

 

I have made the decision to retire Harry :(  He will not be sound enough to compete again so he now enjoys playing in the field during the day and comes in at night. He is happy and looks well so all is fine

 

Will let you know how China goes

 

Annie 

 

13th October 2015

so another season finished....I've had a disappointing last couple of weeks. After Lulu's fab run at Pontispool, we managed to get her in to the CCI* at Osberton. I was so excited about going to my first 3 day event of the year! I had the lorry all sorted, packed and loaded and Rebecca Gibbs and I were away! Becca was staying in the lorry with me so it was going to be a fun week ahead. Arrived in good time, settled the ponies in and passed the trot up. Lulu did her best ever dressage test to date and all was set for xc day! I walked the course 3 times so I knew exactly how I was going to ride it and was raring to go! I warmed up as usual and after jumping half a dozen fences, she seemed to lose concentration and got a bit close to a skinny house. I heard her back feet on the jump but didnt think too much about it as I thought her feet just hit it slightly. I carried on jumping a few more and then went over to my team to do last minute checks and grease up before we were due to go. It was then Becca told me Lulu has a cut to her stifle. At first I thought she was joking, I couldnt believe it. The vet at the warm up looked at her and it was clear that we were not going to be starting. I was gutted...after doing such a good test and she had been on flying form, we didnt even get to jump a fence :(  Lulu was slightly confused herself at why we were walking her back to the stables. The treating vet there, stitched her wound up and that was the end of Osberton for us. She currently still has the stitches in and they are due to come out at the end of this week. I had entered to do our first 2* at Aldon too but all this was never meant to be....but on the up-side, it is just a wound and once healed, she should be fine. Once the leg fully heals, she will be back in work as she is not having a big 'holiday' as such.

Lulu looking very smart during her dressage. photo courtesy of N.Todd

 

Gucci and Cross had their last event last sunday at Littleton. A new event for BE this year but a nice local venue for me. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the ground for the dressage phase. Cross behaved amazingly considering the circumstances and as it was only her second event, I decided to leave it there. Gucci didnt do her best test so I thought it was best to call it a day. They will both have a break now before starting work again ready for next year. Both of them have done a lot in the last 6 months so they deserve a good holiday!

   The 2 girls enjoying their break out in the field

 

This season hasn't been that great for me so I'm quite glad its over! There will be some changes over the next few months and some down time to catch up with other things. Am still waiting to hear whether the competition is going ahead in China in December so we will wait and see. For now, I am glad there won't be any 'silly o'clock' start times for a while.

Winter is def on its way...the days are getting shorter and colder! luckily it is still dry at the moment so it isnt too bad, yet!!! Would be nice to getaway somewhere warm for a week or so and get some winter sun! People that know me will know I hate the cold and am NOT made for this weather! lol

Annie

 

22nd September 2015

 

Things have been quite busy the last few weeks....I had a crazily long but great day yesterday to Pontispool for our first Intermediate where Lulu was amazing and went clear xc!! I am so pleased with her as it was not the easiest course to attempt as her first intermediate! I have to admit whilst walking the course, I thought some of the combinations were quite tough and I knew I had to ride very positively if we were going to get round. so...our 9 hour roadtrip was worth while :) 

Day before pontispool, I had 2 horses running at my local event Munstead in the BE90. It was cross's first BE event and she jumped a lovely double clear, clever girl!! Dressage isnt her strongest phase so we are going to spend the winter getting her out to lots of local shows and getting her stronger. I am very excited about her for next season. She loves her jumping and is taking everything on so well. She has another event in a few weeks time

cross loving the xc at Munstead!

 

Ninja is coming on very well and improving everyday. He has been out xc schooling where he jumped round like a pro and is taking it all in his stride. He like cross, will spend the winter getting stronger and going to lots of dressage and showjumping. I can't wait to get him out competing, .

My good friend Nat had a really bad fall show jumping recently and was knocked out when the horse struck onto her head. She spent over a week in hospital before being discharged and now has just had her shoulder operated on that was also injured from the fall. Poor Nat will be out for 6months and it goes to show how these accidents do happen.

Am off to South of Eng at the weekend with Gucci. Not many events left until the season is over but I think we will all be glad to have a few easy weeks. The horses have worked hard and will be glad for a little break

It feels like summer is over. It is getting much colder and darker now and few of the horses have suddenly grown a coat! That must mean one thing.....clipping..........

Annie

 

10th August 2015

I had a good but long day yesterday at Chilham Castle. Lulu was having her first run since Barbury and Gucci was in the 100+. I was very excited as my great friend and top groom Marky Mark was coming to help me! I hadn't seen him since last year as he had been away but was fab to have his company for the day. He had also posted a few days previously, a photo of us on facebook of what we did 2 years ago....we had just returned from Thailand where Harry won the Asian Champs. That was definately the best trip EVER and will be very very tough to beat I think. Apart from winning and having Harry (my horse of a lifetime) there, I'm not sure which other event would include going for an elephant ride, the floating market and having amazing pad thai!!!

 

My amazing team :)

 

Back to reality and I'm sure most of you would have seen the big advert in Horse and Hound regarding the HKJC employing an Eventing performance manager. This is very exciting news and I am watching this space to see who this person may be.....

I am off to Aston on fri with Gucci, where it will be our first proper novice. we are still getting to know each other so hopefully all will be fine. A few of my friends are competing at Hartpury this week so Good Luck to all of you!

The weather has been great recently and the sunshine definately makes everthing better! well...apart from the ground being too hard!

A lovely view in the back fields!

 

update you all again soon.....off to bed, night all

 

Annie

 

 

20th July 2015

Things have been very busy this last month. The days all seem to roll into one and its nearly August already....

I went to Barbury Castle for the first time a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is such a lovely event and a great XC course for the spectators as you can see more or less the whole course! Lulu went in the novice and was going fab, but unfortunately pecked a little on landing after jumping into the water which threw me slightly forward and then didnt have time to get her straight for the skinny triple brush coming out the water. She jumped well round the rest of the course which was rather annoying as we had another silly mishap at Brightling the week before too. She would have been well placed at both events but hopefully we will go well at Borde Hill this weekend!!

  Jumping into the water at Barbury

 

Gucci has had fab runs the last few weeks. We were double clear and placed at Purston and Tweseldown. such a clever girl :)

Gucci at Tweseldown

 

My ex racehorse from Hong Kong arrived!! He is such a sweet horse and has settled in very well. I have called him Ninja as his racing name was Martial King! He seems to be taking everything into his stride so far and has had a bit of time out in the field. Unfortunately the horse fly season seems to have started and he absolutely hates them, but you can't blame him having such a fine coat!

Harry with his new neighbour - Ninja!

He is so similar to Harry so fingers crossed he will follow in his eventing footsteps! Thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for sending him to me and hopefully there will be exciting times ahead!

It was my mum's birthday a few weeks ago and we had a family trip up to London to visit the London Aquarium at night! It was a lovely evening and nice to do something slightly different and non horsey for a change!

I'm at Borde Hill this weekend and then its Gatcombe in a few weeks time so no rest for the wicked!! Loving the beautiful weather at the moment so long may it last :)

 

Annie

 

 

7th June 2015

There has been quite alot of changes since my last update. Firstly, we say goodbye to percy who has been sold to a lovely pony club home. I decided he was ready to move on and I couldnt ask for a better home for him. He hasnt gone too far so will stay in contact and hoping he will be back for holidays and training :) Him and Annabel are sure to have lots of fun together!

I am pleased to welcome Gucci to the team :) she is a 6yo french bred bay mare that I am very excited about! She will run alongside Lulu so both girls can go to events together.

  Gucci

 

We also have a lovely 4yo irish mare for sale who belongs to Helen. She is a lovely sort with a fantastic temperament who will suit someone wanting a lovely horse to produce for dressage or eventing. She has such balanced paces for a young horse and is now ready to go and compete at her first show. Her fantastic attitude makes her suitable for an older amateur rider who wants a quality horse to produce.

Carmen 4yo bay mare with ricardo z lines.

Off to Berkshire college this weekend and hoping this nice warm weather will contine. long may it last!!!

 

On the down side of things, Lulu has not been feeling herself so she is having a few quiet weeks. I went into the showjumping at Aston and she was not her usual buzzy self, so I decided to retire her and come back another day.  Hopefully she will bounce back and be able to carry on with the rest of the season very soon.

My new HKJC exracehorse arrives next week! Am so excited to get him home and will post a photo of him once he settles in!!

 

Annie

 

 

 

April 2015

well I can't believe its May tomorrow....It has been a very busy month. I was actually in HK for the first week for the HKJCs 130th anniversary celebrations. The eventing team and a couple of the senior showjumping riders travelled back to take part in the demonstrations over the Easter weekend. They were held at Penfold Park which is the middle of Shatin racecourse. It was a great trip where I escaped to the warmth for a week!!

XC demo at Penfold Park

On returning to the UK, the weather was amazingly nice for this time of year. I must have brought the sun back with me :)  Lulu had a great run at South of England where she did a great test and jumped a fab double clear to finish 4th. All the hard work seems to pay off when you get good results!!

Percy also competed at his first event and just missed out on a placing after rolling an unlucky pole. He was super, did a nice test and then flew round the xc course. He seems to really enjoy it now and is definately getting the hang of it all!

      He was definately not touching that fence!!!

Lulu is running at Chilham Castle this sunday as she unfortunately didnt have a very good run at Hambleden. She got really spooky with the close crowds and lost concentration therefore I decided to call it a day. Hopefully we will have a better time at Chilham.

I'm quite excited to announce that there will be some new faces joining the yard next month. Will let you all know once they arrive and settle in. So thats it for now and will update you all very shortly!

 

Annie

P.S. Am missing my special one......

 

 

February 2015

The last few months seem to have really flown by and its just a couple of weeks until the new season! The weather has been quite unhelpful over the last month with really cold temperatures and snow....bring on the summer is all I can say!

 

I just celebrated Chinese New Year last week. It is the year of the sheep and I wish everyone a Happy New Year and good luck and good health. Gung Hei Fat Choy!!!

 

Horses are getting fit for the new season and have been working hard over the last few months. They have just started going to some local shows to get them back in the ring and will go xc schooling over the next week.

 

 

Annie

 

 

October 2014

I am please to announce that I won a team bronze at the Asian Games in Korea. It was another great experience and an excellent competition. I am so pleased with Marble, he was such a star and didnt put a foot wrong during the whole trip. He took everything on like a complete rockstar and travelled there and back so well. I really couldnt ask for more from a horse, he really is quite special. 

Collecting Marble from the airport in Korea

 

The venue was all very well set up, brand new purpose built facilities, stables and arenas. We were all very spoilt! The only downside was that it was quite a distance from the athletes village where we were all staying.

                

Hong Kong team stables                                                 Athletes village

The competition itself was very exciting with the standard of riders and horses improved from the last games 4 yrs ago. The xc course was very well built by John Nicholson and was very solid and upright with fair questions! Marble and I finished 4th individually so just missed an individual medal by a slight margin. I was disappointed to miss out but my horse and I did our best, which is all that matters.

 

I am staying in Hong Kong for a few days before I head back home to the rest of the gang.

Bye for now

 

Annie x

 

 

August 2014

I've just returned from France where I took Marble and Lulu to Sandillon. It was a lovely week and the weather was fab if not a touch hot at times!! Mark and I headed out late tues evening and it took roughly 12 hours door to door. Horses travelled well thanks to Camilla Kruger's amazing truck!! wish I had a lorry like hers!! It was a friendly event and ground was good as it was all mainly on sand. It was the first time I had taken either horse abroad, so it was an interesting event to see how the horses would cope with the Asian Games getting closer. Dressage and show jumping were both in an arena which was good as thats what it will be in Korea and also Mark was very happy not to have to stud up! The course was nice, big bold course made with big timber. There was 2 waters and also 2 water crossings on the course. There were quite a few combinations so definately enough to jump. Lulu unfortunately blew up in the dressage. Her trot work was lovely and then she got too excited for the canter work which was a real shame. Marble did a beautiful test and thought he would have got a slightly better mark but still, was 4th after day 1. The CIC ran in a true 3 day format with 2 trot ups and just a slightly shorter xc course. Marble was super everywhere and we finished with just a few time faults. Lulu jumped so well and i was gutted that we had a silly glance off, after which i decided to just go slow round the rest of the course as there was no point in tiring her out as it was not going to be a qualifying score. Both horses finished well and were raring to show jump the next day.

Lulu looking super smart!

 

The show jumping was all up to height and technical. After walking it, I thought it would take quite a lot of jumping. Lulu jumped her socks off and finished with just 1 down. I think there were only 3 clears in the whole class. I was really pleased with her as we are still getting to know each other and am quite excited about our prospect.

Marble was brilliant and jumped clear to end up 3rd!! He even won us a trophy and loved the lap of honour, as he galloped round the arena with the others.

  Clever Marble!

 

The horses both have a quiet week and are then off to Somerford Park where we have a team gathering as our last run before the games. All 3 riders will be there and also Cinda who is team coach. Should be a great event that I'm looking forward to!

Will update you all after that

Cheers

 

Annie

 

June 2014

Sorry for not updating for a few months, things have been quite busy!

Firstly, marble has been going great recently. We have been out alot in the last 6 weeks or so including Rockingham, Chatsworth and Houghton. Rockingham was slightly disappointing as he led the dressage in a large field but had a stop xc which put us back down the order. We were back to business at chatsworth where he jumped a lovely double clear and he was fab at Houghton in the CCI*. He was very good all week and just had a very unlucky pole in the sj and finished in the top 25. He is now on a little break before going out again in July.

    Marble at Chatsworth

 

Percy won at his first attempt at BD which was very pleasing! We were part of Pippa Boyle's team of exracehorses where we had a great day and came back with 2 red rosettes after our team won! After such a successful outing, we have now booked our next one already!!

There is a new girl on the block.....I have a new horse called Lulu which is rather exciting. She is 8yo and competing at novice level so it will be nice to have another horse out competing. I have entered our first event in a couple of weeks time so fingers crossed all goes well.

  Lulu

The HK para riders are here again at the end of the month for some training before going to 2 shows here in the UK in July. We already have 2 riders qualified for WEG which is exciting so this summer is going to be very very busy!!!

 

Annie

 

 

March 2014

Well.....the new event season is now under way and its been a great start so far for marble!! He was 5th at Isleham with Piggy and did his first Intermediate at Oasby and won!!! It was a lovely surprise as we were definately not expecting that at all! He even got a mention and a photo in the Horse and Hound!! Such a star, lets hope it is the start of a very exciting and successful year :) I then had tough shoes to follow after a win as I rode marble in the ON at Lincoln. He again was very good and did a 30.5 dressage and a double clear. I didn't go very fast xc as it was my first run of the year so we weren't in the placings.

Marble at Lincoln

 

Harry is progressing well and has now been trotting under saddle for a few weeks. So fingers crossed he will carry on and be no time until he jumps!!

Percy went to his first cross country school and behaved very well. He has a lovely laidback attitude so it definately helps when introducing new things to him. We played around with small fences and little steps and he loved the water! He will keep going out to little trips for the next few months. I think you can forget very easily how young he really is as he behaves so well!

Percy jumping his first log!

Pip and Dawn are shortly off to a Para dressage show in France. The riders arrive at the end of the month for a few days training before we all travel to the show. Will let you know how they get on next month.

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine which is finally here after all the rain we have had. It is lovely to finish the yard in daylight, summer is on its way!!!

 

Annie

 

February 2014

Kung Hei Fat Choy!! Happy Chinese New Year to everyone. It is the year of the horse this year so hopefully that means it will be a fab year for us all :)

 

Things at the yard are beginning to get busy. Horses all getting ready for the big year ahead. Marble is feeling mega and all ready to run which is rather exciting. He is already entered for Isleham and we are off to our first show of the year this week, back inside the dressage boards!!! Blue and Percy also coming along great and will be joining Marble at the show this week. 

  Marble ready to go!!!

 

Pip and Dawn are getting ready for their para-dressage shows this year. They are hopefully off to France in April with our 2 HK riders so that is something to look forward to! It will be a rather hectic year trying to juggle the para shows and my own eventing as the para's are aiming for WEG in august and I have the Asian Games in sept.

Harry is doing great, he is back walking under saddle and is rather happy to be out doing something again!! He will be taken very slowly and I'm hopeful that he will be eventing by the summer, so fingers crossed!!

 

Annie

 

December 2013

well its that time of year again where I seem to always be in a mad rush to get organised with christmas presents and all excuses for more good food and drink and parties!

The young horses are going well and nearly ready for their first show in the new year. Harry unfortunately had a freak accident and will be off for a few months but fingers crossed he will come back just as strong as before but very gutting after such a good summer. Marble is just about to start work again after his winter holiday and I'm very excited about the coming season with him.

This is a slightly quieter time for me and so have had a chance to do things that I wouldn't normally have time for. A trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park was fun. It is a mix between a christmas market and a funfair with added attractions like the ice skating, ice skulptures and a circus! All I can say is it was quite a cold experience!!!

  Castle made of ice!

 

I am off to Hong Kong for a couple of weeks to get away from the foul weather we have here. Be nice to be somewhere warm for a while. I am doing some teaching too while I am there so it won't be a complete horse-free holiday. Am really looking forward to seeing friends and being there close to christmas as the city has such a fab atmosphere. I will be back home just before christmas so I will wish everyone a Merry Christmas now.

 

Enjoy and I hope you all have a great festive period!!

 

Annie

 

 

October 2013

I can't believe the season is over again for another year, it seems to have flown past! I had a super end to the season at Aldon with Marble. He was doing his first International competition in the CCI* and what a star he was!! We finished on our dressage score and came 4th! The scores at the top were all very close and I think the top 6 were all within a fence so nail biting stuff. It was by far the biggest xc track marble has done so its great to think he is up to the mark and ready for more next year. Thank you to Mark and Piggy for such a successful week! Marble is aimed at the Asian Games next september so we need to wait for the qualification criteria to be finalised by the FEI next month, and then make a careful plan on where to run him.  He is now on a well deserved holiday, good boy mar-belle!!!

So while the boys are off, its time to get the young ones going! winter is all about training and getting them going and out and about doing dressage and show jumping. I have a new 3 yo ex racehorse called percy. He is very cute and has been out over the summer chilling and eating and has now come in to join the gang! I will let you know how he gets on but I am very excited about him :) Blue is coming along nicely and poppy was placed at the combined training competition last week.

       Percy

 

I also have a new member on my team, Sammi has recently joined me as my full time groom and its so nice to have another pair of hands around the yard. She has worked at event yards before so knows what to expect from them!

Not too long until I go on holiday, am already looking forward to it and nice to be able to have more time to see and catch up with friends. Evenings have already got so dark and I hope we dont get too cold and wet over the next few months. Can't wait for next season already, will update you all again soon.

 

Annie

 

September 2013

This month has been slightly quieter. Harry arrived home in one piece and looks well as I was abit anxious about leaving him behind in Thailand. He is now having a well deserved break and the plan is just to rest him until next season. Marble has been at Piggy's while I was away and she will run him a few times before he comes home for the last few of the season. We welcome a new livery to the yard, Beth with her two horses. One is her dressage mare and the other is another black mare with the view for me to event next season, so all very exciting!! All others are well and Poppy has been out doing a few bits and pieces and going well. Next month should be busier with the close to the event season so we will see how it all goes! Also I am looking for a new groom for the yard. Full/ part time, must be reliable and fun person and turn out to a high standard and keeps the yard clean and tidy at all times. Please get in touch for more info.

July 2013

What a month!! At the beginning of July I didn't know whether we were going to Thailand or not but all was fine in the end and the paper work all approved and so we were set to go! Equipment and tack had to be packed, flights booked and support team all organised and ready to go. Mark Swan came out as my groom and flew out with harry on the plane. My team vet, Frank Low and I arrived slightly before Harry and Mark to make sure everything was ready for their arrival. Harry had travelled well and was on good form. The following few days I worked him quietly