RACHAEL'S DIARY

FEBRUARY 2010

28th February - We had a really good outing today, In the pre novice class Mum and Shadow did a 39.5 dressage and a really good double clear with just a couple of time faults to finish just out of the ribbons, Jo and Tiff did a good dressage and double clear to finish fourth in a very competitive class, Flo got a little tight in the dressage she thought the ponies in the next door field that kept poking there heads over the fence were far more interesting and exciting than doing a dressage test but jumped a lovely double clear, Cherise took Dee just to do the dressage as it was her first outing out since being kicked in field at the beginning of the winter, her trot work was very good and just got a little tense in the canter. Dane and Paris both did the Intermediate class as I thought this would be a good chance to ride at test at this level with out the pressure of an event, both did lovely tests scoring 34.5 every one who knows Paris was very impressed by the obedient horse remark at the bottom of the test!! They both jumped brilliant double clears, bring on the event season!!

25th February - Back at Markfield again this time with Posh to do the 1.05m open, she got a bit tense in the arena again today I think because not been to a show jump show for a while, she just had one down but wasn't a very good round so took her in again and she was a lot better and jumped a good double clear.

18th February - I took Dane and Paris to Markfield today to do the 1.05m open, both jumped really well, Paris just had the first fence down due to slight lack of concentration but then went on to jump the best round she has ever jumped so I was very pleased with her, and Dane also just had one down he just got a little strong and on his forehand round the corner to the fence but otherwise jumped a really good round.

14th February - We went to Rearsby Riding Club's dressage show today, Mum took Shadow who did a good test although he is not always appreciating the new disciplined Margaret in the arena and just argued a couple of time but still scored 65.5%, Cherise and Echo did a very nice test gaining 68.6% good enough for 3rd, I took Posh she did a lovely test just ruined a little by resisting in both canter transitions but still scored a very good mark of 72.2% and came equal 1st, and Jo took Tiffany who thought the whole thing was very exciting and scary all at the same time and was a real madam, Jo rode her really well and scored a mark of 61%.

7th February - Off to Weston Lawns again today for the arena eventing, Cherise took Echo for the intro class and I took Dane and Paris for the Novice. Cherise did a nice accurate test followed by a super double clear in the jumping to finish 8th, Dane was a little exuberant in the dressage but jumped brilliantly and Paris was very good in the dressage apart from bucking in one of her canter transitions, she jumped a lot better this week which was helped by the lesson I had on the Monday with both horses with Adam Botham who is helping me with my jumping, checking that I am helping the horses progress in the best way.

4th February - We went to Markfield today I took Flo, Mum on Shadow, Cherise with Echo and Jo with Tiff. Cherise had four faults in the first round of the class and the round wasn't quite a fluent as it could have been so went in again HC and just had the last fence of the jump off down in an other wise lovely round, Mum had one down in the first class so took Shadow in the British Novice, they jumped a much nicer round but just had one annoying fence down, Jo and Tiff jumped two really good clear rounds, definitely the best rounds they have done together. Flo was a little fresh, she still jumped well just had one down in the jump off of the British novice.

JANUARY 2010

31st January - A very belated happy new year to everyone, finally we have got the horses out to a show in 2010 it feels ages since we last did anything, hopefully the snow has now gone for this winter!! We had a really good if very cold day today at Weston Lawns doing the arena eventing, Mum and Jo did the Intro class, Jo and Tiffany had good and bad moments in the dressage as Tiffany every now and then decided it was a very scary arena! and carried this thought forward to the jumping where she just picked up four faults. Mum and Shadow on the other hand did their best ever test and jumped a super double clear in the jumping to win their section. I took Flo and Dane in the Pre Novice section both went well in the dressage and jumped really well, flo finished 5th and Dane just out the places, Paris was very well behaved in the novice section I was very pleased with her test unfortunately she just had one mistake in the jumping as she was a little over excited having not been out for a while. Already looking forward to our next outing.