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* SG Eventing Yearly Review 2015 *

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Has it really been a year since I last sat down to t and end of year review?! Seeing as its almost the start of a new
year again I guess it must be; time to reflect on whats happened in the last 12 months; celebrating the good times
as well as thinking about and learning from the lows as always with horses know there are plenty of ups and downs!
Roxie started the year still out of action following our XC fall at Tweseldown June 2014 but her recovery was going
well and I was starting to get hopeful that she may be able to be ridden again. Milli started the year on flying form
and I was very excited to see where this year took us, as always with horses not all went to plan but we had some
great outings, a new ride joining the yard and many placings.
So, please go grab a biscuit or two (or a packet seeing as its
Christmas) and sit down to have a read..I hope you enjoy it!
At the start of 2015 I was out at quite a few affiliated jumping
shows with Milli trying to get our Discovery and newcomer
double clears. We collected many of these as well as some
placings and most times we were lucky enough to come away
having won our entry fees back which always helps to fund the
next competition!

At the beginning of February, nearing the start of the 2015 event

season, we did an indoor XC competition which was great fun and this
was a very successful show, not only did we win both the 1m and the
1.10m classes with lovely double clears, Milli and I also jumped our very
first 1.20m track. Although we didnt jump clear I was very pleased with
the quick round Milli jumped and we managed to finish 2nd.

Towards the end of February we headed to a local dressage show, final

practice for Milli and me before our first event and we couldnt have asked
for a better show. We won both Novice tests, scoring 72% and 73% in them!
I also rode my mums mare Foxborough Star here and we finished 4 th in one
of the Novice tests.not bad considering it was her first ever Novice test!

We had our first run of the season planned at Goring Heath

but unfortunately, due to lovely British weather it had to be
cancelled We didnt have long to wait until our next event
as the following weekend we were out at South of England BE
Horse Trials, competing in the novice section. We scored 34.8
for our dressage, jumped a super clear SJ all the SJ training
and competitions throughout the winter clearly paid off!

We went on to XC and Milli felt amazing, and was making the

track feel incredibly easy..I can remember having a smile for
ear to ear but that soon changed, two fences from home,
Milli took off and then decided against it and stopped on top
of it I gave her a pat and approached again, 3/4 strides out
from the fence and she just switched off and there was no
chance of me getting her over it so what started of as a great
day ended with us picking up our first E on our record and
both my mum and I were puzzled to say the leastMilli had
never stopped before let alone switched off like this on me!

With it being so unlike Milli to stop I had her feet looked at, teeth checked
and the fantastic Sofia Graham came out to give her an emergency
treatment and see if we could find the problem, but nothing showed up at all
so we took it steady for a few weeks and went to a local dressage
competition where we finished 3rd in the Novice test with 68% and 2nd in the
Elementary with a whopping 76%! Before Millis tests I did the Intro A and
Prelim 7 test on an exciting new ride which had joined the team only a few
weeks before called WKD San Remo or Diaz as shes known on the yard. Diaz
joined the SG Eventing Four Legged Team for me to further her education
as her owner believed she would be a super event horse.
The next weekend we were back out eventing, this time entered
in the BE100 at Chilham, our most local event. With a good
dressage under our belt it was on to the SJ and after picking up 4
faults here we headed over to the XC. I was just running her
steady and she was feeling great, jumping very confidently until
s of the way round when Milli slid into fence and stopped. The
weather was horrible that day with torrential rain non-stop, I reapproached that fence again and she jumped straight over. I
jumped a few more fences before deciding to retire as I didnt
want to risk her slipping again! I also competed my mums mare,
Foxborough Star at Chilham in her first ever run around BE90
level and although it wasnt the best result on paper it was a very
educational day out for her!

Mid May, and needing one more double clear I headed out to Cobham
Manor for a British SJ show with Milli and a bit of a change of scene. She
was on top form, jumping a super double clear to win the discovery by
quite a large margin time wise. Milli felt great so I was looking forward to
our next event.

At the end of May Milli and I were back out eventing, this time at Tweseldown. We got off to
a great start with a 31.0 dressage (we are determined to get a sub 30 mark one day!) and a
clear SJ. The first four fences were down the racetrack and Milli although she left the start
box at a rate of knots she very quickly switched off and between fence 3 and 4 the same
happened as at South of England and Milli switched off so up went my hand and we walked
back to the box. I knew something wasnt right, it was so unlike her to stop or switch off on
me, and I just needed to figure out what it was?! She was 100% sound, her back was fine,
feet were great, and teeth OK.if only they could tell us whats wrong?!?

Towards the end of May, nearly half way through the year (how time flies) I
got to do something that I thought I may never get to do again, I had my first
sit on Roxie and a little walk around the school! Sometimes it the little things
that can mean so much! But shes made an amazing recovery and as youll
find out a bit later on, shes been back out doing what she loves most!

Last weekend in May and it was Diazs turn and her first time
out jumping. We did Intro A / 75cm and Prelim 7/ 85 cm
combined training. We scored a winning mark in our first place
but an unlucky 4 faults nocked us off the top spot! Scoring
almost 65% in our second test and following this up with a nice
SJ clear left us in 4th place which I was very pleased with and I
couldnt wait to get her out eventing. Wed been XC schooling a
few times and Diaz was really getting the hang of it!

At the end of May I had an exciting visit from a new sponsor who joined the team
D A Saddles and Dave was coming to fit me and the horses with our new
Orpheus dressage saddle as well as a new Hera XC saddle, both of which had
their own personalisation to me with blue leather trim around the seat of both
saddles! I rode in the dressage one first and, like when I tried them a few weeks
earlier, I fell in love with it straight away!
Milli felt fantastic in them both and
when we put the jump one on she felt
super.until a last minute stop at a skinny fence sent me out the front door!
Oooops back on I got and jumped a few more fences. Moments after
getting back on my hand started hurting and I had really bad pins and
needles in it which didnt feel good! After finishing with Dave, I got Milli
sorted out with help from my sister as my hand was starting to swell badly
now. My mum decided it best that I go to A+E just to get it checked out and
after an X-ray, I got the news I was dreading to hear.I had broken my hand
and not just one place - three places! Must have been the reins pulling tight
around my hand as it wasnt a bad fall, I landed on my feet!

With a cast on I returned home, I was not impressed to say the least as 10 days later I was
due to fly out to Ibiza for 2 weeks holiday! Thankfully I was allowed to have my cast
removed before I flew and told to take it easy, keep my ring and little finger taped together
(I picked up great tan lines.NOT! haha) and wear a splint if it got painful. I was looking
forward to the break and wasnt too bothered if I had to take it easy.at least I would get a
good tan!

Half way through the year now and despite the broken hand and dodgy tan lines I had a
brilliant time away in Ibiza with my boyfriend and the group of friends we went with! I
did do more than just relax though, us horsey people are the worst at not doing what
were told, arent we?! Go karting wasnt too bad as I could wear the splint but I couldnt
wear the splint when we went jet-skiing and that hurt quite a lot but was worth it as it
was so much fun!

After a few quiet weeks on the competition front due to my hand and being
away on holiday, it was time for Diazs first BE event. We got off to a good start
with a dressage score of 38.0. We followed this up with a super clear SJ which I
was very pleased with as there were lots for her to look at around the arena! I
was looking forward to the XC with her and after a steady start, I think due to
the brightly dressed XC fences she gained in confidence and finished the round
incredibly well. We did unfortunately get an E on our record due to some
hesitations we had at the drop down, which I think was more due to her not
being sure where to go once wed landed as there was B parts for other
courses very close by.
With Diaz really getting the eventing bug and Roxies work load steadily increasing with her knee holding up very
well, Milli had been having a bit of a break as I knew something wasnt quite right with her but when a horse is 100%
sound and has no obvious issues then it can be so difficult to find the problem, especially after so many specialist
people have looked at her!

Two weeks later and we had our next run, this time around the BE80(T) at
Chilham Castle. There were noticeable improvements in our dressage for a
score of 35.0. We followed this with an unlucky fence down in the SJ but a
super clear XC and she felt great! I only took it steady so picked up a few
time faults which knocked us just out of
the placings.

On to mid-August and I headed out to a local dressage show with none other than
the princess herself yep, Roxie was back out strutting her stuff! 14 months since
our fall and after a tough recovery she had fought back, thanks to the help of the
vets at Belle Equine and also the fantastic range of Global Herbs products as the
turning point in her recovery was when she started being fed ImmunePlus! Despite
being very excited, making her tense at times, she performed a very respectable
test in the BD Novice 20 for 62.8% - qualifying for the championships at Shotfield
Farm later in the year.

Next outing was with Diaz, and after some positive runs I decided to step her
up to BE90 level at the unaffiliated event at Chilham. Our dressage was great
with a score of 33.5 and we followed this up with a super double clear inside
the time! We picked up our first placing, finishing in 5th place! I was chuffed
with her and couldnt wait for our next run.

Two weeks later we went to Munstead BE Horse Trials and it was

Diazs first run around an affiliated BE90 track and there were some
tough fences on the XC course but I thought she was ready for the
challenge! Dressage first and it wasnt our best as we were next to a
hedge which spooked Diaz a bit; we scored 38.5. Then in the SJ we
picked up 4 faults and a few time but putting this behind us we went
and jumped a cracking clear inside the time XC! She felt mega! We
finished in 11th place which was a bit frustrating being so close to the
top 10 but I was so pleased with how she went.

September was a very busy month, being out competing most

weekends and next stop was the dressage championships at
Shotfield and after a few quiet weeks with Milli just doing flatwork
and hacking I took her for the Novice and Elementary championships
that she had qualified for. She performed two nice tests, scoring 71%
(4th place) in the
Novice 28 and 69% in
the Elementary 49 (2nd
place). Roxie was back
out and she didnt
seem as over excitable
this
time
which
worked to my benefit
and she performed a
cracking test in the
Novice 28 to score a
whopping 78.1% and win the championship! Yes, there were some
tears when the results were read out, after the recovery journey we
have been through, to have my princess back out and WINNING meant
so much to me, the bond between us is incredible.

The following week I was back out eventing with Diaz. We were at
Tweseldown for what was to be our last run of the season so we
wanted it to be a good-an! That it certainly was we got a
dressage mark of 33.0, a new PB for us and then we followed this
up with a super double clear inside the time to finish in 3rd place,
picking up our first bit of prize money for her owner I was so
pleased with how she went and cant believe how much she has
come on since she has been with me, and Im very excited about
her future, whether it be with me of a new jockey, Im sure shell
go a long way!

In to October and with Diaz on holiday now recharging after a busy and
very educational summer it was just Roxie left in work as unfortunately
Milli had been a bit mad in the field and done herself a mischief. Actually,
it turns out that she has had an injury in her front leg which, although
shes never had a lame day, must have been causing her some discomfort
when jumping which would explain the random stopping..poor Milli! As I
said earlier if only they could talk and let us know whats wrong with
them, life would be so much simpler!

With Milli on box rest until her

next scan and Diaz starting to
come back into work after her
break, Roxie was out at some
more dressage competitions,
picking up two 3rd placings in
Novice tests at an SMP Events
competition. We then had the
Riding Club Winter Dressage
Qualifier and with Milli unable
to go, my mums gelding, Mars
had to step in to take Millis team spot and although there werent any placings both Roxie and Mars performed
great tests scoring 65.83% and 63.75% respectively.
Nearing the end of the year now, with the eventing season over and done with for another year, I had a bit of quiet
time with the horses as Ryan and I made the big move and purchased our first house together! Thankfully Im still
very close to the horses which will remain at my parents for the time being and that are only 10minutes away!
Although it does mean earlier mornings and slightly later nights it is all worth it and we are loving being in our
house..roll on Christmas.
Talking of Christmas, with it being less than a week away now, of course I had to fit in one more competition with
Roxie and Diaz before the end of the year, so we headed out to an SMP Events competition at Blue Barn Equestrian
centre a few weeks ago. Roxie did two dressage tests and finished 4th in the
Novice and 2nd in the Elementary with good scores considering the windy
weather got her a little excited doing our tests outdoors! For Diaz, it was her
first time out since our last event at Tweseldown and she was pleased to be
back out. The break has done her
the world of good and she feels
great. We had a crack at a Novice
test which was a bit ambitious as
we had only started doing
medium trot and more advanced
movements. Diaz performed a
nice test despite the weather
and we scored 65%. With the
dressage outdoors there was also some jumping in the indoor arenas. It
was a mixture and we had to jump 6 SJ fences followed by 7 indoor XC
fences. Diaz has never done anything like this before and with all the
tinsel, Christmas lights, trees and fancy decorations there was a lot to
look at when we went in but she jumped two super rounds finishing
with a double clear in the 1.05m class to finish in 2nd place.
Shortly after Christmas it will soon be the new year and theres no better time than now to look forward to the
future and although Im not one to plan ahead too much, after my life changing accident in February 2010 Ive learnt
to take every day as it comes, after all you never know whats around the corner, I have a few little plans in my head
for 2016! Im very excited to see what happens as Ive got some quality horses to start the year with, a fantastic
support group of friends and family as well as an absolutely brilliant team of sponsors! Many thanks to everyone
involved in the last year, friends, family, owners, new and current sponsors a like.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry

Christmas and Happy New Yearfingers
crossed for a prosperous and successful
2016 for everyone concerned