I always love the start of a new year; you can reflect on previous successes and make new exciting goals to strive towards.   With last year proving that hard work and sheer determination can achieve whatever you set your mind to, it only makes me want to keep pushing harder to become an internationally renowned rider at the top of my game.   So, with the end of winter getting closer our horses have had a little holiday themselves and are coming back in fresh, to start a steady fitness regime.   We are thrilled to have the support of our sponsors for 2018, Stroud Farm services our country store for all our equines needs and be part of the Plevin Products team using snowflake to bed down our horses in luxury as well as the support from Derriere Equestrian keeping me comfortable in the saddle for that perfect seat.   Horsequestadvantage, Fairfax and Favor and Overall nutrition uk.

My 2018 diary is packed with show dates, from our local Tuesday training shows for the young horses to grow in confidence, to the Royal International Horse show and trips to Europe.   Each horse has a specific plan to what they will be aimed for this year, that, as always with horses may have to be a little adaptable.   For example, we have the fabulous Vancurtis(kimmy) owned by Team Crow’s Nest who was 5yo British bred champion and went on to compete in the world breeding championships last year in Belgium, she will be aimed at the 6 year old age classes with hopes to qualify for the world breeding Championships again in Lanaken (Bel).

Pure Pleasure (Mylo) who will be rising 7, owned By Adrianne and Barry Berman, will be aimed at Newcomers, Foxhunter 2nd rounds and Horse of The Year Show qualifiers.   The horses all have a particular show plan to give them every chance of peaking in performance and confidence when these classes come around.   We also have our talented rising 4-year olds that will be starting their career from scratch and may be finding new homes throughout the year to bloom.

My main girl/winner from last year and years previous, Miserden Imprezza (Pretzel) is going to take a year out to go in foal and hopefully keep the string of quality young horses coming, this wonderful little mare owes me nothing with accumulating close to 200 first placings in the last 4 years. She is as quirky as they come, quick and careful as a cat so hopefully will pass her brave gutsy traits onto her offspring.

It has become clear over the last year how many other budding equestrians young and old that I can relate to in stages of their training. My teaching clientele has grown immensely and I’m really loving the satisfaction of giving something back and passing on the knowledge that I have acquired from so many great mentors over the years, past and present.   With horses we really do never stop learning; we have to continue to be like sponges as every horse has its own brain and has had different experience to the next….the same goes for the jockeys!!

I am finding it fascinating and truly rewarding helping combinations of horse and rider to get the best out of each other, it’s so great to enable individuals to reach goals achieve results and strive to be better.   when I take a step back It still blows me away how patient persistent and determine us equestrians are.   We certainly are unique, and hold these special essential traits that make me so very proud to be part of our industry. So in between our busy show schedule this year I am going to hold a few training and technique clinics to help share my knowledge and passion for show jumping.   So with the support of some great owners and sponsors we will continue to develop our team of horses and continue to inspire the next generation on to bigger and better things.   Roll on 2018!

For more information about Bex, and how she can help owners and sponsors alike please contact her at bexmason@hotmail.co.uk