The past few months have involved lots of schooling, hacking and hill work as well as lots of coaching and helping my clients to plan their season.

The new year started with a trip home to Italy.   I haven’t been home for a year so it was really lovely to catch up with friends and family and to see my young niece.   While I was there I went riding with a friend – can’t be away from horses for too long!   I’m very lucky that whilst I was away, the girls kept my horses ticking over so when I returned I could begin to increase the training ahead of the upcoming season.

I have been focusing on flatwork with my 6 year old Digbe, an ex-racehorse I bought last October.   He was feeling quite downhill, so I’ve concentrated on making him use his back end and lifting his head and shoulders (which having been in race training, he doesn’t naturally want to do). I aim to jump him at home 2 or 3 times a week; once a week we’ll jump a course of 10-12 fences, similar to that of a round in a competition. Then we will work on exercises, using poles for straightness, suppleness and to ensure his jump is over the centre of the fence.   I focus on the landing of each fence and ensure there is complete control of the canter at all times.   Ex-racehorses are renowned for their speed so we must ensure they’re always connected with the rider and understanding what is being asked of them.   Digbe’s first event is at Swalcliffe towards the end of March.   I’d normally start my season at the beginning of March but it’s been so wet I’ve decided to wait a little longer.   Between now and then, we will do some combined training to give him sufficient practice of performing a test and jumping a course away from home.

I’m lucky at Lyneham Heath to have the all weather cross country loop which enables me to practice skinnies, ditches and jumping into water all year round.   We’ve also got a gallop which is beneficial for canter work, although I don’t do too much on Digbe, as being a Thoroughbred, he maintains fitness well and I don’t want him too fit for the start of the season!   I do lots of trotting up and down hills to work on the balance and fitness and work on different surfaces so the horse can be as prepared as possible before they go out competing.

I’m excited to have a new 4 year old on the yard, Duggy (competition name Deards Sir Knight) who one of my owners has bought from Ireland. He’s a very exciting prospect although still very green so we’re just working on the basics.   He’s a quality horse who needs to focus on staying relaxed.   I try not to work him too often in the arena, I believe it’s good for him to see the world so I take him out hacking as often as I can.   Hacking offers many benefits to the training regime; it helps improve suppleness and straightness, encourages self-carriage and asks the horse to be balanced and listening to your aids.   Add some schooling movements and you have a test!   I’ve also got another 4 year old that I’ve bought from Italy, a horse originally from Poland. It’s actually from the same owner I bought my first ever horse from, who had also made that journey before I made the purchase. This horse has recently done a fair few miles so is just enjoying time in the field.   He’ll come into work at the end of March and I’ll make a plan from there. There are lots of clinic dates that I’ve been working on for the next few months, to be held at Lyneham Heath. One of my sponsors, Devoucoux, have kindly supported these clinics, for which I’m very grateful.   The first clinic is on Sunday 25th February. I’m pleased to have a new girl join my team ready for the start of the season.   She comes from a horsey background but has spent some time working for an insurance company which she wasn’t enjoying, so wanted to return to working with horses.   I’ll also be taking on an apprentice this year – I enjoy offering people this opportunity and have had great success with it in previous years. It allows students to learn correctly in a real life situation and to work to a professional standard. Finally, I was thrilled to have been contacted by a South African rider who is planning to move permanently to the U.K. in May and focus on his riding.   Together we’re looking for a 2* horse that I can compete at the higher levels and he can gain experience and mileage from, at a lower level.   The power of the internet and social media always amazes me – it’s incredible that people thousands of miles away from here can follow my journey.

http://www.dbeventing.co.uk