Charlie Pickman

A Month of Scrapes for Charlie's team!

August saw us busy preparing for the first few weeks of September.  Meg is the main interest with Blenheim in mind, and she had a great run in the CIC*** at Hartpury.  Unfortunately the weekend was overshadowed by the sad news of Emma Jonathan's fatal accident.  It really brought home the dangers of our sport and my sympathies are with Emma's family.

At Hartpury, Meg jumped one of only 13 double clears.  With the help of Adam Kemp her dressage is really starting to improve, and she was very close to the 60% mark, which is great for her.  She only had 2 intermediate runs before Hartpury, due to her operation, but the result showed how capable she still is.  She did tire at the end of the cross country so I have now increased her fitness work so by Blenheim she should be more than ready.  Our primary aim is to achieve 4 star qualification, but I also want to be competitive as she is capable of jumping a double clear.  If we can just squeeze a few more dressage marks....!

Viking has been building up to Gatcombe for his first FEI competition.  He came 2nd in the BSJA Newcomers class at Summerhouse which showed he is still on top form.  However, returning from his dressage at Gatcombe when very nearly home "Viking the Vandal" struck again.  He decided he was bored and started to play in the lorry.  He likes to climb up and look out of the window - but he ended up smashing the light and dislodging the roof panel.  This resulted in him slicing his cheek and eyelid requiring sedation and anti-inflammatories to stich him up.  He then couldn't compete on the Sunday as he had had banned substances!  This now means he won't be qualified for Le Lion for the 6 year old final.  It is disappointing as this was one of the aims for him this year, but I am confident he is capable of a lot more in the future.  He scored a mark of 53.9 in the dressage which was respectable, and put him comfortably in the top 25%.  We now have to find a way of stopping him rearing in the lorry so he doesn't injure himself again.  Favourites so far are mirrors and a radio.  The last resort will be to travel him with a companion!

The Burghley Young Event Horse Final is this weekend with Billy.  He hasn't had the best of preparation as he has had an infection in his leg from a minor cut.  This has meant my plans of doing some dressage and show jumping with him have had to be abandoned.  But he is now fit again so it's full steam ahead to Burghley!

Dazzler, who is brood mare to Summer, our new foal has also had an injury to her eye.  We suspect Summer may have kicked her when feeding.  She doesn't like being told off by Mum when she is too keen at the milk bar!  Hopefully that is the 3rd bit of bad luck for the team for now - so fingers crossed things will be a bit more plain sailing in September!

Charlie

August 2008