Charlie Pickman

A week of teeth in Guernsey and new teeth for me!

I have just returned from a week doing lots of equine teeth in Guernsey, in the sun.  I came back to over 20 degrees here in England and wonder whether summer has arrived!  It can't be a worse summer than last year - can it?!?

Riding-wise the early parts of the season have gone very successfully, particularly with Viking, who has been placed every time out.  He achieved his 4 double clears at BSJA Discovery in 4 outings, so has qualified for the second round, which is at the end of May.  In the 3 BE events he's done so far, all at Pre-Novice level, he has come 2nd and 6th twice, doing double clears in all of them.  We now have his first Novice at Aston le Wells, followed by the PAVO 6 year old class at Chepstow.

Josh has been going well, coming 8th at Aldon and then 13th in the CIC** at Somerley Park.  At Somerley Park after hs usual relaxed dressage he had one fence down show jumping, but did a good round cross country.  We were in a strong section so were pleased with his placing.  Unfortunately he has had some minor leg trouble since.  As we want him to be 100% when he runs he might not go again until later in the year when the ground is a little softer.  Hard ground never suits him.

Meg has been making a great recovery after her hock operation and I am looking forward to her first jump at the end of May.  If all goes to plan we will be aiming for Blenheim with a 4-star qualification in mind.  After recently watching Badminton it makes me even more hungry to ride there, and I have no doubts that Meg is capable.

The saga of my teeth continues - after all this time I should be able to whistle well through the gap!  I now need to decide whether I go for implants or a bridge.  Implants will involve surgery to remove the plates screwed into fix the break, and then would require a bone graft as well.  This would take the best part of a year.  I'm slightly favouring implants at the moment, even though it is a bigger job, as the teeth should last longer before they need replacing through wear and tear.  I will decide after talking to my Consultant who fixed me up in the first place.  My advice - never get kicked in the jaw by a horse!

Charlie