Mike Jackson

All Systems go for the new season!

All in all, I was pretty pleased with the 2007 season.  Thirlestane was one of the highlights for me - Max came 7th in his first CIC** and Joey won the novice with an excellent dressage test.

I was also pleased with some of my younger horses.  Whiz (Wish Upon a Star), the 4 year old stallion owned by Carolyn Bates went to the Burghley final and ended up just outside the top ten.  Daisy Duke who is owned by Julia Reed (who owns our yard) continued to impress me, winning at Charlton Park and finishing on her dressage score of 19.1.  Pretty good!

After a well earned rest for the horses this autumn, a break in Barbados for Ellie and I and a new horse walker going in, plus a slight re-shuffle with the horses - it is all systems go for this year!

I am really excited to have Billy Bird back again after his time off last year.  He's such a character and really lovely to have around the yard.  Touch wood, I'll be aiming him at a spring 2 star - along with Max (Up With The Lark).

I've also gained another strong six year old called Ava (Funny Hill) to join Carole Mortimer's Jagganath.  She's a grey Trakehner with loads of ability and presence - and a strong mind to match!

I am also thrilled that Joey (Kangasong) has been chosed for the Equine Pathway programme for 2012.  He was bred by Ellie's dad and it is fantastic to be in the running - although there is a long way to go before London!

Last week as part of the training, I had a dressage lesson with Lizzie Murray and a jumping session with Peter Murray and Ken Clawson, which was really beneficial to blow the winter cobwebs away.

I've also been taking the horses out to "eventing days" at Weston Lawns and Addington to make sure they are behaving when we start for real in March.

On a personal note, I've been working on my fitness through the winter.  I now have a trainer and work out at the gym four times a week - apart from trying to look good (obviously!) it's helping with my core fitness and balance.  I just hope it makes a real difference to my riding because it is hard work!

Another big bit of news is that Ellie and I are having a baby in June.  So she'll be having a break from eventing until then - just as well as her mare, Katie, is in foal to Max and so she will also be adding to our expaning family!

Until next month,

Mike