Charlie Pickman

Charlie Pickman - end of season update

We are coming towards the end of the season, and things seem to be busier than ever.  After having so many events cancelled due to the weather we now have foot and mouth to cope with as well as the dreaded blue tongue disease!  None of our events have been cancelled but I know hunting and other shows have been hit.  We hope the foot and mouth won't develop as the previous outbreak in 2001.  I was heading for the National Pony Club Championships that year and ended up having to divert to Isleham!

I competed at Blenheim this year - WOW!  It certainly was the biggest and most technically difficult course I have ever tackled.  I feel it is an important milestone to have passed.  Although it didn't all go to plan I have come out of it even more determined to win at top level, and confident that Meg, and me, are capable of competing at four star level.  Blenheim was a qualifier for Badminton and is regarded as a top 3 star.

Our dressage had a few mistakes, but generally showed promise for next year.  The cross country started well until the Sunken Road when, coming into the crowds, we had a stop at the first part.  We then had trouble getting through the combination after losing all our rhythm.  However, after this she was fantastic, jumping most of the straight routes and making it feel easy.  Unfortunately 5 minutes after finishing she went very lame.  After a trip back in the horse ambulance and an inspection from the vet they diagnosed possible tendon injury.  She was treated with several sessions of cold boots and anti-inflammatories and the following day she was nearly sound.  By then we had already decided not to show jump.  She has now been scanned and the tendon is fine.  It was probably due to bruising, or a strain, and so should be fine for next season when we will continue with our attempts to qualify for a four star.  I hope to do Bramham, and if all goes to plan then maybe Burghley at the end of the year.

We've done a couple of events with Vladamir.  He did Pre-Novices at West Wilts and Sapey and finished 3rd and 4th on very respectable scores of 23.1 and 29.  Billy went to Chard show for the Burghley Young Event Horse class.  He went well and jumped clear, but came 6th so did not qualify.  Perhaps he was a bit babyish and lightweight but it was a good outing for him.  I was pleased with his performance and I am hopeful for him in the future.  He is out at the moment jumping in and out of his field (hmmmmmm!) and generally playing!  He will come back into work in the winter.

I have also brought another horse, Viking.  He recently came over from Holland and when I first rode him knew that I had to find a way to buy him.  He is 5, has loads of scope and jumps 1.30m comfortably.  I have taken him cross country schooling twice and he was very bold and confident.  I think he is a superstar in the making, and hopefully will prove this in the few Pre Novice events he is entered for at the end of the season!

Well, back to the cold wet English autumn, following the warm, wet English summer.  Tomorrow my new dishwasher arrives - at least I won't have to spend so much time washing up!  Things are looking up!

Charlie