Tanya Buckingham

End of the Event Season

After another long eventing season the horses deserved a well earned break and were all turned out in the field for afew weeks. While they were enjoying the grass I made the most of my free time by having a holiday in Thailand! However two days before I set off I had my first training day with the Regional Foundation Squad at Richmond. As my horses were all on their hols, Melissa Chapman very kindly let me take her horse Sky to ride. We were split up into pairs to do flatwork with Heidi Woodhead - we spent the lesson working on the basics and ensuring the horses were moving forward and carrying themselves in an outline. Sky went brilliantly and I really enjoyed the lesson. We were then put in groups of four for the jumping, where we again worked on basics - pole work and grids. The afternoon was spent with a life-coach who talked about the importance of finding a balance between riding and spending time with friends and family.
Once I got back from a very sunny two weeks in Thailand it was straight back to another Foundation day- this time on foot at Edge Hill University. We spent the day having lectures on imagery, life coaching and working on our core stability using swiss balls. It was an enjoyable day and it was nice to spend time getting to know riders from the other 3 disciplines (showjumping, dressage and para dressage).
The horses are now back in walk work for the next fews weeks to ensure their legs are hardened off before starting with the schooling and jumping.When they are doing abit more i will look at their feed quantities and needs for the winter acivities as they will be out doing dressage and BSJA as well as afew days hunting!! I'm sure they will look very smart when they are out and about in their new Dengie rugs!!!

Tanya