Hannah Esberger-Shepherd

Hot Hickstead and Hot Horses!

Well Hickstead in July was hot.....and so were my horses!  I am very glad they are all on fibre based diets, as none of them need any starch to help them sparkle at their ages!

Belluga (Quichi) did as much as we expected of him.  We arrived on Sunday night after a long delayed journey down the MI and round the M25.  On Monday he was a little worried by the surroundings, but by Tuesday he was getting better and on Wednesday even though the international ring was terrifying going round the outsides of the ring, once he got inside the white boards he put his little head down and tried so hard!  He scored 74.8 coming 13th in the country for his age, so we were very pleased with him.  He could not have done better at this time.

As for Vanita - he also was worried by all the goings on and spent Monday and Tuesday on "red alert".  However on the Wednesday he worked in like a dream.  I had planned his build up to the test spot on - but then we went around the hedge into the International arena and it all went up in the air - literally!  Although he did try not to be too outrageous he ended up coming 11th with 72.5 so not his best - but still a very credible score considering.  He will be amazing when I can achieve his total trust....!

Molly and the family also enjoyed their Hickstead holiday and we are now busy preparing for the Regionals!

Hannah