Angie Thompson

June News

Hi!

We had another happy arrival on the yard this month; with a new foal we have called "Ernie".  This colt was born to one of our young mares we brought from Holland 18 months ago.  The sire is the same as VJ.  They are both doing well.  We really enjoy breeding horses, although it is a lot of hard work waiting up half the night, checking on the mares regularly before they give birth.  It also involves a lot of careful consideration about combining the mares' qualities with that of the sire as ultimately you want to breed a good showjumper.

Plans changed in June on the competing front as sadly our entries were not received by Royal Cornwall - due to post or admin problems their end - it wasn't clear which.  Instead we went to the show at Bolesworth Castle near Chester.  The competition was very stiff with all the top riders there.  I was 6th in the 1.30 class out of 90 entries on Whisper Magic, my second horse, and I was 8th in the 1.40 class out of 65 entries on Oksana W.

We did our second Puissance class at Hand Equestrian Centre.  Oksana jumped every round really well, but unfortunately in the 5th and final round she just nudged a brick out with her back legs.  It was my fault as I was too quick on our approach to the fence, but it was 2.10 metres!  I ended up in 4th place.

Oksana was 4th in the 1.40 class at Newbury Show.  She wasn't jumping her best and had been struggling since Royal Norfolk show.  I called the vet out to take a look at her and he found she had pulled a muscle in her hind quarters and was very sore.  We gave her 3 week's off to repair.

Whisper has continued to do well, though.  At Royal Norfolk she was 5th in a good 1.45m class and is now jumping higher classes.

Speak soon!

Angie