Tanya Buckingham

Looking and feeling fantastic albiet a bit fresh!

Well after a week of enforced box rest due to ice we have finally managed to get out and about with the horses!

Bob went straight to affiliated dressage last Sunday without being ridden all week - mainly just so I could actually ride in a school that wasn't frozen! Despite his lack of preparation he won both medium tests which was amazing since this was his first attempt at this level!

On Monday Sparkle and Buck both had dressage lessons, and were quite wild which was expected after a week off, we spent most of the lessons doing canter trot canter transitions on a 15m circle!!

Tuesday I had show jumping training with Suzie Gibson for Bob and Sparkle. We were working on rhythm and quality of the canter, as well as jumps from unusual turns off the track. Both boys felt fab and are certainly ready to go eventing!!

Today I have been doing combined training with Buck and Sparkle at Northallerton. Buck was placed 8th in the prelim - we can now canter in a test and Sparkle won the Novice!

I have also entered Oasby and Draycott Manor with Bob and Sparkle at Oasby, and Carrot and Sparkle at Draycott...I'm really looking forward to the eventing season starting - the boys all look and feel fantastic, most of which is down to their Dengie Diet of Alfa A oil and Alfa-Beet - its the first winter I haven't used concentrates and they are actually more energetic and look in far better condition on just the fibre diet!

Tanya