Charlie Pickman

March!

After having weeks of dry weather it waited until just before our first event to start raining!  Typical!  And now to add to that it is very windy.  However, the Bath and West on Saturday still went well with Viking coming 6th scoring 34 for his dressage with a double clear.  Minnie unfortunately had a couple of show jumps down which put him out of the running for a placing.  Josh then went to Tweseldown on Sunday and came 8th with 29.5 dressage and another double clear.  My only slight concern was that the bang on my head might have affected my internal clock as we did have some time penalties cross country - very unlike me!  But there were very few coming in without time faults so I didn't feel so bad - it was a tight time.  I am sure after a couple of runs we will be back in top gear.

We have done a few dressage and jumping competitions recently to build up for the eventing season.  In the BSJA at West Wilts, Viking came 5th in the Discovery and Josh came 2nd in the 1.05m Open - both jumping double clears.  Dressage at Hartley Wood saw Josh winning his class and Viking coming 8th - both doing Novice tests.

My jaw is making a good recovery and I do hope it won't be long before I have some new front teeth!  I had my first steak for over 2 months last week which went down extremely well.

Meg has also been recovering well and will be trotting soon after 6 weeks of walking.  Claire has told me she is a lot happier now that she is doing some work and we hope to start schooling and then jumping in the not too distant future.  We have had to change our plans a bit and now are aiming to try and get her 4* qualification this year with a view for a 4* competition next year.  Our fingers, toes and anything else possible are crossed that her hocks will stand up to the rigours of the sport.

I now have Aldon, Somerley Park and Belmont to look forward to as well as some more BSJA for Viking.  As I write this the sun is out and the wind is very, very strong.  Cheltenham Races have been called off (the first time for 30 years) as the marquees are blowing down and are dangerous - even the M6 is closed because of the wind!  Hacking out is impossible and even schooling in the arena is interesting - so I am looking forward to the warmer, stiller summer weather which makes my sport and job so much more enjoyable!

Charlie