Mari Durward-Akhurst

New Yard, BEF Regional Squad Session and Review

I have had to move yard so that I can continue to be trained by my coach Sacha Hamilton. Amelia has settled into her new home well and is a happy girl. She has been going really well and we are getting used to each other, we are still bonding but our relationship has grown a lot.
I had my second squad session with Amelia at Moulton College in Northampton. We arrived there a little early as it did not take us as long as we thought it would to get there so we sat and watched some of the other Para’s and able bodied riders training. Whilst having lunch I got to catch up with the other Para’s on the squad.
We then went to get Amelia ready. She looked very smart in her white bandages, she was very clean and her coat was shining. She seemed to be raring to go, nearly pushing my dad over!! We took her into the school and I got on. I walked her around and then got to work as she so eager to start, she felt fab.
I worked her for a while as if I was warming up for a test, but then had to stop as they were not ready for me to ride the test. So I walked her round for ages and then picked her up as she had settled down a bit.
I then started riding the test, it went well and I was really pleased with it. It was much improved from my last training session. The trot was much better although it could have just been a bit more up hill. The left canter still needs some work, but the right canter transition and canter were super.
I worked with Angela Weiss afterwards and Amelia went even better then. Angela said she could see her potential and how nice she was. We worked on what we had been doing at home to improve her way of going. Amelia helped me out a lot and Angela said how our harmony looked a lot better, and I felt we were working as a team.
My review went well and both David and Angela were pleased with me and Amelia. We just need to keep improving our partnership and carry on bonding.
At home I aim to carry on training with Sacha and improving me and Amelia further, and carry on getting super work out of her.
I have got through to the final selection trials for World Class which are going to be held in December. So I will be taking Amelia to them and I hope to move up onto Start of the World Class Programme. I also hope to go out and compete Amelia before December, so watch this space.

Mari