Charlie Pickman

Once again another succesful month for Charlie

We have had another successful month with all 3 horses going well. Powderham Castle was Viking’s first Intermediate ever, and Josh’s first Intermediate of the year. After walking the course I thought it would be a pretty big test for them both. Their dressage tests were good - 34.6 for Viking, and 30.9 for Josh, both well in the top 10. Viking did a super clear round show jumping, and this was the biggest course he’s done - he made it feel easy. Josh had a couple of fences down, but we felt this was due to unfortunate circumstances….

My times, and the stewards, said I had to take Viking cross country straight after doing his show jumping, and then go back and take Josh show jumping. The show jumping for Viking was running 45 minutes late which caused a lot of problems for all the riders presenting at the correct times. I went around the cross country with Viking and returned to the show jumping with Josh as quickly as I could (the lorry was miles away!). When I arrived at the show jumping arena with Josh they were clearing away the timing markers and the judges were leaving! After a bit of persuasion they rebuilt the arena and let me jump, but said I had to go straight in and couldn’t jump any warm up fences. As it was a big Intermediate show jumping course (and Josh had been standing in the lorry for a while) this was very frustrating, but there was nothing I could do. I had to accept having a couple of fences down, but in the circumstances I felt Josh did his best.

However, both horses were fantastic cross country and jumped all the tricky combinations well. Viking finished 4th and Josh just missed the placings coming 12th (a clear show jumping for him would have made a huge difference), but generally it was a pleasing day (and my ‘grooms’ said the buggy service was great!).

Viking has also been to Hambledon for the Novice Regional Final where he excelled again. This time he led from start to finish ending on his dressage score of 25.5. I was really pleased as it shows the dressage lessons with Adam are paying off. I always knew Viking was capable of doing good tests - it was just executing them on the day. He obviously was saving it for the important one! He is now qualified for the Novice Final at Gatcombe in August, where if he goes as well as he has been, is capable of finishing in the ribbons.

Billy has also been going well, coming 1st and 2nd in a recent dressage competition with 82% and 65%. The first test was a lot easier for him than the second as he hasn’t quite mastered all the novice movements yet, but they were very pleasing marks. He then came 6th in a British Novice BSJA class jumping a double clear. He is very immature for his age, but will soon be ready to be a ‘grown up’ and start eventing.

I have just had a bone graft carried out on my jaw, and more preparation work on my teeth, which has put me out of action for a few days. Next week I have my regular trip to Guernsey working on teeth - of the equine variety! When I get back its all go again with Cleobury Mortimer, Longleat, and Barbary Castle planned, and then of course Gatcombe.

It’s a lovely time of year with lots of rich, spring grass, and foals being born. Mares are going to stud and the horses are all quite lively. Its all go, and all exciting stuff!

Charlie

May 2009