Charlie Pickman

Snow puts a stop to play

It is currently white outside with snow which has given me the opportunity to write this blog as I can't get the horses out of the stables to ride as it is too slippery. I do try to work them every day, or at least put them in the field or go on the walker, but today is one of those days when its not worth one of them injuring themselves and is safer to stay inside.

I have now moved down to Somerset and all of us (horses and me) are fairly well settled in. Its been great having Jenny's school to work in as it is huge giving me loads of space, particularly for jumping. Viking is now clipped and I was hoping to jump him for the first time at the end of the week, but it might be postponed until the weather improves. He will be ready to do some Dressage soon and has come back into work well.

Billy has been out doing Dressage and Jumping with success. We had our first win of the year at Equisense doing a little Dressage competition. Although he did the Burghley classes last year this was his first proper Dressage competition so not a bad start. He behaved fairly well and although there's still lots to improve I was pretty pleased. He has also been jumping at West Wilts and The Hand where he was a little excitable, but improved the second time. I have had a few problems with steering and control which has meant he has had a few penalties, but now as long as I let him run and jump he is improving a lot. He is certainly not lacking in scope and as long as I can get him to the fence correctly he is giving loads of height. Unfortunately I still haven't taken him hunting due to the wet weather, but I have a few potential dates in the diary so hopefully we'll get out before the season ends.

Josh had been feeling great unitl he went lame with pus in the foot due to the very wet ground. Thankfully its nothing major and he should be OK to ride again in a few days.

We have recently weaned Dazzler and Summer. Dazzler hasn't taken it that well and has lost quite a bit of weight - she loved being a mum, but is now settled and will hopefully put it all back on soon. Summer managed to jump out of her field when a new gelding was put next door, but now she is great buddies with her yearling filly friend so we hope she will stay put. Hopefully it is a sign she'll like cross country as where she got out required an enormous leap over a big double - not a small jump for a 7 month foal!

We are at the time of year when we start doing entries for the first events, so by my next blog I'll be ready and raring to go. Between now and then we'll have lots of Dressage and Jumping, some Cross Country schooling and canter work. The papers today said this cold weather might last for most of February so hopefully it won't affect our preparations too much for the coming season.

Charlie

Feb 09