Good First Results
The season is underway! Isleham was a great start for Googie (Gazelle Dwerse Hagen) and we came second in the Open Novice section. She did an okay test – there were things to like, but lots to improve. We scored 34.3, followed by a double clear with 8.8 time penalties across the country as the ground was so deep! I have been to Isleham for years and have never seen it so boggy. Luckily, the sun was shining and, despite the ground conditions and the freezing temperature, it was a lovely day to spend Mothering Sunday.
The following weekend was Oasby, where we were in the OIU21 as the first Young Rider trial. Googie did a fabulous test. I was really pleased as she is normally is quite tense at the start of the year. She had an unfortunate pole in the showjumping, but finished with a stunning clear cross-country to come eighth.
Pooh (Perfect Timing) started her season off at Poplar Park in the BE100. She did an average test but it was pretty good considering it was her first one since last June. She score 33.8, followed by a beautiful double clear. I was zooming along across the country and thought I would start to get time faults for going too fast, so took my foot off the power and let her cruise home, only to end up with 1.2 time faults – oops!!! We ended up seventh though, which is great.
The start to the season has been great and I hope it continues. I have had a few more flat lessons with Judy Harvey and Gill Watson to get Googie ready for her next event, which is the OIU21 at Weston Park at the beginning of April. Pooh’s next event is the BE100 at Great Witchingham on the 26th March, all going well.
Diva is finally looking slightly more in foal, which is rather exciting. I can’t wait for her to give birth as she is the kindest horse and will be so sweet with a foal. Tim is having a great life at the moment going on the odd hack and schooling session, he is so much fun.
All my horses are feeling amazing on their Dengie fibre diet. I can’t wait for Dengie’s Performance Horse Nutritionist, Claire Akers, to come and weigh them all again over Easter to help me keep track of all their progress.
Alicia
