Reports

British Eventing Horse Trials - Sat May 27th

Many thanks to all those who came and helped with running our horse trials on May 27th. The week leading up to the event was very tense with bad weather forever threatening to cancel the event. Happily, the day before the event, while the public address providers Denis + Ian Pearse were waiting to start installing all of their equipment, the BE Steward and TA checked the ground and gave us the go-ahead, happy with the ground despite virtually every other BE fixture over the weekend having been cancelled due to wet weather.

Many thanks also go to our sponsors whose support is vital to the running of events like this.

• Porter Dodson Solicitors - sponsored the Pre Novice class. Solicitors offering advice on all areas with a full range of legal services for farmers and landowners. Offices in in Wellington, Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil, Sherborne and Dorchester. http://www.porterdodson.co.uk/
• Rodney Powell Body Armour - sponsored the Intro class. Rodney Powell Body Armour is manufactured in the UK and available from all good stockists. Available in a wide range of sizes and can be made to order in your cross-country colours. For further information or for your nearest sotckist please visit the web site at http://www.powellprotec.com/
• Simple System Ltd - providing complete forage based diets, free from cereals, molasses, pulses, additives and preservatives which are suitable for those horses at rest, in recovery and competing at all levels. http://www.simplesystem.co.uk/
• CJ Keitch Engineering - based at Dunkeswell. Sales, service and repair of agricultural equipment including ATVs, paddock maintenance and small bale silage wrappers. www.cjkeitchengineering.co.uk
• Bendarroch School - Aylesbere, East Devon. Bendarroch School was established in 1978 to provide a civilised and non-institutionalised environment for boys and girls, an environment in which each child would enjoy the respect he or she deserves and the opportunity to reach out with excitement, enthusiasm and confidence. http://www.bendarroch.co.uk/
• Wychanger Barton Saddlery - SMS Qualified & expert saddle fitters. Extensive stock of leading brands in riding clothing and accessories. http://www.wychanger.com/
• Queen Square Chambers - Bristol. Specialist barristers for work throughout the West of England including Family, Employment, Housing, Personal Injury and Crime.http://www.queensquarechambers.co.uk
• CattleController - online cattle records management system. http://www.cattlecontroller.com
• The Marquee Company - hire the marquee used for the horse trials. http://marqueecompany.com/

Booking schooling

I'm trying a new system for booking schooling which should streamline the process for both riders and ourselves. When you call 01823 681450, a greeting will direct you to press 1 to book schooling or hold to be put through to me. Following the prompt and pressing 1 will tell you whether the course is available for schooling and you can simply leave a message and consider yourself booked in to come.

By all means hold the line and wait for the call to be put through to me and I will answer if I can or you can leave a message there too. This is a trial - let me know what you think.

Lucinda Green Clinic - Monday 27th March (with thanks to Jenna Rosewell)

On a very soggy 27 March, I with several others set out for a two hour training session with Lucinda Green. I was in the first group of the day, which I feel was to my advantage due to the slippy and wet ground conditions, but on a plus side, this added to Lucinda's approach of 'Learning the Safe Way'.

The session commenced by working the horses over small poles, focusing on technique, encouraging the horses not to rush, concentration and improving rider cross country 'safety' position.

We then when out on the cross country cross to test the new and more stabilised skills which were practiced over the show jumps.

Lucinda put riding techniques into a different, more 'management' context, for example imagining your horse is a 'toothpaste tube and you are squeezing the energy out'. Lucinda's approach was also to encourage the horses to think for themselves and the rider to act more as an aid, focusing a lot on allowing when necessary and maintaining consistency. This was especially emphasized at the Cornish Banks, where we were told to walk the horses up and over the banks. This caused much confusion for some horses who were used to rushing and always taking a bank as a jump - therefore causing minor (?!) damage to the banks - much to Walters disapproval! This was a great exercise at it taught horses to think for themselves, riders to allow and riders to be in a secure, safe position in anticipation of a big jump.

After many more technical exercises at various fences, at the end we were allowed to go round the course in pairs, a great way to finish the session.

I would definitely recommend a training session with Lucinda Green. And her motto at the end of the day was 'If in doubt, Kick to get out'!

By Jenna Rosewell

Classified

Pedigree English Springer Spaniel Puppies

Ready to go. Beautiful puppies. One Black, White and Tan dog and one Black and White bitch. Wormed, vaccinated and Kennel Club registered. Call 01404 812700 or call me at the course on 01823 681450.

Arabian foal with endurance potential

Arabian foal with endurance potential" Born 31 May 2006 (Photo shows at 4 days old) Approxiamately 96% Crabbet. Closely related to horses with international endurance experience. By Winged Saint out of Princess Zahra. Both parents can be seen. 01404 812700

7/8ths TB Black Mare - 17.2.

By Devish 5 years old backed and in light work. Also proven broodmare. Shows aptitude for all disciplines, including County Show ridden and in hand hunter classes. Won extensively at County Show level as yearling and 2 year old, not shown in this home as no time. £5000ono
Call 01404 812700

Blackdown Hills Cross Country has been supported by:
     

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