As the autumnal days draw in, it’s a great time to reflect on what has been successful and learn from what has been less successful. I apologize that I’ve had to split it up into different blogs but the website decided to stop working at the start of the season and so I couldn’t post anything!
Amber has had a busy season campaigning Coolkill Warrior (aka Podge or Mr P) and Ruby this season as well as starting her youngster, Dan. It’s always lovely to watch the progress of all the riders here but in the case of Podge and Ruby, this is especially so because they are essentially our school horses. Podge came to us many years back as his owner wanted a home where he would be well cared for as her circumstances had changed and Ruby came as an un-backed youngster from the Blue Cross. Both presented challenges especially the latter because she was so nervous. Amber has ridden with us from the age of 7 and it’s been lovely to watch her develop over the years and act as a shop window for how versatile school horses can be with the proper training and riding. She is not only a brand ambassador for our equestrian centre but our shop, The Spoilt Horse Company as well.
This season started on the 25th of February at a very wet and windy Pontispool! Amber and Mr P contested the 80cm and 90cm Eventers Challenge as a warm-up, jumping two double clears and placing 4th in both classes. Just competing in those conditions was impressive so fair play to all those who took part!
The 10th of March saw the first competition of the year for Amber and Ruby at the Cornwall Trec Group Arena Challenge. Still new to the whole competing malarkey, Amber schooled round the 80cm for a 3rd place, followed by a win over the 90cm.
Next outing was to the Area 19 TopSpec A E Qualifiers at Bicton which saw Amber riding for Cornwall Trec Group for the first time. Ruby was an absolute super-cob, she isn’t very big at just 14.1hh but she is just so genuine.She came away with an individual 8th place in the 90cm and a team 7th and then an individual 3rd and a team win in the 100cm! Which meant a qualification for the Championships at Aston-Le-Walls.
Podge went out to play too in the 90cm but was too on his toes so with 2 poles down and time faults for going too fast no individual place but a team 5th.
