I have just returned from a fantastic 2 weeks training with Carolyne Ryan-Bell. It has been a very full on couple of weeks and the rain didn’t manage to defeat us either, so that was definitely a bonus.
We have been to Aston-le-Walls where I had a lesson with Nigel Taylor on all 3 horses. Kitkat (Another Breakfast) jumped round his first course since his injury last season, and feels on top form.
The naughty one (Archie) got the gold star for the day though. He was exceedingly well behaved, considering there was a huge amount going on around him. Anyone who was anyone seemed to be there using the new amazing all-weather cross-country and we were having our lesson right next door so there was a lot for him to deal with. He managed to keep his concentration though and popped very happily round a small course and will have grown up a lot for the outing.
I also had my first proper jump on Myrtle, the new girl. By the end we were much more confident with each other and she jumped superbly.
Two days later we had an outing to a British Dressage competition at Solihull where I took Kitkat and Myrtle for an elementary class each. For my 1st test on Myrtle (and her 1st elementary test) I don’t think I could have been more chuffed with a 72% and a win! Now to keep that up! Kitkat was also fantastic and won his class with a 68%.
We were back at Solihull the following week, where we had hired the indoor arena (and I’m very glad we did as we arrived in a snow blizzard!). We just popped all the horses round a showjumping course for some more match practice and again they were all super.
I am so excited they all feel so well, but it’s a little bit concerning that the weather still isn’t relenting. I’m wondering whether we will actually get eventing in March at this rate. My first 2 planned events were Moreton and Tweseldown, but they have already had to cancel so it looks like Aldon will be my first event now. Fingers crossed!
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Mum’s racehorse Zulu Oscar won a jumper’s bumper at Kempton Park on Sunday (pictured top), which was very exciting and is his 2nd win of the season. He is turning into a bit of a star, giving us all a lot of fun and is a bright prospect. He was the first of a double for my brother’s yard, Harry Fry Racing, the other being a 40-1 shot, Presenting Arms, and let’s just say my Dad came away a happy man!
Rosie
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Rosie Fry has been blogging for Horse & Hound since shortly after she left university to concentrate on eventing full time in July 2013. She is the sister of National Hunt trainer Harry Fry and helps school and exercise his horses when time allows.