Kaja is feeling amazing at the moment and has benefited greatly from an easy couple of weeks and a lovely massage. She is going better than ever and is very enthusiastic as I build-up her work in preparation for the junior European Championships. I must say a big thanks to Toggi and Land Rover for sponsoring the team. We have some fabulous team clothing to wear. Also thanks to Sew Equestrian and Classic Dressage for the Great Britain diamanté browbands!
Later this week I will be training daily with Kaja while helping my trainer Lucy Cartwright at Hartpury Premier League, before meeting up with the team at Dover on Sunday. We are setting off early on Monday morning — all the horses are travelling together while all the riders are together in the Team GBR Land Rovers.
This is my first time in a European team and I am so excited and determined to achieve my personal best. My trainer Lucy will, as always, be coming to help me. As a team are also so fortunate to have Olympic gold medalist, Carl Hester MBE, coming to help us warm-up. Team GBR are very lucky this year! Thank you to Carl and British Dressage.
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
My latest photo shoot with Bliss magazine is on the shelves now,
in the August edition entitled “Little Miss Sunshine”. They have my picture on the sleeve as well. It’s always nice to get out of “joddies” for a day!
Every weekend, I’ve been going out to qualify ‘Peanut’ (Le Chiffre, pictured top) for the summer regionals. He has been so well behaved, but the scores have been a bit up and down — I suppose that’s dressage for you. You’re never quite sure how you are going to be judged when you are competing a pony against horses, but he is very talented.
My last chance was Sunday 30 June. We held our breath as previously he did a perfect test but scored 65%, so we weren’t sure we would score the 67% or more we needed to qualify. He was good and we were very delighted to finish second with 70.35% and qualify. He couldn’t have been any better and he is still improving day by day.
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My next update will be after the junior European Championships. No doubt there will be lots to talk about and let’s hope it will include some really good news!
Chloe
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Chloe Vell is an up-and-coming dressage star who juggles school with representing Britain internationally at junior level and a part-time modelling career to help pay for her training and competitions.
