Thursday 17th July 2008 - OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE

I have been slected to go to the Olympic games for a week as part of the 'Britains Olympic Ambitions 2012 Programme'. There have been 3 athletes selected from each discipline to travel out to Hong Kong to visit the Equestrian venue and then fly to Beijing and experience the Olympic village and stadium where all other disciplines are staying and competing.
I am over the moon to have been chosen and am very excited about the whole thing.
Definitely an opportunity not to be missed!!

Wednesday 16th July 2008 - EXCITING NEWS.

After Fernhill Sox's successful double clear and 8th place in the Advanced-Intermediate section at Salperton Park a few weeks ago, we have been put on the short-list for the Young Rider European Championships. There are 12 selected riders on the list. We have a final trial at Gatcombe Park in September and the team is selected after that, so fingers crossed we can deliver another good result!!

Friday 13th June 2008 - BAD NEWS.

Rayef was not himself on the cross country, he still managed to jump clear round 25 of the 29 fences...unfortunately he didn't really read the trakhener in the woods correctly and the front end came up but as he went to push off his hind legs they fell in the ditch leaving him to clamber his way over and sending me straight over his head. He had a very bruised and cut stifle. Thankfully our vet Mark Lucey was up at Bramham and checked him over. Although he trotted up sound Mark wanted to come and investigate a few days later after the pain killers had worn off. Yesterday he came and scanned him and as so often with horses...it was devastating news. He found that Rayef had stretched some fibres in his tendon. So poor Rayef is on box rest and unfortunately out for the year. I would like to thank Mark for his thorough assessment as hopefully we have caught it before too much damage is done.

Sunday 8th June 2008

Unfortunately the cross country did not go as well as I had hoped when I had a fall at the 25th fence. Both myself & Rayef are fine and I will write a fuller explanation on my return home.

Friday 6th June 2008

I am at Braham competing in the CCI*** . Today was the dressage in the under 25 section which is the final trial for the Young Rider Team.
Despite Rayef taking a dislike to one end of the arena he did some fabulous work at the other end to finish in 3rd place only 1.7 marks behind the leader, so the cross country tomorrow will be interesting with the top horse's marks all being so close .

Thursday 29th May 2008 - FIRST HORSE INTO MILLENIUM STADIUM!

Yesterday was rather different! I had been invited to a photoshoot to promote a new competition called the WORLD SERIES. The only thing strange about it was that it was at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff!!!
It was myself and Nick Gauntlett and luckily we arrived before Nick so Rayef was the first to walk out onto the pitch...it was awesome!! We had a dressage arena, one showjump and two xc fences to play around over. We had great fun and both horses behaved brilliantly. Hopefully I will post some pictures up soon!
An amazing experience and I can now say I am the first person to ride in the millenium stadium!

Tuesday 20th May 2008

At the weekend we heaeded off to Brigstock, we have not been before and were warned it was very old fashioned with lots of big ditches!!

Pre-Novice:
Blackwoodland Pine (Grey 5yo owned by Alice Sandberg) was having his first outing, he did a 34.5. He jumped a lovely clear showjumping and just had an unfortunate stop on xc.

Novice:
Dumbleton did very well, finishing on his dressage score of 31.5 to end in 2nd place.
Vancouver was having his first attempt at Novice level, he was a bit cheeky in his test so only scored 39.5, he was jumping fab until the last treble where he seemed to read it wrong and ended up with 12 pens. He was flying round xc until 4 from home, a fence to a ditch to a big hedge with a ditch infront. He jumped quite big over the middle part and ended up getting deep into the hedge, he jumped it but unfortunately didn't land far enough out and his frony legs went into ditch on landing side...depositing me out the front door!!

Intermedaite:
Opposition Legacy was on flying form adding just 0.4 time pens to his 31.4 dressage to leave him 3rd.
Jitterbug did a fab test to score 26.2 but she did the same as Vancouver in the showjumping, very out of character we withdrew her from xc.
Fernhill Sox was having his first run in 12 months, it was brilliant to have him back! He did a 27.1 test, got a little excited down one of the related distances in sj and had one down. I was only allowed to canter round the xc and unfortunately I was so busy worrying about keeping him under control and trying to wrap him in cotton wool that I forgot to ride between the double of waters at fence 5 and ended up slowly grinding to a halt! I kicked myself for that and he flew round the rest...luckily next time im allowed to run him competitively!

Thursday 15th May 2008

At the weekend we were up at Chatsworth. It is the most amazing venue and the weather was fantastic!
We took Rayf, Dumbleton and Graf Landlord.

CIC***World Cup Qualifier
I was obviously feelin rather brave when making the entries and instead of doing a normal CIC*** I decided to go for the World Cup qualifier. Rayef was up against re-routed Badminton horses...Reserve Olympic horses and a chosen Olympic horse, not to mention the other experienced 4 star combinations!!
His dressage was fab, apart from being tense in the first couple of movements and in one counter canter, he got a very respectable 47.3 which left him lying in 5th.
The cross country was very technical and as I had already qualified for Bramham I had strict instructions from Yogi to go all direct routes...Rayef was awesome..although a little strong to start with. We came home with 14.4 time penalties which only dropped us one place before the showjumping.
This was very influential with poles flying everywhere. Only 5 clear rounds, unfortunately we had 2 fences down as he ran through two distances. This was still good enough to keep him in 6th place.
With horses like Miners Frolic and Over to You further down the line I was over the moon with him.

Novice
Dumbleton was very good and finished on his dressage score of 25.2 for second place.

Intermediate-Novice
Graf Landlord was also very good and finished on his dressage score of 35, for 7th place.

Tuesday 6th May 2008

Yesterday we were at Osberton with Opposition Legacy and Jitterbug.

CIC**
Opposition Legacy decided he didn't want to go over to the arena having warmed up beautifully...and mum wasn't at hand to lead him in! I had to ask Tanya Kyle if she would mind leaving her baby to help!! She very kindly did and although the test wasn't his best, under the circumstances it was ok...apart from the walk!! He scored 55.6, added just one fence down after standing off it and not quite stretching enough for the back bar. He was awesomw xc and flew around inside the time (with the fastest time of the day!!) to finish in 10th.

Intermediate
Jitterbug wasn't impressed with doing dressage either! she scored 41.1 but made up for it by being a machine jumping and just added 11 time faults to also finish 10th.

Saturday 26th April 2008

This weekend we were just down the road at Withington.

Novice: Dumbleton did another fab test to score 27.6, one rail down and clear xc with 8.4 time left him 10th.
Mighty Good Time (I was riding for the first time for owner Helen Kenyon who broke her wrist a few days before so was unable to ride him) did a 40.5 dressage, he got a little tense when he saw showjumping behind the hedge! Just one down showjumping and flew around the xc inside the time to also finish 10th.

Open Novice: Graf Landlord was really good, 30.5 dressage clear with just 1.6 time xc to finish 2nd.

Advanced Under 25: Rayef was fantastic, he led the dressage by 4 marks with 34.6, added a rail from showjumping which was completely my fault and flew around the xc maing it feel like a novice! Added 12 time faults which was fastest in my section and won by an impressive 18 penalties!

Sunday 20th April 2008

Over the last few days we have been at Hambleden.

Pre-Novices: Its a boy did 37.1, spooked at the tents in showjumping so ran out at fence, then had a few steering issues xc resulting in a run out.
Vancouver was awesome and did 27.6 nothing added jumping and won his section.

Novices: Kate was alittle unsettled in her mouth so had 37.6 from dressage, one down showjumping and clear with 9.2 time to finish 10th in her first novice.
Dumbleton did a fab test to score 23.8, clear showjumping but unfortunately the person infront of me had had problems at the steps and was stood right next to them which distracted Dumbleton enough to have a refusal at the steps...very annoying!

Novice Regional Final: Jitterbug did a 31.9 and a double clear just adding 4.4 time faults to finish just outside top 10.
Graf Landlord did a 34.8, had one unlucky rail and one refusal on xc.

OIU21: Opposition Legacy finally got out this season and did a very accurate test but the judge seemed to think otherwise and gave him 43.9 which left me a little confused! he showjumped clear but had a little moment by the collecting ring so was given a refusal even though I was no where near the fence!! He pinged around xc adding 10.8 to finish 11th.

Tuesday 15th April 2008

Next stop was Ebbesbourne Wake, we had to re-route here after Sapey was cancelled. Vancouver and Its a boy were making their debuts.
Its a boy did a lovely test to score 24.8, he jumped double clear but found the bottomless going very difficult so added lots of time.
Vancouver also went well to score 30.0 in the dressage, a spook at the double in the showjumping meant 2 fences down, but he jumped a steady clear xc.

Sunday 13th April 2008

Off to Belton today with Rayef for the Advanced uder 25. He warmed up really well and apart from a couple of mistakes in the arena he did a nice test to score 30.4 and leave him 3rd after dressage. One pole rolld in showjumping after he made up too much ground in a related distance. The xc was the biggest he has ever faced and due to him missing a run the week before we took some long routes and had 27.6 time penalties, this was still good enough for 4th.

Sunday 16th March 2008

Yesterday we headed off to Lincoln for the first Young Rider Trial (OIU21)
Rayef and Romany Campfire had day before dressage, Romany Campfire was a little tense at the start of the test so had a score of 37.8
Rayef was fantastic, he was really listening and moving very well. He came out with a 28.3 which left him 5 marks in the lead.
We stayed over and it rained all night. In the showjumping, there was lying water and it was like jumping a water jump on the cross country!
Rayef was jumping really nicely until I took one check too many into an upright and had it down.
Romany Campfire didn't really like the ground and had a refusal at fence 4, then had one down but added alot of time. We decided to withdraw him from the cross country.
Rayef was still in the lead and flew around the cross country like a machine, he felt really confident and made the time.
So win number 3 for 2008!

Sunday 9th March 2008

A very early start this morning as Jitterbug was showjumping at 8.30am!!
Both horses jumped lovely double clears with Graf Landlord adding 1.2 time faults, Jitterbug won and Graf Landlord was 8th.
I also had Molly Lakin's new horse, Romany Campfire, competing in the Open Novice. He was a little excited about being out and was a little fresh in his test but still managed 31.4, he copied the trend of jumping double clear and finished in 3rd.
So two wins from my first event has got the season off to a good start...lets just hope it lasts the whole season!!

Saturday 8th March 2008

Back to Tweseldown again today, Rayef was competing in the Open Intermediate. He was very good in the dressage, just making a couple of mistakes due to being a little bit 'rusty'!
He tried really hard in the showjumping and I was chuffed that he jumped clear, as this time last year he was a bit naughty!
He was fab cross country apart from being a little keen!! I had to take it steady because he was quite strong!
He added 13 time faults to a 31.7 test to finish 7th in a very tough section, full of Badminton-bound horses!
Jitterbug and Graf Landlord had day before dressage in the Novice.
Jitterbug was fantastic and scored 28.6, Graf Landlord broke a few times and found the uneven ground difficult to gain his balance and scored 38.1.

Friday 7th March 2008 - OFF AT LAST!

Finally we made it to our first event!!

We were at Tweseldown doing Pre-Novices.
I was riding Sonny Day and More Luck for Wills Goodhew, Kate for Sam Sandberg and Dumbleton.
Sonny Day kicked off with a nice dressage to score 28.6, unfortunately he wasn't himself in the shoowjumping and had a refusal and a fence down, also adding 5 time. Due to this being very out of character we decided to withdraw him from the xc!
Kate was next and another lovely test scoring 27.6 and a double clear meant I had my first winner of 2008!
More Luck also did a good test until the final halt where he decided to wave at the judge!!! But still managed to score 31.0, he jumped double clear and added 2 time faults on xc to finish 7th.
Dumbleton found the uneven ground in the dressage a bit off-putting and broke into canter a couple of times and scored 37.1, he also jumped a fab double clear and finished just outside top 10.

Tuesday 26th February 2008

We had the JAS final yesterday at Addington Manor. I had a lot of horses qualified but unfortunately you are only allowed 2 horses in each class which made chosing very difficult!
In the Pre-Novice I had Vancouver and Its Gold.
They both found the whole experience a little daunting with Its Gold having a look at the solid xc fence but then jumping clear the rest of the way, and Vancouver spooked at a banner and missed the turn into the corner. However I was really pleased with them both and hope they will have learnt a lot.
Jitterbug was first to go in the Novice and she added 4 time faults (very annoying as I have a 5 second penalty for being in the top 100!) nevertheless she finished 3rd.
On Graf Lanlord I decided it was all or nothing and really went for the time but unfortunately had one down. He finished just outside the top 10.
In the Open Graf Landlord had a glance off at what proved to be the bogey fence, a treble of arrowheads on the turn.
Jitterbug had a fence down in both the sj and xc sections, adding 4 time she just missed out of the top 10.

Monday 18th February 2008

Yesterday we went back to Hartpury College for another JAS.
Vancouver only added time penalties in the Pre-Novice to finish 4th, and in the Novice he got a bot excited so I only took him steady and he had one down in the xc section.
Its Gold had made a huge improvement from last week and added a few time penalties in both the Pre-Novice and Novice, he ended up 5th in the Pre-Novice and 4th in the Novice.
Jimmy Macc had a couple down in the Pre-Novice but jumped a lovely double clear in the Novice adding a few time faults to finish 9th.
Graf Landlord was very good and a double clear in the Novice and just one down in the Open meant he ended up winning Novice and 3rd in the Open.
Calliaghstown Drifter showjumped very well in the Novice but made a couple of errors in the xc.
Jitterbug jumped fabulous bouble clear in the Open to finish 2nd.

Saturday 9th February 2008

Yesterday we had another JAS competition, this time at West Wilts. Its Gold (a 5yo chestnut gelding owned by myself and Sarah Hancox) was having his first outing. In the intro he had a look at the first fence and then popped round very sweetly.
In the Pre-Novice I was pleased with how much he had improved from the first round, he just had one fence down and a few time penalties.
Jimmy Macc (a 6yo bay gelding owned by Pella Goodhew) was also having his first outing over coloured poles, he just added 1 time fault in the Pre-Novice and one fence down and time in the Novice.
Vancouver had a pole down in the Pre-Novice but jumped a fantastic double clear to win the Novice.
Sonny Day (a 6yo owned by Pella Goodhew) had one down in the Pre-Novice to finish 7th and a couple down in the Novice with a few time faults.
Dumbleton had the first part of the bounce down to finish 9th in the Novice.
Graf Lanlord also had the bounce down but a better style mark left him in 3rd, in the Open Intermediate he had a fence down and finished in 10th.
Jitterbug went double clear and finished 2nd in the Open.

Monday 4th February 2008

Yesterday we headed off for another JAS competition, this time at Hartpury College.

Vancouver ( a 6yo dutch gelding owned by myself) was making his debut, I also had Schnoodle Madhu, Jitterbug and Graf Landlord there.

In the Pre-Novice Vancouver was a little overwhelmed at being in a big arena with flags and banners so came around to the first fence and was shocked that he was there to jump! A refusal at the first and then a baby mistake at the corner left him out of the placings.

In the Novice Vancouver flew straight round with a double clear, just adding 4 time faults.
Jitterbug was next and she was good, just got a bit quick into one of the xc fences so had it down, but she didn't incurr any time.
Schnoodle Madhu jumped alot better than at Solihull and again just got a bit onwards on the xc and had 2 down but no time.
Graf Landlord was excellent and did double clear just adding 1 time fault.
The end results were Graf Landlord 4th, Jitterbug 5th, Vancouver 6th and Schnoodle Madhu just outside top 10.

Graf Landlord started the Open Intermediate with just 1 down in the SJ phase and clear XC.
Schnoodle Madhu had one down in the XC and added 1 time fault.
Jitterbug was last to go and absolutely flew around leaving everything up and going fast enough!

Jitterbug was 1st, Graf Landlord 3rd and Schnoodle Madhu 9th.

Monday 28th January 2008

Yesterday we had our first competition of 2008.
We were at Solihull doing JAS.
In the Novice I had Calliaghstown Drifter, Dumbleton, Schnoodle Madhu (Charlie Knapp owns this mare and I am just riding her while he concentrates on exams!) and Jitterbug.

Calliaghstown Drifter was a little fresh and was running at his fences so had 3 down in SJ phase, he then had a run out at the corner so finished down the order.
Dumbleton was very good and seemed to really enjoy it, he just had second part of the bounce down on XC but finished 3rd.
Schnoodle Madhu had one fence down in SJ and XC and finished just outside top 10.
Jitterbug was last to go and was a star, clear all the way and won!

In the open Schnoodle Madhu had one fence down in each but jumped really well and just needs to settle down a bit.
Jitterbug unfortunately had the second part of the down as she jumped in a bit big, she still managed to finish 4th.

All in all a good start to the season!

Friday 23rd November 2007

I have recently been informed that I have been voted by the British Equestrian Writiers' Association as the winner of the Cynthia Muir Trophy.
This trophy is annually awarded to the most outstanding rider of the year who is under 18years old.
I am very honoured to have won this award and look forward to recieving it at Olympia on Wednesday 19th December!
Many thanks to everyone who voted for me...

Sunday 11th November 2007

Having arrived back off a much needed holiday last Tuesday, I was refreshed and more importantly tanned for the British Eventing Ball held at the National Motorcycle Museum, last night.
The theme was James Bond style so myself, Georgie Spence and Libby Soley went in bikini's with Mens white shirts and belts over top...it goes without saying that we won the prize for the best dressed!!! We did however change into our dresses for the awards ceremony!!
I won the Hubert Allfrey trophy, the following paragraph was read out as I went up to collect my award....

\\\" The Hubert Allfrey Trophy, for the highest placed British competitor in the Junior European Championships, was awarded to Laura Collett. In a repeat of last year, Laura became the first British rider to retain a Junior European title. Riding Jason Houghton's Rayef, Laura led the competition from start to finish - adding nothing to a dressage score of 35.5. Team and Individual Gold this year, bring her European medal haul to six - not bad for a 17 year old at only her third Championships!\\\"

Sunday 14th October 2007

Four rides at Broadway today, all in the Novice.
Ellenborough Colour Contrast started the day with a 34.8 dressage, just adding 8 time penalties to finish just outside the top 10.
I then rode Kilnascully for Wills Goodhew who couldn't make it to ride, I have never competed him before so was really pleased when he finished 4th after a 33.3 dressage 2 poles down SJ and clear cross country.
It was also my first run on Horus De Ligniere (owned by Francessca Ludlam) he was super cool and added 2 time penalties to 33.8 dressage to finish in 3rd.
To complete my year I had Calliaghstown Drifter doing his first Novice, he did a really nice test to score 28.1 and jumped a fab double clear, he got quite strong running down the hill so I had to take one pull too many and got 9.2 time penalties to finish 0.1 points behind the winner!

Saturday 13th October 2007

Last weekend of eventing this season and it is our local event at Broadway, today I was just riding Kate for Sam Sandberg in the Pre-Novice, she had the perfect end to the season with a double clear to finish on an excellent score of 23.

Friday 12th October 2007

Back to Tweseldown today, this time Jitterbug and Hector were running in the intermediate.
It was Jitterbug's first Intermediate and after a 38.1 dressage she jumped an immaculate double clear with 15.6 time penalties to leave her in 8th place.
Mercator Du Ry scored 34.8 in the dressage, SJ clear and unfortunately jumped too big over the first corner so had a glance off at the second.

Tuesday 9th October 2007

PAVO Championships at Tweseldown today. Graf Lanlord is in the 6yo final whilst Calliaghstown Drifter and Dumbleton are in the 5yo.
Calliaghstown Drifter did a nice test to score 32.1, had the first fence down SJ and clear cross country.
Dumbleton finished on his dressage score of 31.7 to leave him just outside the top 15.
Graf Landlord did a nice test to score 33.8, rolled a pole in the showjumping and had an annoying 2 stops early on the cross country.

Sunday 30th September 2007

Charlton Park again!!! This time we had Ellenborough Colour Contrast doing his first Novice and Mercator Du Ry in the Intermadiate-Novice.
Ellenborough Colour Contrast did an OK test to get 36.7, rolled one pole in the SJ and flew around the cross country just adding 10.4 time penalties to leave him just outside the top 10.
Mercator Du Ry finished off the weekend with a super double clear adding 2.4 time penalties to a 33.3 dressage.

Saturday 29th September 2007

Back at Charlton Park this time with Jitterbug (owned by Libby Soley having her first run back since April this year, she has been showjumping all summer.) and Graf Landlord. They were both in Novice sections.
Jitterbug did a very flashy test to score 24.8, a lovely double clear with 7.2 time faults, due to her lack of canter work!!! Still good enough for 3rd place!
Graf Landlord was a bit flat in the dressage so didn't do his best test, 37.6, a lovely clear SJ but unfortunately 2 stops on the cross country put him out of any placings.

Friday 28th September 2007

We had 3 horses at Charlton Park today, Dumbleton, Kate and Calliaghstown Drifter were all in the Pre-Novice.
Kate did a 33.3 dressage, rolled a pole SJ and had a green mistake on the cross country incurring 20 penalties.
Dumbleton did a very smart test to score 26.2 and jumped clear in both phases but he had to be H.C. as he has too many points for Pre-Novice.
Calliaghstown Drifter was very good and finished on his dressage score of 33.8 for 6th place.

Wednesday 26th September 2007

Yesterday was not a normal outing in the horsebox...we went to Lea Valley Riding Centre, London!
Lea Valley Riding Centre is very close to the equestrian site for the London 2012 Olympics.
It was the launch of 'Equestrian Team GBR', I had been asked to bring a horse to do a display for the press to give them an insight into the eventing part of 'Equestrian Team GBR' which consists of the four equestrian related Olympic sports..Eventing, Showjumping, Dressage and Para-dressage.
William Fox-Pitt was doing the lecture whilst I rode. I decided to take CALLIAGHSTOWN DRIFTER (5yo) he behaved perfectly and posed very well for all the photo-shoots.
The aim of the launch was to gain sponsorship for 'Equestrian Team GBR', so fingers crossed yesterday was successful!!!

Saturday 22nd September 2007

When the results of the cross country came out I had initially been given a refusal but on checking with the fence judge it was clear I had done nothing wrong so the results were modified to show I had finished the cross country in 9th place.
This improved my overall position to 10th. Nicolas Touzaint moved back up to win in front of his home crowd. Clayton Fredericks was 2nd and Britain's Matthew Wright 3rd.

Friday 21st September 2007

The Show Jumping took place this afternoon and was , also, run under different rules to normal events. It was all done on time with 4 secs. added for every fence down.
Rayef was jumping fabulously but I took a chance on galloping to the final fence and unfortunately had it down. Even with the 4 sec. penalty we still finished 13th in the jumping. The points for this phase were doubled so I had 26 to add to my 13 from yesterday. This puts me in 12th position overall with the cross country to come tomorrow.

Thursday 20th September 2007

Today was Dressage in Deauville and I was up against some of the top riders in the world. In this competition each phase is placed with the leader getting 1 point and so on. Clayton Federicks is in the lead on 1 point with Nicolas Touzaint (the new European Champion) second.
Rayef made a couple of mistakes but I was pleased to finish 13th. This means I carry over 13 points to tomorrows show jumping which is in reverse order.

Sunday 16th September 2007

As we arrived I looked at the scoreboards and Rayef was still in the lead in the CIC** section.
When I walked the course I made the decision to withdraw Mercator Du Ry as this was his first ** and it was very technical and was causing alot of problems.
Rayef set out on the cross country and felt like a machine...he was flying and none of the combinations seemed to cause him any problems! He was clear inside the time and kept hold of his lead.
The showjumping was in reverse order so I had to wait until 5pm to jump. I had one fence in hand but Rayef didn't need it...he jumped an immaculate clear and won the CIC**.
He is off to Deuville, (France) to compete in his first ever CIC*** so fingers crossed we have a repeat of this weekend!

Friday 14th September 2007

We were at Gatcombe Park international horse trials today. I was riding Rockin' Robin for Marina Lawson-Smith, he was in the Novice section. He was warming up very nicely and parts of his test were lovely but he spooked at the flower pots every time he went past 'A' which lost valuable marks. Still gaining a 34.8 he added 4penalties after rolling a pole in the showjumping and then flew around the cross country to get an 8th place. (I frustratingly found out afterwards that he would have won had it not been for the fence down!!)
I also had Rayef and Mercator Du Ry in the CIC**. They just had day before dressage as there were too many competitors in this section. Mercator Du Ry was rather fresh and found having the showjumping and cross country the other side of the hedge rather distracting, and so he didn't listen and got a 62.4.
Rayef on the other hand seems to have clicked into gear (touch wood) having started off the year being fresh and spooky in his dressage. He went beautifully and went into the lead on a 40.2.
There is another day of dressage tomorrow and then back to jump on Sunday....

Thursday 13th September 2007

Back to Purston Manor, this time with Graf Landlord competing in the PAVO 6yo section. He behaved very nicely in the dressage to get a mark of 31.4, he had a clean sheet from the showjumping and cross country to finish on his dressage score and give him his first win of his career and also a qualification for the PAVO Championships.

Wednesday 12th September 2007

Today we were at Purston with Dumbleton and Calliaghstown drifter competing in the PAVO 5yo section.
Calliaghstown Drifter did a nice 31.9 dressage test. He jumped a fab double clear to get 5th place in his section.
Dumbleton was back on form and finished on his 26.7 dressage score which was good enough for him to win. He has now qualified for the PAVO final along with Calliaghstown Drifter and Donnie Darko.

Sunday 9th September 2007

Today we were at Blenheim Horse Trials, the Pony, Junior and Young Rider teams were parading in the main arena. I took Rayef who lapped up the attention!
Hopefully next year I will be competing in the CCI*** here.

Saturday 8th September 2007

Today we had Calliaghstown Drifter and Donnie Darko competing in the PAVO 5yo section at West Wilts.
Donnie Darko did a lovely 26.2 dressage test, he kept a clean sheet to finish in 3rd place.
Calliaghstown Drifter did a stunning test to score 21.9, he too kept a clean sheet and ended equal 1st but he was further away from the optimum time than the other person so had to settle for 2nd!
Both horses have now qualified for the PAVO final.

Monday 3rd September 2007

Rayef was having his first run back since Europeans in the Open Intermediate and Mercator Du Ry was in the Intermediate at Cleobury Mortimer.
Rayef did a stunning 25.2 dressage, just slipped on take off into one fence and had it down, he was amazing cross country and just picked up 5.2 time penalties and 5th place.
Mercator Du Ry did a 31.4 dressage, had one fence down in the showjumping and was clear cross country but he slipped badly between fence 4 and 5 so I took the longer route and then went steady to pick up 32 time faults but was still only just outside the top 10.

Sunday 2nd September 2007

Back at Goring today, this time Wee Preferido was in the Junior Open Novice, Dumbleton in the Open Novice and Graf Landlord in the Intermediate-Novice (under 21)
Wee Preferido got 33.5 for his dressage, had an unlucky rail down in the showjumping and was a machine cross country. He ended up 3rd.
Dumbleton did a 36.2 dressage, clear in the showjumping but wasn't quite clicked into gear and picked up 20penalties at a drop down at fence 4.
Graf Landlord was doing his first Intermadite dressage test and showjumping, he coped very well with the step up and got 33.3 for his test and did a beautiful clear in the showjumping. He gave me an awesome ride cross country and just picked up 7.2 time penalties to finish in 6th place.

Saturday 1st September 2007

Ellenborough Colour Contrast, Kate, Donnie Darko and Calliaghstown Drifter (making his debut) were all in the Pre-Novice at Goring Heath.
Donnie Darko did a fantastic 27.5 in the dressage, jumped double clear to finish in 3rd place.
Ellenborough Colour Contrast was a bit backwards in his dressage and only got 37, he had one fence down and then went clear cross country.
Kate did a nice 33.5 dressage, unforunately got a little flat in the showjumping and had two fences down, but again flew around the cross country to just miss out on a placing.
Calliaghstown Drifter is a 5year old from Ireland owned by Mary Hambro, he was at his first competition. He made a couple of baby errors in the dressage but still managed to score 32, then followed that with a lovely double clear and a win! Definitely one to watch for the future!

Monday 27th August 2007

It was eventing at Spring Hill today which is just 10minutes down the road...Lovely!
Dumbleton and Graf Landlord were competing in the 5 and 6yo Novice section, and Mercator Du Ry in the Intermediate.
Mercator Du Ry was a little lazy in his dressage so didn't do his best test, 34.8. He jumped a fab double clear but added 16 time faults to finich juct outside the top 10.
Graf Landlord did a nict test, just losing concentration in parts, he got 34.3, also jumped a lovely double clear, adding 5.2 time faults which left him in 6th place.
Dumbleton scored 31.4, showjumped clear and was flying around the cross country until he jumped a little too large over the ditch and ran past the brush one stride after. He turned around and jumped through it perfectly but picked up 20penalties and time faults.

Sunday 26th August 2007

We were competing at Milton Keynes with Stanway and Ellenborough Colour Contrast.
Both did very nice tests. Stanway got 32 and Ellenborough Colour Contrast 31.
Stanway had one fence down, clear cross country to finish 3rd.
Ellenborugh Colour Contrast flew round both the showjumping and cross country to pick up a 3rd placing as well!

Wednesday 15th August 2007

Back to Sapey, this time with 3 Pre-Novices. Ellenborough Colour Contrast was having his first run in a couple of years, Stanway was at his first event back since racing and Kate was making her eventing debut!
Stanway was very tense in his dressage and scored 43 but did a lovely double clear, feeling very happy and confident.
Ellenborough Colour Contrast got 29.1, followed with a double clear and a 5th placing.
Kate is only 5 years old and at her first competition, but acted as though she had been doing it all her life! She behaved perfectly in the arena and got 31.5, making it a day of double clears she finished on her dressage score to finish 3rd.

Tuesday 14th August 2007

Today we were at Sapey, Dumbleton, and Graf Landlord were doing the Novice and Wee Preferido was in the Open Novice.
Dumbleton started the day with a very nice 29.1 dressage test, followed with a clear in the showjumping. Unfortunately he was a little out of character and had two stopd on the cross country course dropping him out of the placings.
Graf Landlord did an average test, clear showjumping and then seemed to be suffering from not having had an outing in a while and made a baby mistake at one of the fences which left me one side and him the other!! I retired him and decided to go cross country schooling before his next event.
I was having my first run on Wee Preferido, he is a little New Zealand thoroughbred who I am competing and then selling on for his owner. He did a good test to get 32.4, just had one down and then flew around the cross country just picking up 4.8 time penalties which left him just outside the top 10.

Sunday 5th August 2007

Another very hot day and the competition was hotting up as well. Marina Lawson-Smith was the first of the team with counting scores to go and set a high standard by going clear. Emily Llewellyn who was in 5th place went next and also went clear. Mistakes by the next 2 riders moved Emily upto the BRONZE medal position. Germany went clear for silver so I knew I could not afford a fence down
Rayef was brilliant and we went clear just inside the time. It was a dream come true...DOUBLE GOLD!!

Saturday 4th August 2007

It has been a very hot day in Avenches, I was the last of the team to go cross country. Harry had had a run out at a corner so the instructions were to take the longer alternative as the time was still obtainable. Marina and Emily both had fantatsic rounds not adding anything to their dressage scores.
Then it was my turn and Rayef was in fine form givng me a lovely ride so that I was also clear inside the time.
This leaves the team and myself still in gold medal positions but with no room for errors it is going to be a very tense day tomorrow.

Friday 3rd August 2007

The second day of dressage was held in sunny conditiions . Yesterday Harry Dzenis had a score of 55.5 and Marina Lawson-Smith did a good test to score 45.0. First to go for the team today was Emily Lewellyn who did a lovely test to take the lead at that point with a 38.6.
I was the last but one competitor to go and Rayef held himself together wonderfully despite there being a real atmosphere around the arena.My score of 35.5 has put me in the lead by just 0.2 after the dressage phase. The team are also in gold medal position by 2.2 from Sweden in silver and the Germans in bronze.
In the individual Emily, is in 5th, Marina 11th and Harry 40th. Ourtwo individual riders are Fergus Payne in 37th and Rosie Stewart in 41st.
It is now all fingers crossed for cross country tomorrow.

Thursday 2nd August 2007

All horses successfully passed trot up yesterday. Last night we were taken into Avenches by horse drawn carriage It was a national holiday in Switzerland yesterdy and there were a lot of fireworks and festivities.
Today started with thunderstorms I hope its better for our dressage later.

Sunday 29th July 2007

We have been at final training with Gill Watson this week, we only took Rayef as the horses had to leave from there. The training went well, and all the horses seem to be working nicely.
We had a jump, went to some gallops for final piece of work and rode through the dressage test.
Before the team was decided all the horses did a final trot up.
All seemed ok and then the team and individual places were awarded... Fergus Payne and Rosie Stewart are running as individuals. Harry Dzenis, Marina Lawson-Smith, Emily Llewllyn and me are on the team!

Friday 20th July 2007 - NEW EMAIL ADDRESS

If you are wanting to contact me via email, the new address is... Lauracollett@hotmail.co.uk

Friday 20th July 2007

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN! This is all that seems to have happened today! We were at Aston and managed to do one dressage test before the event was abandoned! Next stop are the Junior European Championships in Avenches, Switzerland!
I am aiming to retain my title and hopefully the team can go one better and get team gold aswell!
I will keep you updated with daily reports...fingers crossed Rayef can repeat Sox's performance from last year!

Thursday 19th July 2007

Last weekend we made the long trip to Brightling.
Graf Landlord was competing in the Open Novice, he has missed alot of runs aswell and was a little bit rusty in the dressage but still got a 34.3, he jumped a great double clear, making nothing of the cross country. He jsut picked up 6.8 time penalties, he finished on the same score as the winner but had to settle for 2nd due to the other competitor being closer the optimum time!
Opposition Legacy was in the CIC**, he did a fab test in very deep going! He lay 4th after dressage on 46.5, unfortunately he wasn't feeling quite right on the cross country so I retired him..he had a kick on his leg a couple of weeks ago and was obviously just feeling a bit sore on it still.
Mercator Du Ry had stepped up a level again having gained some more experience at Novice level. He was in the OIU21 section which ran in the Open Intermediate section. He did his normal lovely test to get a 27.1. The showjumping was causing mayhem, but he loved the bigger track and pinged round leaving all the jumps up! Only 3 other clears out of the whole section!
On the cross country he was clicked into gear and made nothing of it coming him with 4.4 time penalties. He ended up 2nd overall and the clear winner of the U21 section!

Thursday 19th July 2007

The BBC are due to show the interview & footage they took of me on the Midlands News tonight between 6.30 and 7.00.

Friday 13th July 2007

Yesterday we had 4 Pre-Novices running at Upton House. These were Fine World, Stanway, Donnie Darko and More Luck.
More Luck kicked off the day with an ok test of 36.0, he just rolled one pole in the showjumping but flew around the cross country to pick up a 9th placing.
Donnie Darko was making his debut and with the BBC chosing to film him, the pressure was on!!! He did a very nice test considering he has never been in an arena before! He got 33.5, in the showjumping he was a little flat as he had been at world class training the previous 2 days! So 2 fences hit the floor. He was a real baby on the cross country but was very honest and once he'd taken his time to have a look, he popped straight over everything, he appears to have the right brain and I think he will be one to watch in a couple of years! He picked up 6.4 time and finished just outside the top 10.
Fine World did a lovely test but only got 36.0 which was slightly disappointing! He jumped a super clear in the showjumping, he wasn't really clicked into gear on the cross country having missed lots of runs due to the weather, so he had an early refusal but then got back into it and was flying at the end of the course. He has now been sold to Thomas Windsor-Clive and I am thrilled to hear he did his first event at the weekend and got 29.5 double clear to finish 4th..fantastic!
Stanway was having his first run back since going back racing. He did a nice test and got 35.5, was a little green in the showjumping and had a stop and a pole down but then he flew around the cross country.

Wednesday 11th July 2007

The BBC were unable to complete their filming with the abandonment of Salperton but its fingers crossed for Upton House on Thursday.I have 4 rides so am hopeful they will get some good footage.

Monday 9th July 2007

Last weekend was the Final Trial for the Junior European Championships, held at the fabulous venue of Barbury Castle.
The 12 shortlisted juniors were lucky enough to perform their dressage test in the main arena. We did the CCI* test which is what we have to do at the Europeans.
First in was Opposition Legacy, he had found the warm up very exciting as the cross country ran along side it! But he did manage to keep calm in the arena, it wasn't his best test because he was still a little tense! He came out with a 54.3. The jumping ran over the Novice course, he did an immaculate double clear to finish on his dressage score which was good enough for 5th place.
Rayef had to have quite alot of work but when he went in the arena he rose to the occasion and performed his best ever test scoring 34.3 and leading the dressage by 7 marks! With a change of bit for the showjumping, he jumped an awesome clear and flew around the cross country finding the Novice course rather too easy! He won by a massive 18 penalties...lets just hope he can repeat that performance out at the Europeans in Switzerland!!!

Monday 25th June 2007

At the weekend we were at the local venue of Salperton Park.
Unfortunately due to the weather they were only able to run the first day, so Rayef and Dumbleton were the only two of my rides that got a run.
Rayef was in the Advanced-Intermediate, he was very fresh and found the ground conditions testing. He managed to hold it together in the dressage for a mark of 32.2, however in the showjumping he got very strong and had 4 fences down due to lack of concentration...new bit is definitely needed!!! He did make up for it on the cross country, with a fantastic clear.
Dumbleton was in the Novice, he was very well behaved and got a 31.9 in the dressage. Just got stuck in the mud at one parallel so took the back bar down, and was very good cross country, just picking up 7.6 time faults to finish 6th.

Friday 22nd June 2007

A morning with a difference,torrential rain greeted the arrival of the sports news team from BBC Midlands TV who are filming a feature on me to be shown on BBC Midlands news.Dan Pallett the Sports Presenter interviewed and filmed me working in the yard,riding Rayef on the gallops and then my dressage lesson with Nick Burton where I rode Mercator Du Ry .Thankfully the rain had stopped by the time we went out on to the gallops.

The BBC are filming again at Salperton on Sunday when I hope the sun shines.

Wednesday 20th June 2007

This weekend we travelled to Longleat. Mercator Du Ry was competing in the novice, Opposition Legacy in the Open Intermediate and Rayef in the CIC**. Mercator Du Ry kicked off on Saturday afternoon with a nice dressage test with a score of 29.1, he followed this with a fantastic double clear inside the time and had his first WIN!!!!!
Opposition Legacy also did a good test scoring 28.6, he was a bit flat in the showjumping after having to wait due to them running late, so he ended up having 2 fences down. On the cross country he was flying and went clear with just 4 time faults finishing in 5th place.
Rayef did a fab test leading after the dressage on a score of 43.7, he just tipped one pole in the showjumping, we were just about to set out on the cross country when we got held, we had to walk around for 15 mins so he had switched off, when we eventually jumped off out the start box he hung to the collecting ring which wasted alot of time, so adding 13.2 time faults ending 3rd by 0.9 which was rather frustrating!!!

Friday 15th June 2007

On Wednesday we travelled down the road to West Wilts. I had rather a quiet day with just 2 horses competing!
Fine World was doing a pre-novice and Mercator Du Ry was running in a novice!
Fine World coped very well with the distraction of having a hedge-cutter the other side of the hedge to where he was performing his dressage test...infact i think it gave him that bit of elevation as he did a stunning test to gain a 20.0! Clear in the showjumping and a flying round cross country secured him a win!!
Mercator Du Ry didn't cope so well with his distraction of tarmac being layed the other side of the hedge for his test, he made a few spooky mistakes but still scored 35.5. A lovely double clear but unfortunately we had a down pour just as we started cross country and the ground got rather too slippy, causing us to have a tip up on the flat! So an unlucky 18 time faults prevented him from a prize!

Tuesday 12th June 2007

At the weekend we had our local event at Great Tew.
Saturday was pre-novice day, I had More Luck, Bonvalley Lad and Rockin' Robin (owned by Marina Lawson-Smith).
More Luck did a 36.0 dressage, just being a little tense. He showjumped a lovely clear but unfortunately picked up 20 penalties on the cross country after jumping off the bank and not turning to the skinny!
Bonvalley Lad was very green through his dressage so got a mark of 42.5, he just had the last fence down showjumping and then flew round the cross country!
Rockin' Robin was having a run whilst his jockey was doing the dreaded GCSE's! He did a nice test to get 34.0 and jumped a super double clear at only his second event! He picked up a 6th rosette!
On Sunday we had the Novices...Spring Melody (also having a run whilst her jockey was doing exams!) Dumbleton and Graf Landlord (previously named Curious George)
Spring Melody did a really nice test to get a 29.1 a double clear inside the time meant she took 2nd place.
Graf Landlord had got rather upset with having a tail bandage on to be warmed up so had got rather stressed before his test, he still did an OK test to get a 34.5, 2 poles down showjumping due to spookiness at the treble and then I took him steady cross country to pick up 6.4 time faults.
Dumbleton was the dressage star, he got a 10 for his centre line, a handful of 8's and 9's to finish on a score of 24.8! Unfortunately he just rolled a pole showjumping and then after my tumble on him at his last event I didn't run him too fast cross country, just picking up 4.8 time faults, still good enough to finish 6th.

Tuesday 12th June 2007 - UPS and DOWNS!

We all know that with horses we have highs and lows, unforunately this week I have experienced a 'low'! Fernhill Sox had been having a little break after his successful CIC*** debut at Chatsworth, he was obviously enjoying himself and whilst having a gallop round in the field he must have knocked into himself. Jenny Hall came out to investigate and unfortunately he will have to have the rest of this season off.
On the 'up' side of things he will be raring to go for next year!

Monday 28th May 2007

Yesterday both horses passed the final trot up. Opposition Legacy showjumped first, he did a super clear to finish on his dressage score and move up to 7th place.
By the time Rayef jumped the rain had made the take-offs and landings very sticky, he was jumping out of his skin and was very unlucky just to have the middle part of the treble down. With few clear rounds he still managed to complete in 8th place....This was his first CCI** so I was chuffed with the way he went, making it feel very easy!
It was a very long journey home but having been placed on all my horses it was well worth it!!
Opposition Legacy and Rayef have both come out of it really well and are spending the day in the field!!

Saturday 26th May 2007

I was really pleased with all my rides today. On the cross country both Opposition Legacy and Rayef went clear within the time and have moved up the leader board. Opposition Legacy is now in 10th place in the CCI* and Rayef has moved up to 6th in the CCI**.
There were over 100 horses In the Novice Eventers Grand Prix
so I was very happy with Dumbleton's 7th after he had finished 3rd in the BYEH qualifier yesterday.It was then Curious George's turn and he went really well to end in 3rd.
Tomorrow is the show jumping and then the long journey home.

Friday 25th May 2007

After the 2nd day of dressage Opposition Legacy is in 12th place in the CCI* and Rayef is in 13th place in the CCI**.
Tomorrow is a busy day with them both going cross country.
In the afternoon I have Dumbleton and Curious George jumping in the Novice Eventers Grand Prix.

Thursday 24th May 2007

The wonderful weather has made it a good start for the new venue at Houghton Hall. I am very impressed with the lovely setting and the excellent facilities here.
Opposition Legacy did his dressage today and despite being upset by some ducks in his warm up he managed to get 46.8 and be in 5th place after the first day's dressage. I have walked the cross country course today and it looks challenging but fair.
I was flattered by the article in todays Horse & Hound under the 'Natural Born Winners' feature. To be mentioned in the same article as John Whitaker, Mark Todd and Carl Hester is high praise and I would like to thank William Fox-Pitt for his very kind remarks about my ability.

Sunday 20th May 2007

On Friday we were at Mattingley. I have never been before but it was a lovely event that had a really nice atmosphere and brilliantly designed courses. We had 3 horses there, Mercator Du Ry was in the Intermediat-Novice, Curious George in the Open Novice and Dumbleton in the Novice.
The Intermediate-Novice was being run as a pre-Houghton run so the organsiers had decided to use the CCI** dressage test and showjump after cross country. So Mercator Du Ry had his first attempt at the ** test, he was very good just getting confused with traver and the pirrouettes! He got a mark of 37.5. On the xc he was on top form and flew round this time managing to get inside the optimum time...something which he has been struggling with this year!!!!!! As I was pleased with the way he jumped I decided to withdraw him as I didn't want him to learn to get flat in the showjumping as he is still quite inexperienced and sj after xc might have confused him!
Curious George was having his second Novice outing, he did a stunning dressage test and got a 27.6, just had one down in the showjumping where he ran on a bit into the double! He also made nothing of the tricky xc just coming home with 2 time faults to finish 2nd (unfortunately one second faster and he would have won...maybe next time!!!) I was thoroughly pleased as my Grandparents and Pennwood Saddle company have bought him for me and it was his first run with them as new owners!
Dumbleton was also having his second Novice run. He did an average test to get 35.7, a super clear showjumping. On the xc he was flying until he came to water, a roll top down a slope into water, in mid-air over the roll top he saw the water and tried to put down, unfortunately he wasn't quite over and his knees hit the fence and he tipped me out the saddle. After being checked over by the doctor I got back on and finished the course. He is only 5 and still very inexperienced but hopefully a few xc schools and he will be back to his normal self!
Next stop is Houghton Hall three day event. Rayef tackles his first CCI**, Opposition Legacy is in the CCI*, Curious George and Dumbleton are going to do the Novice Eventers Grand Prix, with Dumbleton also doing the Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier!

Wednesday 16th May 2007

Last weekend we had a trip to Chatsworth. On Saturday Dumbleton was having his first Novice run, he did a very sweet test just losing a few marks for his medium trots which aren't quite established! But he still managed to get a 30.0, the showjumping was in the main arena and he seemed to rise to the occasion and jumped a fab clear. On the xc he was a little green through the first water complex but then seemed to click into gear and flew through the next water and finished the course with 10 time faults and just missed out on a top 10 placing!
Fernhill Sox was having a crack at his first CIC***. His dressage wasn't brilliant as something seemed to be bothering him but still got a mark of 50.6 which was pleasing as the leader was on a score of 48.4, Sunday came and the nerves were running high, this was to be by far the biggest track I had ever tackled. In the showjumping Fernhill Sox was jumping out of his skin until coming into the treble he decided to go to the loo which meant he slightly lost his impulsion and had two elements down. On the xc he was awesome, taking all the straight routes, due the torrential rain overnight the ground had become quite slippery, so I took my time on the turns and came home with 15.6 time faults. I couldn't quite believe it when we ended up 3rd in our first ***!

Wednesday 9th May 2007

Sunday and Monday saw us travelling up to Osberton, this was a lovely venue and the ground was brilliant!!
Mercator Du Ry had dropped back a level to Novice, he did his normal good test and got a mark of 31.9, in the showjumping he decided to have a little argument about which way we were turning and then due to lack of concentration had a rail so ended with 8 jumping and 3 time faults. On the xc he found the step down very easy and flew round just adding 8 time penalties after refusing to leave the start box..he is beginning to get a little bit of attitude! He finished just outside the top 10.
Opposition Legacy and Rayef had day before dressage for the CIC**. Rayef was a little spooky but still managed to get a very respectable score of 37.2, Oppostition Legacy did a fantastic test to finish the first day on 35.1, this meant I had Opposition Legacy in the lead and Rayef in 3rd after first day of dressage!
Monday morning and Rayef showjumped first, he was jumping really well until I came to the treble and looking back on it now I think I sat a bit quiet into the treble and he knocked the fisrt two elements down, and unfortunately added one time fault.
Opposition Legacy was next and after his good dressage he seemed to be on hot springs all the way round and jumped a fantastic clear!
Rayef went xc first and it was a demanding track that had been causing a lot of trouble, Rayef popped around it like it was a pre-novice so I was chuffed to bits with him..he has his CCI** qualification now! He just added 6 time penalties (which was me being over cautious about setting him up in plenty of time!!)
Opposition Legacy was still in the lead and with a couple of people sat quite closely behind him he was as determined as me and set off on the course very determined! He absolutely flew round finishing a few seconds outside the optimum time for 3.6 time penalties. This proved to be one of the quicker rounds and he ended up winning the CIC** with Rayef 4th.
Incorporated within the CIC** was a young rider section which the boys managed to do a 1-2 in, as you can imagine we were all thoroughly pleased with our little trip to Osberton!!!!

Saturday 5th May 2007

We have had a busy couple of days. It kicked off on Wednesday at Moreton Morrell with three pre-novices...More Luck, Bonvalley Lad and Dumbleton.
More Luck had a major spook at the beginning of his test but then settled down to do a nice test, 35.0, he then followed up with a lovely double clear to finish 7th on only his second outing.
I was riding Bonvalley Lad for Nicky Gittins and having hunted all season he wasn't quite in the dressage mode so he got a mark of 40.0, also still slightly in hunting mode he had 4 fences down showjumping which was rather disappointing! But did a fab xc round.
Dumbleton finished off the first day by doing a very accurate test to gain a mark of 31.4, unfortunately he rolled a pole showjumping but clear xc meant he bought home the 2nd rosette on only his second Pre-Novice outing.
Then back to Moreton Morrell for another Pre-Novice (Fine World) and Curious George making his Novice debut.
Curioys George tried really hard in his test and got a good mark of 31.4, just had one fence down due to overjumping the fence before the double and flew around the xc, just taking it steadily because of the hard ground but he still managed to pick up a 7th placing!
Fine World found having the xc running next to the dressage arena rather exciting so was tense through his test to get a mark of 39.0. He then thought the showjumps were a little small so didn't put alot of effort into them so had 2 rails down. Xc he was flying and seeming to be thoroughly enjoying it this time, he had a slight hesitation at a drop down and was given 20penalties although he didn't actually step backwards. So all in all a good couple of days!

Sunday 22nd April 2007

Today I had Mercator Du Ry, Rayef and Opposition Legacy competing in the OIU21, this was a trial for the Junior European team.
Opposition Legacy went first and after a nice test of 33.5 he was back to his normal self in the showjumping and jumped a fab clear! On the cross country he was flying until we came to a very large bullfinch coming out of the woods...he just nipped out to the side as it was very narrow and he really didn't understand he had to brush through it, when I represented at the wider part he attempted to jump the whole thing! So he added 20penalties plus 14 time penalties.
Rayef was next and he did a lovely test so I was slightly disappionted with his mark of 33. He added 4 penalties after having a fence down showjumping. He was awesome cross country, feeling really good and finding it very easy, he added 4.4 time penalties and finshed 5th.
Mercator Du Ry did an accurate test to get a mark of 32 and lie in second place after dressage, he showjumped clear but I withdrew him from the cross country as I feel he needs to go back to Novice level for a while.

Saturday 21st April 2007

This weekend we have been at Hambleden horse trials.
On friday I had Curious George, Dumbleton, Freja and More Luck all competing in Pre-Novice sections.
Freja was doing her first event and she did a 37.4 dressage, clear showjumping but unfortunately just had a green run out cross country.
Dumbleton was also doing his first pre-novice and after being a little backwards thinking in the dressage jumped a lovely double clear to finish on his dressage score of 34.5.
Curious George followed in the footsteps of Dumbleton completing on exactly the same score...both horses ended up 2nd in their sections.
More Luck was making his eventing debut. He did a good test to get a mark of 33.3, just had one down showjumping...he found holding himself together round a whole course slightly difficult as he's still very weak!
He did a brilliant clear cross country but added 6.4 time faults...for the same reason as showjumping!

Wednesday 18th April 2007

At the weekend we were at Weston Park with Rayef and Fernhill Sox doing the OIU21 and Advanced repectively.
Rayef started off with a fantastic dressage of 20.4, unfortunately something caught his eye coming into a fence showjumping and he put down instead of taking off so we ended up in the fence! He was given a refusal so we had 4 jumping and 7 time faults. With new bits alined after falling at Somerely he flew around the cross country, adding 3.6 time faults for going too fast...turns out they had wheeled the distance too long so the time was wrong! He finished in 7th.
Fernhill Sox was tackling his second Advanced, he was doing another lovely test until he got bitten between his back legs by a horse fly, so he messed up 3 of his canter movements which spoilt the test slightly, although he still managed to get a score of 32.9.
Adding just one time fault showjumping, and 11.2 cross country time penalties. Although they had done a great job on the ground it wasn't worth wrecking his legs so we just went steady. He finished in 9th place in a very strong section cosisting mainly of Badminton-bound combinations!

Sunday 8th April 2007

Yesterday I had Fine World and Curious George making their eventing debuts at Goring Heath.
Curious George did a nice test but only got 37.0 which was slightly disappointing, however he jumped a brilliant double clear to finish 5th.
Fine World did a respectable dressage to get a 32.0, he showjumped a lovely clear but unfortunately I had to pull him cross country after he misjudged a flower box and thought it was bank, he then frightened himself by jumping the next couple of fences very awkwardly. He is fine and will go schooling to get his confidence back before his next run!

Monday 2nd April 2007

Saturday and Sunday saw us travelling up to the lovely setting of Belton Park Horse Trials.
On Saturday I had Mercator Du Ry and Opposition Legacy in the OIU21, Mercator Du Ry was first to perform, and he did a really nice test just making two mistakes but still gained a mark of 29.5 so I was very pleased. Opposition Legacy also did a good test, just a bit tense at times as it was in the main arena and there was a very loud band playing which gave it alot of atmosphere. His mark was 31.9.
Opposition Legacy didn't have the best time showjumping, he rolled the second pole and then got his legs caught in the first part of the combination meaning he couldn't jump the second part so he had a stop...very unlike him! Luckily he redeemed himself by flying round the xc and just adding time penalties.
Mercator Du Ry had two poles down, he was just being a bit laid back about the whole thing! Having been very green last weekend I was thrilled with how he coped with the tough xc course, he went clear but quite slow.
Onto Sunday and the Advanced U25 with Fernhill Sox, I walked the course in the morning and was terrified..the fences all seemed to be the same size as me!!
Fernhill Sox did a brilliant test to finish on 29.6 and have a 6 point lead...I didn't realise this until the end!
He jumped a fantastic SJ round and then it was time to go back and walk the XC again, this time with Yogi!
We set out on the course and Fernhill Sox was flying, straight routes everywhere and came home clear with just 2 time penalties. He gave me an awesome ride!
He ended up winning his first ever Advanced by 16 penalties!
SO WE HAVE OUR FIRST WINNER!!!!!!!!!!

Friday 30th March 2007

We travelled to Somerley Park Horse Trials with Rayef on Wednesday, he was entered for the CIC**. After getting stuck on the M4 and only moving one junction in 2 hours 30 mins, we finally arrived! He did a nice test in his first attempt at this level and ended on a mark of 49.8 with the leader on 46.2.
In the showjumping he was very strong and just ran through my hand in two related distances and had two rails down.
He set off for cross country very strong and when he came to a double of square boxes he took a hold and instead of taking 2 strides took one and a half, this made it a very awkward jump and with him them stumbleing on landing I got deposited out the front door, luckily both of us were just a bit bruised!
Off to Belton this weekend and getting rather nervous about Fernhill Sox attempting his first advanced!!

Monday 26th March 2007

Yesterday we were back at Gatcombe, this time competing in the Intermediate sections.
Mercator Du Ry started the day off with a 28.1 dressage, then just had one fence down. On the cross country he had a very baby moment at the double of corners and because he jumped so big over the first part, he just glanced off the second. The rest of his round was quite green but this was his first run at this level and he missed his Novice runs from Stilemans and Tweseldown so was slightly thrown in at the deep end! However I was really pleased with him and hopefully he will have come on alot ready for Belton this weekend!
Opposition Legacy was also having his first outing. Not letting his stable mate do better, he matched Mercator Du Ry's dressage score, unfortunately he had 2 fences down in the showjumping..unlucky at one and my fault at the other! He then flew around the cross country just adding time faults. He completed in 8th place.

Saturday 24th March 2007

Today I had two Novice rides at Gatcombe Park Horse Trials. These were outside rides for me, both owned by the Gittin's family.
First off was Philip, he warmed up for the dressage beautifully, but as he is quite inexperienced and his first time in a dressage arena since last July, he got rather tense. However he followed up with a fantastic double clear, inside the time.
Spring Melody was my next ride, she did a nice test, just having a couple of 'marey' moments!! Not letting the side down she also did double clear, unfortunately adding 2.8 time faults.
Philip ended 10th and Spring Melody 5th. (without her time faults she would have been 2nd!!)
This was my first competition on both horses so I was thrilled with how they went.
They are both lovely horses and gave me brilliant rides cross country.
I am now looking forward to my Intermediate rides tomorrow with Mercator Du Ry and Opposition Legacy.

Wednesday 21st March 2007

At the weekend we finally made it to an event! Saturday morning we set off to Lincoln horse trials with Fernhill Sox and Rayef.
Rayef had dressage on saturday and with high winds and the first competition he was rather fresh, so didnt produce his best test.
Sunday morning came and time to showjump with Rayef, again he was rather too excited about being at a party and unfortunately due to lack of concentration had the last fence down. So cross country next and having missed his novice run we set out a little nervous but he absolutely flew around just adding 1.6 time penalties...I was chuffed with him! He finished 5th in the OIU21, annoyingly without his fence down he would have won!
Quick change and onto Fernhill Sox for dressage. His trot work was good but as we went into canter we got caught in a hail storm...I could hardly see where I was going and Fernhill Sox could barely stay upright, so in the conditions 36.8 wasn't too bad! Fernhill Sox behaved in his usual way and jumped a lovely double clear again just adding 2 time penalties, and he ended 4th in a very strong OI section.
All in all a successful start to the year!

Tuesday 6th March 2007

Unfortunately due to the bad weather my first event of the season, Stilemans, had to be cancelled. So we re-routed to Weston Lawns on Sunday for the unaffiliated arena eventing.
I took Mercator Du Ry, Rayef and Fernhill Sox.
Mercator Du Ry competed in the Novice, he did an average test and jumped a good clear.
All three were in the Intermadiate section, all of them did good tests, slightly excited by the wind and rain! Fernhill Sox and Rayef both jumped really well, Mercator Du Ry just tipped one pole. They ended up Fernhill Sox 1st, Rayef 2nd and Mercator Du Ry 3rd...not a bad day after all!
Fernhill Sox and Rayef did an Advanced test to practise, Fernhill Sox got 33.3 and Rayef 35.2 I was really pleased with them both as this is a level up from what they are used to.

Monday 26th February 2007

Yesterday I had the final of the Jump and Style (JAS) competitions. Because the ruling states that anyone who is in the top 100 rider rankings will have a 5 second penalty, the time on the xc section became very difficult to get.

To start the day off, Curious George competed in the Pre-Novice and having just tipped off the first rail, he jumped a good round incurring a few time faults to finish just outside the top 10.
Next was Fine World, he was also in the Pre-Novice. He jumped a really good round, clear but again with time faults so he ended up 4th.
In the Novice, Fine World was going well until we came a bit quick into the bounce and took the first part down. Time faults were added but he still managed to finish a very creditable 6th.
Mercator Du Ry was next up, again in the Novice, he wasn't really switched into xc mode so he gained quite a few time faults, one rail down and with a good style mark finished just outside the top 10.
Into the Open Intermediate class and things started to heat up...Mercator Du Ry was on form in this class and jumped a fantastic double clear, a few time faults but a great style mark took him into the lead. One more round to go for me, this was the turn of Rayef, with Mercator Du Ry still in the lead I really went for it, trying to better my score, however Rayef tipped a pole when trying to get the time and ended up 7th. Luckily for me this seemed to be the fate of many other riders trying to better Mercator Du Ry's score and he came out on top.

Thankyou to all the sponsors from the JAS series, winning the Open meant a £500 training voucher, which will be well spent with Yogi Breisner...so no excuses for the season ahead!

Friday 16th February 2007

This weeks Young Rider section of the Horse & Hound features an interview with me including a picture of Dumbleton that I had not seen before.

On Sunday I am taking some of my horses to Weston Lawns for some dressage practise before the start of the outdoor season in a little over two weeks time.

Thursday 8th February 2007

I have been at World Class Training for the past two days. On Tuesday I had two lessons with Yogi Breisner, for these I took Mercator Du Ry and Rayef, the sessions included working on XC technique with some related distances and turns to narrow fences...both horses were great and learnt alot from Yogi's expertise.

That afternoon I had a showjumping lesson with Peter Murphy, for this I took Fine World, we were working on controlling the stride and related distances.

On Wednesday it was three showjumping sessions, again with Peter Murphy. This time I took Onslow Road, Mercator Du Ry and Rayef.
We were practising jumping a course..All horses ended up going very nicely and Peter's input was great.

Sunday 4th February 2007

I have more Word Class Training on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I am planning to take Fernhill Sox, Rayef and Fine World.

I have, also, been invited along with other top event riders to compete in the Indoor Cross Country event at the British Open Show Jumping Championships at the NEC on 12th April. This one round competition consists of a demanding course of approx. 16 fences. The first few are show jumps with 2 seconds added for a knockdown and the rest are specially designed cross country fences with the overall time determining the result. Other event riders invited include Zara Phillips, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Andrew Hoy.

Sunday 28th January 2007

I had some good lessons with Angela Tucker and Gill Watson at World Class training last week.

Yesterday at Solihull the Hambro's Dumbleton belied his 5 years of age to give me a fantastic ride to win the Pre Novice. Christina Lakin's Mercator Du Ry also improved from his placing last week to win the Novice class.

Next Saturday I shall be at Hand E.C. for another round of the JAS series.

Saturday 20th January 2007

I would like to thank Pella Goodhew for saving the day after our lorry failed to start this morning. Following this bad start I only missed one of my rides at the JAS eventing at Hartbury.
In the Pre Novice I qualified Curious George for the finals at Addington.
Lord of the Rings won the Novice and Mercator Du Ry also qualified.
Both these horses also qualified for the Open final along with Rayef.
This week I have World Class training on Wednesday and Thursday and on Saturday I am back doing JAS eventing at Soilhull.

Monday 8th January 2007

I would like to thank all my owners,clients and friends for their support in 2006 and wish them all a happy and sucessful 2007.

My first competitions of the year will be in the Eventing JAS (Jumping & Style) series starting at Hartbury on the 20th January. I hope to finish in the top 10 of my sections to qualify for the final at Addington on Sunday 25th February.

Friday 8th December 2006

Good news after impressing the judges including Jennie Loriston Clark & Ian Stark I have been reselected for the World Class Start & Potential Program. The BEF & World Class Program have joined in choosing approximately 100 horses between the ages of 4-8yrs for the Equine Pathway Program. This is for horses considered to have Olympic potential. These horses will be monitored by team trainers & vets. Four of my rides have been selected to be on the program. They are Fernhill Sox, Rayef, Diamond Lodge & Dumbleton

Tuesday 28th November 2006

I am in Egypt for the next few days, having a well earned rest. Before I left I heard the fantastic news that I was the youngest person to finish in the top 100 event riders. I actually finished in 54th position.
When I return I should know if I have been sucessful in the recent selection trials for the World Class Start & Potential programme. I have been on this programme for the last two years and could not have acheived so much without their support.

Thursday 23rd November 2006

The Prime Minister made the following pledge, \"I will become the patron of a London community sports club, I will work with the club over the years as the Olympics approach in 2012 to support their development and raise their profile, but only if 100 other public figures in London will join me in supporting other clubs.\" Yesterday was a gathering of elite athletes, the Chief Executives of the clubs and federations, along with the public figures who signed up to make the pledge a successful one.

I was invited to attend the meeting on behalf of the British Equestrian Federation, the other rider to represent the federation was young rider showjumper, Charlotte Platt. I felt very honoured as I walked through the door of number 10 Downing Street! The meeting lasted an hour and a half, tea was served with nibbles, before Tony Blair made a speech explaining his involvement and enthusiasm towards supporting young athletes leading up to the London Olympics in 2012.

Friday 20th October 2006

I am really excited and very honoured to hear that I have been nominated for the prestigious ‘Pet Plan Eventing Award’ at this year’s Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards Dinner to be held at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on 2nd November 2006. The same award was won in 2005 by Zara Phillips who is also one of this year’s nominees.

If you are coming to the Your Horse Live show at Stoneleigh Park this year I will be on the Pennwood Saddles Stand on Sunday 5th November, so please come along and say hello.

Sunday 17th September 2006

All the GB horses passed the 2nd trot up in the morning with flying colours. In the show jumping phase, team members, Emily Llewellyn and Dani Cuomo jumped clear rounds with Georgie Spence having the last fence down. Individual rider, Laurie Cooper also jumped clear.

At major competitions in the past I have always had a fence in hand, but not this time. For me to stand a chance of an individual medal I had to jump a clear round without time penalties. I must admit I have never had that sort of pressure before.

Yogi Breisner, who had been out with the team since Friday helped me warm up for the show jumping, and after only jumping 4 show jumps he said we didn't need to do anymore - that's how experienced and knowledgeable Yogi is - he had summed the situation perfectly, and Sox went in and jumped a clear round and the individual Gold and team Silver medals were coming to GB!

I would like to thank Richard and Mary Hambro for letting me ride Sox and I was thrilled that Mrs Hambro was out there to see Sox win. As part of the World Class Eventing programme I have worked with Yogi all year, which has made a huge difference and it showed on the final day.

It was a rush to get everything packed up and drive to the ferry, but we were back home by 11.30pm that night. Fernhill Sox will now have a well deserved holiday, and my aim with him next year is to take him to the CCI*** Blenheim International Three-Day Event.

Saturday 16th September 2006

The weather here at Necarne has been amazing and the going on the cross-country course is perfect. Although the cross-country course is not big, it is quite technical.

Fence 4 has caused most of the problems - you had to jump a log on top of a mound which had a drop on the other side where you had to turn right, down a step, turning left on 3 strides to a skinny brush, most of the rider problems were caused by lack of control, and Fernhill Sox was also quite strong at this fence, but then settled down and jumped the rest of the course beautifully.

All the team and Laurie Cooper, riding as an individual went clear inside the time. Unfortunately for Charlotte Greenless a fall on the flat after fence 5 left her with concussion, and she had to retire.

I was still in the individual Gold position and the team in Silver medal position, 0.5 marks behind the German team, so it was all to play for on the final day.

Friday 15th September 2006

All the GB horses passed the trot up, but Fernhill Sox was put in the 'holding box' but was accepted when trotted up again, much to mine and Robin Balfour's relief!

The GB team are in silver medal position, 0.5 marks behind the leaders Germany.

Fernhill Sox did a fantastic dressage test with a score of 36.0 and is in the lead. Emily Llewellyn is in 4th position with a score of 40.7.

Today, Friday is a day off. The cross-country course is technical, quite long and the course is quite hilly, but the team is really up for it!

Wednesday 13th September 2006

I am so excited about the launch of my new website. I hope you find it interesting and I will be using this page to keep you updated on my career.

I am currently in Northern Ireland preparing to compete in the Junior European Championships at Necarne Castle along with my team mates, Laurie Cooper, Georgie Spence, Dani Cuomo, Charlotte Greenlees, and Emily LLewellyn.

I will be updating my website each day with news from the Championships.