Horse of the Year Show 2013

If you have been following my blog for some time now you will know that last year Mark got me a Polo experience day for my 21st Birthday. I had a fantastic day and since then have been dying to get back on and try it again. You can read how it went last year by clicking this link.

A couple of months ago we saw a voucher pop up on Groupon for the Vale of York Polo Club which allowed you to have a 2 hour lesson at a drastic cut of the price. Eagerly Mark got me the lesson and we declared we would go in the summer again.

Time flew and before we knew it we had an email from Groupon saying we had a matter of weeks left to redeem our voucher. After putting our heads together we decided seeing as we were going to watch HOYS on Friday we would then travel to Doncaster, stay in a hotel on the Friday night and then go for my lesson on the Saturday morning.

The Monday before my lesson and HOYS I came down with the flu and a chest infection which made me awfully sick, so it was touch and go whether I could go or not. However, it was the last day I could redeem my voucher, I had to go!

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HOYS was fantastic. We took a group of children from the yard with us which was nice. It seems like they all had a fantastic time and enjoyed themselves. I think for some of them it was overwhelming as they have never seen jumps so big, or riders so famous. Evidently it seems the way to keep them quiet is also to take them away from the yard. Don't worry though, Saturday they were back to non-stop talking!

Usually I go to watch the show jumping as I love watching the best riders in the world battling it out for the top prize money and rosettes. However this time I was keen to watch the Dressage Masterclass that had been advertised for the late afternoon. Last year I missed it due to spending far too much time shopping so this year I was adamant I was going to be there.

Upon arrival we found out it was the Eilbergs that were going to be hosting the master class which was exciting. I couldn't contain my excitement but clearly the kids with us could as 5 minutes before it was due to start they told me they were off shopping! I did let them know I was disappointed they didn't stay to watch something which could really help them. However they said "We'll be back for the jumping and pony games!".....what more could I say?

Michael and Ferdi were the two that arrived with Ferdi on the ground and Michael aboard a simply stunning 7-year-old chestnut mare. They showed us their warm up process with the mare and how they intend to keep her switched on but are being careful not to bore or ruin her due to her young age. It just shows Amy and I are doing something right with Ceaser as their warm up process was very similar to ours. Maybe this could be my claim to fame.....I have the same warm up routine as Michael Eilberg....Ok, I tried.

Every time the mare did a change of gait or showed us some lateral work the "ohh's" and "ahhh's" coming from the crowd could quite simply have made you believe we were sat watching the 50 shades of grey movie. Boy this mare is definitely one to watch for the future. They kept things simple enough so everyone in the audience could understand what they were doing, but technical enough for those who knew dressage to get something out of it.

Michael is such an elegant rider, everything just looks as if it is done with ease. If a chance arises to have a lesson with a member of this family then I will be jumping at the chance!

Thoroughly inspired I spent far too much money on Ceaser and Sara and in turn Mark also spent far too much money on me and Ceaser. We were spoilt and he treated us to a Le Mieux dressage square and half pad so that we look posh at our next dressage competition. I love the Le Mieux products and if I could afford it would cover Ceaser in them 24/7. Sadly with the hefty price tag I cannot afford to, but I now can't wait to use our new half pad and dressage square. Mark has warned me I'm not allowed to get them dirty. I'm under strict orders!

Although HOYS is a fabulous chance to do some shopping and indulge in everything horsey, it is also a great chance to have a look at new products on the market in the shopping hall and catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while. It was amazing the amount of people I spotted that I haven't had a chance to talk to for some time or even seen in years.

My new Headcollar

The rest of the day flew by, we had a brilliant time watching the show jumping, pony club games and walking past famous riders as we shopped till we dropped. "MARK, it's him.....it's...ahh...its Cian O Connor....there....look....were stood right next to him!" was embarrassingly one of many times I got a little star struck. I really should get used to this being a journalist as I never know who I will meet. Still, I think I am allowed to get a little girly at times.

The Supreme Pony of the Year; Nynwood Fantasia was totally deserving of the title. For a combination only 9-years-old between them they both exceeded their years as they came forward for the championship.

And that's it... it's all over for another year. Here's to 2014.

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A day in the life of a journalist and show rider....

This past week has been absolute all go. Last Tuesday it was decided by Equestrian Life magazine that I would be covering the Pony Club Championships held at Cholmondeley Castle on the 16th and 17th. I could have stayed all weekend reporting but I had already previously planned to compete at Arena UK on the 19th with Ceaser.

The atmosphere at The Pony Club Championships was simply fantastic. I think if I had to describe it in one word though it would be electric. Everyone was buzzing and surprisingly enough I did not see one child cry. All were in good spirits and focused more on having a good time.

I don't think I'll ever get used to sitting in the "officials and sponsors" tents at competitions like the championships, having lunch with the rich and famous. Every time I mentioned I was a journalist everyone made the same "oooo" noise and told me how exciting it must be.

Yes, days like these make all the endless hours I spent in a lecture room for three years at university seem worthwhile. The blood, sweat and tears over lost work and a hard dissertation all suddenly now seem worth it, now I'm exactly where I want to be and doing exactly what I have always dreamed of doing.

Every person I met at The Pony Club Championships was willing to talk and answer all the questions I had. It does seem funny that without the press pass around my neck stating who I am, I'm just like everyone else. Yet, with my press pass I'm someone people want to talk to and are keen to be approached by. It is a lovely feeling, being able to make someones day by promising to try and get their photo in to a magazine or giving them a mention.

A particular Pony Club team didn't do too well in the mounted games but I promised I would try and get a photo of them in Equestrian Life and they were soon all smiles again. It is a lovely feeling and I am so fortunate to be able to give people a voice and show their beautiful ponies off.

Fingers crossed I am heading down to Cheshire this coming weekend to cover another Pony Club event. If you're there please tweet me @FurryMane and I will try and get round to meeting up with you to conduct a short interview. (I'm nice I promise!)

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Saturday and Sunday saw me once again running around like a headless chicken. Because I had been away for the two previous days Ceaser was filthy from being out and in need of a good bath. Just as I was about to bath a livery asked me if I would take them on a 3 hour round trip (which ended in being more like 4/5 hours) to see a pony for sale. Of course I happily obliged and got home very late which meant bathing and plaiting a moody Ceaser who just wanted his tea!

Sundays heat was excruciating. If I had known it was going to be that hot I really wouldn't have gone to the show; but we did. Upon arrival we pulled four very sweaty ponies off the lorry. Even though our lorry has enough ventilation and windows it still gets very muggy in there when there is four horses on the lorry.

Anyway, this meant sponging Ceaser down once we had arrived at the show and hoping he would dry before our classes. Thankfully he did and still looked stunningly white for his class.

First up was Riding Pony which he usually does well in. Today he felt stuffy and simply like he couldn't be bothered. Which in all honesty was quite how I felt. The judged shocked me by being very thorough, checking all tack was clean, asking us to allow our horses to stretch in the go-round and then showing a gallop. The ring was small for the amount in the class and I would have liked to have shown a better gallop but knew I could save that for my show piece.

As usual I saw the competition in the class and knew I had to be one step ahead again, so out came my walk to canter in my individual show piece again. Despite Ceaser not being as quick as usual to hop in to the canter it still felt nice and we got our chance to produce a lovely forward gallop to finish off before reining back and saluting. The judge seemed pleased as she kept pointing to him when making her decision and I was thrilled to be pulled in 1st place.

By now the heat was exhausting and I felt like I could faint any minute in all my show gear.

In the Ridden Veteran we were once again up against the big hunter and show horse types that simply look amazing when turned out correctly. Ceasers show piece felt nice but I felt could have been more responsive. This reflected I think when we were pulled in a respectable 4th place. Still good considering the competition that we were up against.

So, after another pleasing day I went to check out my score sheets for the whole season at Arena UK. I am a member and aiming for the big trophies at the Presentation Evening. All season I have been working towards gaining points to win overall Champion in both classes and am pleased to say so far I am in the lead. I just need to do well at the final show which is a Championship show in September and I think I'll get it. Please all keep fingers crossed for me and Ceaser - I would be thrilled to win overall champion in both classes and will be working extra hard to gain the most points at the final show.

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This Thursday I have a Polo lesson which if you remember me saying, my partner Mark purchased for me for my 21st birthday. I am quite excited at trying yet another new discipline and hopefully the weather holds out for me! I will let you all know how I get on.

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The Pony Club Championships held at Cholmondeley Castle

This week I am in Chester on behalf of Equestrian Life magazine reporting on The Pony Club Championships held at Cholmondeley Castle.

As I am ushered in to lunch to be seated at the "sponsors and media" table I realise just how lucky I am to already have such fantastic opportunities within my career. Everyone is lovely and the rest on our dinner table are keen to find out what I do.

The atmosphere outside is absolutely amazing and all the children are keen for me to take photos of them and their four legged animals whilst we chat ponies and show results.

The championships include all Pony Club disciplines from mounted games to Centre Equitation where young riders without a horse or pony get to compete by representing their riding school or centre.

I am thrilled that even those without a horse or pony get the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious event and also get the chance to feel the buzz of a competition.

The mounted games is absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere around the ring is electric. The view of children standing in their stirrups screaming for their team mates to come home before the other team is a familiar one with on lookers.

I am struck by one team, who when I interview them seem a lovely bunch. They are all so eager to talk and tell me not only of their achievements during today but also of last week and two months ago. I even learn of all the names of their ponies at home and whether or not they help mum with the mucking out.

Admittedly they even manage to make me laugh at their stories and at the end I found myself joining in with their trainer shouting for them to win.

This seems a world away from looking for office based journalism jobs and it makes me want to be a freelance journalist so much more.

I cannot wait to go back to tomorrow to do yet some more reporting and hope I am again surrounded by enthusiastic young riders willing to share their stories.

To read a full report of The Pony Club Championships please ensure you buy the next edition of Equestrian Life magazine which is out at the beginning of every month.

http://www.equestrianlifemagazine.co.uk


If you're competing at the championships please do not get hesitate to tweet me at @FurryMane and I will endeavour to arrange to meet you to take some photos.

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