Did someone say Nationals?

I'm sure you all remember me writing (freaking out) about qualifying Ziggy for the RC Nationals a couple of weeks ago in Show-Jumping and how thrilled I was that both him and Ceaser would be going together after the old boy collected his golden ticket for dressage too. Well...

At that point I was trying to figure out how I'd have a cat in hells chance of riding Ceaser in the senior team dressage test and making it to Ziggy's show jumping class on time, given that they both had basically the same start time. Never a dull moment at camp Lovatt!

Anyway, my first Nationals experience just got a whole lot more complicated, and don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely bloody thrilled to be writing this albeit wondering if I can clone myself at the same time.

At the qualifier Ziggy finished second in his arena meaning he narrowly missed out on a golden ticket to nationals as an individual, which I was gutted about at the time as it would've been lovely to have both boys going to compete in the dressage and at that point he hadn't qualified in show-jumping so I was unsure he'd even be going.

Well, someone upstairs must have thought I'd been good these last couple of weeks and yesterday I had an email to say the person that actually won in Ziggy's arena was ineligible to compete at Prelim, so technically my wonder boy won, meaning we HAVE got our place at nationals in dressage. Thus equating to (yes both boys representing our region in dressage) a rather manic day ahead.

I'm absolutely delighted, as I wanted nothing more than both the boys with me there, representing the region in something I take a great deal of pleasure from doing. I'm unsure where Ceaser's 'affiliated' career is going after this, so it could well be the last 'big' event I campaign him at (more info at a later date), which makes it all the more special to have both of them there with me, at Ziggy's first attempt too.

It all seems pretty surreal still at the moment. I never in my wildest dreams imagined Ziggy would pick the dressage up so quickly, and be so successful at an early age and all that know me can vouch for how absolutely shell shocked I was to bag a golden ticket in show-jumping. I'm the girl that never used to jump! Then Ceaser....where do I start? He went out to the qualifier having done very little competing for 12 months, after some time off with his eye and just won. I count my blessings with them both everyday.

Basically, what I'm saying is, if anyone is going to Lincoln and has a spare pair of hands then please yell - or if I look like I need a Vodka, please pass me one.

On that note, I'll leave it there - I just had to share my excitement. We're all allowed to blow our own trumpet every once in a while aren't we? :)

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When it all just goes okay - Our Petplan journey

I don't need to make any introduction to Ziggy if you're an avid follower of my facebook page, twitter, Instagram or if you were there from the beginning when this petrified young pony quite literally fell into my life with a bang. I'll post the first proper riding photo I have of him, just to show how far he's come!

For those who don't know, I'll give you a quick insight. At the time I was looking for a potential dressage pony that wouldn't cost the earth, and that would take me around a course of jumps safely as well. I didn't mind something that needed some work, but I didn't want something too green because of working full time.

...and along came Ziggy, a 3-year-old Irish Sports Pony. Advertised on Facebook for several months, I watched his price drop and drop because of his so called issues. Something about this boy caught my eye but I just don't know what and I made a stupid offer of very little, half thinking "Ahh they wont accept that, I'm fine - it doesn't matter I've never seen this pony in the flesh!", only to have an instant reply that he was mine and he'd arrive the following day!

This gangly looking pony arrived, petrified of everything; generally of life, and I was wondering what the heck I'd done. As were friends, family and all connections. No one quite knew then what he'd turn into. Apart from my friend Fiona who turned to me when she came to meet him and said "He's going to be a star, you'll never sell him!". "I will" I said, "He's not stopping- he's here to find a nice home and then I'm getting my dressage pony!"

The following weeks were testing to say the least. 6 weeks to get on a pony without it standing up on two legs and bolting was a little more greener than I had in mind, but hey! Then when we were on, we attempted our first jump and boy I realised this pony could jump...and the rest is history!

So, fast forward 2 and a bit years and our days haven't been plain sailing. Ziggy being petrified of people was the least of my worries when I realised it wasn't really people he was petrified of, it was everything, including butterflies!

We've had our days where I've broken down in tears sat on his back after feeling like we're getting nowhere, I've had the days where I feel on top of the world. This pony that was once petrified is now one of the most loving ponies I've ever come across. Going into a fence he has the heart of a lion and will jump most things you put him at - he just wants to please.

Without delving deeper into his issues, which I try to just forget and concentrate on the good bits, I decided after some good 70%+ scores in British Dressage, I should attempt the PetPlan Area Festivals. The rest they say is history!

We managed to get our qualifying scores in just two BD visits and at the same time be selected to represent the Northern Region in the Senior Inter Regionals, be picked to represent the local riding club, narrowly miss a place for RC nationals by coming 2nd (but to my gorgeous veteran, Ceaser whom I was also riding so I can't grumble!) and lots more.

With a couple of good scores under our belt I felt confident enough to go out and play with the big boys at the PetPlan 1st rounds. Stupidly I completely missed the Arena UK entry deadline - my head was in the clouds as always and I realised I'd have to wait until slightly later and do the Sheepgate class.

The week before Ziggy had been a total nightmare, in fact I didn't even get on him for 7 days because of the wind, and he was just being a complete tool. He was spooking everywhere at the slightest of things, and generally being uncooperative to say I had a big competition coming up - as if he new. To make matters worse, we were representing our riding club on the sunday at the area show jumping qualifier.

The Thursday leading up to the PetPlan class on the Saturday saw me send an SOS text to one of the local riding instructors that has taught us before and knows how spooky Zig can be. I told her I needed some help and quick, if we had any chance of getting to either competition at the weekend.

Friday evening and our lesson came and I hopped on Zig wondering what our lesson would bring. For those who are reading and own horses, you'll probably know what I'm about to say. He was an absolute star!! We did lots of transitions, shallow loops in both trot and canter and working on getting him to concentrate and not turn his mind elsewhere, which he's very good at. But he was fabulous and my instructor deemed his trot work worth lots of 7.5's and told us to go and kick ass!

Thankfully we've been to sheepgate a few times as its our local venue so I was confident but slightly apprehensive about the dressed up arenas - more for Zig to look and spook at. I was having a panic attack I'd not learnt my test and the warm up arena was absolutely buzzing, which always worries me slightly because I know Zig's spooks can come out of anywhere and if its busy, there's the risk of running into someone.

A couple of good friends came to support us and said his work in the warm up looked nice, which gave me some confidence. He was warming up like a dream and our terrors the week before seemed a distant memory (bloody horses!!!). Soon it was time for us to go into the arena and to enable him to have a quick look around I trotted half way around the arena, on one rein, changed the rein and did the same on the other rein. No excuses for him to spook as he'd seen things on both reins now and I was willing him to just do this for me.

Soon enough the buzzer rang and off we entered up the centre line. The judge at C was smiling at me as I entered and I couldn't help but beam back - I've never had that before, and I truly believe it set us off for a really nice test. We were entered into the Prelim 19 silver section and I love riding Prelim 19 as well, which helps.

Ziggy felt supple, and he was really listening to everything I asked. Our circles felt great, his trot work was super and his transitions were all where they should be and as soon as I asked. I don't think I've ever smiled so much through a test! Trotting back up the centre line I beamed at the judge at C, halted, saluted and literally fell into Ziggy hugging him.

We walked out the arena to my friends who all greeted us with huge smiles saying it was one of the best tests they'd seen us do, and Fiona who follows our journey said how Ziggy hadn't noticed the horse in the arena next to us almost doing cartwheels was beyond her. It just shows how much he's grown up!

I quickly popped him away and checked the live scoring online to see where we were lying in the scores. My ambition had initially been to just get a top 10 placing but inside I wanted a place on the podium, I wanted to be in the top 3. The first two scores were up and they'd scored over 67%. I lost hope then and stopped refreshing the page for a while, but when I did I couldn't believe my eyes - we had over 68% and in the lead with only 2 more horses to go!

Unfortunately (I say unfortunately, but I don't mean it like that) the last horse pipped us to the post with over 70% but I was absolutely beaming and over the moon to be second and get that elusive place on the podium, as well as a place at the finals later in the year. I honestly couldn't have been prouder.

*

The next day we were up at the crack of dawn to head to the area show jumping and again for those that know me, I HATE show jumping competitions. An accident aged 14, has left me petrified of spreads, but for some reason Ziggy makes me love show jumping and we've done a few ODE's, with our goal being a BE before the year end is out. Anyway, I only put my name down to help the team out and walking around the course I could've quite easily thrown up! (maybe the night out with the young farmers the evening before didn't help, but..)

"I'm not doing it!" I said to Fiona.... and you don't need to hear her reply, but it consisted of a few words I can't repeat, all you need to know is, she basically said I had no choice.

I'll fast forward my jabbering and get on with the fact that my once petrified of everything pony produced two super confident rounds, took me over things I'd said I wouldn't get him near and our team only went and won meaning we had qualified for the RC Nationals! Which when I was told, I nearly threw up again. "You mean I've got to go out and do ALL that again in a few weeks in a bigger class?!" were my words!

Overall, we had a super weekend and my worries the week before of whether I was good enough, whether Zig was good enough, whether I had what it takes to get him to where I think he deserves to be were all gone and we were on cloud 9.

Follow us on our journey now to the final PetPlan rounds in Autumn!

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BRC Winter Dressage Championships Qualifier - Area 16

The past few weeks have really shown me just how much owning horses can take you from a high to a low and back to a high within days of each other. 

At the beginning of October we competed at the Area Festival with a fantastic set of results to add to our card. The following week I was so inspired by our success I had plenty in mind I wanted to go over in my lesson that day.

My lesson with Amy was fabulous and we paid special attention to working through some medium level moves and more lateral work. Once Ceaser was warmed up we tested him by going through a series of movements like trotting up the quarter line, half passing to the long side, walking, then walking a half pirouette, trotting, walking another half pirouette and then half passing in trot back down the other long side. 

Once we had this established we worked on counter canter which from the ground Amy saw really lifted Ceaser and gave him a much more uphill look in his correct canter lead. To finish off I went through some other more simple movements so Amy could watch how much the lateral work we had done with it had given him a lift and made him a lot more between my hands and legs and up in front. Ceaser rarely strikes off on the wrong canter lead but during my lesson he seemed to really struggle with picking up the correct canter lead immediately. Brushing it off we thought it was because he was overdue with his 6 weekly massage and was probably just feeling a little stiff due to being inside a bit more because of wet weather. However I had a slight niggling feeling in the back of my mind. 

To help cool him off I put his massage pad on for half an hour and made a mental note to book him in for a massage as soon as possible. 

The next day I was due to go away with Mark for his birthday after I had mucked out and sorted the ponies out. However upon pulling Ceaser out of his stable that morning I was horrified to find both of his front legs almost double the size and he was very reluctant to walk. At that moment everything went through my head. I went from sheer panic that he had pulled a tendon the night before during our intense lesson to instinct taking over and grabbing my clippers to get his legs clipped so I could check it wasn't mud fever before I panicked even more. 

Upon clipping one of his legs I was faced with three large scabs that were oozing puss, blood and all sorts. Phew - it wasn't as bad as I initially feared and at least I knew how to deal with this, however I couldn't help but feel that same sinking feeling that his mud fever was clearly back - and with a vengeance - and we weren't even into the proper winter yet. 

The next hour consisted of a frustrated phone call to my vet, more leg clipping and plenty of salt water bathing. Between us the vet and I decided it really was time to stop the daily washing of his leg and just start cleaning it when necessary. Instead I would wipe and brush the mud away and see how that faired us. I felt at a total loss as to what to do right and couldn't help but feel like it was something I was doing wrong. My vet assured me I was doing everything in Ceaser's best interests and we just needed to find something that worked for him - and until we did we would keep on going. The last time he had mud fever this bad we found the cream that our vet makes worked well. It consists of an antibiotic, steroid and mud barrier. So, I arranged pick up of this, gave him some bute and arranged for him to have a quick dose of antibiotics to zap the infection before it worsened. It makes it slightly more difficult that Ceaser cannot have intravenous antibiotics and refuses point blank to eat powdered antibiotics so we had to mix up a cocktail of feed to coax him to eat it. I think in the end we had apple, carrot, sugar beet, molasses and all sorts mixed in until he would (slowly) eat it. Fussy boy!

The plan for the next 7 days was to take Ceaser's grazing right back to being restricted, keep him in and walk him in hand for a few days. He was allowed an hour in the field and that was it. Joy - he isn't the easiest of horses to keep in a stable. Thankfully my Likit snac-a-ball keeps him entertained and calmer and I realised if he was playing with that in his stable he would keep mobile and walking around so it would also help his swelling. Likit you are a life saver, I don't know what Ceaser would do without your products! To keep his scabby areas clean we would just wipe them down with a dry tissue to get off any dirt and only clean with water if this wouldn't get off all the dirt.

 

My yard manager assured me it was safe to go away still as she would look after Ceaser and let me know if there was any problems, so a little behind schedule Mark and I set off to London for a few days to celebrate his 28th birthday by visiting the Harry Potter studios and more.

Upon returning I was pleased to see that the swelling had gone down on and continued the routine. I was conscious that the following weekend I had the Area 16 British Riding Club Winter Dressage Qualifier and couldn't let our team down so I wanted to see if Ceaser was still lame and whether I had to find another horse to borrow or if he would be ok to go. 

Trying to lunge him was fun to say the least. Not a fan of being lunged he managed a few laps in walk and then when I asked for trot he bolted off whilst bucking, got loose and ran around the arena a few times. Declaring him "no longer lame" I told him he could have a few more days off and that was it - he was clearly fine to do the dressage at the weekend. Cheeky boy! 

**

Sunday loomed and I was rather apprehensive to say the least. I had sat on him to walk him round once in 9 days. He had barely been in a field and he ran onto the lorry like I have never seen him before. Clearly eager to get out and do something I hoped he would behave and not be too fresh. Unfortunately we were running late so I worked out on my journey to the competition that I would not have time to put his massage pad on, nor have a lengthy warm up like I had wanted to. So, we arrived and I got ready in record time, hopped on and went to warm up whilst Mark took my passport to show Ceaser was vaccinated and pay for my entry.

Mark has been watching my lessons so he can help me warm up at competitions and keep me calmer if things aren't going to plan by reminding me to breathe, use my corners and generally be a pair of eyes for me from the ground. He reminded me although I only had 15 minutes to warm up I needed to do some counter canter to pick him up, lots of flexing and half passes, leg yielding and so on to get him switched on. We found I had to warm up in the dreaded arena 3 so he told me to breathe and just get Ceaser listening as soon as I got on so he didn't have time to spook. Amy had told us she thinks he spooks when he is bored or isn't really listening so I wanted to pay special attention to get him focused straight away. 

My warm up went rather well considering the lack of time I had. There was a horse warming up with us that was flying around everywhere and Ceaser didn't bat an eyelid. He did everything I asked of him. Apart from feeling a little flat he felt good, but I couldn't blame him - he often goes like this with some time off, so I just dealt with what I had and attempted to ride the best I could with the team in mind. 

The wind was howling and things were blowing everywhere around us. When I was trotting around the arena I had to tell Mark he would really need to shout my test as all I could hear was the trees beside us blowing. I cannot believe how well Ceaser coped and looking back on reflection he really was a superstar. 

Focussing on our centreline which Amy and I had spent a lot of time on, I knew I had to ride a good test and just focussed on keeping the contact even rather than hurrying through. Amy's help of getting me to use my corners a lot more really seemed to help too as now I feel like I have more time to prepare my movements before they come, giving me time to take a deep breath and breathe, which in turn relaxes me and helps me ride a much calmer and relaxed test.

The constant rain we had had leading up to the competition had made the arena appear a little deep in places but Ceaser coped well. He resisted the contact in one canter transition and I knew even before getting my score sheet back that it was only worthy of a 6, but it couldn't be helped due to him not being ridden all week! Apart from that he seemed to do a decent test. I really was not sure what we would score though as I didn't recognise the judge and so really had no idea what she was looking for.

Once I had finished I cooled him off, took him back to the lorry and put his massage pad on to cool him down whilst I waited for my scores. Initially when they were posted I didn't think I had done too well as they weren't putting our percentages up, just the scores. However I noticed half of the class had been and I was leading in 1st place! I couldn't believe my eyes. Our team was also lying in 1st place, which meant we were hopeful of a qualification to the BRC finals at Harptury. 

I went to the show secretary to ask if I could have my percentage before I went home but they were reluctant to give them out, however with a bit of gentle persuasion they agreed and asked me my name. When I said Ceaser's name she said "Oh, you're the one on the top. We just want to say how much of a pleasure your score sheet was to add up and you got 70.5%". I could have fainted. I couldn't believe it! WOW! Just imagine what we could have got if I had been allowed the chance to ride and practice during the week! With a thank you, I walked away feeling pretty much on cloud 9 and Mark and I gave each other a secret high five. 

After some lunch the wind was really beginning to pick up so we decided to head home before it got any worse. Mark offered to pick up my score sheet as he was teaching in Boston for another hour, so I could get the ponies home. 

I just wanted to know where we had finished as a team as the winning team would qualify for Harptury in April. Unfortunately for the winter qualifiers you couldn't qualify as an individual. If you could I would have been in with a chance for that as well. However with roughly 26 people in my class and another 13 to go after I had left I was sure someone would just pip me to the post and get higher than 70.5%!

When Mark phoned an hour later I was thrilled to find out we had stayed in the lead and remained unbeaten in our class! I couldn't believe it, my little cob that hadn't even been ridden for a week had WON our class! Unfortunately as a team we were pushed back into second place, so no Harptury for us, but another team from our riding club won so obviously I am really happy for them. I was well and truly on cloud nine for the rest of the day as you can imagine and Ceaser got lots of treats as we got home. It is lovely that everytime we go somewhere all the riding school kids are eagerly awaiting our return and they always think he has been a superstar so spoil him rotten. 

We have a weekend off from doing anything now and then the following weekend we have a regional training day with the BD Northern Region which counts towards one of the selection days for the teams, which is something I really want to get involved in. I am loving focusing purely on dressage now and wish it was a move I had made a long time ago.

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Showing and Dressage madness

I cannot believe it has been over 10 days since I last blogged or even gave a second thought to blogging. To be quite honest I am mad with myself, but unfortunately as my masters degree nears to the end I am finding myself more and more busy as the weeks go on. However, the end is near and I only have another three pieces of work to hand in. I am sure once that is over there will be no stopping me - but I must prioritise.

As I am sure you are aware, whilst I have found very little time to blog over the last few weeks, I ensure I always still find time to jump in the saddle on a daily basis and compete as much as I can.

I have been out three times I think since I last blogged. To be quite honest the first outing wasn't anything huge, just a local show that I like to support every year as it raises money for Cancer Research. I lost my Grandma to lung cancer so we sponsored a class and I like to think entering the classes every year does my bit for the charity. As it wasn't much of a qualifier for anything I asked my young cousin if she would like to come along and have a ride on Ceaser in one of the classes. She can barely ride and I have been teaching her myself when she visits but she has absolutely no fear in her - which is fantastic.

We decided to do the Family Pony class together which required both an adult and child to ride the pony, in a snaffle bridle and show he is suitable for all ages. My cousin cannot even rise in trot properly yet, but Ceaser did an ace job of looking after her - so much so that she managed to walk around the ring on her own and only needed me to run at the side of her for the small show piece! Next it was my turn to do something and as the adult I was required to show a gallop and more of an extension. Put it this way, it was fun to do in a snaffle bridle but I must have grinned through it as onlookers said he went fantastic.

Isabella, my cousin was absolutely delighted when we were pulled in 2nd, behind a big 16.2hh cob! 3rd was my best friend, Katie riding our newest addition to the family, the riding school pony, Sooty. It was also Katie's first ever show and she did a grand job with Sooty.

Next up for me was the ridden veteran class, which when I booked in showed barely any entries, however when it came to walking into the class I counted about 20 odd! Ceaser was being a little testing as it was his first time competing on grass for the season so of course the head shaking began because of his pollen allergy and he felt like a ticking time bomb! Despite this he produced a fantastic show piece and I was over the moon to be pulled into 2nd place! In fact so much so, when they called me forward I did the embarrassing "What, me?!" expression to the judge. 2nd out of 20 entries was my idea of a very successful day and I thought it would set us up nicely for an afternoon of dressage.

How could I be so wrong..

I allowed Ceaser to have a lunch break, took his tack off, fed and watered him and then went to get lunch for myself. When I came back it was like someone had swapped my pony. He was difficult to warm up, not listening, bucking and quite frankly exploding everywhere! Only CP!

What was even more embarrassing was, our riding instructor for the yard was judging. I swear he did it on purpose as she has always said what a good boy he is. Anyway, put it this way, I am not sure how we ended up finishing two dressage tests whilst only on two feet. The second time the buzzer rang for my second test to start Ceaser exploded with all four feet in the air and only returned back down when I think he realised there was no way he could touch the sky. Out came my "I'm really enjoying this, my pony is such a joy to ride" smile as I grinned my way through two tests. This is why I love him.

Anyway, I was more than happy to finish on two tests of roughly 64% and a comment of "I think someone was feeling fresh today". You think? A friend of mine described him as looking like a tank and just wanting to finish those tests as quick as possible. Apparently his veins were up, nostrils flared and from the outside it was evident he was being a little difficult. Nice comments like I sat well and my hands didn't move an inch did however make me feel better and I put it down to having an off day. To be fair, how could I be mad with him when he had been so fantastic in the morning?

**

Showing.

I know, I know, I said I wasn't going showing again this summer but for some reason I find myself digging out the canary jodhpurs and show shirt all too often. No, quite honestly, I wanted to get my Royal London qualification for the end of the year and as a yard we decided to attend another local-ish show to try and get qualified.

I had decided earlier in the week to do a working hunter class and 2 showing classes, to vary Ceaser's work again. Despite my best made plans, Ceaser had other ideas again as soon as he realised we were supposed to warm up in the dreaded arena. Let me explain...

The dreaded arena is the arena I cannot blooming get this pony anywhere near. If he goes in he spends his whole time tense and won't work for toffee. So, with no where else to warm up I had no choice but to attempt to jump him a few times and practice a show piece. After a few hairy moments of tanking full speed into a few 12.2hh ponies we survived and I decided to exit the warm up before we were removed! (Oh the joys of owning CP!)

I felt confident when entering the workers class. As you all know I have been having jumping lessons and Kathryn's screams of "Sit up, look up, kick on....LEG!" was ringing in my ear and I was adamant we would get a clear round to please her. My friend Megan and I joked that if we fell off our parents would be livid. Megan is always coming off one way or another but this particular arena is dirty and would stain our jodhpurs. "Don't fall off Megan" I shouted before trotting in myself. Again, with a Ceaser Pony, don't make plans.

We went quite speedily into fence 1. Brilliant I thought, this is going well. Fence 2 - check. Fence 3....spread. Ah, we don't like spreads. I kicked. Ceaser stopped. Then as I was about to pull him round he leapt over it and I ended up very comfily on his neck. Laughing uncontrollably (you've got to laugh or what's the point) I shuffled back onto my saddle, shouted to my friend I was fine and off I shot around the rest of the course. Thankfully we were clear after that but after the rest went clear we had no hope of placings. It just shows you, don't joke about falling off.....it comes back to bite you on the bum.

In the line up the judge came up to me and said "maybe you should stick to dressage next time - haha!". Yes, maybe!

Anyway, thankfully after lunch the workers arena had been vacated so I could warm up for my afternoon classes in there. Again, I had a changed pony who was now listening to my every command. Thank goodness. We went on to have a successful afternoon of taking second in the Style & Appearance and winning the ridden veteran class! He can behave and thankfully we qualified.

**

Next up was the Area 16 Riding Club Dressage Qualifiers which I was really looking forward to. I haven't competed as part of a team since I was team captain of the equestrian team when I was at De Montfort University and I sure have missed it.

I had decided to do the Riding Club Novice test and Novice 30. Both of which I had never ridden before but I was more than confident we would be fine.

I was due to ride the Riding Club test at 9.58 and then the Novice 30 at 2.08 so I had quite a while between them - which sometimes doesn't quite work so well for me nor Ceaser.

The Riding Club test was a whole new territory for me. I didn't really have a huge idea as to what the judge was looking for - only that I would be judged more than Ceaser in this instance. After another few difficult weeks with him I just wanted him to go out and have a good day competing, with no difficult movements, nor testing times (what I really meant was spending the whole tests on two legs).

Thankfully as soon as I sat on him he felt calm and very relaxed. Of course, Mr-Mark-Know-It-All (the boyfriend) had to get a word in and tell me he was relaxed because I was relaxed. No, I'm sure it's the other way around. Anyway, he walked, trotted and cantered on both reins nicely when asked. All of his transitions were spot on as soon as I asked for them. I couldn't have been more pleased with how he warmed up to be quite honest as once again we were the smallest in the arena by about 3 hands and there was roughly 6 horses warming up at once - if not more! Ceaser wasn't fazed at all by it and did everything I asked.

Once we were in the ring he didn't change, but quite frankly got even better. His transitions were right where I wanted them and he felt like he would move the earth for me if he could. If I was to be critical I think I needed to sit up a little more as he tends to pull me forward, but that was it.

When the scores came out I was a little disappointed with 65% but such is life and I know if that had been a BD competition it would have been higher, if not 70%. The comments were fair though and I agree with the judges comments - she also agreed I needed to sit up!!

Next up was Novice 30 which looked to be a nice test. I wondered if Ceaser would be difficult after such a long break between tests but how wrong could I be - he felt better!

His medium trot felt huge and I think my grin spread from ear to ear after I had finished warming up. This pony never ceases to amaze me and I think he really knows when he needs to step up to the game. I do feel my riding was a little tense because my Dad had arrived to watch - something he never does! I know I wanted to impress him with how far we have both come over the years so I felt a little pressure. Marks mum had also come to watch, so the pressure was definitely on to do well.

I didn't need to have worried though as Ceaser was once again spot on with everything he did. Our 15 meter circles were the best they have ever been and the canter transitions were perfect. I also felt like he was really stepping underneath in the medium trot which felt fantastic.

This test is judged differently to the one earlier in the morning and I found I came out with 65% again. Again, I received some fair comments and was just really pleased with how the day had gone.

Mark stayed to find out where I had been placed for me whilst Dad and I took Ceaser home after such a long day. I was over the moon to find I had got 7th in the Riding Club test, 4th in the Novice 30 and as a team we were 2nd overall!

I will say it a million times, but Ceaser is just fantastic. He knows when it's time to step up and really tries his hardest for me. I had a fantastic day and cannot wait to get back out again in a couple of weeks for some more BD!

That's all for now.

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