Pandora Briselden – A new member

A few weeks ago Owen and I took the trek down to Suffolk for Little Downham where they were running a pony open novice. Owen was feeling very fresh and the wind up his tail was not helping but he managed to keep himself under control for ‘most’ of his test to score 31.5, including 8’s for both of his medium trots which is something we have really been working on.

He then showjumped really well but a proper rider miss meant we added 4 faults to our score which was frustrating. Finally he put in a wonderful cross country round to finish clear and inside the time which was so pleasing as getting the time has been my weak point at novice as I am prone to ride like a granny…oops. This left us in 5th place in a competitive section and we won some lovely baileys goodies. It was such a nice event and I will definitely be going back! I also met fellow ambassador Lizzy Bird and her mum who were our neighbors in the lorry park…Team Horslyx.

Owen then had his final run of a great season at Aldon in the onu18. Our stressage was early in the morning in the thick fog which didn’t help Owens enthusiasm of being out and about so another very frisky test to score 34.5. I pulled myself together for my showjumping and we managed a clear round a track causing quite a few poles to fall which was a good note to end on. He then pulled one of his best XC rounds out the bag and we finished again with a clear INSIDE THE TIME. Which I was over the moon with. This meant we finished 4th in another tough section and won some prize money so it was a successful day all round. Owen definitely deserved his stable horslyx when he got home.

I also have a new addition to the team. Millie, a 15.2, grey mare who has come all the way down from Yorkshire. We have been getting used to each other slowly and went to our first competition at west wilts for a hunter trial where she popped round easily for a clear. We then headed to Aldon for the BE100 where we scored a 32 dressage, one unlucky pole showjumping and a clear cross country. A very promising start. As I write this I am on my way to Aston for the very last event of the season where Millie and I are in the 100, will report back later.