Having qualified for a few dressage championships over the 07/08 winter season, this was our first ever trip to Hickstead. Due to the number of entries the top 3 scores in each group went forward to a 'ride off' for the final placings. The day started well with the Prelim and I was pleased with the test and was placed 4th in the group section. The novice tests went slightly better, being placed 3rd in the group section and then after repeating the test with both judges marking (sitting at 'C' and 'B'), we were finally placed 3rd overall, being placed above the 2 combinations who had just beaten us!

Over the 2007/8 winter season the NPS ran a southern dressage trial, it became a great success and in 2008/9 they are running it countrywide. Another long trip for us to Addington, once again, a new venue for us both and wow....its a brilliant venue! Having qualified for the Prelim only (due to a Connemara beating us twice in the novice qual's!) it was a lovely, chilled day. The test rode well except for her looking over the edge of the arena as there is a slight drop round the edge, after a wait for the test results everyone was bought into the indoor arenas for the presentation. We came 3rd overall which I was amazed about due to the high standard of ponies who took part. Full results are available on the NPS website.

http://www.nationalponysociety.org.uk/index.php/cms/Dressage

WHAT A DAY!!!

Having initially entered the grading day for the G1 SJ and G1 and G2 dressage, they day started with the SJ. After getting round the G1 (2'9") in the Ford Farm indoor school and gaining a pass with the judge permission we were allowed to progress to G2. Once again we flew round the course and acheived a 90% mark, which ended up being the highest of the day! So after the result we once again gained permission to progress to G3, once again we got round the course and acheived 85%,a joint 2nd highest score of the day! As this height was 3'3" it was the highest course we had ever jumped and knowing the dressage would take place later though it best to end it there!

In 2007 having had a busier start to the day then expected with the SJ, once the Prelim dressage had taken place (which we passed) that required significantly more leg work then usual I decided it was best not to continue to the Novice as we were both shattered and it was a very warm day. So in 2008 we entered the Novice and Elementary tests and completed both, so we are now fully graded in dressage having had a successful year in all our dressage competitions

In 2007 we attended our first hunter trial, which then led onto a few other trials and an unaff ODE. Seren has taken well to XC but takes exception to water fences and drops which is something in 2008 we are working on, having entered our first BE INTRO event in August 2008 at Chilham park on a ticket.

2008 - We have worked hard this year with the XC to increase our confidence over certain types of fences. Having completed out first affiliated ODE at chilham park on a ticket the ground conditions and not having studs led to SJ faults and time faults in both jumping fazes. Later in 2008 about a month after their affiliated competition they held an unaffiliated version...and we won, with no faults in the jumping fazes!

2009 - July - We competed at Eridge Park in the BE90, coming approx 14th in the section. As she has struggled with fitness we took it steady to ensure we got round! Later in the year after she had been covered (returned the size of a house!) and lots of hard work getting fit again we competed at Chilham Parks Unaff ODE and prior to the XC round were in contention for 1st place, however due to previous competitions finding we struggled on time I found a short cut and really pushed, so we ended up 1 min under the optimum time so were penalised!!Great fun and a fantastic end to her eventing career.

At the livery yard (Cobham Manor) where I kept Seren whilst she was in Kent they regularly hold Unaff and Aff dressage and SJ competitions, so occasionally when they hold the unaff SJ and I'm about I enter and have a pop around the BJSA level course. Whilst letting the side down as I don't tend to have show gear on!

This is the 1.05m which we struggled round having just been dragged out the field (gate in the background of the picture!) but we came 2nd!