Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Josh Thompson, and I am in my final year at Sedbergh School. I’m based in Cumbria, where I have two horses to event. Horses have always been my passion, and at the moment I plan to combine eventing with my studies, but ideally I would love to do horses full time.
After three disrupted seasons, due to cancellations and horse injuries I am now finally where I want to be with my riding. I finished 2009 with a completion at Weston Park 1*, I had been aiming to do a CCI for the past year, so it was great to finally do it. That was with the great little Shannagarry, who saved the season for me. He is on lease until the end of next year and I hope to be competitive at Intermediate with him in 2010.
My other horse is the quirky but talented Viander. We bought 'Duncan' in March, but he sadly threw a splint just days before his first event in April, and did not compete until August. We spent the few events we did getting to know each other, he is a clever horse, and he knows that BE100 is too small for him, hence his laziness, however once the jumps go up he gives them miles! His dressage has been very difficult this year, he has beautiful paces but an attitude to match, with has resulted in some horrendous scores! However, after a short beak at the end of the season he has come back better than ever and I really cannot wait until next year!
November has been a quiet month, as I have been concentrating on school work. Duncan has improved masses in his flatwok, and his lateral work has come on no end. I am now home for Christmas, and have spent the last few days clipping and generally sorting the yard out. 'Shannah' is now walking out daily, buliding up his fitness over the next few weeks after his post-season holiday. Duncan is hopefully starting to jump again this week, which I am really looking forward to. I need to get registered fir BSJA, BE and BD and get competing in preparation for next seasons eventing!
Until the next time all that is left to say is Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
