I had a busy month in December with teaching, having a couple of horses in to school and Cairo to sell. Its amazing how busy you can be even without competing, it makes you wonder how you can fit in shows as well....Timmy ended up having a month off as I needed his stable so he managed to grow a nice thick coat and then got turned out with Gringo who was still healing from his nasty kick. I managed to get Cairo out to Royal Leisure a couple of times. The first outing he had one down in the jump off but I was pleased with the way he went as this was my first show with him. We then went back the week after to jump a lovely double clear but was a little too slow so no placings. He did however pick up his first dressage ribbon at Golden Cross just before Christmas finishing 4th in the Prelim. He really is a super horse for anyone looking for a eventer this spring?!
Christmas and New year came and went so now due to the disgusting amount of mud we have all the horses are in and back in work. Timmy has been fairly good about his holiday and then coming back into work so maybe he is finally growing up.... He has been doing some road work and schooling and even had a jumping lesson last week which was ever so exciting! He is off to dressage this Wednesday as his first outing since November so hopefully he will stay in the arena!!!! I will be testing the Forest Farmacy Evening Performance calming products so fingers crossed!
Gringo is all fixed and now being ridden. He was very good about me sitting on him so fingers crossed he will stay like that. He still does not understand the concept of leg on means go forward which will improve over the next few weeks (hopefully). Yesterday he decided he was fed up with me kicking him so stopped, turned his head around and tried to chew my foot! I then resorted to someone chasing me with a lounge whip to get him to go forward - poor boy! He is going to be a stunning horse so I cant wait to get him out to show him off.
More exciting news is that I am setting up a new website to promote the Equine Sports Therapy. Along side the teaching I am now working on equine massage, stretching and laser treatment. It is a fantastic way to keep all horses whether they compete or just hack in peak condition. I offer a full MOT, looking at the horses movement, shoeing, saddle fit, teeth, diet and assess the muscle development and muscle state in order to work out a way to fix them. Until it is up and running please see www.annabaileyeventing.com for updates.
