Josh Thompson: Water babies, broken bones, making ground and the final countdown!

I have been very busy since my last blog; and it hasn’t all been plain sailing! My first event of the month was Auchinleck where Duncan was in the Novice and Shannah was in the Intermediate. Shannah did a nice test for him, he got a 42 but we were pleased with the way he went as he is never going to be a top scorer at Intermediate! He show jumped very well but had an annoying one down. However I was very happy as I thought there is room for improvement still. I was looking forward to a nice easy XC to get us into the swing of things. Oh no, it was huge! We were jumping some of the advanced fences and the little pony just loved it. He was giving me an awesome ride up to fence 12, a small house. I however got over excited and tried to cut into it too much. He left a leg and I fell off! I did however get back on, and we jumped a few more fences and he went really well until we had a stop at the corner three from home. Even though we had an R on your record he felt amazing, and we both felt confident at that level which is the main thing.

Duncan however was not on top form; again we had a disappointing dressage test after warming up well and a bit of a disaster in the showjumping including a stop. On the XC I was determined to ride him positively after naughty errors at Central Scotland. Over the first few fences he gave me a really good feel-he is really starting to mature. However, it was the water again that was to be our undoing. He had two very cheeky stops, and completely refused to go near the edge, luckily as horses were only running at one minute intervals we got a lead from the next horse. He then flew round very well; if only we hadn’t have had the water issue he would have had gone well.

Since then he have been having lessons with Ruth Edge. We started going to Ruth last year but for various reasons the lessons dwindled. However, she has worked wonders and after just three lessons we are a totally different partnership. We also took Duncan and my ‘grooms’ horse Midnight to Somerford Park XC schooling. It was India’s first time doing XC on the mare and her first event since Hutton in the Forest PN in 2007 with me! They both did superb. Duncan’s main aim was to crack the water and to get him off the leg. He was really good and jumping boldly at the end. He is a very clever horse and can try to avoid work however possible. However, recently he has really started to enjoy what he is doing.

The next event on the calendar was Floors Castle. Floors is one of my favourite events, it’s got a lovely setting and nice courses. We had dropped Duncan down to the BE100 for a confidence run. He had a 35 and a double clear. I couldn’t have been more pleased and he felt confident in all three phases. Sadly we were HC, but would have come third. Shannah did a slightly disappointing dressage to score in the mid 40’s. However worse was to come. In the show jumping warm up he was not on top form. He kept on ducking out at the upright, something which he never does. After jumping it a couple of times he pulled up lame. We had the vet to see him and he has cracked a bone in his knee. He should make a full recovery but this is a very frustrating recovery. He is on box rest for 6 weeks and should be brought back into work in late August.

My last event was Shelford Manor, for another BE100 run. Our dressage was average, slightly disappointing as I now know he can do much more. The less said about the showjumping the better, basically I need to walk my course and ride more forwards. Then he gave me the best XC ride I’ve had. Met each fence on a perfect stride and I think finally he is starting to fully mature. Could not have been happier with him! Over half-term I have been trying to crack the dressage and showjumping. His flat work really has come on leaps and bounds, and over the weekend I jumped him and he was insanely good; he really is a horse with masses of scope. I think we had a confidence crash together, and because of this he needs help. Although talented he is still quite immature, everyone keeps saying once we are on form there is no stopping us!

I am now counting down the days until I have finished school and am a free man! As of the 21st June I will be eventing and enjoying life, hopefully by August I will have stormed the A-levels too! Our next event is Hexham JRN at the weekend. We then have Hutton Novice, with the wonderful unpaid groom India making her BE debut in the BE80. Before I came back to school she had an awesome jumping lesson, and I fear my position as top rider on the yard is under threat! Bye for now!