Anna Bailey's first blog!

Let me introduce myself, I'm Anna Bailey and I'm based in Tidebrook which is between Wadhurst and Mayfield in East Sussex. I teach, break and school horses as well as event my own horses and a few for owners throughout the season.

For me, riding was inevitable as my mum always had horses and my Stepfather was a Master of the New Forest Fox Hounds. Hunting as a child was a great way to learn to be gutsy and, most importantly, stay on!

Having joined the New Forest Pony Club at a very early age, I took part in most activities. It was here I developed an interest in show jumping after taking part in unaffiliated shows then progressing to International JA level with 148cm ponies. After finishing on ponies I went to Bedgebury School to study A levels and completed my BHSAI.

Teaching has become a huge part of my every day life and I train all levels from beginners to competition riders. For me the most satisfying part of teaching is seeing the riders improve. I am currently working towards becoming a BE Accredited trainer, something I am very excited about.

I switched to Eventing in 2004 with a horse I was show jumping. I fancied a change and have never looked back. In fact last year I produced two of my own horses up to Novice level with the aim of competing in a CIC* in the summer and hopefully a CIC** by the end of the season.

The horse in the picture had never seen a cross country fence until last summer. He had show jumped in Holland and did not understand the concept of dressage but he is so brave and tries so hard I had to give him a chance! His first event was at Stratford Hills last June and after a very tense dressage test, but staying in the arena, he went on to have just one down in the show jumping and then cleared every fence on the cross country like it was a Grand National hedge! And I wondered why I got time faults!

We had a mixed season but he showed improvement in all three phases as the year went on. He finished this season with the 1* at South Of England. There's still plenty of room for improvement so watch this space. Next season I hope to run him in a few more 1*s before trying a 2* at the end of the summer.

I have a lovely four year old who will make his eventing debut next summer. He looks just like Timmy but a slightly bigger frame – lets hope I get the right one out of the field for the 2*!! I will keep you updated with his progress.

I am also very lucky to be competing a few horses for Johanna Hedberg at Angley Stud. Cairo Z is a 5 year old stunning warmblood who after a winter of show jumping and dressage will make his eventing debut in March. I will keep you posted on the other horses when they are back in work!

Until next time
Anna

Things happen in three's - Jo Barry's latest blog instalment

Things happen in 3's, so I hope I have now had my three bad journeys!? The first was the burst tyre on the way home from Gloucestershire. The second was on the way home from Coventry on Wednesday. I was down in Coventry to receive my share of the Pat Smallwood Award at the BHS Convention. This is the last year that it is to be awarded and I feel very lucky to be one of the recipients. As a winner I received a cheque that is to be used to further my own training and knowledge to in turn pass on to my pupils..I am looking forward to making the most of this money. The journey home was slow due to the bad weather but was made worse when there was a bad accident on the M74 and the motorway had to be closed..the only option was to sit and wait for it to reopen. The journey ended up being 2hrs longer than on the way down.

On Thursday afternoon I headed up to Invergordon, near Inverness. I had an evenings teaching booked, followed by a full day on Friday. I take the train up for ease of travel and it is actually more cost efficient too. I had a two part journey with a connection at Perth. The first train was running late due to the heavy rain and flooding and I arrived in Perth 10 minutes after my onwards connection had left. The option given was to wait 2hrs and get the next train but if I did that I would not have been able to give any lessons that night. If I rushed through town (Challenge Anneka style!?) to the bus station I could get a bus and still manage to teach half of the lessons that had been booked. So the 'Challenge' began helped by a very friendly lady who took me under her wing and pointed me in the right direction..and eventually the destination of Inverness was reached! Even though the Friday's teaching is a long day, I do enjoy teaching up at Coillemore. The riders are really keen, they have lovely horses and I get very well looked after..perhaps even spoilt with home-made soup and sandwiches. Home late Friday night and prepared for Rafa's competition the next day..

Rafa was a bit ring rusty as he has not been out for a few months. He finds the tests in the small arena quite difficult, I often find he shrinks back at me when faced by a 20x40m arena test. Considering how wobbly we were I was very pleased with two wins and marks of 70.2% and 72.6%. He has now qualified for the Novice Open Winter Semi-final in addition to the Novice Freestyle.

Hoping the weather starts to settle and we get some frost, I hate muddy horses and wet fields.

The event season is over but Sam Penn is still picking up prizes!

Organic Horse Elite Squad member, Sam Penn, has once again been awarded an impressive collection of prizes at the annual South East Eventers League ball. Over the 2009 season Sam has had many successes riding her string of talented horses, and partnered with 15 year old ex racehorse, 707, managed to scoop first place in the Net-Tex Intermediate Rankings, first place in the Racehorse Sanctuary Racehorse to Event Horse award and in the overall South East Eventers League rankings she came joint third with Francis Whittington – closely behind the winner, Tina Cook with Miners Frolic.

As well as rugs, rosettes and prize money, Sam collected a selection of prizes from sponsors Net-Tex and the Racehorse Sanctuary. “I am over the moon to have won three such important awards,” says Sam. “707 has only been with me for one season but our partnership is exceptional. I would like to thank all my sponsors and owners for their loyal support over the season and am looking forward to what I hope will be a successful 2010.”

Jo Barry's blog: Lessons with Carl Hester and burning the candle at both ends!

Freddie and I had a great time away training with Carl last week. We had a smooth journey down with it taking just under 8 hours. Freddie settled much quicker this time as it was his third visit and I found him stretched out sleeping when I went to give him his breakfast on Monday morning. We had four lessons while we were down, concentrating mainly on teaching the flying changes, acceptance in the transitions between extension and collection and the startings of piaffe. Carl had me riding with a lot more power and determination.

I left realising that I have to take a risk and allow mistakes to happen so that we can learn and improve. For someone like me that is really hard as I hate not getting it perfect! I have been given lots of exercises to use at home for the changes and Carl has given me the confidence to have a go and practice. Highlights were when we managed a correct flying change on the long side from true to counter canter, doing our first steps of piaffe assisted by Carl from the ground and then seeing Carl ride Freddie on the last day. It was the first time Carl has sat on him and Freddie got 'the nod' from the master!

While I was down I was really pleased to still be allowed to ride some of Carl's horses. I also helped out on the yard and was driver for one of Carl's working pupils when she had a competition at Burrows Court. I also met up with old friends and had some lovely evenings over a bottle or two of wine. The only yard trauma while I was down was when Snowie, Carl's parrot escaped up into the trees! She spent 24hrs 'in the wild' and eventually was coaxed down by 'daddy' -returning to her cage looking very sheepish. I think Carl may have been the only one glad of her return... she is known to be the pitbull of Carl's menagerie!

The journey home was not quite so smooth. In rush hour traffic on the M6 I had a blow-out. Luckily it was sorted on the motorway and Freddie and I continued on our way, it just meant it took 10.5hrs to get home. Freddie was very happy to get back to his own bed and have a few days off. However, I think Rafa would have been happier if I had stayed away -I have come back with 'Carl-ified' riding and he has had his socks pulled right up!! This week is pretty hectic... Freddie has the physio on Monday, farrier on Tuesday. I head down to Coventry on Tuesday night to receive the Pat Smallwood award at the BHS Convention on Wednesday and come home that night... I then go up to Inverness (3 hours by train) to teach on Thursday evening and all day Friday before taking Rafa to a competition at the weekend..and also somehow going to the British Eventing Scottish Ball on the Saturday night!! Possibly burning the candle at both ends..??!

Meet Organic Horse Start Squad member Katherine Begley

Katherine Begley has on horse currently registered with British Eventing, a 16.3hh chestnut Gelding called Bourne Belvedere. The pair are currently competing at novice and CCI* level and in the 2009 season were placed 4th at Kelsall JRN , 1st at Goring Heath JON, 11th at Chatsworth Intermediate Novice and were selected to represent Wales & Borders at the JRN Championships at Weston Park, where they were clear inside the time XC. Katherine has also competed at the Pony Club Championships in 2007 and 2008. Her aims with Belvedere for 2010 are to compete in a CCI* abroad and to progress up to intermediate level in the spring with the hope of doing a CIC** at the end of the year. She also rides two other horses, Irish Rose and Cloons Master Plan, and events them at unaffiliated events, where they have been very successful. Rosie was placed at all of her events in 2009. Unfortunately they do not have the funds to affiliate all three, but have done a few events with them on day tickets with BE.

Why horses? “I have been around them all my life (my mother used to event) so it was a natural progression. Also because I love creating that bond with a horse, and that amazing feeling when it all comes together.’’
Biggest horsey bug bear? "People who are rude and impatient with event organisers at the end of a very long day."
Worst horsey habit? "De-scabbing my horses, I want them to be perfect. Scabs and flaky skin isn’t allowed!!!’’
If not horses what? "As a hobby I love mountaineering, mountain biking and skiing. But as a career, I have no idea!’’
What could you not live without? "My mum, who drives me all over the country to my events, and always supports me now matter how angry and upset I get’’

If you want to find out more visit www.katherinebegley.com

Meet Organic Horse Start Squad member Kat Poundsbery

Kat Poundsbery rides Pella, a 10 year old German warmblood Darco/Pilot lines, and is currently competing at Elementary/Medium level Dressage! She has so far competed on the Senior inter regional squad in 2008 and qualified for the Pet-plan Area Festivals in 08 and 09 at novice and elementary.

This year things have been put on hold slightly as Kat has started her own yard but has still been out and done some riding club shows including Sevenoaks Riding Club - won the novice with 71.5% and qualified for their champs, Hadlow Riding Club - won the elementary with 66.2% and the novice with 65% and qualified for their champs. Short term she is hoping to qualify for the regional championships at Novice and Elementary. Long term she wants to crack on with the medium work and start some work on Pella's changes ready to go up a level next year!

Why horses? "Have been riding since I was little but didnt get into dressage until 5 years ago, I love horses they are beautiful and powerful creatures, they will teach you patience and respect and in return give you a partnership for life!! I love Dressage as its all about athletics, suppleness, balance and bio-mechanics!!"
Biggest horsey bug bear "Riders that blame the horse when something goes wrong! Its very rarely the horses fault!"
Worst Horsey habit "Forgetting to do kick bolts on my mares door!! Then she opens it and does a runner!!!"
If not horses, what? "I think it would still be horsey involved!! Maybe with a feed company or something but I cant really imagine not doing horses!!!"
What could you not live without? "Oats!!!! My horses require alot of energy and good weight and oats tick all the boxes for me!!"

Meet Elite Squad member Sam Penn

Sam Penn rides a string of horses from her base, Golden Cross Equestrian Centre in West Sussex...
Tickeridge,(Tigga) 4yo bay geld, 16.2, by Royal Brooke Cruise (IDSH), winner Lycetts BE 4yo championships '09.
Captain Christy, (Smurf) 18yo bay geld, 16.3, by Cavalier Royale (Holsteiner), Former Team GB ride for Tina Cooke, had operation for Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) in '09, aiming to be back out Advanced and 3* level '10.
707, (Brooke) 15yo bay geld, 16.2, by Skyliner (TB). Ex racehorse, won SEEL Intermediate and Retraining of Racehorses leagues in '09, plus 3rd in Overall Leading Horse/Rider league. Moving up to Advanced and hopefully 3* in '10.
Coco de Cara, (Coconut) 8yo grey geld, 16.2, by Terimon (TB). Winner Aldon Open Pre-Nov 3DE '09, qualified BD National Championships (Restricted Elementary) '08/'09.
My Friend Freddie, (Fred) 14yo black geld, 17.0, by Carmel Head (TB). Consistantly placed IN, moving up to Intermediate '10.
Coevers Diamond Clover, (Flynn) 5yo bay geld, 15.2, by Coevers Diamond Boy (IDSH). Consistently placed pre-nov, placed in 1st novice, qualified Lycetts BE 5yo champs '09.
Dyke Road, (Bobby), 4yo bay geld, 15.2, by Cult Hero (TB), recently broken, an exciting prospect for 5yo qualifiers next year.
Pusiden, (Sid), 3yo bay geld, 15.3, by Puissance (ISH), recently broken, another one to watch in 2010.

Greatest Achievements so far...
2009. 1st Lycetts BE 4yo Championship -Tickeridge. 1st SEEL Intermediate and ROR leagues. 3rd Leading Horse&Rider league -707. Winner ROR award BD National Dressage Champs -Coco de Cara
2008. Ist SEEL Pre Nov league-Coco de Cara. Winner ROR award BD National Dressage Champs- Coco de Cara.
2007. 1st PAVO BE 5yo Championship- Pokeys Bally Milo. 9th BE Festival Novice Championships-On A Par. 8th Houghton Hall 1*- On A Par.
Sam is aiming in 2010 to compete at 3* with the older horses and get all her youngsters back to their respective age championships. Longer term she wants to be part of Team GB.

Why horses? "All I ever wanted to do was ride, originally I wanted to showjump but never quite made it, moved into eventing aged 22 and got a break working at Golden Cross."
Horsey bug bear "Poor turnout, it costs nothing to be neat, clean, correct (NO PINK/GLITTER) and tidy."
My worst horsey habit "Hmm, awaiting reply from the boss on that one!"
If not horses, what? "Dont really know much about anything else, but would be something sporting/a bit mad, always fancied being a stunt artist for tv or would have seriously considered joining the army."
What could you not live without? "Haribo Tangfastics and Cadbury's Creme Eggs. Horsey-wise white-n-brite shampoo and Kym and Karla our grooms."
If you want to find out more about Sam visit: www.sampenn.co.uk