Combined Training is a fantastic opportunity to get the horses out before the season starts, to get a feel for them in a show environment and hope we are heading in the right direction before having to pay large entry fees, start fees and travelling further afield.

23^rd February – we took four horses, a real mixed bunch to compete in classes ranging from Intro to Nov, the weather wasn’t necessarily on our side as it was blowing a gale. James the TB who has come to learn about being a pleasure horse rather than a racehorse, had his first outing, and though not placed, mainly because he couldn’t stand still for the entire day came away from the event having progressed in his education.

Wesley the coloured stallion had his first outing since he finished eventing last year and he felt super. He finished the season last year with three wins back to back and I have to say I was very pleased that he came out and won again. He did a superb test and has really come on through the winter with his jumping. His first event will be South of England in April, then he will do a few stud duties before he competes again.

Sid (Pusiden) loves a party and in the past has been a bit tense in the dressage, which is infuriating as when he settles and relaxes into the job being asked of him he is fantastic and can produce an amazing test, I am very excited about the forthcoming season with him as at the end of last year he really had come into his own cross country and gave me some superb rides. Today he was perfect, he warmed up well and gave me a lovely feeling in the arena to produce a great test. He show jumped well and finished his first competition of 2014 with a win.

A return ride for this year is Bruce, (First Impression) – he competed last year at BE100 with another rider and is owned by Teresa Hemings, having started his career with me in 2012 – I am quite excited about him and looking forward to our season together after he produced a good test and a lovely round of showjumping in the Novice section to take second place.

A great start to the season, now to do an entry for combined Training next week and hope James can stand still for at least part of the day!!