Junior Viewing Weekend

The start to the weekend was fraught with disaster..... I was at home gettng the wagon ready to collect Sam, Laura, Diesel and Kwadraat from the Moodys yard in Sheffield. As usual the yard was extremely busy and we decided that I should leave around 11:00am. the wagon was packed and ready ...turn the key and nothing. Batteries were flat something to do with the immobiliser. Anyway we managed to get on the road to arrive at 4:00pm . We loaded up and headed off. Traffic was not bad for a Friday afternoon and we were doing fine for time considering the later start. We stopped off at Watford Gap services for a quick stop then set off again. About 800 yards out of the services we had a blow out on the wagon. We couldnt believe it.

Sitting on the side of the M1 ..... the biys didnt notice anything thankfully. They were still munching quite happily. We three girls were entertained by the traffic officers who were absolutely brilliant. Laura and Sams spirits still in tact and the recovery guy on his way with a tyre. Yipee. We were on our way within an hour or so. Laura's mum Chris, an excellent organiser and father Rob, kept the staff at Bury Farm updated. Rob even took the boys to the pub for a drink. We later realised that the guy was actually the owner. Alan was very down to earth, he and his staff were extremely helpful and supportive. We were escorted to our stables where Chris and Rob had already prepared our beds but we were assisted with putting further bedding down and made to feel very welcome. Horses settled and we were off to Chris and Robs camper van for evening meal. Wow how spoilt, suitable fed and watered, horses and us we were off to bed.

Morning arrived. Sam and Kwad were ready to go. They looked very smart in their whites. I must say I was very shocked at how grown up Sam looked. It has been three weeks since I spent time with Sam, missed her loads but looking at her on Kwad made me realise she is now a young woman. Laura and Sam were walking the horses to the arena and I was overwhelmed. Sam entered the arena and it was time to start the lesson. Ferdi chose Sam and and she started riding. I sat amazed at how Kwad and Sam had bonded in such a short time. He was soft and over his back and fluid in his movements. Ferdi watched Sam warm up and then called her over for another chat. He then took her stirrups away and I winced along with a few other people who I didnt know but they obviously knew Kwad and his movement. the lesson continued with Sam riding all the movements including the flying changes, extended canter, medium and extended trot,. I was sure the whites would get a bit of black on them but she sat tall and still. Took my breath away. Normally I let Sam know what I think could have been improved on in her lessons but today I couldnt pick fault. I was impressed with her riding given the time she had ridden Kwad. the lesson ended and off we went back to the stables. It was quite warm and the horses were obviously hot....some of the riders too,! The girls washed the hroses down and took them for a walk to graze and dry off in the sun.

I cooked tea in the wagon, Laura's Mum Chris had made a lovely Lasagne with breads etc which we were invited to share which was lovely. We ate in the very smart camper van that Chris and Rob had hired for the weekend. Suitably fed and watered we set off to bed, horses already tucked up for the night. Early Sunday we ate a leasurely breakfast and then went off to get the horses ready. Today Sam had Erik Thielgardd and again she rode lovely and they jus concentrated on what Ferdi had been working on the previous day again without stirrups. poor Sam. Anyway the lesson finished the girls were talking to the owner Alan and as Bury Farm have hot horse showers Alan suggested we get a token and pop them in the wash box. The horses had a hot shower and they then went for a walk to graze them while they dried off.

We tidied the beds and prepared the wagon for leaving. Had a finally visit to the shop on site and then we were ready for the off. The girls wanting to stop at Kentucky Fried Chicken at the Leicester services so tea was sorted. We headed off with Chris and Rob leading the way so that we followed the right route. back on the motorway and heading for home. Arriving at the Moodys the girls did a quick unpac of the wagon and horses and let me go on my way. It was another two hours or so before I would arrive home. I felt bad just leaving everything for the girls to sort out but they insisted and I was getting tired so I set off. Arriving home around 10:30pm I parked the wagon and relfected on the trip the highs and the lows. We had such a fantastic time. Catching up with other families we met on the circuit and watching all the young riders, Mums and Dads.

We were not surewhat was to happen next. We knew letters would be sent out to say whether or not the girls would be invited to National or Squad training. Laura rang to say she had her letter for the National training she applied for. Sam still had not heard. On Friday last we finally received the letter, Sam was at work in Sheffield and I was in Germany at the stallion auctions. Chris rng to say that Sam had a letter and should he open it. He opened it and read it out. We were delighted. He tried ringing Sam to let her know and I shared the news with a few friends in Germany. Wow. they did it., Sam was really pleased but also realises that this is only the first hurdle. Now she has to ride and train in order to try for a place on a team for either an international home or abraod trip. But after such a long time working hard and her recent commitment to training we hope she achieves all she sets out to do,. congrats Sam and Kwad. xx

Watch this space for further updates........

Junior Squad selection weekend

We attended the Junior squad selection weekend where Sam had a fantastic training session with Ferdi Eilberg on the Sat and with Erik Thielgard on the Sun. Sam really enjoyed the weekend meeting new people and catching up with friends. having only seen Sam ride Kwad once before I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly they seemed to have developed a relationship. Ferdi decided that Sam should do the lesson without stirrups... not easy on such a huge moving horse. However she held her position and when Ferdi suggested he would like to see medium and extended trot I winced at the thought but she delivered beautifully. Well done Sam. I thought your whites were definately going to suffer.

British Dressage Junior Viewing Day. Sam and Kwadraat travelled down to the selection viewing day at Bury Farm in Bedfordshire. It was such a fantastic weekend, the facilities are excellent.Sam trained with Ferdi Eilberg and Erik Thielgardd. As Sam is working at the Moodys yard I had not seen her ride Kwad since the first try on him a couple of weeks before. I was a little apprehensive as such a new combination especially as Kwadraat is such a big moving horse. We received a letter which states that Samantha and Kwadraat have been selected for the GB Junior Squad. This is a fabulous opportunity where Sam will gain further training and experience with the option of being selected to represent GB at home and abroad if her results warrant such an honour. We are so proud of her achievements to date and look forward to reporting their progress.

In addition we must congratulate Laura Jarvis who travelled with us. Laura is this years Young Rider Talent Spotting winner and she was also selected for National Training with her gorgeous, but naughty boy, Diesel.