Much to our surprise following the results at keysoe Sam and Wallenstein were invited to compete in Belgium. Wow we couldnt believe it. We asked that we take Kwad too as if we were to ride one then it would be good experience to have another ride too. Gain twice as much experience. I would say that this was definately the right move.
Wallenstein was good on the first day with promising results although a couple of tweaks required and as Sam had not ridden him much it was hard to know how to correct this for the competition arena, training yes but in the arena it was a difficult call. Sam rode him well though and a credit to her determination to give things a try.
Kwad on the other hand just was getting better. Following their successful outing at Sheepgate where Sam was 2nd in the team and Ist in the Individual it was fitting that yet again we saw good results in Belgium. In the team test Sam rode a good test and for the Brits was 2nd behind Melissa Beer. In the Individual Sam qualified for the Kur on Kwad and the consolation on Wally. We were so excited. Sam was leading for a good time and having been the first in the arena it seemed like a really long time. However her final placing was 13th which for her first international abroad was truly amazing. This was also only the second time Sam had ridden the music in a competition so we hope it keeps on improving.
The weather was fantastic but we arrived on a very sombre day. It was the funeral for the Belgium show jumper. He and his sister ran the competition centre in Moorsele and rather than cancel the event - it went ahead., A very brave decision.
The atmosphere in the camp was strong with the stables decorated with the Union Jacks, everyone on bicycles and scooters and enjoying the sunshine. Ian Leak had carried our food and haylege as we feared we would be overweight in the wagon carrying two big horses. We arrived at the ferry weighbridge holding our breathe but we had a whole 20kg to spare!!!! what did we have to worry about...Phew! Ian had out out some of the haylege bales to keep our spaces.... makes a change from towels I suppose. He he.
The temperature was high, very little breeze and surrounded by horses, what more could you want,. oh yes the bar was open too! The selectors and our chef d'equippe were excellent along with Ferdi Eilberg and Erik Thiellgard. And of course Becky made the most amazing trip to support Sam and warm her up during th coure of the competition,. Can you believe Becky was driven to Hull by Anne, boarded an overnight ferry, caught the bus, a taxi and then walked 5 miles or so to the centre.... all so she could teach and ride a few horses before coming out. Now thats what I call dedication and support. Becky was brilliant. I had the best few days. Sam and Becky managed the horses as they had their routine. I offered the odd hand but generally was a bit of a spare part. My duties were not to start until Saturday so what was I to do. . I cleaned the wagon, swept and swept. had lesiurely showers and to my surprise managed to read a book. I am not one for reading as I tend not to have the time but I did plenty in Belgium. Pure holiday in heaven. Actually just what I needed.
Sadly Becky left us on the Saturday afternoon as her horses and other clients beckoned and so her return journey, much the same as before began. Sam rode the music really well and unfortunately Wally and Sam just had difference of opinion as to what they were to do. I must say Sam learned quickly and proved that she can listen and react to a situation.
It was time to leave and after having such a fab time, socialising and watching fab horses we set off on our way back. It was a convoy. Lead trucker was Ian Leak, we called him Optimus Prime, as he was in his silver truck with red stripes on the side, then came Stephen Thompson, then us and Eliza Mason and Joe taking up the rear. Onwards we go....
We arrrived at the docks and in sequence took up our spots in readiness to board the ferry. We loaded up checked the horses and went upstairs, We looked for optimus and stephen but couldnt see them, then with a glance back to the docks..... somehow they were standing there watching us move off intothe distance. How did that happen? Ooooops not very polite. Sam rang Ian and we waved goodbye. Apparently it was only minutes before their ferry set sail too.
We just had time to have some breakfast and then a quick shopping trip and it was time to get ready to unload. back on th road to Gunthwaite. Wow what a trip. truly an experience and I was sad to leave.
Oh well hopefully this will not be the last trip abroad.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Hmmm - what do we do now! Wallentein and Keysoe.
Becky suggested that Sam should ride Wallenstein and try him at Keysoe Premier. Sam had never ridden Wally before and this was the Monday before Keysoe. Sam rode Wally on the Monday and the results were pleasing she enjoyed the ride and so agreed that she would ride at Keysoe. She then rode him again on the Wed and Friday before competing him on the Saturday. its got to be madness to expect anything with only 3 rides under her belt on Wally but she was confident and Becky was too so you can only try.
Wally is a completely different horse to Kwad and this was to test Sams riding enormously. he was also such a big horse to keep together. I must admit they rode two lovely tests although the marks were not high it was definately a picture for the future. Everyone was pleased and she gained alot of support for this outing.
Wally is a completely different horse to Kwad and this was to test Sams riding enormously. he was also such a big horse to keep together. I must admit they rode two lovely tests although the marks were not high it was definately a picture for the future. Everyone was pleased and she gained alot of support for this outing.
Sam and Kwadraat selected for the Addington Home International - Wow
Sam and Kwadraat selected to represent Great Britain at the Home International at Addington Manor in April 2009.
It has been an awful time for us lately and to be honest we really cant focus on life in general and so I will keep this short as an update.
The journey began with a trip to purchase the top hat and tails and the day her Great Britain jacket arrived.....along with the Union Jacks for her tailcoat and numnahs.
We picked Sam and Kwad up for our trip to Addington and bedded down for the night. All in all it was very much like a normal show at Addington. All dressed and ready for the trot up - they both looked magnificent. thankfully we heard the right words - he passed! so we were ready to compete. Becky drove down from Barnsley to warm Sam up for the Team test - how she does it I will never know, left at 5am to travel and warm Samup then returned to Gunthwaite to ride and teach. Returning the next day to do the same. You couldnt as for better support.
On the first day Sam got up but wasnt feeling very well. She had had a bit of cold and had flu like symptoms along with our personal loss I began to wonder if competing was the right thing to do. Some said it would keep her busy until the funeral and others felt it was too much. Sam made the decision to compete so as not to let the team down. I can only sy it was hard and I thinj she did a fab job under the circumstances.
As she entered the arena again all looked like a normal Addington premier, affiliated or even talent spotting. She had ridden in this arena a number of times so nothing out of the ordinary until the commentator said "lets welcome to the arena Samantha Brown riding Kwadraat for Great Britain" - wow thats when it hit me so who knows what Sam felt. She said she was too busy concentrating to notice hich was probably just as well. We were so proud of her.
Anyway suffuce to say she had a good Addington haven ridden some nice tests and qualifying for the Kur ! That should be interesting - having only ridden it a few times at home and never having ridden a music before - I think she was very brave and handled the situation extremely well. Well done girlie.
Well to cut short we really enjoyed ourselves and it was a fantastic experience. One I shall never forget. Lets hope its not the last time she will wear the Union Jack.
It has been an awful time for us lately and to be honest we really cant focus on life in general and so I will keep this short as an update.
The journey began with a trip to purchase the top hat and tails and the day her Great Britain jacket arrived.....along with the Union Jacks for her tailcoat and numnahs.
We picked Sam and Kwad up for our trip to Addington and bedded down for the night. All in all it was very much like a normal show at Addington. All dressed and ready for the trot up - they both looked magnificent. thankfully we heard the right words - he passed! so we were ready to compete. Becky drove down from Barnsley to warm Sam up for the Team test - how she does it I will never know, left at 5am to travel and warm Samup then returned to Gunthwaite to ride and teach. Returning the next day to do the same. You couldnt as for better support.
On the first day Sam got up but wasnt feeling very well. She had had a bit of cold and had flu like symptoms along with our personal loss I began to wonder if competing was the right thing to do. Some said it would keep her busy until the funeral and others felt it was too much. Sam made the decision to compete so as not to let the team down. I can only sy it was hard and I thinj she did a fab job under the circumstances.
As she entered the arena again all looked like a normal Addington premier, affiliated or even talent spotting. She had ridden in this arena a number of times so nothing out of the ordinary until the commentator said "lets welcome to the arena Samantha Brown riding Kwadraat for Great Britain" - wow thats when it hit me so who knows what Sam felt. She said she was too busy concentrating to notice hich was probably just as well. We were so proud of her.
Anyway suffuce to say she had a good Addington haven ridden some nice tests and qualifying for the Kur ! That should be interesting - having only ridden it a few times at home and never having ridden a music before - I think she was very brave and handled the situation extremely well. Well done girlie.
Well to cut short we really enjoyed ourselves and it was a fantastic experience. One I shall never forget. Lets hope its not the last time she will wear the Union Jack.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
First Dressage test on Kwad......Sun 18th Jan 2009
We met up with Sam and the Moodys at Vale View in Leicester. Frank was loaded up with horses and riders and headed off to Vale View in the early hours of Sunday morning. As Sam was not on until 4:30 pm we left home around 9am for a leisurely drive to the venue. We arrived relaxed and warm... not for long. !
First on the agenda was a look around the shop, bargain hunting. Then a well earned coffee.
First riders of the day were Emma and Pip Corbett - unfortunately a bit earlier so we missed those tests. A shame as I really like the new boy, Fio, think he will be something special and one to watch out for. Murphy was introduced to me later that day by Pip, wearing his scarf. It was cold you know. !
hannah was next up with her young lady Caluna. Possibly the first time I have seen Hannah compete and Caluna was looking good. I think it was their first Medium tests, certainluy would have been near enough the first and how well they did too. Han ended up winning both tests in Caluna although I dont think that would have mattered to Hannah as she was so pleased with Caluna after the test the result was not the issue although I think she was pleased about that too.
Emma Gallagher was next to go with her cheeky boy. The straight after was Sam. Ooh by now I was to take away. Nerves shot so keeping well out of the way. Not ususally as nervous but I think it was such a big test for them both and for her first time out with the boy. An Advanced Medium to warm up - HC and it was a pleasing test that allowed them to settle into each other in readiness for the big one.
Kwad earned a little rest in the wagon and we brought him back out about 20 mins before the big one just to warm him up a little and loosen him off. Sams fingers were so cold, hands red raw and painfully blue. Poor thing. I must remember to bring a hot water bottle next time. Also her Konigs are not broken in yet so cold feet and no feeling in her ankles.
The bell rings and the test begins.......oooooooohhhhhh!!!!!
Well I can say it was a really good test for her first ever advanced class and first time out on the boy,. whatever happens we were really proud and pleased with the overall picture. Although the lack of top hat and tails was a shame. Long story but her Patey hat bought as a special present for the hard work she had done presenting Caesar at the Premier Leagues and showing the girls and babies, didnt fit and was sent back a second time only to find it still didnt fit. So we are waiting now for her new Christie Hat to be delivered. It wasnt to deter her from the the test though and as it wasnt absolutely necessary for this level she entered at A.....
Kwads tempis were foot perfect and the test was a good one. Moody girls pleased and the first test was now over and done with. Now its down to the nitty gritty, more tests to come. We laoded up and Sam and I had a big hug. It was done. Her first test and first advanced over with. Now off to get the results......
Well it was a good test. Probably if we are honest needed a bit tidying up, bit of practice and more tests at this level and an excellent start. Sam won the class with 65.94 percent so a very pleasing start. Well done. Her Daddy was there too to watch and so this will be a day to remember. Thanks to all our support team. For the first time I was not a driver, chef or groom. I was able to enjoy the day and watch the tests, probably why I was more nervous than normal, nothing to keep me occupied.! ..
First on the agenda was a look around the shop, bargain hunting. Then a well earned coffee.
First riders of the day were Emma and Pip Corbett - unfortunately a bit earlier so we missed those tests. A shame as I really like the new boy, Fio, think he will be something special and one to watch out for. Murphy was introduced to me later that day by Pip, wearing his scarf. It was cold you know. !
hannah was next up with her young lady Caluna. Possibly the first time I have seen Hannah compete and Caluna was looking good. I think it was their first Medium tests, certainluy would have been near enough the first and how well they did too. Han ended up winning both tests in Caluna although I dont think that would have mattered to Hannah as she was so pleased with Caluna after the test the result was not the issue although I think she was pleased about that too.
Emma Gallagher was next to go with her cheeky boy. The straight after was Sam. Ooh by now I was to take away. Nerves shot so keeping well out of the way. Not ususally as nervous but I think it was such a big test for them both and for her first time out with the boy. An Advanced Medium to warm up - HC and it was a pleasing test that allowed them to settle into each other in readiness for the big one.
Kwad earned a little rest in the wagon and we brought him back out about 20 mins before the big one just to warm him up a little and loosen him off. Sams fingers were so cold, hands red raw and painfully blue. Poor thing. I must remember to bring a hot water bottle next time. Also her Konigs are not broken in yet so cold feet and no feeling in her ankles.
The bell rings and the test begins.......oooooooohhhhhh!!!!!
Well I can say it was a really good test for her first ever advanced class and first time out on the boy,. whatever happens we were really proud and pleased with the overall picture. Although the lack of top hat and tails was a shame. Long story but her Patey hat bought as a special present for the hard work she had done presenting Caesar at the Premier Leagues and showing the girls and babies, didnt fit and was sent back a second time only to find it still didnt fit. So we are waiting now for her new Christie Hat to be delivered. It wasnt to deter her from the the test though and as it wasnt absolutely necessary for this level she entered at A.....
Kwads tempis were foot perfect and the test was a good one. Moody girls pleased and the first test was now over and done with. Now its down to the nitty gritty, more tests to come. We laoded up and Sam and I had a big hug. It was done. Her first test and first advanced over with. Now off to get the results......
Well it was a good test. Probably if we are honest needed a bit tidying up, bit of practice and more tests at this level and an excellent start. Sam won the class with 65.94 percent so a very pleasing start. Well done. Her Daddy was there too to watch and so this will be a day to remember. Thanks to all our support team. For the first time I was not a driver, chef or groom. I was able to enjoy the day and watch the tests, probably why I was more nervous than normal, nothing to keep me occupied.! ..
Squad Training
We travelled to Bury Farm for the Squad training day on the 3rd January 2009. Temperatures of -8 recorded as we slept in the wagon...... very chilly. We were quite toasty in the wgon until it was time to get out from under our quilts... soon warmed up in the lovely cafeteria at Bury Farm.
Kwad had a really settled night in his luxury stable. Bury has an entire stable block set aside for temporary stabling but in fact rather nicely done. Home from home.
In the morning Sam had a fitness session with Jon Pitts, lots of rolling around on the balance balls from what I could see. Some very good techniques and now I have a shopping list which includes snaffling my balance ball for Sam to take to the Moodys. She really felt that the balance ball was helping with opening her hips, something the little stiffy has a problem with. You would think at 16 she would be more flexible.... although i do believe that the "child friendly pony" she tried from a local dealer some years ago is still playing havoc with her bones. Some 18 hours in A&E with lost feeling in her legs. The manic pony was brutal, after an exhaustive session trying to remove Sam from the saddle, when it finally did, it came back and jumped all over her. Very unusual for a horse to do this but this little pony was having none of it. She had only just started to trot. Anyway we feel the stiffness probably stems from this incident and she has rto work really hard to come through it. So balance ball it is...
Before lunch there was also a talk with Anna Ross Davies. What a lovely lady, so funny. Mums and Dads were allowed to join in and listen to gain all the tips we could to help our young riders. Really enjoyed the talk and found what she said made sense. Anna explained how she prepares for competition and how to eradicate those crucial stressy moments which cause pre competition stress. Anna explained how her trainer advised preparation for a big show and walked us through her preprations, thoughts and routines. How it was difficult for her to have a groom when she was so used to doing the hrose pre herself. Not having to do the plaiting up meant she had time on her hands. How she had to find ways of using this time constructively so that it wasnt filled with stressy moments. Very informative. I must say though I think the lack of qwuestions after her talk was down to one of two things, she either explained everything extremely well or we were so cold we didnt dare ask a question for fear we would be kept in the room a bit longer. Everyone enjoyed the talk and we certainly seemed to get a few ideas for combating any nerves.
After lunch Sam was ready to go into her session. Having only watched her a few times now on Kwad I was keen to see if I noticed any improvement. Fortuntately Sam got to keep her stirrups this time. This session seemed to focus more on obtaining a soft outline with a lot of stretching exercises and working the muscles across the back. Kwad seems to enjoy this now and is really warming to the experience. I must say I have seen an improvement in Sam, maybe its just because she is growing up and I see a young lady now instead of my little girl. Whatever it is I do enjoy and like what I see.
Anyway another fantastic session with Ferdi was over and we watched a few more lessons before our journey back to Sheffield. Selectors had a little chat with everyone after their training session too so after that we headed off back home. It was 4 and half hours to Sheffield and a further 2 hours for me to get back home so a long couple of days. But thankfully back to a warm bed.
We travelled to Bury Farm for the Squad training day on the 3rd January 2009. Temperatures of -8 recorded as we slept in the wagon...... very chilly. We were quite toasty in the wgon until it was time to get out from under our quilts... soon warmed up in the lovely cafeteria at Bury Farm.
Kwad had a really settled night in his luxury stable. Bury has an entire stable block set aside for temporary stabling but in fact rather nicely done. Home from home.
In the morning Sam had a fitness session with Jon Pitts, lots of rolling around on the balance balls from what I could see. Some very good techniques and now I have a shopping list which includes snaffling my balance ball for Sam to take to the Moodys. She really felt that the balance ball was helping with opening her hips, something the little stiffy has a problem with. You would think at 16 she would be more flexible.... although i do believe that the "child friendly pony" she tried from a local dealer some years ago is still playing havoc with her bones. Some 18 hours in A&E with lost feeling in her legs. The manic pony was brutal, after an exhaustive session trying to remove Sam from the saddle, when it finally did, it came back and jumped all over her. Very unusual for a horse to do this but this little pony was having none of it. She had only just started to trot. Anyway we feel the stiffness probably stems from this incident and she has rto work really hard to come through it. So balance ball it is...
Before lunch there was also a talk with Anna Ross Davies. What a lovely lady, so funny. Mums and Dads were allowed to join in and listen to gain all the tips we could to help our young riders. Really enjoyed the talk and found what she said made sense. Anna explained how she prepares for competition and how to eradicate those crucial stressy moments which cause pre competition stress. Anna explained how her trainer advised preparation for a big show and walked us through her preprations, thoughts and routines. How it was difficult for her to have a groom when she was so used to doing the hrose pre herself. Not having to do the plaiting up meant she had time on her hands. How she had to find ways of using this time constructively so that it wasnt filled with stressy moments. Very informative. I must say though I think the lack of qwuestions after her talk was down to one of two things, she either explained everything extremely well or we were so cold we didnt dare ask a question for fear we would be kept in the room a bit longer. Everyone enjoyed the talk and we certainly seemed to get a few ideas for combating any nerves.
After lunch Sam was ready to go into her session. Having only watched her a few times now on Kwad I was keen to see if I noticed any improvement. Fortuntately Sam got to keep her stirrups this time. This session seemed to focus more on obtaining a soft outline with a lot of stretching exercises and working the muscles across the back. Kwad seems to enjoy this now and is really warming to the experience. I must say I have seen an improvement in Sam, maybe its just because she is growing up and I see a young lady now instead of my little girl. Whatever it is I do enjoy and like what I see.
Anyway another fantastic session with Ferdi was over and we watched a few more lessons before our journey back to Sheffield. Selectors had a little chat with everyone after their training session too so after that we headed off back home. It was 4 and half hours to Sheffield and a further 2 hours for me to get back home so a long couple of days. But thankfully back to a warm bed.
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