Wednesday 26 September 2012

Back to work after the Nationals.

Disco Diva did us proud at the Nationals in Warwickshire!!

A fab 5th place with 69.44%. We would have of course prefered to be placed higher as her test was foot perfect and her transitions all truly and correctly accented, with lovely uphill paces throughout. I do sometimes feel, as she has such natural collection running through her, it is often mistaken for tension!! We were ealry on in the day also, so I think this often makes a difference to the judging.

She worked and felt superb, focussed throughout and did the test of her life, far better than her regional test, which she won with 72%...!!

No spooks, no sillies, no naughties.....not bad for only a 6month competition campaign!! There is definately alot more to come from this little pocket rocket of a mare, so I am not too worried for her future.

So its back to work with all the others, liveries, clients and my own. Today we took 5yrold Lambada (Bella) out for her first time since acquiring her last year from the Brightwells sales. She has need time to physically and psychologically grow and its paid off. She was a gem, so competitions can now be planned for. I have also picked up 8yr old Fabritzio's (Fry) work, so we'll be aiming for more advanced classes in the not too distant future!

Lots more on the way, as well as beginning work with new one's Simply Black (Mo) and Show Cob "Mrs Bridges", both 3yr olds, and new liveries coming in for training......

Sunday 2 September 2012

Little bit late I know.....

Disco Diva won her regional Championships at Oldencraig EC on 12th August.

We were all thrilled if not quite shocked!!! I had a secret hope she could do it, but once we arrived I watched a few tests and saw some very big flashy types.....I thought, "oh dear, today is not our day", but I decided I would not change anything, and warmed up as normal and thought "hey, what have we got to lose..?"

To me, the test felt I had done too much work to keep everything active and correct, so thought that it had looked messy!!!

But then our result came through late, and low and behold we had topped the open novice with 72.4%, a good 3% clear of second!!

My mum (owner of Disco Diva) then later confessed that the test looked good, and didn't say anything as she knows how hyper critical I am, and as I had already stated I was not happy, she knew best to keep schtum!!!! I can be very stubborn at times and single minded - thankfully I have a good team around me who just ignore me!!!!

We thouroughly enjoyed the mounted prize giving - more of those please! - and even got our picture in the Horse and Hound!!

A very good day for all : )

Friday 3 August 2012

Regionals at Addington

Well, we had our Open Novice and Elementary regionals with Wilehmina, owned by Carolyn Alston and, Disco Diva owned by Lynne Hawes.

Wilehmina, aka Millie performed calmly in the Novice gaining 68%, but was more tense in the Elementary as really it was an edcuation for her, seeing as she has only been in full training for 1 year after having 2 foals.

Diva was a gem and again, although not that experienced in Elementary, worked her socks off with less tension than ever before!!! Placed 6th with 66%, I was thrilled as we await her Novice regional in a weeks time! I'm sooo looking forward to it, and along with some extra BD training seesions I hope we achieve all that is possible with her at the mo!!