Hey guys, Helen here! We are currently 8 weeks out from the big one and so we thought it was time for a proper written blog introduction! Hopefully you guys have had a look at the reel from Bedmax (find it on their socials otherwise!) where I introduce myself and “Demon”, aka Carpe Diem my wonderful, incredible horse. Together we have competed up to 5* level, and this year we are hoping to return to the prestigious Badminton horse trials!
Sometimes working with horses (and I’m sure other jobs too!) it doesn’t feel like one week ends and another begins, more like they just blend into one another, and the last few weeks have been no different! We have quite a few horses in at the moment for training- which is SO fun getting to know them, understand their different characters and abilities, and how best they learn, but it does mean logistically you need to be on the ball to get everything done in a day!
The horses and I are SO lucky to have a super team behind us, head girl Kristine Øvland, Jess Richardson and Charlotte Aitken to name a few (as well as a few other great friends/ super grooms stepping in when needed!). It takes a lot of amazing people- not only to get the horses out competing, but also to keep the show on the road at home and make sure all of the horses are still receiving the absolute best care whilst we are away.
We had a great run at Poplar Park with Demon (Open Intermediate), Casper (Cascorson Z- Open Intermediate), and Pluto (Moonstar- Novice). Demon did a super snazzy dressage for 25.2 in a seriously competitive section, followed by a steady double clear. He can come out pretty fresh and strong at the start of the year, and whilst he was VERY excited and happy to be back, he actually felt very rideable on the XC which is a super way to start the season with him.
The other boys were brilliant too with Casper posting an easy double clear after not running since July last year (poor guy picked up a nasty bug in July last year and ended up finishing his season early to enable him to relax and get back to full strength- so glad to say he’s back to feeling amazing now!).
Pluto was unfortunately momentarily caught out by a very tight turn to a skinny on the XC in the low early evening sun, but overall giving me a mega feeling- he’s been a tricky character to work out, but is so talented and sweet, I think he’s worth being patient for! It was a long trip back home, and was actually Kristine’s birthday (to which we treated ourselves to a Burger KIng- shh!), but always helps to make the hard work and long days worthwhile when the horses go so well!
The ground at Poplar at this time of year is truly incredible, and is part of what makes us drive all the way over from Cirencester! I then had Hocus Pocus (owned by Becky Diamond) at Tweseldown this weekend. He started his season well with a confident double clear in the Open Novice. “Hugo” had a bit of a confidence knock the last couple of years before I began riding him, so it’s lovely for me and Becky to see him start our second season together so happy and enjoying it all again like he used to.
Entries for the big one close next week, and as I write this we have just popped ours on the list! It’s a very exciting time, and for now we can only hope that Demon stays feeling good and that we get in! It’s always interesting to see what other riders are planning for their seasons, and I have a feeling this Badminton will be extra competitive. Especially given that the Europeans are late enough on in the season that some of the top riders can potentially run at both with their championship horses. With last years Olympics it could be said that Badminton lacked a few notable names/ faces so it will be exciting to see who is on the list this year! Please keep your fingers crossed for us to get in!
Whilst we have been slowly building up Demon’s fitness work since January, he did his first proper longer canter today, which was great to see how well he’s feeling. We’re so lucky to be able to do this at home due to our amazing old turf at the top of our hacking fields. Stay tuned for the next vlog where we’ll talk a bit about his fitness in more detail!
For now, I’m off do lates and hopefully catch up on some MAFS Australia- my guilty pleasure!
