A season review
Well what a season its been, first of all; apologies for being so late with all our news but things got a bit hectic and then there is so much to tell that I really didn’t know where to start.
Our first Premier League at Addington went better than I could have ever hoped for, I was on at 09.30 which meant a really early start and a draw right at the beginning of the class, Primus warmed up really well and did a super test. So I excitedly went to the score board when the class was a third way through and to my amazement we were in the lead! We held on to our lead for hours as the huge class went on, I went back to the score board before I left at about 2pm and we were still in the lead - unbelievable, it was such a shame not to wait for the prize giving but I felt that it was only fair to take Primus home as I hadn’t organised a stable, the last few competitors in the class pipped me and I slipped down the order a little but it was still a fantastic result.
With another couple of great results including wins at Prix st George and Intermediate 1 we then got selected to compete at our first International competition the Hartpury CDi, the Prix st George was on my wedding anniversary however my husband John thought that it was a great way to celebrate! It was a great experience I didn’t know how to do anything….the trot up and the draw for the order were very exciting. I was very lucky that Tracy Ross an experienced International groom came to hold my hand and help me with everything; I couldn’t have managed without her. Primus did two super tests although I didn’t ride to our maximum ability - next time I will!
We were also invited to compete at the Royal Festival of the Horse, this was an Intermediate test to music, I have always loved the Royal Show as it was one of our special family outings when I was young and I used to dream of competing there. When we arrived we dashed over to inspect the arena and it was amazing, grandstands all around and it was like you would find at a top international show, this time I wasn’t fazed and we did a good test with a small mistake in the pirouettes and finishing in 9th place I was thrilled.
Our next big show was the Hickstead Masters Championship held at the same time as one of their big showjumping shows . I stabled just outside the showground at a lovely yard with some very kind and hospitable people which really added to the experience, Primus did a good Prix st George on the first day finishing in the top ten which then qualified us to go into the final which was the Intermediate 1 to music. We finished 9th overall so I was really delighted.
While all this was going on I was really busy at home with my new breeding programme . We had a lovely foal by Ampere out of a Hannovarian mare which was very kindly loaned to me by to Becky Whitcombe, Becky rides at Grand Prix on her lovely mare Desiderata and is a Sue Carson Saddle distributor. Affinity is now in foal to Angelo, we also have an Embryo Transfer out of Zarinette by Angelo which is in a lovely mare owned by Mary Lou Lees so we are all looking forward to the foaling next spring.
I am not sure how much breeding I will do next year as its often meant being in two places at once and the competition season is a pretty hectic time. I have been delighted with Angelo as he has managed to collect semen happily without this affecting his attitude at competitions so he will definately be available next year.
My next outing was to Gatcombe, Desi Dillingham does a dressage display at the Gatcombe Festival of Eventing and she invited me to take part on Lindor, Lindor is owned by Desi and my trainer Sandy and they have very kindly offered me the ride on him, it is early days for us and I am still learning to get the best out of him but I am very excited about our future together so Gatcombe was a big first outing for us. Desi has the ability to wind the crowd into a frenzy whooping and cheering at the fancy stuff. I have to say I really enjoyed it and so did Lindor, we started to feel like a real partnership.
Then it was off to the regional championships. Primus was getting a bit tired by this time in the season so I wasn’t sure how he would do, we also hadn’t had much chance to go for training so I hoped I was still on the right lines. This time we had our best result of the season well probably ever; we were third hooray, now Primus can have a much needed break and I can concentrate on the younger horses.
Angelos next competition was the big one - the National Championships and in one of the most prestigious classes the 5 Year Old Championships, I was very nervous as I havent made it the these finals before and I have a serious responsibility to produce him to show his potential. I considered offering the ride to a “name” but as much as I wanted Angelo to have his moment in the limelight I felt that I wanted to have the experience myself as I may not be so lucky to have such a spectacular young horse again.
The championship was held over two days, the first day we had to ride a set test and then the top eight were qualified for the championship finals the following day. My goal was to make it through to the second day, I hardly dared to pack properly to stay for the two days as I didnt want to tempt fate. I had an early time so wasnt able to watch anyone else and the top young horse riders had several horses in the class so were in just before me. Angelo warmed up well, although he felt a little greener than usual, this is normal for the championships and it was unfortunate that my trainer Sandy Phillips couldnt be there to help me, however my friend Beverly Brightman came to offer some moral support. We went and did our test, it felt good I and was pleased but especially so when John was at the exit of the arena grinning like a Cheshire cat, he is normally critical (obviously in a constructive way) but he was really pleased with us. It was a long wait until the end of the class however we finished on a really good score and in a great position for the next day.
I got my warm up a bit wrong the next day and didnt leave myself enough time, Angelo was very lit up with the atmosphere however he showed himself off brilliantly. The judge love his energy and uphill way of going and said he had Olympic potential, we finished third what a result and I think I was the only one in the top 16 of the four and five year olds on my own horse.
What an end to a brilliant season, I would like to thank Equine Answer for their support and for the supplement getting the horses in such great condition.
Louise
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Louise’s latest news…
Dear Equine Answer friends
This is such a busy time of year, however the ever lengthening days, warmer weather and the sight of lovely green grass in the fields makes everyone feel better and keeps the energy up to cope with dashing around to competitions.
I had a fabulous two weeks training with Sandy Phillips in Gloucestershire over Easter, it is such a privilege to go there to train, Sandy is so committed to getting the best out of both the horses and me and she has such a fabulous competition record herself having competed at Badminton as well as Olympics and World equestrian games in dressage, as well as being a top judge and selector. She really understands what it takes to get to the top. We really concentrated on bringing the horses into a more uphill balance and working on the competition outline ready for the season ahead.
I also love going to Gloucestershire in general; the countryside is so different to here. We tend to have training for two days and then hack the next day and I am sure that climbing those vertical hills really helps them to muscle up behind. I wondered why there were so many top equestrians based in Gloucestershire, well if it isn’t the hills it must be the abundance of Gastro pubs!
I had some very exciting news when I was there; I have a young KWPN stallion called Angelo Arnee, he is by Scandic who came just behind Totilas in this years World Cup Final out of a Jetset D mare, he has a lot of pedigree with an extremely high breeding index and is a spectacular mover, he was KWPN 4year old champion last year. The KWPN called me as they were organizing their college day at the Unicorn Trust for Bank Holiday Monday and wanted Angelo to go along as a great example of what to look for in a dressage horse.
The Unicorn Trust is a fabulous centre with a gorgeous indoor school being at the centre of this fabulous facility.
We arrived the night before and after settling Angelo in to his very posh stables we met for a very jolly drinks party and dinner were I met some breeders including Nicola and Sam Barton who bred the Champion of the whole of the BEF Futurity evaluations.
We spent the morning in the classroom learning about the stallion selection and linear scoring, were then provided with an excellent lunch before looking at the horses, some mares were presented and then it was Angelos turn, I was quite nervous as it was quite different to a competition but Angelo was just amazing he really showed himself, the crowd went quite silent as the beginning as they were bowled over by him. Frank Jespers who is the trainer of the great Jazz said that Angelo is very special and I have a big responsibility to produce him correctly as he has the potential to be a top International Horse, although he was really happy that so far we are on the right lines. No pressure there then!
I have been wondering weather to allow him to breed as his number one job is as a competition horse so with some trepidation I have provisionally booked him into Twemlows to do some semen collections.
Primus is doing really well and we competed at Tatton Dressage at Somerford yesterday he was fourth in his first Intermediare 1 so I was thrilled, he is looking younger everyday so I am really looking forward to his next competition we always get better as the season progresses.
Another happy horse!
Equine Answer testimonial…
My horse is a 17 hh 18 year old Belgium warmblood who I have owned for 2 1/2 years. He was a competition show jumper in his youth and has a tendency to be stiff in his back end.
I have been using Fulvic Acid for 3 months now, and he is strutting around like a youngter and feels much more fluid when schooling.
His coat is amazingly shiny and he looks fantastic.
I will definitely continue to use Fulvic Acid and recommend it to anyone.
Regards,
Lou
Busy Busy…
Well guys, what a busy few weeks it has been for us. The highlight of which was the Natural and Organic Products show in London. Here’s a pic of me hard at work ;o)
Dear Equine Answer fans…
Growth…
Eh up peeps. We have our first seedlings of lettuce, tomatoes and peppers pushing their way through the compost in the grow bags which is very exciting. Hopefully we will get a good tomato summer this year as the last two summers have been a bit too wet. We love getting the most out of our garden and with our chickens (of course using The Poultry Answer) still doing us proud in the egg department we will be well stocked with organic food in a few months time. Yay.
250 and counting…
Just worked out that about 250 dogs are now using, and finding benefit from the Pet Answer which is fantastic. Also, about 50 or so horses, 20 chickens and a few cats have also improved their health by using our products, not to mention Tuffers, our rabbit, who must have the shiniest and softest coat this side of Tamworth.
So, whats my point? My point is that if you have a pet, then it’s time you gave it a try. You wont be disappointed.
Why don’t people try it? Well, many pet owners say something like “ive had my dog for 10 years and he hasn’t needed this before” but because you can only see what’s in front of you, you will never know what your dog will be like if you popped a bit of The Pet Answer into their bowl every day.
Oh, and, now that we’ve all remembered what the sun looks like, get out in the garden and get growing your own stuff. You only need the space for a grow bag to grow a tomato plant and some lettuce. Spring is here!
:o)
Spring is here!
Right guys, get yourselves out in the garden, grow some veg (i’m doing some new varieties of tomato this year), get a water butt to water your plants and if you’ve got room, get some chickens! Go on…
Star guest blogger - Louise Davison talks about the ‘miracle powder’
Hello to all you fans of the Equine Answer. I would like to introduce myself as the latest convert to this miracle powder.
My name is Louise Davison and I am a dresssage rider from Staffordshire. I have a fabulous team of dressage horses and am looking forward to repeating and improving upon the season 09, our successes included winning the North West Regional Championships, winner of trophy show at Heart of England equestrian centre, Best Dressage Horse of the KWPNin the UK, UK overall winner of KWPN IBOP dressage, Champion Dressage Horse at the BEF evaluation, won and placed in many Prix St Georges including Hartpury Premier League and CDI. The season culminated in competing at the National Champioships.
This year has got off to a great start, I was considering retiring Primus D at the end of last season as I felt that he had achieved all of his potential and he has just turned 18, however someone recommended the Equine Answer as the best horse supplement in the world so I had to give it a try.
We have just returned from the regional championships and Primis D was third in both the Prix St Georges and the Advanced Medium freestyle, not bad considering he has had a long break and then our training programme got interupted due to the weather.
We then went on to some fabulous training sessions where we worked on all the movements and excersises for the Gand Prix and Primus was brilliant who says you cant teach an old dog new tricks!
I look forward to keeping you all up to date with the ups and downs of my season on this blog please feel free to email me or Pete if you have any questions. We will try to give you the EQUINE ANSWER.
Louise.
Horse Week
Well, we are coming to the end of Horse Week here at The Fulvic Acid Company and we hope that you have all enjoyed our interesting horse facts. We’ve certainly learnt a few things. Also, the feedback we are getting from horse owners has been great in the last few months and more and more people are now enquiring about The Equine Answer.
I am also going to be at the Beta Intenational trade show this weekend with our distributors Battle, Hayward and Bower which will give me a great opportunity to meet lots more horse woners and all round jolly interesting folk.
Enjoy your weekend. :o)