Time Flies

Well 2011 has rushed by and we are nearly at the Bank holiday again! Jack and Ginty have settled into Bury Farm and Jack is on track for our advanced medium debut next month.

I have a new website http://www.solitairedressage.weebly.com where I post the Solitaire News and information on clinics and workshops as well as news from the Solitaire Riders.

We have had a great week competing with Jack winning at Bury Farm and placing 2nd and 4th at Wing Dressage Group's show at Addington. This weekend I am working with the riders at a SJ competition before going to Patchetts on Monday for Freestyle.

Brilliant Bank Holiday

I spent the morning with my horse family and had lots of fun coaching Rachel, Francesca and Annette in a showjumping session where we worked through related distances and a water tray. I then had a lovely play with Jack, Rachel had a ride and then I working Jack to develop his flying changes before cooling him off with some walk pirouettes- the left was good and the right was excellent so on that note I put him away and after watched as he and Ginty rolled and rolled in the field most happy with life! We then headed back for urgent horse shopping- more Horsehage, Bedmax and Baileys and still in holiday mood we headed to Cafe Brio for lunch. Evening stables was soon upon us and the horses were very mellow as they sunbathed whilst I changed their rugs. A gorgeous holiday respite in and amongst the chaos and upheaval.

Moving Forwards

August Excitement!

Not sure where to start, reader we qualified for the elementary regional finals in 2011 with a fun day out to Patchetts, I became PR and Marketing Manager for Equetech adding a new pr and marketing consultancy to the Solitaire Group portfolio and I have been appointed as volunteer support to Dressage Regional Foundation Squad for East Region.

I have also made the decision to move the horses to Bury Farm for the winter and perhaps beyond. The facilities are a draw as are the competitions and clinics but I have been motivated by my desire to move the horses to a horse friendly environment where I feel comfortable training and producing my horses and I am excited - it feels like a new term is about to start. I just need to make sure my horses don't feel they have been sent away to boarding school!!

Meanwhile I am enjoying coaching and training riders. I now work regularly at Salcey Forest Ridings, Pinnerwood RC, Bicester RC and several other venues in the Chiltern and Thames area.
I am looking forward to heading up to Inverness this month for a clinic too.

The Boys at Bury Farm- James Burtwell Lesson

The Boys are back in town!

Team Bonnie

Roughway Jack and I have been selected for the BD Central Bonnie Team to ride at the Senior Inter Regional Championships at Keysoe. We will be contesting the Medium level so will present M64 on Saturday and M69 on Sunday. I am really looking forward to the competition!

We had a fantastic time at camp and really benefited from two training sessions with Jo Swain. Jack is on great form and in good humour - helped a lot by our fresh approach to training guided by James Burtwell.

Just a quick update today- do have a read of my article on the Equine Affairs website about becoming a BD Trainer.

Solitaire Freestyle Tried and Tested

Read about Solitaire Freestyle Design in the next issue of CTR magazine (216) and read the full tried and tested report at Equine Affairs later this month. Featured Riders Felicity Wells and Special Print and Di Barret and Knightsbridge B.