Posts Written By Chloë

Since late 2009 I have been fortunate enough to be sponsored by Kan Teq body protectors. The Kan body protector is revolutionary, it’s designed specifically for women, and is made using special  ‘smart foam’ that absorbs the force of the  impact so that your body doesn’t! Wendy from Kan created the product from scratch and I think it’s a real triumph in equestrian safety innovation. I love my Kan and having tried and tested mine fully (yes that means falling off!) I would never swap to a different make of body protector because in my opinion they just don’t offer the same level of…

So after 16 days ‘off games’ Soap can be ridden again. His stitches came out today and the wound is looking really good, it has healed nice and neatly and hopefully shouldn’t leave too much of a scar. Whilst he couldn’t be ridden I spent my time running, tidying, cleaning, and cycling and it’s a real relief to have my horse back because I’m exhausted! Thankfully the cut was in a fairly convenient location and doesn’t come into contact with the bridle, although I will be leaving his flash off for a week or so just in case. So it…

Well they say things happen in 3’s and that’s definitely the case here at GHE towers! Soap was on day 3 of his r and r as a result of his DIY face lift when Jack also managed to injure himself! Somehow Jack has cut the inside of his off hind, requiring 7 staples and a few days box rest. Box resting both of them next door to each other has kept them fairly calm, but I am sincerely glad that they are now both able to be turned out for the final part of their recovery because otherwise they would have…

Well today Soap and I were entered for Ascott-Under-Wychwood BE90 in the retrained racehorse section and I was really excited about competing against other ex-racers, but sadly this happened… 🙁 Poor little Soap had somehow this morning sliced into his jaw whilst turned out in the field. I have walked every fence line and scoured the paddock for sharp objects but so far I haven’t found any clues as to how or what he injured himself on. My usual vet was away on holiday so the emergency vet came out and treated him. Whilst cleaning out the wound he probed…

Mattingley is one of my favourite events and it ALWAYS seems to be a sunny one which is a real bonus. We arrived and found ourselves a nice shady spot under a tree to park in, by the time we returned from getting my number 2 more people had decided that was a good idea and we had started to create our own mini shady car park! With it being so hot I only allowed 30mins dressage warm up as I thought Soap would go off the boil quicker in the heat. Thankfully the organisers were being lenient and riders…

I received some sad news today from my sponsor Frances at Hoplands EC when she emailed to say that sadly they have had to made the hard decision to close the center. From the Hoplands website… “After much consideration, we have had to take the reluctant decision to close Hoplands Equestrian Centre from 30th June 2010. Due to opposition from local residents and subsequent enforcement action by the local planning authority, our business activities have been limited since 2009 as we have been unable to hold any competitions or shows. Despite our best efforts, the various costs associated with hiring…

Last week I received a text from my sponsor Frances at Hoplands Equestrian Centre asking if I was free to be a guinea pig rider for an Equestrian Coaching Committee training day. Having done a few guinea pig impressions for a similar thing with the BSJA last year I found the whole thing a really interesting experience so said yes. We arrived a little early so I took Soap for a quick hack round the XC course to warm up, the sun was shining, everything looked lush and green, and it was just lovely to be mooching about in such pretty…

The time has come to advertise Dustry and reduce the Team GHE horse power from3 to 2 so yesterday I poshed him up in readiness for his ‘advert pic photoshoot’ and walked him about the yard looking for some nice backdrops to stand him in front of. Because he’s such a cuddly affectionate little chap it’s very tricky to get him to stand up away from me and not walk forward and try to climb in my pocket! I think after 20minutes of  ‘click click , stand up, lifting legs, walking back, leading forwards, and waving arms to get ears…

Almost every weekend since I started training with my new instructor Amanda Brewer I have tried to take Soap for a Saturday lesson with her. This has meant that I haven’t done as much competing as normal at the start of the season as I have redirected my ‘horsey budget’ towards instruction rather than entries (a new tactic for me) but it is starting to pay off! Amanda is a total stickler for accuracy and intelligent riding, and is really helping me hone my skill to become a more knowledgeable, subtle rider. On the flat Soap is really coming on…

Finally the weather has improved and Dustry’s summer coat is coming through, he’s starting to look really smart now and is turning a lovely bright bay all over. His hacking education is coming on well and the other day we went out for a 45min walk and trot hack round the farm with Jack as ‘sensible company’. Jack did not exactly live up to his role, but Dustry didn’t care and boldly strode on past all supposedly ‘spooky areas’  completely non-plussed by tractors, rollers, other horses, XC fences, 4x4s, signs, and pheasants. Yesterday we did some more schooling and he’s…