Great success for my trainer!

[Lgd]

Gwyneth had a very busy few days at the Northern Regional finals as she was judging quite a lot.

In amongst that she had the wonderful achievement of coming second (by 1 mark!) in restricted Medium finals. She was actually equal second with a friend's daughter. I haven't spoken to her yet but I'm pretty sure they were taking the top four through to the Nationals in September.

A fabulous achievement made even more so as neither of them ride your typical warmbloods. Gwyneth's horse is a huge 17hh+ dun TB x Shire/Welsh Section D and Anne-Marie's is a pure bred Welsh SecD. Anne-Marie also won the under 21 Team test competition - and she's only just turned 15!

[Jane.A]

I am sure you will know my new girl Lgd! She is called Mithril (Molly at home). Well done to your trainer! Zoe rode Mithril at the regionals at Fry's which was wehere we collected her from after the class which was the restricted medium also. I was told by a friend that competed that they were taking the top four but only scores over 65%. In one particular class it looked at one point as if no one would qualify as three quarters of the way thru' it no one had over 65%!
My trainer, Darryl Thickett , had a wonderful time winning both his classes. He really has hit a purple patch at the moment as he also won two medium classes at the R.I.
I am still trying to sit to Molly's trot. I feel like a complete novice all over again, but I have never sat on anything with such power and elevation. If I go rising I feel like I hover in the air for ages between beats. Still its early days, and she is super to do and to handle. I have hacked her a couple of times as we have marvellous hacking here and I feel it does them good. It also allows me to get to know her without feeling under pressure in the menage.
I have given myself a year to be able to 'ride' her instead of being a passenger. Thankfully horses are generous creatures with no ambition so if it turns out that I will never be a rider of that standard competitively at least I will know. Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all! I am sure I will get there with hard work and determination. Any tips on sitting??

[Lgd]

Hi Jane, I recognise the name, although must admit I can't put horse face to name!

I saw Gwyneth yesterday at Titlington (she beat me in the Adv Med - SOB!) and she is still in 7th heaven. Only the top 3 go to the Nationals, but 3 out of the top four are from our local dressage group, which is based at Gwyneth's training centre. if you saw Baloo you can't miss him - huge dark dun with a really baby face.

Good luck with your new girl (don't worry about the trot - I've had Peri since she was 4 and she can still launch me at times!)

[heland]

I noticed my trainer Lucy got a great mark for the 6 year old section, she brought him on herself:)