I can’t quite get my head round the fact that it’s the end of February but things are bubbling along very well at Foston, though life as a dressage rider is by no means quiet at ‘Team Edge.’

My main aim competitively was Gary Power’s stallion, PSH Twilight (Twee) competing at the Myerscough Regionals in the Novice Gold and Novice Freestyle. After a great prep run lesson from Judy Harvey and a Osteopath treatment from Jenny Froggatt we were all set.

I was really looking forward to riding to my new music by Tom Hunt, it’s really powerful and emotional so perfect for a good looking black stallion. Davina Edney was on hand for grooming duties while Olivia Pack held the fort at home.

We arrived at Myerscough in time for the arena walk. Twee was on good form. The first test for him was the Novice Freestyle Gold. He warmed up well but was a little nervous in the arena – but as the test went on he started to breath and get more confident. He finished with a score of 74.8% which meant he gained his qualification for the championships, winning his section.

We had a great time going out for dinner with Gary and his team and staying with Sue Stewart. Not being on till the following evening meant Saturday was rather chilled. I took Twee for a hack with the whippets and then Sue joined us for lunch in the lorry and we had a lovely afternoon catching up and watching racing. It was made even more special as it was our first trip away in our new Cooke Horsebox. Jemima, as she is called, behaved impeccably.

After having spent the day in a rather chilled mode, I felt it rather strange to get into competition mode, but as soon as we got in the lorry to go back to Myerscough I was back in the zone. So was Twee. He was much more relaxed than the previous day and felt full of confidence as soon as we went into the arena. I was so proud of his test and he scored a fantastic 77.3% which was a great score and enough to win his section with the highest mark of the whole show.

I’m so proud of Twee throughout his first stay away party. He really is such a special boy and I’m very excited about his future. Roll on the Winter Championships at Hartpury in April.

On the training front things are busier than ever. Both teaching at home and away to clients premises. It’s exciting to have more and more new clients and watch my long standing clients progressing so well. I was very proud of Sarah Pickford and Flabbergasted winning the Novice Freestyle silver at Myerscough. Off back up to Scotland on Wednesday, training. Really looking forward to going back up north!!

Meanwhile on the Eventing front. Polly Stockton is getting on very well with Mister Maccondy and they are all set to run at Isleham this weekend. Looking forward to cheering on Team Stockton.

Bye for now xx

Happy New Year to all. I can’t believe how quickly the winter is going and despite my new dressage career I still have a few event horses in, most notably Mister Maccondy, owned by Hugh and Ann Lawson, who is up and running ready to start the season with Polly Stockton at the helm. I am certainly not stopping jumping or being involved in the eventing, so it is exciting to be part of Team Stockton as well as having all my eventing clients to support.

On the dressage front I have been busy training over the winter months with regular trips to Judy Harvey’s yard in Buckinghamshire plus Bert Rutten was over from Holland for a couple of days so it was great to catch up with him and have some fabulous lessons. The horses are all progressing well with their training.

Last week Judy was able to come and stay so it was great to have two consecutive lessons. Gary Power’s PSH Twilight (Twee) is preparing for the regionals at Novice and Novice Freestyle, my own horse Falcon is working towards qualifying for the summer regionals at Medium an Advanced Medium and Breight Said Fred is looking to qualify at Elementary.

We have been so lucky to still ride in the fields this winter, the ground has been amazing. So the horses have been able to stick to their varied work plan working on different surfaces and so far haven’t been limited by the weather. Fingers crossed the rest of the winter continues in the same vein.

Yesterday was our first show of the year at Fieldhouse with Twee doing his first Elementary. He produced some great work to win with 72.41%. Next up for Twee is a trip to Rodbaston to have a run through his new music by Tom Hunt. Being a black stallion it is very powerful music so really suits him.

Judy is coming up again before the regionals, so that will be a chance to fine tune things ready for the Myerscough Regionals on the 17th & 18th February. Meanwhile the first event is Isleham with Mac and Polly.

Bye for now. Ruth xx