the equine bursary
Be seen – in Equisafety
Jack putting a flowerbox, received as a Christmas present, up onto a wall at Elrington Equestrian
The beginning of January brought more enthusiasm to get ourselves back on the road and make plans for the eventing season. We even had some drier days and I got out to dressage at Blackdyke Farm. Feeling a little off form and in need of an outing, Joe was polished and plaited for two elementary tests. He did well and came home with two firsts and prize money too from the new silver section. This was all despite riding down the centre line in the first test and then immediately making an error of course by inventing where to go next! Fortunately we rode the second test more professionally and in the right direction! The following week I set off to Alnwick Ford with Henry for some show jumping. Henry can be unpredictable, he is one of those horses who may be on good form and nicely rideable or he thinks he knows the job so well he can ignore the rider and do it his way, fast forward against the hand. This day, he excelled himself by producing both personalities. The Discovery produced two down, one for him and one caused by me really having to exert some authority in the wrong place and at the wrong time. The British Novice produced his first double clear, something to
be proud of and the incentive to keep up the background work. His jump is beginning to improve at last. We have been a stag for too long, launching into oblivion. Working with poles and grids and concentrating on the quality of our canter and non interfering rein is beginning to reap its rewards. Long may it continue. It would be continuing now if it was not for a bout of mud fever. Another spanner in the works of preparation for early season eventing. Horses will be horses and set against the elements and endless wet muddy fields, we are only too grateful that it’s taken until the end of January
to be affected by mud fever, as things could have been much worse. After a course of antibiotics things are now looking more favourable. Last week Georgina and I spent an entertaining evening session with Charlotte Ridley jumping her notorious curved grid. Lesson 1 – ride with Georgina and expect to be shown up! Taboo was foot perfect and she just got it right. Lesson 2 – it’s more difficult on 17.1hh of excited horse to get round the curved bit when said horse latches onto the big parallel on the opposite side of the school, which has nothing to do with the grid! We had such
Equisafety Ltd, the UK’s largest specialist in equine high visibility apparel, is delighted to be involved in the Equine Bursary, created by Equine magazine, and will be providing the Clarkson family with a selection of its innovative products throughout the year.
Managing Director Nicola Fletcher says: “Our ethos in utilising the most advanced technology available helps us create some of the most state-of-the-art apparel available for both horse and rider and providing peak performance when it is needed the most.
“Over the years our ground breaking designs, created by specialist highly-qualified sportswear designers with an abundance of experience, have changed the way we look at reflective high visibility attire.
“Equisafety can be seen out and about at many of the major sporting events, where we enjoy meeting old friends and creating new ones, and which help us understand the market better.”
Henry and Barbie enjoy a good day showjumping at Alnwick Ford Equestrian.
Image courtesy of Alan Oliver, AO Photography
Check out the collections at
www.equisafety.com
Bucas
Tel: 01352 763350
www.bucas.com
www.theequinesite.co.uk
Toggi
Tel: 0113 270 7000
www.toggi.com
Champion Tel: 0113 270 7000
www.championhats.co.uk Equine Page 17
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