Stella Baylis Eventing Training Bursary
As the year is nearly out I wanted to do a little update as a thank you to Stella for awarding me a training bursary for this year. I was completely flabbergasted to be given this; in fact I thought Stella was having me on to start with, as I never win anything, ever! After the initial shock, excitement set in at the prospect of being able to have regular lessons and support and I began eagerly making plans for the season for Charlie and I.
With Stella’s help, we worked very hard to have Charlie ready for the start of the season. This paid off as we weren’t out of the top 10 at BE90 in all our events until June! I couldn’t really believe this either – it is such a good feeling when hardwork comes to fruition, and not one I’d been used to with my old horse. In June we decided Charlie was ready to upgrade, so he did his first BE100 at Stonar School. Unfortunately it was a hot day with awful horse flies, so naughty Charlie spent most of his dressage test in the air bucking. I wasn’t really that bothered though, as I was so pleased with the way he jumped – one unlucky show jump down but he flew round the cross country – fab!
But as I’d feared, our good luck couldn’t possibly last. We had a bit of an accident out hacking early in the morning the day before Stafford - Charlie spooked uncharacteristically at a surprise scarecrow and span fast dumping me on a hard track. I was winded and had hurt my back, but I was more worried that he had galloped off. I followed the skid marks on the road, and eventually found him at home – he had galloped all the way home several miles down the road. Very luckily, he was fine and didn’t have a mark on him, though he had pulled his back too, and upset himself in his mind – which I didn’t realise the full extent of until after our next few eventingoutings which were nothing to write home about. As Charlie is a sensitive soul I spent some time getting him back to his normal cocky self – and then let him down by going to pieces at our first Regional Final at Sapey. Charlie had been on flying form in the week before the event, but on the day my nerves got the better of me and we were eliminated in the show jumping after I completely shut him down – one day I will learn not to put so much pressure on myself! Irritatingly I went back to school there a couple of days later and he flew round the lot on autopilot – it just goes to show how much of an effect show day nerves can have on you!
After that I was so, so cross I was determined to sort myself out! We contested another RF at West Wilts jumping double clear, but sadly our dressage of 33 wasn’t good enough to qualify for Badminton Grassroots. I can’t be too disappointed as some of the horses in these regional finals are career grassroots horses with years of experience. Plus, as hard as he tries, Charlie is never going to be a flashy warmblood! Earlier in the year I was arguing with Stella that I didn’t want to try and qualify anyway, as in some ways I think Badminton should be proper Badminton (as in 4* Badminton, not Grassroots). I do think that still, but of course I’d have liked to have gone to Grassroots really!
So with the pressure off it was nice to enjoy the end of the season – Charlie learnt a lot about competing in the mud at Weston Park coming 11th in the BE90. It was so muddy I was adamant I was going to withdraw thinking Charlie would never cope in the conditions, but Stella told me he would be fine nd as usual she was right! We then finished the year on a high with an 8th place in the BE100 at Broadway.
I think at some points this year perhaps I forgot that I event for fun – I am never going to be as good as the pro’s, riding every different type of horse, day in, day out. I am a true amateur with one horse, no facilities at home, no family ferrying me around the country, a busy full time job and several part time jobs. But rather than getting the violins out, that what I love about it – when I do well it’s because I’ve worked HARD! And that’s far more satisfying.
Stella’s help this year has been totally invaluable – I have learnt a massive amount about my riding, and also about riding a completely different type of horse. She helped me choose Charlie when I was looking for another horse, so it’s been great to be able to bring him on from scratch under her guidance. I’m so lucky to have had the support of the training bursary – to have regular lessons has made a huge difference to me. Charlie has also come on so much – he’s now a little powerhouse, rather than the scrawny gangly 4 year old I bought. I am a bit sad that this has come to an end, but I always have my beautiful rug and lovely jacket to remind me of what a fantastic opportunity Stella gave me.
Now I can’t wait for 2014, roll on March!
Thank you Stella!
Louise and Charlie
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