Last couple of weeks we have been to Norton Heath getting Ruby and Rosie ready for Tom and Deneka. Both are doing well, with Rosie certainly ready to compete, finishes 3rd behind Sedusa yesterday, by a second, but clearly has the power to go much faster, so Sedusa will have to watch out. Sedusa, was good as gold yesterday and back to her best all be it a little unfit. Ruby, is still a baby, and learning the rope, 1st time outside , and struggled with doubles and triples, but has the potential, just more practice.

Well, we have been away for such a long time, Sadie has been rested due to various commitments since March 26th and had her first trial run out this week at Unafiliated @Norton Heath July 13th and came 1st in the 75cm....Nothing changes :)........Although a comfortable height for her, she cruised around like she owned the place and put on a late spurt to do a fast jump off time . Now we will get her ready for First affiliated Competition In August 4-7th at Towerlands, after another trial an Unaffiliated Finchingfield this weekend. July 16th. And a coupleof more Unaffiliated at Norton heath at 85cm.

In January we went to Longwood in Basildon and had a good 2nd place against the usual team of horses that Toni Evans brings along so good day , on the 2oth we went in the new horse box to Forest Edge for the weekend, although very cold at night we had great fun. The dogs loved the Forest and Yasmin had to be on her best game as there were plenty of competitors, Peasleys had their usual selection of top Ponies, so a 3rd place over the weekend could have been better, but good fun anyway.

Jan 30th we drove 2 hours down to the Sussex coast to Golden Cross and had a great day, very friendly staff and nice arena, sunny day and lots of competitors.  Over 25 in Yasmin's 90cm class and we achieved a creditable 5th in 90cm open having led most of the way, in the 1m, Yasmin had a comfortable clear round, and then excelled in the jump off taking the lead  as 4th out of 9 in the jump off and leading until the last, who cut all the corners and rode a good 1st place putting Yaz into 2nd, very exciting and earned with another £30 winning.

In December we went to Keysoe and had an eventful day , breaking down in the lorry park at 12 noon, meant Yasmin had to organise herself with Granny whilst i was away the whole afternoon sorting the trailer and car out,when i returned, i was greeted with a £70 winnings form two 1st places, fantastic results, and ended the day nicely as we were towed home!!

Now all social commitments have been sorted we look towards the Winter Competitions and head off the Longwood equestrian Centre for the first time in Basildon, Nov 6th and UK Arena Grantham on 7th another new venue. Then 13th and 14th at Norton Heath in Ongar. Never keen on the outdoor at Norton as it is a large arena and not best suited to Sedusa and Yasmin.
We couldn't make any of the final dates at Towerlands at the end of October.  Yasmin has been getting Sadie ready this week, and is not very happy with her flying changes, but hopefully we can get it sorted soon, maybe some lessons are required as it has been some time since Yasmin has had any tuition at all, nearly 6 months.

This year has been an amazing year so far. We had Sadie ready for competition work in April after spending the Winter working hard getting her weight down and fitness up. Yasmin was thrown in at the deep end and after a few indoor unaffiliated competitions at Norton Heath in January, February and March. She entered her first comp in April. Her results since then have been fantastic, but what i am proudest of all is that she has done this with very few lessons.

Yasmin started at Rayne riding centre when she was aged 4 and owned her first Pony 'Moon', a Black Arab when she was 7 until we bought Sadie when Yasmin was 13. During this time Moon was a good safe Pony. Amberley Oliff began to give Yasmin some lessons when she was at Beech Cottage aged 11, and whilst she had the basic riding techniques taught to her at rayne that has been about it.

Yasmin qualified for Trailblazers National Finlas at Norton Heath in April and made the Final jump off Final in July 24th at Stoneligh Park where she came 10th in 95cm from 100 finalists.

In August this year she was selected to represent the Essex Regional Team @80cm height and achieved two clear rounds for her team helping them to get into the jump off final. Her team were narrowly beaten and they came 2nd. I was very proud to see her in her team saddle cloth for the Essex Regional Junior Academy.
Now she and Sadie will have a short holiday before we start again in September.