What a 9 months it has been, getting to know my boy.
It’s not been an easy ride or transition for either of us (him from show jumping to dressage and me onto such a big moving horse with huge personality
).
But I can honestly say that I’ve never learnt so much from one horse. In only 9 months I feel I’ve progressed more as a rider than I have in 30 years! Even after working in the industry for so long, and working with so many different horses, this boy is in a league of his own.
Whether it’s the great days, or the not so great days, Woody teaches me so much. And he really has got so much more to teach me along the way!
We have felt so much outside pressure to compete this last few months. But we will get there when we get there. Of course I have plans to compete him this summer, but it’s not my only priority. My priority is that he is sound and happy in his new line of work. And whilst it may take longer for it all to come together for a successful test, I’m sure we will get there. I mean, who doesn’t love a good challenge!
There is no rush for myself or my boy. He’s enjoying hacking, schooling and most of all being a horse!
I can’t thank my sponsor and support enough. I’m very lucky to have access to amazing coaches. Hopefully we can get out and about to some more clinics this summer too.
So I’m definitely not letting pressure get to us. I’m simply enjoying my horse and enjoying training. At the end of the day, he means the world to me (far more than a rosette ever will) - but of course we can’t wait to get out there eventually and show off our hard work. He really is such a credit to me.
