TRAILBLAZERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010

Trailblazers National Championships 2010, Stoneleigh Park, 26-29th July 2010.


We were so excited to be travelling 121 miles to Stoneleigh to compete in the national trailblazer finals after 4 years of trying to make the cut. When we arrived we got Jaydes Stable sorted and pitched out tent, got lost looking for a local tesco and the nights we bloody freezing!!!




On the first day I was number 513, I had a feeling it would be a lucky/unlucky number in the 70cm practice class. Jayde went really well and gave me a clear round, unfortunately though we had 4 faults and not a particularly fast time in the jump off but we finished 25th so I was really pleased!!!







On the first day of the Championship day 2, Jayde jumped pretty well but unfortunately stopped twice at the double, which she did go over third attempt knocking one of the poles, but she finished the rest of the course pretty well, leaving us with 12 faults. I was still happy that we started and finished as I got the steel trailblazers pin badge. I didnt make the cut for the second day of the championship but went into the consulation class on day 3 in Arena 2.
On the third day in the consulation class I was 3rd to go, sadly this wasn't to be for me as Jayde was a little spooky and I'm not sure it wasnt to do with 3 days being cooped up in the stables, even though i was constantly taking her for walks and riding twice a day. On the third day we got Jayde weighed on the horse scales which was interesting, she is a condition score of 6 which is really good considering 5 is perfect :)


Overall the finals were a fantastic experience, the camping, staying away from home and even Jayde went pretty well under the new circumstances, I didnt go there expecting to win only to try my best, which i'm satisfied I did. If i am lucky enough to compete there next year I will definately go for it! I'm going to put up the few pics from our cameras, sadly there is no video footage as the camera kept dying :( The professional pics are not up yet either but as soon as I get hold of them I will pop them on here. Here's a link to the full album of pics: CLICK ME!

I'd like to take the opportunity to Thank, my horse for being a great partner for 6 years, my grandparents, without you this would never have been possible, my mum and dad for pushing me to go and taking me, my sister for helping me with Jayde, myyounger sisters for being great and two of my lecturers for helping me to believe. You are all amazing, none of this would have been possible.


Quite frankly it's been one of the best experiences of my life and if you are thinking about doing it, Go for it!!!

Take care now,

Laura
xx

















P.S Follow us at more shows very soon!!!

FINAL UPDATE BEFORE NATIONAL FINALS...

NATIONAL FINALS ARE NEARLY HERE!

So it is two days until we travel 121 miles to get to the national trailblazer finals in Stoneleigh Park 27-29th July where I am jumping the 75cm championship and we're all so excited. Apart from working like crazy I have been doing lots of prep including a trip to the tack shop in which i spent part of my first pay slip from this job. I also should mention I finished my second year of uni with a 2.1 classification which is fab!

Jayde seems okay and I hope she is prepared as much as she can be, if we get down there and she isnt well it would be a huge learning curve for all of us. We're just getting the final bits together now and I'm so relieved everything is okay because a couple of weeks ago jayde had a couple of days off as we were not sure if she was sound and then i had a bit of time off at the end of last week because I had strained my back which is still a little sore!

Right I better leave it on that note as I'm working 10-6 today. Wish us luck, I promise we will try our best, expect lots of pics and videos when we return! From the whole gang here...

See you after the championships

xxxx

SYKEHOUSE ARENA - 19/7/10

SYKEHOUSE ARENA, FRIDAY 19 JULY 2010...

In a final attempt to practice before the big show we headed to Sykehouse Friday night show jumping last week. I have to say it was a very nice place and everything seemed quite posh. Jayde who was mostly feeling quite relaxed jumped a lovely clear round and the video will be up after stoneleigh when all of the madness is over! Until then please make do with this picture from Pony owners!!

Thanks

xxxx

27/6/10

27/6/10 - CROWLE SHOW... Will update more tomorrow...

Not much really to report other than England getting knocked out of the world cup and Jayde being really awful. On the other hand molly was good! Here's the VIDEO!

Laura x

P.s not horsey related but I have a job!

25th June 2010 - Random pics!

HORSEWORLD EC - 13/6/10

13TH JUNE 2010:



Unfortunatey we missed Messingham on the 6th due to adverse weather conditions so to make up for it the next week we went to trailblazer 1st rounds at Horseworld EC.



Both Jayde and Molly went double clear in 75cms first rounds qualifying for the second rounds in 2011 which is a good head start to have. you can see Jayde in the 75cm video HERE oh and I came 3rd!!!

In the 85 both went round with ease but both finished wih 8 faults, so we have decided we are moving up to 95cm rather than 75 to give others a chance!!! You can see both of leona's videos here!!! My 85cm video is here!!!

Crowle show in 2 days and we are watching the world cup there lol!!!!

Laura xx

p.s 1 month and 3 days til stoneleigh!!!

30/5/10- HORSEWORLD EC DERBY DAY.

30t May 2010 - Horseworld EC Derby Day-

We arrived at Hill house with plenty of time. The arena was set out with some very bold jumps, all different fences. Jayde went in the clear round as a warm up but unfortunately I hit the deck and became concussed. :(

Later she went in the 75cm Derby and jumped a respectable clear round however it was not fast enough to be placed, taking it carefully due to ground conditions.

Then she went in the inside arena and just had a pole on the last fence...

The day had it's ups and its downs and its time to move on for tomorrow's big Messingham show. The 105th Messingham show to be precise. Heres the schedule: Click me!!!

Take Care

Laura. xxx

p.s the pic is just us practicing at home as the camera died :S

17/05/10 - UPDATE...

17th May 2010- A little update.

My invitation and schedule to the Trailblazer championships arrived this weekend and I'm extremely excited. There is only 2 months 1 week and 3 days until the big event. We're planning to set off 26th July, I will be jumping the 70cm practice class on the 27th and the 28th & 29th will be the 75cm Senior championship! We'll be leaving mid afternoon on the 29th. I still can't believe this is happening!

Here's the schedule I believe will lead up to that (possibly with a few extra dates):

30th May - Horseworld EC derby Day

6th June - Messingham Horse and Foal show

27th June - Crowle Show

11th July - Broughton show

26th -29th July - Trailblazer championships.

Laura x

16/05/10 - EPWORTH EQUESTRIAN SJ

16th May 2010- Epworth Equestrian SJ

Yesterday we went to Epworth Equestrian for show jumping. It was a bit strange as we hadn't been there in years and it was quite windy. I was going to jump 80cm and 90cm but due to a delay I went in 70 & 80cm.

In the 70cm Jayde was a star and went clear, she also pulled off one of the fastest times in the jump off only to be beaten by the last competitor. We finished 2nd and won £8 of vouchers for our next Visit. Molly also did very well.

In the 80cm again the horses were fab and both jumped a clear round, unfortunately Jayde had two poles in the jump off and finished 10th, Molly on the other hand did a double clear and ended up 5th.

It was a very good day all round!!! Click here for the video of Jayde in 70cm and HERE for the 80cm - ENJOY!!!! I'm really looking forward to the Derby day at Hill House (horseworld EC) on the 30th!!!

Laura x

25/04/10 - BAGMOOR HUNTER TRIAL...

25th April 2010- Bagmoor Hunter Trial.

We were very excited to be heading to Bagmoor for the spring hunter trial mainly due to the fact that it is the first big show where we see everyone we know.

In the novice both Jayde and Molly were fab and went clear, unfortunately they did not meet the optimum time and therefore were not placed. In the open pairs we had a couple of stops but still had an amazing time going round.

I will add videos and pictures to this post at a later date.

Laura xx

P.s my name has appeared on the Trailblazer site don't know if I already told you!!!!

11/4/10 - DRESSAGE DEMO WITH RICHARD DAVISON REPORT...

11/4/10 - REPORT FROM RICHARD DAVISON DRESSAGE DEMO AT THE BRITISH OPEN SJ CHAMPIONSHIPS ON 9/4/10.

We were lucky enough to watch a 40 min dressage demo off top dressage rider for the UK Richard Davison, pictured above. This demo had relevance to anyone training any horse in or for any discipline, therefore I though I would share what we learnt.

The main point of the demo was that there were or should be four points/parts to any training session with your horse. Splitting a session into sections helps provide focus within a training session. Now I will talk you through the four stages.

1. Suppling up - It's really important to to warm your horse up and his muscles. Suppling up can help do this. Plenty of circles, leg yielding, shoulder in and quarters in can get your horse engaging his muscles getting ready for the main activity. These exercises should be ridden at all paces to ensure that all the different muscles of your horse are warmed up. Walk should be an explaining pace, the pace which you try anything new at before introducing it at trot or canter... You can tell if a horse is supple and relaxed by whether or not he is over tracking. This means when one of his front legs leaves a print in the arena, the same hind leg should step into or slightly infront of that print... after this you are ready to move on to response training...

2. Response Training - How quickly does your horse respond to your aids? Plenty of transitions, half halts and collection/extension are required to get your horse listening and alert! When getting going your leg should barely need to move and when stopping you should only require a squeeze of your fingers, of course these things take time so try not to over do it!

3. The main body of a session.

After the response training and suppling up you can move on to the main body of a session, whether it is jumping, or flatwork, or a competition. Just remember to keep the response training and suppling up exercises in the back of your mind. Now is a good time, to have someone check if your horse is over tracking!!!

4. The cool down or stretching off - Stretching off is the most important (or joint most important with suppling up) of any session. To do this effectively practice what you did when suppling up, leg yielding, shoulder in etc, then eventually bring it down canter, trot walk, before giving the horse a long rein to stretch his neck. Cooling off like this will help him stretch the muscles you can't see!! It becomes extremely neccessary to have a cooling off session if you are competing more than one day in a row, like i will be at Stoneleigh. You can warm a horse up the first day and he will go well but if you dont cool him off properly he could be achey and crampy the next day and then performance may not be 100%!!

So there you go 4 key training elements from a dressage master. I've already tried out some of these techniques with Jayde whilst out on a hack, particularly the leg yielding and shoulder in which shows even if you don't have arena access you can still use them! Hopefully this post will help you to achieve a little bit more from your training sessions. Will update soon.

Laura :) xx

11/4/10

11/4/10 - AMERICAN INSPIRATION...

A couple of years ago I saw this programme, Horse power on animal planet. It follows some top American teenage riders and their bids to win the prestigious maclay medal. It gives a great insight into the world of top american showing and you might even be able to pick up some tips along the way!!!

Click HERE to watch the first part of the first episode... Then follow the youtube links to watch the next part...

Enjoy xx

9/4/10 - BRITISH OPEN SHOWJUMPING VISIT

9th April 2010- VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM N.E.C - BRITISH OPEN SHOW JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS...

I was very excited to be visiting the NEC last Friday to watch the British Open Show jumping championships. It was a fantastic day out for all of the family which did not disappoint.

There were various amazing classes, Accumulator, British Open Championship class, A very interesting Dressage Demo which I will report on in a separate post, Various acts and displays which were wonderful and of course the puissance!!

The puissance was a very exciting class, some of the horses were quite naughty which made good entertainment. It's amazing to see how big and grand the wall is in real life. The atmosphere was buzzing and some very interesting commentating by Geoff Billington made it great fun! It was won in the fourth round at 7 foot by local rider Mark Bunting, this was his first big win so look out for him in future shows!

And of course there was the shopping village, and which girl doesn't love shopping :) Overall a fab day out and I can't wait til HOYS!!!

Laura x

P.s - Videos etc to follow :) at a later time less busy time.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND INTERESTING VIDS...

8/4/10 - Here are some interesting videos and a link to my youtube channel so you can keep us with us...

I made an advert for this blog - CLICK ME!

A remix of all the Jayde videos including regionals - CLICK ME! - Just a bit of fun really to celebrate our achievements the past couple of weeks whilst waiting to go up to the yard.

Also here is a LINK to my youtube channel - ENJOY!!!

So I'm not sure what we're doing with the horses today, but there may be some more training videos or pictures... Tomorrow were going to Birmingham NEC to watch the puissance at the British open which should be amazing and I'll give you updates over the weekend from there!!!

Finally the pics on this page are some video stills from regionals, (2nd rounds) - again Enjoy!!!

Laura xx

Tuesday Training...

6/4/10- HOME SCHOOLING...

Jayde was very good when we practiced doubles up to 1m on tuesday here are the video's from the session...

Click HERE for 85cms

Click HERE for 1m vid!

Thanks Laura xx

SDPOC- Videos from sunday!

Here's The video footage from sunday :)

Click HERE!

Stoneleigh Park info

SO I'M A LITTLE OVER EXCITED ABOUT STONELEIGH PARK...

Dates of the 2010 Trailblazers Championship Finals

Junior Show Jumping - Friday, 23rd July (Practice Day Competition Classes)
Saturday 24th July & Sunday 25th July, 2010

Senior Show Jumping - Tuesday, 27th July (Practice Day Competition Classes)
Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th July, 2010

Showing - Saturday 31st July & Sunday 1st August, 2010

Dressage - Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th August, 2010

Here's a useful list they have posted on the website... I'm still waiting for Horseworld to send them results so my name pops up on the site, but I'm sure you'll be the first to know when it does lol.

You might Find this list useful

Please Note the Stable Manager will be at the stables after 2pm on Monday 27th July and after 2pm on Thursday, 30th July, and after 2pm on Friday 31st July.

• Bridle
• Saddle
• Numnah
• Girth
• Boots - (if your pony normally wears boots for jumping)
• Martingale - (if your pony normally wears a martingale for jumping)
• Halter/ head collar
• Lead rope
• Rugs - stable rug, cooler rug
• Hay nets
• Hay or Haylage - (what ever your pony/ horse normally eats)
• Feed bucket
• Feed - i.e. (Nuts or mix - what ever your horse or pony normally eats, it is important not to suddenly change his/ her diet)
• Water Bucket
• Grooming Kit
• Fly spray
• Sponge and sweat scraper
• Equipment to muck out with - (there are no barrows, brushes, forks or skips there you can always share with friends)
• Hat
• Jacket
• Shirt
• Jodhpurs / breeches - (you may need 2 pairs it may rain or they may get dirty)
• Gloves
• Tie or stock
• Boots or jodhpur boots
• Dressage competitors bring a copy of your test.
• Dressage competitors may bring their own bridle number but back numbers will be supplied for those of you who do not own a bridle number.
• Sun tan Lotion
• Sun Hat and glasses
• Food and drink
• If you are an adult you might like to bring a bottle of wine
• If you are a parent you might like to bring 2 bottles of wine
• If you intend bringing more please let the secretary know where you are camped!

Laura x

SDPOC - 4/4/10

SDPOC AT MESSINGHAM - 4TH APRIL 2010.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Here is the show report from this Sunday with lots of pictures and the videos will eventually follow.

Well everything was still very exciting after qualifying for trailblazer finals was still fresh in my mind. None the less we headed down to Messingham pony owners show.

The first class we jumped was pairs with my sister. We both had a pole down which resulted in 5 secs each been added on and our time was 87.77sec. We didnt think we could place with this time but it was good to jump as a warm up class. However nobody faired much better and we ended up a respectable 5th.

Then I jumped in the pre intermediate which has a timed section in the first round, I went clear and had a time of 19 seconds. I ended up 3rd and very happy with how Jayde had been going.

Then finally I jumped the intermediate. Jayde was also very good but clipped two poles, but it gave me some confidence about her jumping. I am looking forward to the next show so much.

Talk to you soon.

Laura x

Horseworld EC 28/03/10

HORSEWORLD EC 28/3/10 - TRAILBLAZER 2ND ROUND COMPETITION...

The first show of 2010 and probably one of the most important at Horseworld EC. I had been practicing relentlessly at last minute hoping my efforts would pay off at this second round comp.

We arrived in plenty of time which makes a nice change, and we had chance to get a feel for Horseworld EC and the showing atmosphere after 5 months off.

Jayde seemed pretty hyper when in the warm up arena and I asked for some direction off my sister in my riding. I walked the course and the arena was made up like I'd never seen it before, Flowers, trees and all kinds of decoration and I got the feeling it was going to be a special day.

When Jayde went in something clicked and we went round clear... Click here to watch. The first part of the job was done. Now to place in the top 6 to qualify.

I went in the jumpoff and just had one pole down. Click here to watch. This performance left me in 5th position and thus I have qualified for the national trailblazer finals in July. Woop. I am so excited!!!!

Be in touch Soon.

Laura x

Update...2010 schedule.

Here is our 2010 schedule so far...

28th March - Trailblazer 2nd rounds

4th April - Messingham Pony owners

9th April - Visit to birmingham NEC for the British Open SJ championship and to watch a puissance.

18th April - EDRC Hunter trial

25th April - Bagmoor Hunter trial

30th April -2nd May - We're taking a short holiday before late spring/early summer showing and our exams start!!

Laura.

Horseworld EC 25/10/09

HORSE WORLD EC - 25/10/09...

.

On October 25th I went to Horseworld EC to try and achieve double clears and qualify for the trailblazer second rounds.

I went in the clear round and Jayde went clear ;)

Then in the 75cms and Jayde went clear again, In the jumpoff went as fast as I could and managed another clear round (which i was aiming for) and finished up 2nd!

So I have qualified for Trailblazer second rounds :)

Click here and here and here to see the videos.

What a nice way to end the year :)

Laura x

P.s The picture is an old one from Hill house/Horseworld EC.