This however left me with a dilema……what do I do now? For Felix is a 3 star horse but his Olympic days are over since he’s 14 years old and has arthritis (but don’t tell him that!) Luckily by a simple twist of fate a solution was just around the corner.

It is with great delight and joy that I am able to inform you all of my latest acquired horse, The Artful Archie (or Archie ). He is a very beautiful 15.2hh Piebald Irish sports horse. Not may normal big bay but I am totally in love with him.

He arrived in a bit of a whirl wind to be honest. I took a call from his owner on the friday asking me if I’d be interested in taking on the ride of his horse. Well, what is a girl to do when asked such a question? Say yes of course…..so 48 hours  later I was picking up the cheeky chappie and quickly had him installed in his new stable. Archie came over from Ireland as a 4 year old where he’d been hunting for the previous 12 months as a 3 year old. His owner brought him and he’s since been primarily show jumping on the BSJA circuit. Whilst Archie has been enjoying the BSJA with winnings and double clears to his name in only a handful of outings his owner believes that his true calling is as an event horse. Therefore as a result I got the phone call to take on the ride and go eventing with him.  He’s now been with me for 9 days and we’ve already been out Autum hunting and cross country schooling. We are aiming to have him out eventing on the BE circuit in time for the last event of the season so fingers crossed all goes to plan. He’s a special little horse and definately got a huge future ahead of him.

Master Felix is very very well at the moment, having had 2 runs since I last blogged. We seem to be suffering from a case of 11th – itis and are desperately trying to get into the top 10 but when competing against 4 star riders it can be very difficult. We did however manage to be 2nd after the dressage phase at our last event so hopefully it wont be too long until I break that barrier!

On an up note Felix and I competed the other weekend at a local event in between our BE runs and with great jubilation we won easily. West Wilts is our next event on Friday so keep your fingers and toes crossed for us xxx

Putting that behind us I decided to have a lesson with his previous rider who got me to ride in a far more advanced outline than I had been. Being honest it felt quite alien and took me right out of my comfort zone and demanded far more from both me and horse. I then spent the next 4 days drilling myself and felix in what we had learned in preperation for our 2nd event last weekend.

We arrived at Ascott under wychwood and quickly realised that there would be a lot of walking involved. The event was spread out over 4 fields with the lorry park right in the centre. Luckily we had arrived early so we set off at a brisk pace to walk the cross country course. The course was well built and up to height with several cotswold stone walls and technical corners and combinations. Having had a stop at the previous event I had decided that I would take all the direct routes and not the longer but easier alternatives. My refusal at Shipton I am now convinced was due to me wiggling my way around the direct route into the water and subsequently spooking off a sharp turn to jump in off the lower bank. I was not going to let that happen again I can tell you!

After walking the cross country it was time to get ready and head down for the dressage. As soon as I got onto Felix I could tell that he was a different horse to one I have ridden since having him. He had a spring in his step and walked out from the lorry with the presence of a God. The wind was blowing really hard and for some reason the show had decided to put flimsy white plastic boarding around the dressage arena which vibrated and rattled in the wind. One even fell off whilst I was mid test! Ridiculous. I had 2 choices for my dressage test. I could either play it safe and ride how I had previously and hope for a score around 35 of try what I had been taught in my lesson. So I went for the latter. If I am to be honest I came out of the test and I couldn’t tell if it was good or bad. I knew my position was better and that I had good uphill impulsion but it all felt so out of my comfort zone that I couldn’t tell if it had gone good or bad.

Whilst warming up for the show jumping Felix’s owners came across to give me my result and to my utter shock I had scored a fantastic 29.5. My nerves suddenly disappeared and I entered the show jumping ring with a huge smile on my face! Felix had been jumping really big and clean in the warm up, giving everything far more space than possibly was necessary but he was enjoying himself. We rolled 2 poles in the show jumping, mainly from us jumping everything really big and then struggling with the 2nd part of a combination and a related distance. I was pleased despite this and quickly turned my attention to the cross country.

There was quite a back log of riders when I arrived at the start and Felix was already starting to shake a little with excitement so I had to keep walking him around in preparation as standing still was not helping anyone! We popped a couple of practice fences and I could already tell that he was going to be strong. I think felix can count as he was watching the starter and as he mouth 1 we set off at such a speed I’m surprised i stayed on. We flew around the course just eating up the ground, galoping at all the walls and when ever Felix approached a tricky fence or combination he just steadied himself, popped it with ease and then set off again at a gallop. It was amazing. As we approaced the water I growled at him going over the jump in, I growled galloping through the water and I growled jumping out too! No stopping for us. Apparently the commentator was heard saying “they are going quick to the water, very quick through the water, very very quick!” I’d made the mistake at our first event and therfore was not going to let it happen again.

We finished within time and no time penalities to add so finished the day on a score of 37.5 and 12th place! I was over the moon despite losing all power in my arms by the end of the day. It was a fantastic day and I can’t wait until our next outing at Homme House at the start of August. So wish me luck and I will let you know how it goes.

xxx

Anyway onto the flat, an area I would certainly not nominate as my specialist subject but one to which I’m warming! Warming up enough to be looking forward to the biggest flat race on Saturday, but not with the same boyish excitement I’d have less than 48 hours before a Gold Cup. However, less than 48 hours away we are from the flat season’s jewel in the crown. The Derby. Along with Royal Ascot it’s probably the most iconic sporting moment of the summer to come from the sport of horse racing. Think summer and think cricket at Lords, cup finals at Wembley, tennis at Wimbledon and racing at Epsom and Ascot. Events like these always seem to be better in black and white, images of years gone by and “legends” that have passed and as such winning a Derby, like the Grand National, cements your place in sporting history and to a small extent in British history in a great iconic event.

Twelve months ago a striking three year old from across the Irish sea came into the race off the back of a surprise 2,000 Guineas win (though not a patch on this years 33/1 outsider/winner) and wrote himself a name in sporting history. Sea The Stars is probably the most famous racehorse since Shergar and it’s because of his exploits at Epsom that he cemented his place on route to an historic campaign. He added another four Group 1 races to his collection after Epsom before retiring as a great of the sport. However, all winter the talk had been about another three year old from across the sea, and in fact until a few days ago talking about the Derby meant talking about St Nicholas Abbey even given for a disappointing 6^th in the Guineas. He was the new “wonder horse” but some unimpressive workouts for Aidan O’Brien lead to him being withdrawn with a muscle strain on Wednesday. So where to look for this race with the headline act gone?

Well the O’Brien stable are still well represented and hold the current bookmaker’s favourite in Jan Vermeer, a very easy winner of a good Group 3 at The Curragh two weeks ago. He was indeed the favourite for the last week or so before SNA’s withdrawal from the race and has an obvious chance if handling the further step up in trip and the Epsom course. He was, however, extremely comfortable in his latest race and that suggests there is more in the tank. And he’s not the only O’Brien colt with a chance; Midas Touch ran on well to take the Leopardstown Derby Trial by a couple of lengths and again suggests he might step up well in this class and to this trip.

The Sir Michael Stoute trained Workforce will have the champion jockey (Ryan Moore) on board and was a creditable second behind Cape Blanco (another O’Brien colt) in the Dante Stakes at York last month and considering that was only his second start her must rate a real chance. The Godolphin contingent will be headed by Rewilding under Frankie Dettori who has proved himself up to the distance at hand but needs to find a step up in class if he’s to challenge here.

I could go through a number of others but I’ll settle on Bullet Train, who is the one I’m drawn towards. He was mighty impressive in his Derby Trial win at Lingfield a month ago having improved for his first run out in early April, and for me he fits the profile of an improving sort that is likely to run his race and the course might just suit given his Lingfield performance. For value, Co-ordinated Cut and Ted Spread could enter the places at reasonable prices.

However, we don’t have to wait until Saturday with The Oaks and an excellent supporting cast tomorrow with the first five races all televised for those of you lucky enough not to be stuck in the office when the sun is shining outside! Penitent looked like a horse destined for big things when winning the Lincoln back in March and he stands an excellent chance in the opener, while I’d expect Fame and Glory, last year’s beaten Derby favourite, to have the measure of the Coronation Cup following up on a mightily impressive 7 length Group 1 success last time out.

The Oaks itself is as open a race as any handicap on the card, as such it doesn’t look an easy puzzle to solve. Rumoush had a difficult 1,000 Guineas where she wasn’t helped by the draw in a field that split quite dramatically. Henry Cecil always has a strong hand in these races and Timepiece was a long time ante-fancy and while still towards the head of the market the decision of Tom Queally to ride Aviate instead is very telling. A horse that caught my attention winning the Cheshire Oaks last month was Gertrude Bell but while the 2^nd has won subsequently it’s still very hard to know just what to make of that form. Needless to say I couldn’t pick a winner with any confidence!

Therefore I’ll stick with some tips for Friday and Saturday. The nap is Fame and Glory in the Coronation Cup who has had some disappointments but looked right back to his best last time and is the clear pick of that race. The next best is Penitent in the Group 3 opener, I’m interested to see what he does after his Lincoln demolition at the beginning of the season. As for The Derby, I’m going for Bullet Train to offer a bit of value if Jan Vermeer doesn’t match the heights of his latest performance.

Felix is 14 years old by the stallion Crackerjack. He’s been Advanced eventing and competed at 3 star level so really knows his job. I really really am a very lucky girl who’s finally been given a break. It’s been 20 years in the making!

These recent events have however brought forward some tough decisions. The time has come for me to pass the reins over on my hooligan veteran Rory to another rider. I am very fortunate to have really good friends and Rory will be going to one of these. There will be tears but the enjoyment that someone else will get from riding and competing him will make it worth it. I have been given a fantastic opportunity and I feel it only right to pass a similar opportunity on.

Zoe is here to stay for the meantime. After all, you can’t sell a horse that keeps winning for you? Can you? If the right home and rider came along then maybe. Oh the love of a horse!

Bye for now xx

I loaded the mare into the lorry at about 5am when the sun was still at it’s hottest. Poor thing, I wanted to cover her in water and despite all the windows being open in the lorry, by the time i’d driven for an hour I could tell she was not happy. The lorry was started to shift and move as a drove it as she constanlty shifted her weight due to being adjetated from the heat. As soon as I reached the competition I opened up the lorry to find a soaking wet horse who had completely over heated. Luckily I was nice and early so I took her off the lorry and grazed her in the shade to cool down for 30 mins.

The time had now come for the pair of us to put on our competition kit, which in my opinion in this heat was simply far too many clothes. We warmed up, only to produce lots of white foam and sweat, from both of us may I add! We warmed up ok, not Zoe’s usual exagerated paces but in that heat I couldn’t expect a fresh springy horse. But due to Zoe’s fantastic competition attitude she entered the dressage arena in front of the judge doing the most amazing medium trot ( a movement not even required at the level I was competing at on this occasion!). I then set her into a really lovely working trot and she produced a stunning test. Our transitions were crisp and accurate and her free walk was simply perfect.

Just as I was finishing I could feel her start to flick her tail at her tummy and could tell that if this test didn’t finish quickly it could start to go down hill. Luckily we came up the centre line and finished just in time. As soon as i had left the arena I jumped off to find that she was being attacked by biting flies attracted to the sweat she was producing in the tremendous heat! Poor girl. I had some really good comments from spectators which always makes me so proud of my horse. It’s a lovely feeling when someone un connected to you says that you’ve just produced a stunning test. I really do love riding my horse, she never fails to put a huge smile on my face.

After washing her off and re loading onto a now slightly cooler lorry I made the dreded walk to see what my result was. I could see lots of different coloured rosettes and some dressage sheets without any. Praying that i’d made it into the placings I checked my score and to my amazement we had WON ! I have never been so happy. I had to check the score 5 times to make sure  I really had. Not only had we won but we had scored the highest score by miles  across all 6 classes being run. We had also qualified for their dressage championships taking place later in the year so that is now 2 championship places booked for the summer. Happy Happy days!

Looking ahead we now have a championship show next week to contest so keep your fingers crossed for us. I’m going to enter my championship class and a Novice test as well so it’s all go!

Thanks for reading and all of your support. Bye for now x

I can now say that we are on the road going forwards! Yay. When I last left you I was about to compete in a dressage competition. We managed to score 75% and landed ourselves 2nd place. I can not begin to explain how ecstatically happy that made me. Hard work and learing to understand your horse can really pay off. We retunred to the same dressage venue two weeks later (last week) and scored another fanstatic 2nd place. Things really are on the up! Happy days

Yesturday we managed to complete a 9 mile fun ride without throwing any major strops. She pretty much led the whole way round which 4 weeks ago would have been only a dream. I am finally enjoying my horse for the first time in 2 years. I truelly love her, despite all the ups and downs because now the rewards are beyond belief.

The aim is now to cure her from her fear of leaving other horses all together and get her leaving the start box on the cross country without getting upset. I now feel that this is possible. We have another fun ride this weekend which will build her confidence and hopefully we will be flying round eventing courses before the summer out.

Anything is possible….maybe more now than ever before!

Tonight we are competing in a local Dressage competition and after scoring a pleasing 37.0 out eventing on the weekend I am keeping my fingers crossed for another well behaved performance. I will mention that I don’t expect us to have a completely easy ride and I’m sure she’ll have at least one tantrum tonight but now at least they are not so irrational. For now you can tell her off without being galloped and sent flying into the next county!

Wish me luck and I’ll let you know how it goes, good or bad

x

Training seems to be back on course after 2 backward weeks due to a severly “in season” mare!! Oh what a joy that was. We are now on a lovely herbal supplement especially for “Stroppy Mares” so fingers crossed it seems to be working. We spent last saturday Cross Country schooling which went better than expected with Zoe happily jumping round the open course which is far bigger than we will jumping in 2 weeks time. Then to continue with our flat schooling we are competing on thursday in 2 prelim dressage classes followed by a hunter trail on the following sunday. It all looks rather busy and somehow between now and the 24th i am fitting in a trip to Dublin and the Punchestown Racing Festival. So for now I better crack on with some work and get back to being retired from the 9-5 !

Can Mon Mome win again? In short, yes he can, but will he win again is probably the better question. When you’re looking for a National shortlist, any horse that has travelled round the four and a half miles has to be high on it, and any horse that has won is of particular interest. No longer the 100/1 shot of 12 months ago, he was backed into 2^nd favourite after the impressive third in the Gold Cup. On that showing, backed up by Carruthers good follow up on Thursday to boost the form, he has every chance provided the Gold Cup hasn’t taken too much out of him. He has, however, taken a walk in the market from a solid 11/1 to 17.5 on Betfair Friday evening, and carrying 11st 7lbs is a big ask round these obstacles.

Is Big Fella Thanks a good thing for the Nicholls/Walsh axis? He’s a much more tempting price at the current 10/1 than the single figure forecast of earlier this week – any horse that’s single figure odds for a National has to be something very special to justify that kind of price and I’m not sure he’s that good! However, he’s a talented horse who will win a big prize soon and he has Ruby on board, and his National record in the last 10 years is the best of the best, in fact it’s as good as Paul Nicholls’ record is bad. If he runs up to form he’ll be very close, but he’s not as far ahead of the handicapper as the odds suggested and his current price is pretty fair.

Can AP win a National? It seems strange that the two giants of the Jump racing scene have precisely 0 Grand National wins between them – Nicholls’ best hope is Big Fella Thanks (as above) but McCoy rides Don’t Push It having chosen him over Can’t Buy Time. The short answer is of course he can win, but I don’t think he will (as sure as you can be in a race like this). He’s near the top of the weights, which isn’t as much of a disadvantage as it might have been had the rain continued, but he has several likely contenders ahead of him in my list. There’s some good form behind this horse, notably at Aintree last year and a close second at November’s Open meeting at Cheltenham where he was just held under a great late ride from AP. I wouldn’t begrudge AP his moment, we’d all love to see it, but not this year I’m afraid.

Can Nina Carberry beat the boys? If there is one horse I’d love to see give a good round and get home well it’s Character Building for Nina Carberry! No other reason, I’d love to see her get round in a place on her second National appearance. My emotional support, if not my money, will be behind her!

Will The Package be the first 7 year old to win the National since…? Well it’s since 1940 and Bogstar. Possibly every trend you look at in this race over the recent past seem to rule him out – he’s too young, he hasn’t been over the big fences, he hasn’t had enough chases etc. If the run from the last at Cheltenham in the William Hill Handicap had been a stride further he’d have won. Painfully he didn’t, but had he then he’d have been backed straight into second favourite, a position he’s flirting with now. 5lbs up on the handicapper on that performance, and carrying a feather weight down the bottom of the list. I believe, especially these days, that trends are there to be broken and are only guidelines and to rule this contender out on the basis of other horses in the past would be a bit silly. Along with lack of experience, the decision of Timmy Murphy to stick with Comply or Die (winner in 2008) was, whilst understandable, a bit of a blow. He picks up a good deputy in National winner Graham Lee, however.

Where’s my 100/1 winner this year? It’s a bit greed of the occasional punter to expect a nice 100/1 to oblige on their only punt of the year after last year’s result, however there are some horses at big prices who look a little overpriced. Flintoff carries bottom weight and with places in 2 national races, including a decent Midlands National effort he has to be worth a punt at 66/1, especially if you’re a cricket man like me. Carrying top weight looks like an impossible task in this race, but Madison Du Berlais is no slouch and 66/1 is a huge price for a horse of his considerable ability. Won at Aintree before and the flat track will suit him, it’s a step up in trip and toughness and he fell two years ago, however. Two at three figure prices that could surprise are another pair of seven year olds towards the bottom of the weights are Piraya who’s a decent sort if he stays the trip and the fences, and Palypso De Creek who’s been aimed at this for some time.

So, selections? I’m really sweet on The Package, regardless of the stats against him, Mon Mome has a very good chance, obviously, Comply or Die is proven over the race and at a longer price I think Flintoff can figure into a place.

Just a quick pick of the rest from the weekend

What A Friend wins his second Grade 1 – I fancied him for this, Imperial Commander disappointed as expected coming out so quick after the Gold Cup.

Big Buck’s – he’s just an amazing horse isn’t he?

General Miller – stunning finish from the General under Barry Geraghty, even more so as I backed it him!

Zaynar v Khyber Kim v Celestial Halo – The Aintree Hurdle at 2.50 today, and I have to have Zaynar in this race, 2m4f suits him down to the ground and Khyber Kim ran the race of his life at Cheltenham – for him read Imperial Commander, his stable mate!

Also, keep an eye on two Paul Nicholls horses at the bottom of the card – Ghizao and Tataniano, one will win but I’m just not sure which one!

All the racing in this period has a feel of an anti-climax, coming off the resounding high that the Cheltenham Festival produces, the new champions and superstars it crowns. All eyes head to Aintree, Punchestown and then onto next season with some decent jump racing to entertain but no major stars as they’re all safely tucked away after their main events of the season.

I’m not a huge fan of racing on the flat, as will become obvious, and the slightly staggered start to the turf season has left me occupying my time thinking about 2011’s storylines. Which horses I’m looking forward to seeing in new circumstances, which ones I want to see continue at the top and whether some can come back from disappointing Festival runs (that goes for most Cheltenham favourites!!!).

Over the past few months I’ve become a massive fan of Big Buck’s and he continues to dominate the staying hurdle division, looking to add another prize to his reputation this Thursday at Aintree where he’ll face the impressive Cheltenham runner-up Time For Rupert again. However, in the aftermath of Zaynar’s third place in the Champion Hurdle it was reported that connections wanted to step up to three miles and have a crack at the champion next season. Well, what a prospect that will be to look forward to and build up to through next season – much like the potential Diamond Harry v Big Buck’s duel could have built this season. I’m already a big fan of Zaynar and he has an early opportunity over 2m4f to re-assert himself as a big player over a distance that suits far more than the 2m Champion Hurdle ever did.

In the same race this week Celestial Halo will have his last run over hurdles before a chasing career begins in the autumn. I’m intrigued more than excited by this switch, but he’s certainly one I’ll be watching with interest. Of the other novice chasers for 2010/11 the re-appearance of the supremely talented Mikael D’Haguenet will surely grab the centre of attention when he finally makes it off the injury list! Woolf Moon is one in the 3m category I’m also keen to see after he won so impressively at Cheltenham in January.

The major thought for me though is the potential Gold Cup line up in 12 months time; Imperial Commander, Denman, Kauto Star, Long Run, Cooldine, What A Friend, Weapons Amnesty, Punchestowns and Joncol all spring to mind immediately along with two favourites of mine; Somersby, who is being stepped up in trip after an impressive Arkle second when he couldn’t quite close up on Sizing Europe and Weird Al who was so unlucky to be injured when he was, a feeling accentuated after seeing the RSA Chase unfold. I believe he’s have been right there throughout and stood a massive chance. If they can keep him wrapped up well through the season I think he can figure in the big one.

Just out of that list, and on a slight tangent, the thought of Kauto Star v Long Run at Kempton on Boxing Day isn’t bad either is it? They both relish that flat, tight circuit and if not this year then pretty soon we’re going to see a new force dominate that race!

For now though, thoughts are dominated by Aintree and the three day National meeting, culminating in the Grand National on Saturday afternoon. There are a few I fancy already in this, but I’ve not delved too deeply into the card or weights and have left the ante-post market alone until I know the conditions on the day. A 20 horse handicap over 2m5f is hard enough, but a 40 horse handicap over 4m4f is near impossible to call with any certainty. I’ll be back with some previews prior to the weekend and reflections on the other two days of racing, however unfortunately I have to work Thursday and Friday so won’t catch most of the action. Likewise with the first two days of the Cheltenham meet next week, but I should catch the Friday evening and at least a day or two over the Irish Sea at Punchestown so it’s not all bad!