Annie Joppe Update

Since my last blog I have discovered that Fantom and I were 3^rd in the National Championships at Horseshoe; what a little superstar he is! Watergate Endurance has been going through a somewhat quiet patch over the last few weeks, giving time to reflect and regroup with plans being made for the later part of the season.  Unfortunately Dilmun developed a persistent cough following his exploits at Windsor which he very generously passed on to Fantom.  Various medications were tried and none seemed to work on Dilmun although Fantom’s cleared within a few weeks.  This was the height of frustration; no second chance at a 3* this year for Fantom as the planned outing at King’s Forest did not materialise.  As to Dilmun, treatment will continue and in the meantime he is becoming a rather boisterous field ornament! I have given a little thought to our mega busy week in May: racing at Royal Windsor and then competing at the Golden Horseshoe ride.  On the surface these two extremes of endurance bear little resemblance to each other, but are they really poles apart or are they just a variation on a theme?  There is no doubt that they are both forms of endurance and that the early, basic training is the same for both, but there the similarity in training appears to end.  Fantom was 160 kms fit for Haywood Oaks in April but he had been trained to race over flattish ground by doing long cantering sessions.  Apart from one session on the moors to build stamina, he hadn’t had the hill training, the practice in plunging through deep water with no hesitation or the exposure to varied rough terrain.  Despite this, however, he pulled it out of the bag demonstrating what a supreme athlete he is.  Horses for courses perhaps? Well young Flo has completed her early education with me and returned to her owner to develop into the well-rounded individual that she will no doubt be.  It’s always a bit sad to see one of ‘your’ homebreds leaving; and this time for good. Horse shopping has been very much on my agenda and I paid a visit to Halsdon Arabians, an arab stud renown for breeding endurance horses and, luckily, not too far from me being in the next county (Devon).  There were several mares to choose from (the mares were all 6 year olds whilst the geldings were only 4 years old).  There were about 6 just-backed mares, mostly grey and all with lovely calm temperaments.  Two lovely strong, well-made greys took my attention and I tried them and walked around the school; very nice.  Then I was shown one that they had just backed and was still on the lead rein; a little bay, only 14.3hh.  She had the WOW factor which became immediately apparent when I climbed aboard.  Ok her feet weren’t as good as the greys’ and she was a little smaller than I would have liked, but I had to have her. HS Chiara is now at home and has started her education.  Education for an endurance horse starts with the basics as for any discipline but there are certain specific things that have to be taught and specific training needed to develop into a good endurance horse.  The wonderful Wizard is now her nanny and she absolutely adores him and he gives her so much confidence.  Progress has been made to actually encompass the giving and receiving of empty slosh bottles in walk.  It might take some time though before these can be emptied over her!  As Chiara’s feet are not quite as hard as they could be, I have put her on Hardy Hoof as this worked so well with Storm Boy. Wizard has now had his 20^th birthday which he celebrated with numerous carrots and apples and lots of pampering.  He is so fit and well and benefiting from being on ExtraFlex HA with Rosehip as well as Opti Muscle to keep him in tip top condition. Last weekend Fantom and I did a 66 kms competition on the moors so that I could check whether he had truly recovered from his cough and assess his fitness levels.  Such is the vagaries of the British weather that we completed the first loop in rain and a little mist and the second loop in hot sunshine!  Fantom went well and got his usual grade 1 being placed 4^th overall so I am convinced he is over his cough, although perhaps not as fit as I had hoped. We have now entered a 2* 120 kms ride near Milton Keynes in a week’s time so, after a couple of days off canter work has resumed, new shoes with pads put on, a physio session booked, increased rations started and many little tweaks and adjustments undertaken to give us the best possible chance of success.  As we had missed our last chance to qualify for the Europeans by completing a 3*, it is now necessary to gain this extra 2* qualification in order to have another attempt at 3*, probably next year – such are the FEI qualifying rules!