Another year and another competitive endurance season to look forward to.
All four horses are in work at the moment which makes life interesting trying to fit in exercising at least three and often all four most days.
Following my surgery last summer my left leg has been left somewhat weaker than my right one and I am endeavouring to even them up. To this end I had a lesson with a local dressage trainer and judge who patiently watched me walking, trotting and cantering on the straight and in circles on the ancient Wizard making little alterations and suggestions so that I now have something to work on.
I have now developed an exercise routine in the morning involving stretches and pilates movements to improve my muscles’ fitness and I am still thinking about jogging to improve my cardio vascular fitness.
For the past two weeks I‘ve been on holiday skiing which meant giving the horses a rest. This has given me another chance to work on my straightness and balance as some of the exercises required for skiing are ideal for endurance riding. Additionally, skiing is unforgiving of any one-sidedness!
Prior to and since my holiday Chiara has completed her walking work being led from one of the ‘boys’. Now we have started trotting and life isn’t so simple. Chiara is so keen on the first half of the ride that I have to take her out with Dilmun as a steadying influence; he is great at keeping her under control. In addition to being led out Chiara is having regular sessions stretching in the school and in walk on the lunge to try to strengthen her back muscles as advised by our physio. She has taken to this quite well and seems to enjoy the exercise.
Fantom is roughly at the same stage of walking and trotting as Chiara but his work is mostly under saddle, partly because he is a nightmare being led out with another horse. He will begin schooling in the next couple of days to gently work on rhythm in walk and trot.
Dilmun and Wizard are ticking over after their disappointment about the Christmas ride that never was. Our trailer is back in action with a new ramp spring and a full service so we are ready for our first venture out this year: a pleasure ride for Wizard and Fantom in a couple of weeks.
This year the European Endurance Championships will be held in this country at Euston Park later this summer. This year, however, I don’t as yet have a qualified horse to put up for selection. This is a plan in progress and I will aim to get both Fantom and Chiara qualified before the deadline but horses, being horses, it is easier said than done. Fantom needs to complete another 3* 160 km and with this aim, I am hoping to run him at the beginning of May which should give us plenty of time to prepare.
Chiara has more to do to qualify and we will take it as it comes. After being lame last August in her second 2* qualifier, she will need to do another 2* as well as a 3* in the first part of the year. We’ll see how she gets on; she’s definitely too good to rush.
Euston
Meanwhile back at the yard, it became apparent before Christmas that the stables needed a new roof with leaks springing up all over the place. While we were away skiing and the horses having an outdoor break, the roof was replaced and it is now so light and airy, the difference is amazing – no excuse for less than perfect beds and sparkling clean horses!
Follow Annie Joppe on Twitter