Equestrian
Farewell to a legend…
Some horses just get under your skin and pull at the heart strings and ever since watching a young, relatively unknown rider called Ros Canter, on her gigantic dark bay equine companion, I have been smitten. Who couldn’t be?! For all 17hh of dear Alby were just perfection. And together they conquered the world; quite literally.
Read MoreThey say good things come to those that wait – and boy was it a long wait to drive back through the stone-walled entrance of Badminton Horse Trials once again. Three long years since I was there and to say I was giddy to be back was a monumental understatement…
Read MoreWhat a season! Despite Covid’s best attempts at slowing the season down, I have managed to enjoy 28 BE & FEI Eventing adventures during the 2021 season.
In the latest blog, I bravely delve into the brimming image library from the season and pick out a few of my many favourites…
Read MoreAnd so the curtain falls on another season. A stellar season. A hectically busy, where-has-it-gone type of season. This season could be have been a disaster but I persevered and it actually happened - Fortune favours the brave.
Then came the crazy idea that the season needed a finale… cue a little road trip to Pau, the perfect season finale, 24 degrees of sunshine, crepes and uninterrupted views of the Pyrenees.
Read MoreSitting on the grass amongst the crowd on Sunday afternoon, listening intently to the all-female top 3 heap praise on the Bicton team and all their hard work and effort to deliver not only the only 5* competition on British soil this year, but that they delivered it in style, had me grinning from ear to ear.
From Devon to the Highlands, Cheshire to Gloucestershire, I’ver certainly seen the sights this summer. But it doesn’t end there, there’s still some more adventures planned for September… Onwards to Blenheim, Europeans and then suddenly, we are looking at the season finale’s round the corner, with winter hibernation getting ever closer.
Read MoreTeam GB have sealed Team Gold this week out in Tokyo and what a performance from the squad - they have delivered the lowest ever finishing score by a team in the history of Olympic Eventing!
Now comes the realisation that basically Tokyo has filled all my conversations for seemingly the last 18 months, so what next, team picks for Paris 2024 anyone?!
Read MoreSo, although it’s a later start than we’re all used to, we’re all standing in the start box and the countdown is on - good luck to all competitors, owners, grooms, officials, volunteers and ‘togs. There’s lots to look forward to and some very exciting combinations to keep an eye on!
Eyes up, heels down and kick on!
Here’s to a safe, continuous and successful season to you all and hope to see you all out on course soon.
Read MoreWhat a year that was! A pandemic was rather an extreme way of focusing the mind. Focusing on what mattered. What was worth the effort and what was not. What stirred the soul and what no longer mattered.
We may not have had a full season, but 2020 was definitely a year to savour ‘Quality over Quantity’ all the way.
Read MoreSo whilst it might not be the big shindig we are all used to, Christmas has flown around the corner, presents are wrapped and there’s just the exclusive bubble to finalise…
Most of us are probably somewhat thankful to see the back of this year to be honest, so my mind has already turned towards the countdown to next season and all the stars I am eagerly awaiting to see once again.
Read MoreSometime’s you don’t need a lot of something for it to pack a punch - and that is definitely the case with the 2020 Eventing season.
It’s been bloody tough there’s no doubt, it’s been hard to plan with reduced press numbers permitted entry and late confirmation of attendance had me checking email accounts every 5 seconds on the run up to the big targets. But it’s been the most wonderful season in so many ways too……
Read MoreThe restart that we had all hoped and prayed for had finally come. Given the length of time that had passed since I was last at an Event, I’d be forgiven for thinking that we were starting a new season, but this was 2020 version 2.0. The wait was long and obviously completely necessary, given the global pandemic we all found ourselves living through...
But pulling into the hallowed turf of Barbury Castle, albeit a week later than originally scheduled, was just the tonic I had been hoping for.
Read MoreBest moment
There was only ever going to be one contender here wasn’t there - Gary completing Badminton
Read MoreRead MoreI can not stress enough to those aspiring photographers out there, believe in yourself and keep going. You will get to your Badminton.
