Hi everyone
It’s been a long time since my last newsletter and I have no excuse except that I have been very busy.
I’m not going to attempt to comment on everything that has gone on in the World for the past four years and I am definitely not going to mention Brexit, Boris, Trump or HS2, oops I just did! Never mind; Moving on.
The biggest change in our lives recently was moving our base of operations to the Quainton Stud and Training Centre in Buckinghamshire. This has given me the opportunity to work in a fantastic facility, which boasts an International show jumping arena with a state of the art set of show jumps, a large indoor school, a cross country field and very comfortable airy stables and wash bays with safe rubber flooring. Thankfully our brilliant farrier Shane Brennan also followed us, phew!
These facilities enable me to run one, two and three day clinics as well as teaching daily; private, shared and group lessons. I am also able to offer residential courses for both serious competitive riders or for amateurs wanting to improve their skills through intensive training.
All of this is thanks to the fabulous Swedish family of Peter Blomqvist, his lovely partner Petra Roswall and their daughters Linnea, Emily and Clementine. They invited me to base myself with them and share their journey earlier in the year. Linnea is an up and coming young rider with a really good string of horses jumping up to 1.30 metres and has great ambitions to go to the top of the sport, she has real potential. Emily, though still at school is also showing great potential with her young horse, I am very lucky to be able to mentor them all. Poor Clementine has to find the energy keep up with Eleanor, not easy but she manages very well!
The family intend to re-instate Quainton as one of the premier show & training centres in the UK and have great plans for the future with a programme of show-jumping, dressage and arena events..
My own daughter, Eleanor is making fabulous progress with the great pony ‘Hercules’, who found us last year after saying goodbye to the outgrown Bailey, many thanks to our good friend Ellie Cooney-Liddle for allowing us to adopt Hercules he is the perfect pony. Eleanor is completely nuts about riding, if you ask her what she loves it’s a simple answer; galloping, jumping, cross country, bareback riding, trick riding and competing, in no particular order. She can run pretty fast too.
A little sadness came into our lives a year or so ago when we lost our super black Labrador ‘Jinty’, she had a great life and was a loyal friend and companion and we were very sad to see her go but we now have the very bouncy young Labrador ‘Elsa’, who is Eleanor’s constant companion and enjoys doing all of the nutty things that Eleanor enjoys.
The lovely Aileen continues to put up with ‘Mr Grumpy’ and is enjoying her amazing horse ‘Blue’, her delicious home-made soups are still the star of my clinics with my coaching coming a close second.
As the World evolves so alas does the horse world, we horsemen and women must embrace new technology, as science discovers new ways of keeping our horses healthy and sound we must listen and learn. Communication is also moving on apace with the iPhone, tablets etc. Social media is here to stay and must be used responsibly and never abused.
I know I come from a generation which had to buck up and get with the programme otherwise I wouldn’t have a clue what is going on but I must urge all of you out there who ride and or drive horses to never stop learning and remember above all two very important constants.
It’s been a long time since my last newsletter and I have no excuse except that I have been very busy.
I’m not going to attempt to comment on everything that has gone on in the World for the past four years and I am definitely not going to mention Brexit, Boris, Trump or HS2, oops I just did! Never mind; Moving on.
The biggest change in our lives recently was moving our base of operations to the Quainton Stud and Training Centre in Buckinghamshire. This has given me the opportunity to work in a fantastic facility, which boasts an International show jumping arena with a state of the art set of show jumps, a large indoor school, a cross country field and very comfortable airy stables and wash bays with safe rubber flooring. Thankfully our brilliant farrier Shane Brennan also followed us, phew!
These facilities enable me to run one, two and three day clinics as well as teaching daily; private, shared and group lessons. I am also able to offer residential courses for both serious competitive riders or for amateurs wanting to improve their skills through intensive training.
All of this is thanks to the fabulous Swedish family of Peter Blomqvist, his lovely partner Petra Roswall and their daughters Linnea, Emily and Clementine. They invited me to base myself with them and share their journey earlier in the year. Linnea is an up and coming young rider with a really good string of horses jumping up to 1.30 metres and has great ambitions to go to the top of the sport, she has real potential. Emily, though still at school is also showing great potential with her young horse, I am very lucky to be able to mentor them all. Poor Clementine has to find the energy keep up with Eleanor, not easy but she manages very well!
The family intend to re-instate Quainton as one of the premier show & training centres in the UK and have great plans for the future with a programme of show-jumping, dressage and arena events..
My own daughter, Eleanor is making fabulous progress with the great pony ‘Hercules’, who found us last year after saying goodbye to the outgrown Bailey, many thanks to our good friend Ellie Cooney-Liddle for allowing us to adopt Hercules he is the perfect pony. Eleanor is completely nuts about riding, if you ask her what she loves it’s a simple answer; galloping, jumping, cross country, bareback riding, trick riding and competing, in no particular order. She can run pretty fast too.
A little sadness came into our lives a year or so ago when we lost our super black Labrador ‘Jinty’, she had a great life and was a loyal friend and companion and we were very sad to see her go but we now have the very bouncy young Labrador ‘Elsa’, who is Eleanor’s constant companion and enjoys doing all of the nutty things that Eleanor enjoys.
The lovely Aileen continues to put up with ‘Mr Grumpy’ and is enjoying her amazing horse ‘Blue’, her delicious home-made soups are still the star of my clinics with my coaching coming a close second.
As the World evolves so alas does the horse world, we horsemen and women must embrace new technology, as science discovers new ways of keeping our horses healthy and sound we must listen and learn. Communication is also moving on apace with the iPhone, tablets etc. Social media is here to stay and must be used responsibly and never abused.
I know I come from a generation which had to buck up and get with the programme otherwise I wouldn’t have a clue what is going on but I must urge all of you out there who ride and or drive horses to never stop learning and remember above all two very important constants.
- The horse is still a horse and always will be.
- We do it because IT’S FUN.
Well that’s 2014 out of the window and a clean lovely untouched 2015 to look forward too. Most of us will make the same old mistakes as we did every other year despite firm resolve to keep all our New Years resolutions..!
I have made all the usual ones, you know, drink less, eat healthy, join the gym, buy a bike, STOP skipping. The last one of course refers to the wonderful day I decided to show my young daughter Eleanor how to skip. Being the amazing professional athlete I am I asked her to watch carefully. When I reached a Mohammed Ali speed with a very smug look on my face, “OUCH F--K, F--K F--K, I collapsed to the floor in agony. Eleanor then very sweetly looked down at me and asked very innocently “Daddy, what does F--K mean”? I had unfortunately sprained my Achilles tendon. That was back in February, it took until mid September before I was reasonably sound again. The first time I decided to risk jumping a horse I thought I had better make it small just in case it hurt. A 50cm jump was not going to be a big task so I cantered sweetly down to this huge jump, bless Timmy, he popped it very nicely and then landed and shot off at high speed bucking as hard as he could go. Well it didn’t hurt a bit, phew.
I had a couple of really good trips to the USA, both to Virginia and New York. Great weather and excellent clients I am booked for some new dates in the coming Spring. The USA is an interesting place to Coach having every type of rider and horse compressed into ten days. Horses off the racetrack are particularly common and really do present a great and interesting challenge in both technique and understanding. Trying to retrain them without killing thoroughbred spirit is the big deal, so often these great horses are suppressed too much and riders then end up in a major fight. I love the TB and so enjoy their courage and intelligence. They are not always the best jumpers in the world or the best movers but Oh boy do they try. The complete opposite is the very talented warmblood imported mostly from Europe and much easier to train as their mentality lends itself to discipline much more. Americans Historically do like quality in the horses they ride and so do I so every day I am out there I am very happy with the horses I train.
On one trip to the USA I happened to meet one of my very big heroes. Being a western freak, you can imagine how star struck I was to meet Mr Robert Duvall of Open Range, Lonesome Dove and Godfather fame. Like all great people he was , well, just normal. Great sense of humour and his two loves, football and showjumping. Hey Ho.
On a sad note, the last of my great mentors and coaches passed away. Robert Hall, late of the Fulmer School of Equitation in Buckinghamshire. He was a pupil of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and he had a fantastic understanding of correct training with a methodology way ahead of his time. All of my understanding of riding on the flat was based on his teaching. RIP.
What about wee Scott Brash? Over twelve months as the worlds number one showjumper. Scott is the consummate horseman with a head as cold as ice. I really believe that the whole Scottish referendum was based on having Scott represent Scotland at the Olympics, well perhaps not. Watching him work his horses at close quarters is a pure joy and please, all you young riders take note of how correct he is in every area of his performance.
Of course we also have the amazing partnership of Charlotte Dujardin, holder of the Olympic, World, European and World Cup championships and breaker of every Dressage record by a mile. I do seriously believe that we are so very privileged to have witnessed her rise to glory and do not think it can ever be surpassed. Aileen and I were very lucky to have been able to visit Carl Hester at his yard and watch both Charlotte and himself riding and coaching, dear Aileen was so happy, big brownie point day.
Another fabulous day was Hickstead Derby day when we saw another first. A one eyed horse romping home with Trevor Breene. Adventure de Cannan the famous one eyed horse has now won the Hickstead Jumping Derby, Queen Elizabeth Cup, Eventers Challenge and the Speed Derby just got to get the King George v Gold cup to complete the set, no pressure Trev..!
We had a tough World Games with the showjumping and of course the Team manager got it in the neck. It did remind me of a Snoopy cartoon. “It is not a case of whether you win or lose, it’s where you lay the blame”. It just really goes to show that, like football, you’re only as good as your next win. I do hope that whoever takes over from Rob Hoekstra has very broad shoulders. Why are we so very fickle as a Nation. When we won the Olympic and European Gold medals the whole team were conquering heroes. After the World Games, everything that went before was just luck..! Of course it was luck, lucky we had great riders, great horses and great team management. Just as any team anywhere would be “lucky”. We also had great and strong team selection. Before the Olympics Rob was criticised for his team selection, after, it was brilliant? Someone recently asked me why did I not apply for the Team Managers job, that’s easy, I like my head just where it is.
This year I had one other sad occasion. The demise of my precious silver Mercedes C Sport (Petrol) after 385000 miles the heart was willing but the body was pooped. Gone to the big scrap yard in the sky.
Aileen is enjoying her job at the Royal Ascot Racing Club and both Eleanor and I have enjoyed our race meetings. I kinda miss not having the lovely Aileen on my arm Royal Ascot week but I get to ask another pretty girl to accompany me, thanks Henrietta. Taking applications for 2015.
I am enjoying Coaching even more than ever. Earlier in the year British Showjumping eventually decided to allow me UKCC Level 3 status. I am picking up new venues almost monthly and some are sadly falling away. Unfortunately, Parwood in Guildford has died a death, no takers there but Littleton near Reigate continues apace thanks to Jennifer Grassly, Tewin in Welwyn Garden City is galloping, Wales and Scotland continue to be very successful and I am still teaching regularly at my home base, Mills Stables in Heathfield, Oxford. I make regular trips to Attington Buck’s, Austen O’Conner is a great host and Amy Andrews in Melksham, Wiltshire never fails to get me a solid days work.
This Summer My handy son came to the house and we built a pretty cool deck and then Aileen and I built a pretty cool rock garden. That was fun and so relaxing.
Christmas as ever was a pure joy. On top of my sky dive I now get to drive an Aston Martin around a racetrack at a silly speed. Eleanor is always good value loving every second of the festive season including writing to Santa to ask him to please wipe his feet. The goose was delicious and copious amounts of champagne plus a really great visit to Olympia courtesy of our great friend Mel Nagele started the celebrations in fine style.
To sum up I must thank Aileen my lovely partner for all her hard work and support and of course Eleanor for being Eleanor.
Wishing you all a Very Happy and Prosperous 2015 And remember, it's supposed to be FUN..!
I have made all the usual ones, you know, drink less, eat healthy, join the gym, buy a bike, STOP skipping. The last one of course refers to the wonderful day I decided to show my young daughter Eleanor how to skip. Being the amazing professional athlete I am I asked her to watch carefully. When I reached a Mohammed Ali speed with a very smug look on my face, “OUCH F--K, F--K F--K, I collapsed to the floor in agony. Eleanor then very sweetly looked down at me and asked very innocently “Daddy, what does F--K mean”? I had unfortunately sprained my Achilles tendon. That was back in February, it took until mid September before I was reasonably sound again. The first time I decided to risk jumping a horse I thought I had better make it small just in case it hurt. A 50cm jump was not going to be a big task so I cantered sweetly down to this huge jump, bless Timmy, he popped it very nicely and then landed and shot off at high speed bucking as hard as he could go. Well it didn’t hurt a bit, phew.
I had a couple of really good trips to the USA, both to Virginia and New York. Great weather and excellent clients I am booked for some new dates in the coming Spring. The USA is an interesting place to Coach having every type of rider and horse compressed into ten days. Horses off the racetrack are particularly common and really do present a great and interesting challenge in both technique and understanding. Trying to retrain them without killing thoroughbred spirit is the big deal, so often these great horses are suppressed too much and riders then end up in a major fight. I love the TB and so enjoy their courage and intelligence. They are not always the best jumpers in the world or the best movers but Oh boy do they try. The complete opposite is the very talented warmblood imported mostly from Europe and much easier to train as their mentality lends itself to discipline much more. Americans Historically do like quality in the horses they ride and so do I so every day I am out there I am very happy with the horses I train.
On one trip to the USA I happened to meet one of my very big heroes. Being a western freak, you can imagine how star struck I was to meet Mr Robert Duvall of Open Range, Lonesome Dove and Godfather fame. Like all great people he was , well, just normal. Great sense of humour and his two loves, football and showjumping. Hey Ho.
On a sad note, the last of my great mentors and coaches passed away. Robert Hall, late of the Fulmer School of Equitation in Buckinghamshire. He was a pupil of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and he had a fantastic understanding of correct training with a methodology way ahead of his time. All of my understanding of riding on the flat was based on his teaching. RIP.
What about wee Scott Brash? Over twelve months as the worlds number one showjumper. Scott is the consummate horseman with a head as cold as ice. I really believe that the whole Scottish referendum was based on having Scott represent Scotland at the Olympics, well perhaps not. Watching him work his horses at close quarters is a pure joy and please, all you young riders take note of how correct he is in every area of his performance.
Of course we also have the amazing partnership of Charlotte Dujardin, holder of the Olympic, World, European and World Cup championships and breaker of every Dressage record by a mile. I do seriously believe that we are so very privileged to have witnessed her rise to glory and do not think it can ever be surpassed. Aileen and I were very lucky to have been able to visit Carl Hester at his yard and watch both Charlotte and himself riding and coaching, dear Aileen was so happy, big brownie point day.
Another fabulous day was Hickstead Derby day when we saw another first. A one eyed horse romping home with Trevor Breene. Adventure de Cannan the famous one eyed horse has now won the Hickstead Jumping Derby, Queen Elizabeth Cup, Eventers Challenge and the Speed Derby just got to get the King George v Gold cup to complete the set, no pressure Trev..!
We had a tough World Games with the showjumping and of course the Team manager got it in the neck. It did remind me of a Snoopy cartoon. “It is not a case of whether you win or lose, it’s where you lay the blame”. It just really goes to show that, like football, you’re only as good as your next win. I do hope that whoever takes over from Rob Hoekstra has very broad shoulders. Why are we so very fickle as a Nation. When we won the Olympic and European Gold medals the whole team were conquering heroes. After the World Games, everything that went before was just luck..! Of course it was luck, lucky we had great riders, great horses and great team management. Just as any team anywhere would be “lucky”. We also had great and strong team selection. Before the Olympics Rob was criticised for his team selection, after, it was brilliant? Someone recently asked me why did I not apply for the Team Managers job, that’s easy, I like my head just where it is.
This year I had one other sad occasion. The demise of my precious silver Mercedes C Sport (Petrol) after 385000 miles the heart was willing but the body was pooped. Gone to the big scrap yard in the sky.
Aileen is enjoying her job at the Royal Ascot Racing Club and both Eleanor and I have enjoyed our race meetings. I kinda miss not having the lovely Aileen on my arm Royal Ascot week but I get to ask another pretty girl to accompany me, thanks Henrietta. Taking applications for 2015.
I am enjoying Coaching even more than ever. Earlier in the year British Showjumping eventually decided to allow me UKCC Level 3 status. I am picking up new venues almost monthly and some are sadly falling away. Unfortunately, Parwood in Guildford has died a death, no takers there but Littleton near Reigate continues apace thanks to Jennifer Grassly, Tewin in Welwyn Garden City is galloping, Wales and Scotland continue to be very successful and I am still teaching regularly at my home base, Mills Stables in Heathfield, Oxford. I make regular trips to Attington Buck’s, Austen O’Conner is a great host and Amy Andrews in Melksham, Wiltshire never fails to get me a solid days work.
This Summer My handy son came to the house and we built a pretty cool deck and then Aileen and I built a pretty cool rock garden. That was fun and so relaxing.
Christmas as ever was a pure joy. On top of my sky dive I now get to drive an Aston Martin around a racetrack at a silly speed. Eleanor is always good value loving every second of the festive season including writing to Santa to ask him to please wipe his feet. The goose was delicious and copious amounts of champagne plus a really great visit to Olympia courtesy of our great friend Mel Nagele started the celebrations in fine style.
To sum up I must thank Aileen my lovely partner for all her hard work and support and of course Eleanor for being Eleanor.
Wishing you all a Very Happy and Prosperous 2015 And remember, it's supposed to be FUN..!