If you are hankering after a summer of eventing, why not take a look at these horse trials competitions you need to enter

Scottish one-day event

Date: 2 June
Venue: Greenfields of Avondale
Details: “This one-day event offers four class heights over between 60cm and 1m. There is limited stabling on-site too.”
Enter now

Eventathon

Date: 3 June
Venue: Atherstone & District Riding Club field, Nuneaton
Details: “This is a fun event with no dressage. There is just one round of jumping consisting of eight showjumps and then straight out onto a shortened cross-country course. Classes range between 55-60cm and 80cm with junior and senior sections. Rosettes are awarded to sixth and there is a great selection of prizes up for grabs too, including rugs and sashes.”
Enter now

Horse trials in Devon

Date: 10 June
Venue: Bicton Arena, Exeter
Details: “This horse trials, run by Sid and Otter Valley Riding Club, is open to riding club members and non-members alike with junior, senior and open sections available. Heights of classes on offer range between 80cm and 110cm+.”
Enter now

Unaffiliated one-day event

Date: 17 June
Venue: Gloucester Lodge Farm, Blyth
Details: “This event offers classes ranging in height from 60cm to 90cm. There is also a hunter trial which has pairs sections.”
Enter now

One-day event in Hampshire

Date: 17 June
Venue: Tenantry Farm, Fordingbridge
Details: “This one-day event organised by Wilton Hunt Pony Club has classes ranging between 80cm and 1m and is open to both Pony Club members and non-members.”
Enter now

Unaffiliated one-day event

Date: 23 June
Venue: Tumpy Green Equestrian Centre, Cam
Details: “This is an open event, where a warm welcome awaits you. This competition is suitable for all ages of rider, with classes ranging from mini lead-rein and mini adults where the jumping is set at a height of 20-30cm with no back rails in the showjumping, up to 85cm with junior and senior sections.”
Enter now

One-day event on the Welsh border

Date: 21 July
Venue: Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow
Details: “This event, hosted by the Curre Hunt Pony Club, incorporates the PC area 10 qualifiers and open classes, from 80cm to 110cm. It is run over the Chepstow BE course with trade stands and refreshments available with vet and farrier on site.”
Enter now

Visit equo.co.uk for full competition and training listings

One year ago Emma Scott, who is competing in the 90cm class at the H&H Festival of Eventing, run in association with KBIS, might not have believed she would have made it this far with her horse, Lombard Light.

The now 12-year-old thoroughbred “wouldn’t go over a showjump pole” according to Emma, who is 19 and based near Ely.

“He used to get six strides away from it and then would stand bolt upright and not go anywhere near it.”

Emma, who bought the former failed National Hunt racehorse, bred in the purple for the job being by Milan out of a Roselier mare, credits a winter of team chasing and hunting with the Cambridgeshire Drag to the transformation of ‘Bills’.

“He tried to showjump around the first team chase I took him to,” explains Emma, who is on a gap year “playing with ponies” before hopefully going to study graphic design at Leeds University. “But then the penny dropped and he’s now a completely different person — he’s so positive about everything.”

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Emma bought Bills from a friend who had started retraining him out of racing.

“But he developed some back problems and she struggled to find the time he needed, so I bought him from her for £1.”

“I’ve never had a horse so loving on the ground, but he can be an idiot in the warm-up as he just wants to get on with it,” says Emma. “I’m so happy with how he has gone this weekend. I was wondering whether I should keep eventing him, but after how well he has pulled it together for me for this competition, I think I will crack on with it.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

Charlotte Cooke is one of the youngest competitors at this year’s H&H Festival of Eventing, run in association with KBIS. At just 11-years-old, the Brentwood School pupil has put in a great performance on her 13.2hh pony, Karlos Fandango in the 80cm class.

But the 16-year-old roan comes with an interesting stable name — ‘Thug’.

“He was quite bolshie when we got him two years ago,” explains Charlotte, who is competing at her first three-day event this weekend. “He can open stable doors.”

Charlotte, who has already gained a lot of experience in the showjumping arena, said Thug, who is a JA jumping pony with over £2,600 in winnings, has only recently turned to eventing.

“He was a bit of a petrol pony in his former life,” says Charlotte, who now also enjoys day’s hunting with Thug. “He’s a great speed pony, but didn’t have much of a life before outside of the ring. We decided to try eventing to help him relax and enjoy life a bit more and he loves it.”

Charlotte says she has worked particularly hard on Thug’s flatwork with the help of Leanne Field.

“He’s never going to lead after the dressage but he’s improved a lot. He used to go round with the wrong bend, but he’s much more balanced now and it has even helped our jumping to improve.”

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The pair jumped a fantastic double clear in the 80cm class at the H&H Festival of Eventing.

“He’s a cross-country machine and all I have to do is point him between the flags. Hopefully we’ll have some fun doing some BE80(T) competitions this year and just let him enjoy life.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

MANY OF YOU ASKED why I didn’t post about Sgt. Reckless this Memorial Holiday… So, I decided to repost two previous posts about Sgt. Reckless.  The first is about the book and the second post is about her memorial.  Have a great day back to work!

HERE WE GO!

ORIGINALLY POSTED JULY, 2014

Last week, I received an email asking if I’d like an advance copy of the new SGT Reckless book by Robin Hutton.

I didn’t know there was a new SGT Reckless book… but I said, “Absolutely!”

It arrived today.

And, I must tell you, I’m impressed.  So far, I’ve only looked at the photos and the chapter headings, but I can tell you that I will be reading it tonight!

Loads of photos and new story angles!

I found myself smiling at her.

Click image to go to Amazon to pre-order the book. (NO AFFILIATION)

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PHOTOS – 8 years of research went into this book!

The book has many, many photos and never before told stories.  Clearly the author, Robin Hutton, did an amazing research job.  Very thorough.

Did you know SGT Reckless had foals?  Me, neither.

Did you know there was a statue in her honor (the book cover)?  Me, neither.

Here are some of the photos… I took these shots while trying to keep the book opened and I didn’t have enough hands.  Please forgive.

I love these shots of Sgt. Reckless getting love from the troops!

Here she is, drinking a beer…

SHE HAD FOALS!!

This was her first foal… I never knew she had foals!

There’s an entire chapter on her three foals and what became of them. The author did so much research… It took her 8 years!

I LOVED THIS QUOTE…

I loved this quote but I don’t know who said it… It came as the header from the email I received from the publisher:

“She wasn’t a horse-she was a Marine”: Robin Hutton rediscovers the story of Sgt. Reckless.”

These fun trading cards were in the back of the book!

PRE-ORDER THROUGH AMAZON!  IT WILL RELEASE IN TWO WEEKS!

Use this link to go to Amazon to pre-order (no affiliation).

What a great shot… Click image to order from Amazon.

THE SGT. RECKLESS MEMORIAL! – ORIGINALLY POSTED SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

A reader sent a clipping, informing me that there will be a Fund Raising Event honoring Sgt. Reckless at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA on Saturday, September 13th!

They are hoping to raise enough money to erect a Monument at Camp Pendleton!  Please go if you are able!

A MONUMENT FOR RECKLESS AT CAMP PENDLETON, WHERE SHE RETIRED AND IS LAID TO REST.

The event is a fund raiser to help raise money to create a 2nd monument of Sgt. Reckless to be erected at her retirement home and final resting place, Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA.

Mark September 13 on your calendars and, if you’re in the area, plan to attend our annual fundraiser. We will hold it at the Las Flores Adobe this year. If you can’t join us at the annual fundraiser, you can still donate using PayPal or sending a check. All profits will go to the Reckless Monument Fund. (The fundraiser is from 11:am to 4 pm at the Los Flores Adobe. Which can be reached by entering the base at the gate just east of the las pulgas exit off interstate 5. Tickets cost $30.00 admission is free for children younger than 12. Visit camppendletonhistoricalsociety.org. And sgtreckless.com. “. )

“After serving with the 1st battalion 5th marine regiment. The mare returned to camp Pendleton and lived her last 14 years on base at the Stepp stables where she was buried in 1968. ” the non profit group is holding a fund raiser Saturday. At the base’s historic Las Flores Adobe. Which the society helped restore. The historical society is matching donations up to $30,000. And Hutton is donating part of the proceeds from her book to the project. Which is estimated to cost $135,000. With a completion date set for next year. The fundraiser is from 11:am to 4 pm at the Los Flores Adobe. Which can be reached by entering the base at the gate just east of the las pulgas exit off interstate 5. Tickets cost $30.00 admission is free for children younger than 12. Visit camppendletonhistoricalsociety.org. And sgtreckless.com. “.

The first monument at her unveiling at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  There is now a fund raiser to create a 2nd monument for Sgt. Reckless’ retirement home, Camp Pendleton.

THE DETAILS…

RECKLESS MONUMENT FUND

The Camp Pendleton Historical Society has partnered with author Robin Hutton and artist Jocelyn Russell to bring a larger than life monument of the warhorse Reckless to Camp Pendleton. Reckless was a small Mongolian mare purchased in 1952 in Korea by Lieutenant Erick Pederson, leader of the 5th Marine Regiment recoilless rifle platoon. In Marine jargon recoilless rifles were known as “reckless rifles,” hence her name.

Marines trained Reckless to carry 75mm ammunition and supplies to frontline firing positions. She learned quickly and often completed her mission without a handler. A strong, mutual bond formed. It was no longer just a horse and Marines; the platoon accepted her as one of their own. The small mare became Private Reckless.

In March 1953 the 5th Marines were engaged in a particularly violent struggle known as the Battle for Outpost Vegas. During one day of that engagement Reckless made 51 trips from the ammunition supply point to the frontline positions, most of them on her own. She carried over 300 rounds, more than 9,000 lbs, across 35 miles of rice paddies and steep mountain trails to her fellow Marines. After offloading her supplies, she carried the wounded back to the aid station. Reckless was wounded twice, but never faltered. If there had been a strong bond between two and four legged Marines before, it was cemented forever by her heroic actions that day. In recognition of her bravery she was promoted meritoriously to corporal.

When the 5th Marines returned to Camp Pendleton in 1954, Reckless came with them. She lived the remainder of her days at the Camp Pendleton stables. Over the years she had three foals: Dauntless, Fearless, and Chesty. In 1957 General Randolph McCall Pate, Commandant of the Marine Corps, awarded her a final promotion to staff sergeant (E-6). Although she was never again asked to risk her life under fire, she played a central role in regimental ceremonies. After her death Reckless was buried at the Base stables with full military honors.

It will cost $125,000 to prepare, ship, and install a bronze monument to Reckless aboard Camp Pendleton. When in place, it will look very much like one installed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in July 2013. CPHS will assist with the fundraising and will match all money raised, up to $30,000, with funds already in our accounts. We hope that you will join the cause. Remember that with CPHS’s matching promise, each dollar contributed becomes two dollars!

HOW TO DONATE IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND

There are two websites that have donation information.  One is the Camp Pendleton Historical Society and the other is SGT. Reckless (official site) created by the author of the book.

Both sites have fund raiser information but the Sgt. Reckless site has a Fund Raising thermometer, which I always love!

Click to go to site

Click image to visit site.

SGT RECKLESS…

I’ve written about Sgt. Reckless (the mare) often.  Most recently regarding the new book by Robin Hutton!  Click here to read that post.

Book Cover. To order the book, click on image. (no affiliation)

From the author’s website…

OTHER NEWS ABOUT RECKLESS FROM THE AUTHOR WEBSITE: Her Grave Marker.

I found this tidbit when I was searching through the Author’s website.  It is about a grave marker for Sgt Reckless.  I will find out more.

The post “SGT RECKLESS, AMERICA’S WAR HORSE” (THE BOOK) was sitting on my doorstep! Tons of never before seen pics, stories of how the Marine’s loved the little mare, her favorite troopers and her foals…! appeared first on Horse and Man.

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Emily King pledged to donate all Langford Take the Biscuit’s future winnings to charity, as her crowdfunding attempt to secure him succeeded.

The eventer launched a bid to keep the ride on “Hobby” last week, asking fans to donate towards the £40,000 she needed to buy him before the end of this month.

Yesterday (28 May) she announced that the target has been met and the six-year-old will stay with her.

Altogether 556 people donated, including “private investors” who today put forward the balance.

“It’s fantastic,” Emily told H&H. “His owner needed to sell him, for several reasons, and top horses are so hard to find; when you’ve had the chance to ride one and know he’s got the potential, the last thing you want is to lose him.

“So we thought crowd-funding would be a good idea and to put it out there, as we thought there would be people who would love to have the connection with a horse but don’t have the fund to own one.

“We thought it was an obvious thing to try but never thought it would raise half as much.

“I’m so humbled by all the donations, however small or big; so grateful for everyone’s support.”

Emily said one donor is to take on running the syndicate and, as promised when she launched the campaign, all those who contributed will be invited to watch Hobby compete, to yard visits and on course-walks with her.

“There will be a regular newsletter too – people will get a lot of return for what they’ve put in, and everything that was proposed will happen,” she added.

Some response to Emily’s campaign was not supportive, with some on social media criticising the rider for asking for donations.

“When anyone tries to crowdfund, there are people who have their opinions,” she said. “I was very clear, that no one had to be involved whatsoever, but if they were interested, the opportunity was there.

“I think some people thought we were keeping the money too, but that was the price the owner was selling him for, and obviously the money goes to her.”

Emily explained that her decision to donate Hobby’s winnings to charities, including World Horse Welfare of which she is a patron, was “the least we could do”.

“And it’s an extra bonus; an even bigger incentive to do well,” she added.

Continues below…

Hobby will now have a quieter time while Emily takes more advanced horses to Tattersalls and Bramham horse trials, then will compete through the summer. The aim is to enter a CCI1*, possibly the six-year-olds’ championship at Osberton, or Le Lion d’Angers.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the 556 people,” she said.

“You’re a true credit and testimony to our amazing sport. You are the ones who keep our sport alive with so much enthusiasm. You drive us riders to work and train as hard as possible, to win medals and make our country proud. Without you, we are nothing.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

The leaderboard of the 100cm championship at the Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing, run in association with KBIS, had a huge shake up on the final day today (28 May).

Eventual winners, Julia Dungworth and the eight-year-old Gortmore Ballyneety, enjoyed a meteoric rise thanks to a clear showjumping round, climbing from eighth after the cross-country to take first prize.

“This event has done ‘Gala’ the world of good and it has been a brilliant experience for him,” said Julia of her Irish-bred gelding. “I can’t recommend this competition enough to other riders.”

Julia has owned Gala for just under a year after one of her teaching clients brought him for a lesson.

“He bucked his old owner off in the lesson and I said ‘I like that horse’,” admitted Julia, who finished on her dressage score of 33.25. “He’s really sharp — he’s not spooky at fences, but if someone took their jumper off by the side of the arena, he would bugger off with me! I couldn’t let the rosette be pinned on his bridle today as I would have gone through the hedge.

“Gala is a diamond in the rough and I have high hopes for him for the future — he will get it but just needs this sort of competition to help give him some grounding.”

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Second place went to Emma Freeman and Quick Dolla Bill, who also flew up the placings from ninth thanks to a clear showjumping round. While another to benefit from a clear round on the final day was Helen Fraser and Justanumber, who rose from 10th to third. Overnight cross-country leaders Doriel Watson and Claude II dropped out of the top 10 after an expensive showjumping round.

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk

The 150th Balmoral Show (16-19 May 2018) in Northern Ireland saw visiting horses and riders winning several championship titles, while a Cheltenham Festival-winning racehorse bagged the Racehorse to Riding Horse title.

But who else turned heads at this annual show?

1. Retaining her crown

Robert Fallon’s Frederiksminde Mellow II retains her Connemara mare championship.

2. Elegance

Robin Catterall and Carnsdale Irish Times on their lap of honour after winning the side saddle championship.

3. Royal Encounters

The Princess Royal congratulating Dessie Gibson, who was in-hand hunter breeding champion with his yearling, Legacy.

4. Picture perfect pair

Overall coloured champion is Courtney Stuart on Helens Gypsy (right), while reserve is Bethany Murray on Teeshan’s Blue.

5. Flying high

Paulette Cooper’s MJM Laslo continues his winning streak by adding the working hunter title to his already impressive 2018 tally.

6. Horse and hounds

Declan Feeney and the East Down foxhounds treat spectators to a parade.

7. Leaping to the red

James Hogg and Intuitive winning the Dengie six-and seven-year-old showjumping championship.

8. Lovely Cassanova

Rachel Moore and her small hunter winner Birchill Cassanova.

9. Tough decisions

Youngstock judges Anne Leaver and Simon Somers deliberate.

10. A grey affair

Judge Sam McAteer with his champion and reserve cobs Randalstown Cromwell (left) and Randalstown Raffles.

11. Who needs a horse?

The donkey display provides a spectacle of bygone days.

12. Galloping to victory

Judge Norman Williamson gets a good gallop from Sizing Australia, who won the Racehorse to Riding Horse championship. Sizing Australia is a former Cheltenham Festival cross-country winner.

13. Quality Clydesdale

Julia Wilson and Roeview Andrew land the ridden Clydesdale class.

14. We did it

Phoebe Beaumont and Edie, who have qualified for HOYS, had two wins and also stood working hunter pony champions. (Credit: Prime Photography)

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

Twelve months ago, Georgie Siggers was at the Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing grooming for her daughter, Rosie, before setting herself the challenge to return in the saddle this year after a 30-year hiatus.

“My daughter was doing the 90cm class and we had a brilliant weekend, but I kept wishing I was here doing it,” says Georgie, who now fits in riding around her full-time work as a consultant paediatrician.

“I had brought Rosie to Keysoe so many times for British Eventing (BE) events and always wondered what it would be like to ride down the centre line — now I am actually here, I can’t believe it.”

Georgie is partnering 14-year-old Roy The Rascal in this year’s 70cm class and has bounced back from confidence issues over the past year.

“I bought Roy in January last year, but when I walked the cross-country course here in 2017, I thought ‘there is no way I can do that’ because we were only jumping tiny crosspoles.

“I signed up to the Wobbleberry Challenge and I was supposed to do it in September, however, when I started jumping bigger fences I was falling off a lot — I had five falls in succession and it knocked my confidence,”explains Georgie.

“So, I thought I should be kinder to myself and stick to the flat over the winter and aim for the H&H Festival of Eventing in the spring.”

Georgie rode as a child but then didn’t get back into it until her daughter started riding and she credits Roy for getting her back in the saddle.

“When I went to try him, I had to get Rosie to ride him in canter because I was too nervous to do so — I was a real beginner,” reflects Georgie.

“After last year’s H&H Festival of Eventing, I thought I’m nearing 50 and if I don’t do this now I never will. I had taken my daughter to events all over the place, and now I really wanted to do it.”

The Kent-based rider, who lives near Sevenoaks, has had a great preparation ahead of this year’s H&H Festival of Eventing having competed at the Riding Club Championships last weekend in the combined training class.

“My friend sadly couldn’t go having qualified in a team, so I stepped in as the wildcard, but I got there and took one look at the jumps and thought I couldn’t do it. However, people told me I would regret it if I didn’t.

“Someone told me to go in and ride like I had been eliminated at the first fence, so I was really determined and jumped a clear round,” she adds.

“I haven’t had much time to fit cross-country schooling in and I was worried about my fitness too — knowing I need to ride every fence — so I set up jumps in my field and did about 15 laps!

“I will be nervous before the cross-country tomorrow (Sunday, 27 May), I didn’t walk the course before my dressage because I didn’t want to be worrying about it all through my test. My daughter has been really supportive, sadly her horse is injured so cannot be here competing — I was really hoping we’d be riding here together.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk.

Promotional Feature with KBIS

Preparing for a three-day event can be quite daunting, with so much to remember aside from your dressage test! To help ensure your event goes as smoothly as possible international event rider Alice Pearson has shared some of her top tips for a three-day event. Alice has many years of experience competing international events; she was the best British rider at the Junior Europeans in 2005 and went on to compete successfully at several high profile events, including going clear around both Badminton and Burghley.

Tip one – Lists
Go through in your head what you will need for every day, from schooling on the first day to each competition day and write it all down. Write it well in advance as you will suddenly remember things you need at 4am! Simple things like a quarter sheet (if it is raining or freezing cold) or an extra bridle (if you need to work your horse in in the morning so that your pretty dressage bridle stays clean for the test) are really useful. Don’t forgot your boot polish.

Tip two – A wheelbarrow is essential
Bring a wheelbarrow to take to the cross-country finish. Be well prepared on cross-country morning and get your wheelbarrow down to the finish so that you can wash your horse off straight after cross-country. Water is usually supplied so pack your wheelbarrow the night before or first thing in the morning with the usual things like buckets, sponge and a sweat scraper. I also love an Equi-N-ice cooling rug and bandages as they are simple and easy to put on and do not slip whilst walking back to the stable. Remember your headcollar and a drink for the rider too! The wheelbarrow can then be used to take all the tack straight back to the lorry.

Tip three – The trot-up
For the trot-up make sure you wear shoes or boots you can easily run in! White jeans can look very smart, but make sure you do not get them dirty before you present your horse to the ground jury. It is easy to look at the forecast and think “Oh, it’ll be raining” only for the sun to make a surprise appearance when you haven’t ironed your shirt so be prepared for all weather eventualities.

Tip four – Ice
If you have space for a freezer in the lorry it is a godsend. If you can get hookup not only can keep all your food in there for your stay, but you can also keep your cool boots and ice in there for putting on any knocks or bangs after cross-country. Ice is also useful for putting on tired legs the night after cross-country in preparation for showjumping the next day. I use tubigrip folded up and then fill with ice. This can be useful on banged knees as well as tendons. It is also good to have some spare for a well-earned post cross-country G&T!

Tip five – Watch others
If you are not one of the first to go, then watch some other riders. In all three phases it is vital to see how the course is riding. You may have walked that combination on four strides but actually it is riding better on three or five. Get out early and have another course walk whilst its being ridden; go and watch some dressage tests (mainly to make sure you really know the test!). If you are first to go cross-country and cannot watch anyone else, trust your instincts and be brave; after all you know your horse better than anyone else. Don’t listen too much to people who do not know you or your horse well, but try to walk the course with people who do know you both. Take all the advice you can, but remember you are here to enjoy it and you know your horse the best.

Tip six – Insurance
It is most important to remember that you are there to enjoy yourself, but it is worth making sure you have suitable insurance in place in case the weekend doesn’t go to plan. Check that your public liability insurance covers the activity you are doing so that you are protected in case your horse kicks a person or a car in the warm up or gets loose on the cross-country course and injures someone in the crowd, remember horses can behave differently when not in their usual environment. With that in mind insuring your horse should be considered just so that you can cover any veterinary fees if they are injured or fall ill whilst you are away. I think it is also important to have personal accident insurance too as if I was signed off work, I would need to pay someone else to help with the horses.

In conjunction with Horse & Hound Festival of Eventing sponsor KBIS, there will be a demo with Alice Pearson on the Saturday evening of the event, open to everyone to attend. It will be sure to offer you some valuable training advice, so do make sure you come along.

Essex-based rider Polly Godsafe has bounced back from injury having broken both her arms in a rotational fall last March and is partnering Rock The Casper — a horse who wouldn’t go near a showjump two years ago.

“I was having an arena cross-country lesson and he put in a huge leap, hit the fence and we landed in a heap on the floor the other side,” says Polly, who is riding in the 80cm class this weekend. “I was concussed, so I don’t remember much but I broke my right elbow and left wrist.

Polly was out of action for eight weeks while her bones mended, which also saw “Casper” have some down time.

“I had to get my strength back in my arms and I still struggle with the strength in my right arm a bit. It took a while to get Casper back in form too, he hadn’t jumped for a while and our progress had gone back a few steps,” says Polly.

A winter of dressage and jumping lessons with trainer Penny Brooks has paid off and they are regularly hitting the 70% mark in pure dressage.

However, when Polly took on the Irish-bred gelding it was a very different story and he knew very little.

“Two years ago I took him on as a loan and he looked like a big fat cob — he was something to have fun with over the summer, although I was told he wouldn’t jump showjumps at all, so I thought I would just be hacking him. But I’ve taken things very slowly with him and you have to let him learn things on his own accord,” says Polly of the eight-year-old.

“A friend of mine rode at the H&H Festival of Eventing last year and I really wanted to do it, but Casper was no where near ready for it — whereas he is a different horse now.”

Polly, who is an equine McTimoney Chiropractor, is looking forward to cross-country day tomorrow (Sunday, 27 May) because it is a discipline Casper enjoys.

“He’s an amazing cross-country horse and will jump anything,” she says. “He was a junior whips horse before I got him and I’ve taken him out a few times, but he can get himself in a bit of a state when standing.”

Don’t miss the full report from the H&H Festival of Eventing in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June and follow online at www.horseandhound.co.uk.