Laura & Ruperts June Blog

By Laura Ridlington

Your news

06 October 2008 15:02

June has to be one of the most eventful months this year ... I decided to move along with Rupert to be based at The Yorkshire Riding Centre. This was a tough decision as it would mean giving up my job here at Your Horse, however it was a great opportunity I couldn’t miss out on. I would be working on the yard as well as teaching the Summer Camp Students and would also receive training from Chris Bartle and Jane Bartle-Wilson. I was so excited and keen to make the most of my time at YRC. It was quite a hectic start as within a week I had sold my other horse Topper (very sad) left my job and started both a new life and job in Yorkshire. I was a bit concern as Rupert enjoys his quite yard at home and YRC is massive although he settled straight away and whinnies whenever he sees me! The first few days where tough as I need to adjust to working outdoors and the routine on the yard. There were also four French students staying for camp and I was to teach them English – this was ok but I don’t speak French! I survived the first week and am really enjoy the experience – Yorkshire is beautiful and there is lots of great hacking too. Things are now starting to get busier; as I write this we are excepting ten children to start at camp next week and soon will have up to 20! Help! Rupert seems to be really happy and feels great, I spent the first week slowly bringing him back into work after his injections. Things seem to be going well so far and it’s great to have a choice of arenas to ride in! Last Friday I had a show jump lesson with Chris Bartle which was amazing and I learnt so much even in the first five minutes. We started off jumping a small jump on a 20m circle aiming to keep the rhythm and not alter the canter. Rupert has other ideas and decided to show me up by squealing, bucking then bolting out the arena! Thank fully he settled and jumped well and I have lots of exercise’s to work on with him. We have also has a few dressage lesson with Jane. These have been great and have been working on slowing Rupert’s canter down and getting him a lot more collected. We also managed 4 steps of piaffee, go Rupert! Although I was told it would need a lot of work before it is medal winning standard! I feel it probably will never come close but we are both improving loads and it really great to have lots of arenas, show jumps and cross country fences to practice. I have entered Rupert into an event mid July and he’s now on a fitness plan – making use of all the fabulous hills. Fingers crossed he’ll stay sound and happy and up for some events next month ... I will keep you posted.