The Adventures of Ginny

THEADVENTURES OFGINNY…

January Blues, Saying goodbye to two very special horses, and Pixie the Pomchi! The 2022 Event Season is underway!

This season I decided to hold back on competing at the early events due to the weather being so unpredictable early on.

We headed to Cirencester Park with a string of six horses over the two days, and what a sunny weekend it was!

The first day saw me riding three new rides in the Novice. It was a great first outing and although I ride them a lot at their home, there is nothing like getting them out to a competition; horses often feel very different away from home.

This day was very educational for both me, and the horses; learning about them in the atmosphere of an event and how they perform.

Three dressage tests that all had plenty to work on, yet showing so much potential for our next event. The Showjumping phase equally the same; an atmospheric arena with plenty to look at, but the boys felt good. The XC had been causing plenty of problems with a ratherstrong water jump, that horses were struggling to read. I had three good rides; again obviously things to work on, but I came away from the event knowing a little more about each horse.

It's very hard taking on new rides from another event rider. The horses have been produced beautifully, but every ride is different, especially going from a male to female rider. I am looking forward to our next event together, where we can continue to build these all-important partnerships.

The second day was with my faithful partner CHF Archie, competing in the Intermediate. He did a lovely, relaxed test for 32, an annoying unlucky pole in the Showjumping, then stormed around the XC. We have had many great rides XC, and it was lovely to have him feel so good and rideable. His last run was Blenheim and I felt he has come on a lot since then, and learned a lot as a result of that International.

Sixmilewater was my second intermediate ride and another relatively new partnership. A nice test from him, where he remained rideable and in a good balance throughout. Scoring 34, obviously still many more marks to be had but for his first time in white boards since Osberton I was very happy.

He is so bold and scopey, he just eats up the ground. Often finding a long-distance shirt. I was trying a new bit for the Showjumping, having ridden him in it at home and BS competitions where it felt good, and enabled me to control

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some of his power. Unfortunately, out on grass, it felt very different and I struggled to maintain a clear rhythm, resulting in a couple of poles. XC, he absolutely loves, again trialling a new bit. As I said before, horses can often feel very different schooling to what they can in an atmospheric situation. The bit was not quite the right one. so there's a bit more trialling ahead. Jumping a lovely round, nevertheless, and showing off his huge engine.

A long wait for my last horse Ballinamurra Changsha. Having been on the lorry at 5am, she had to wait patiently for her novice run.

The most wonderful dressage for her, and a personal best of 22. She followed this up with a super clear and went into the XC in 3rd position.

A wait of an hour at the start of the XC was far from ideal, drawing close to 5.30pm as we left the start box. A little switched off, sadly the XC didn't go quite as planned. She is a great mare and will no doubt be back to herself at her next event.

The event calendar is filling up, as well as my teaching slots. So many clients getting their first events under their belts and doing a fantastic job. I love hearing all the updates from them!

My next few events will consist of South of England, Burnham Market and then back to Cirencester for the Advanced and Intermediate. The first International will be Houghton in May. Away from the eventing, we are awaiting our first foal of 2022. Secretly hoping the baby stays inside for just a little longer now the weather has turned, and the snow is falling. It's crazy how we can go from 18 degrees last week and now it's set to be -3 tonight!

I hope all your equestrian outings are enjoyable and successful!

Good luck!

Ginny x.

For more information on Ginny Howe Eventing, horses for sale &livery opportunities visit: www.ginnyhowe-eventing.co.uk