Late to report but more fantastic results for South Oxfordshire Hunt South Pony Club at the Pony Dressage Qualifier held at BCA last weekend. Individual qualifications at Open and Intermediate and super placings in the Novice as well. Well done guys
What an incredible few days. After leaving the lovely guys we had two super days training at Courtney Bolender Dressage LLC, lots of smiling faces and laughs along with some hard work. Saturday saw us travel to Millbrook for a private clinic at the beautiful Bel-Aire Farm, thank you to Clair for being a very kind host. Today we were kindly hosted by MMDressage for another busy day. A huge thank you to all, you guys are amazing and The Simple Equine for keeping us in line with the tight schedule. Looking forward to seeing you all again in October.
What an incredible couple of days at the Eleazer Davis Farm clinic, USA. Lisa is just the most amazing host. A huge thank you to her for her kind hospitality to myself and Ben Franklin. Great to see old friends and well as new, some great training, lots of laughs and we got to tryout New England Ice cream!!! Keep working hard and we look forward to seeing you all soon
Fab news coming from home for the South Oxfordshire Hunt South Pony Club. Both the Open and Intermediate Eventing teams qualified for the Pony club championships with 5 members gaining sub 30 Dressage scores!!!!! All that hard work at the Pre show training evenings paid off. Super job girls.
Our week at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage finished last night with Maria Dent’s Nazareno Vicon in the Elite Stallions PSG horse of the future. The top 8 from Thursdays class qualified for this championship final held in last nights gala evening.
WOW, what a absolute privilege to be able to ride in an atmosphere like that. Nasa took everything in his stride with one costly blip but we finished in 6th place. Over the moon with how this guy has stepped up to the mark this past week, he’s only done 6 PSGs and to end up holding his own against these horses so proud of him. Excited for the future.
A first place win for Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage Rider today in the international Grade 1 freestyle with 72%!!!
Another fantastic day at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage. A 4th place finish with 70.44% for Nazareno in the Elite Stallions PSG Horse of the Future. The top 8 now go through to the Gala evening on Saturday  This horse is such a dude a huge thank you to the owners for allowing me to train him from a 4yr old.
Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage Rider had another super day with a 2nd place finish in the International Individual test.
What a fantastic day at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage. Maria Dent’s Nazareno Vicon shone and put his best foot forward to finish in 2nd place with 71.45% in a huge PSG class! It was great to get such good marks from all such well respected international judges!
Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage Rider also rode a fab test in her International Grade 1 team test today finishing in 2nd place with just over 70%. Super result
Super morning spent teaching lovely clients in Surrey followed by just as lovely clients at home.
Yesterday was the second coffee morning dressage. This time Stuart Equine and I teamed up with pole work expert Ben Franklin Dressage as he put the guys through a series of exercises. This was followed by the very lucky horses each having a massage from Sharon as the riders had their well deserved coffee and cake!!! Looking forward to seeing everyone at our 19th July coffee morning which is focusing on Dressage to Music. Remember spectators are welcome, please contact Rob to book your slot.
It’s been a busy few days competing. We spent two days at Hickstead with Maria Dent’s Nazareno Vicon, some great results in the PSG and Int1. Yesterday was the turn of Nicky Greenshield’s Summer Dream in the 5yr Shearwater class at Widmer. Considering it was only her 2nd time out she was super, lots more strength needed but it was a great experience for her and that’s all that matters at this age.  Photo credit: The Simple Equine & Widmer Equestrian Centre
Another super day at the Wellington Premier League yesterday. Maria Dent’s Nazareno Vicon scored just under 67% in the Intermediate 1, he’s gained confidence each time out at this level. A few green blips but so much more to come, even one of the judges commented he’s going to be super. Homework time now before Hickstead at the end of June. Big thanks to Emma & Beth for grooming and keeping the yard at home running smoothly. Client Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage had another amazing day, a win and a 2nd place on her boys with amazing scores of 72% & 70% meaning that she has qualified both for the National Championships in September!
Home from a super first day at Wellington Riding School Premier League. Nazareno was in the PSG and finished a great 9th place with just under 68% out of 42 riders!! Some really lovely comments from the judges especially the international judge. A lot more confidence at this level for him after Addington. Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage finished an amazing 1st place in the Grade One team test with over 70%! Super result for her.
Looking forward to our next Stateside trip.
A super result for client Lieneke Happel, 3rd in the Novice Silver today at the Wellington Area Festivals and off to the second rounds!
Super results for clients Gemma Dainty and Carol Fletcher today at the Wellington Area Festivals. Both qualifying for the second rounds at Medium & Elementary.
Yesterday morning Stuart Equine & I welcomed a group of lovely ladies for our first Coffee morning dressage club of 2019. This session focused very much on improving our positions using the fantastic Franklin balls. Each rider felt a huge improvement after using them in various positions to enhance movement and relaxation. Each rider was then treated to a relaxing massage from Sharon of Stuart Equine followed by the all important coffee & cake. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next session on the 28th June which is focusing on Polework to improve your flatwork along with a well deserved massage for your horse. We do have some space on our next session so please do get in touch to book your slot.
What a super horsey weekend. Two great days at Addington Premier League with Nazareno Vicon, lots learnt and lots to take forward ready for our next show at Wellington. I love the fact you never stop learning with horses. Incredible results as well from clients at the Inter regionals at Keysoe and a special mention to Johan Redelinghuys for a fantastic 3rd place today at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in the Andalusian class. Look at the size of that plaque he won for highest place gelding!!
Super result for client, Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage in Belgium. A super finish in the Individual test followed by a 3rd place in the freestyle.
So whilst I am away coaching in Waregem, Belgium with Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage, Ben Franklin Dressage helped deliver this bundle of beauty into the world at 2.30am. A chestnut filly by Foundation x Sarkozy x Lauries Crusador. Sanssouci first baby via embryo transfer. Mum and baby are doing well
We had so much fun working with Horse & Hound on their Spring/Summer clothing feature. Sanssoucj and Nazareno the perfect models as usual, even Daisy got in on the show!! We think she steals it! Out in today’s issue.
