Keep your eyes peeled, next week I will be introducing to you all my new ride for 2013 who will run alongside Zuzu this season, he will be aimed at Intermediate and hopefully this year or next 2*. I also have some very exciting news of a new sponsor that will be joining the team to support me for the coming season. Look forward to catching up with you all, and sharing my news and plans next week!
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Review of the MacWet Micromesh sports glove in white short cuff.
I had never before tried out a pair of MacWet's and this was my very first pair. I have found it had to find a well fitted pair of gloves that not only perform, fit well but also withstand most weathers. I have very small hands and always struggled to find gloves that would fit me perfectly and still perform. Most gloves in my size are aimed at children which make it hard for me to find performance gloves to meet the demands of eventing I often end up with ill fitting or poor quality gloves that don't withstand longer than 6 months. I was very impressed that the MacWet gloves come in a range of sizes- including small petite sizes for the likes of me and short or long cuffs so they do not restrict your wrist when it flexes. The gloves are professionally designed and the quality is to a very high standard and performance is not compromised. I trialled these gloves over severally weeks in all sorts of weathers from rain, wind, sun and even ice. The gloves fit snuggly and are extremely comfortable, often you have to wear in gloves which can take several weeks and several blisters later! The material is soft yet very durable and did not restrict my hand movements while riding. The Micromesh gloves that I tried were the lighter weight gloves and would be perfect for all year round but I found the mesh backs were and would be brilliant in warmer weather as they allowed my hands to breathe and as a result I didn't end up with soggy, sweat-sticky gloves. During the time I trialled the gloves we had bouts of very wet weather and I had concerns that the gloves would loose performance in the wet conditions however even trialled on very old worn down slippy reins the gloves held there grip and I felt confident that I wouldn't end up with a slippery glove/rein combination as on a big horse when eventing in the rain the last thing you want is to loose grip. In the wet weather the gloves really performed and came into there own- amazingly in the cold wet weather my hands still felt warm which surprised me as the gloves are very thin and light weight. The gloves fasten together by a velcro fastening- most gloves fastening become loose and lose there grip but the fastening on the gloves still felt grippy and secure a few weeks into trying them. I never felt restricted in these gloves they felt like a second skin and even on a long beach ride on new years day they were comfy and kept grip all day long. The gloves seemed to pass every test I threw at them- even a wash in the washing machine they washed up lovely and have retained their shape, quality and colour. I have been so impressed with the gloves that I think they will be a regular and necessity for my eventing kit- I will most definitely be purchasing another pair of Climatec gloves for the winter months. I have no doubt that these gloves would suit a range of sportmen and women (my next door neighbour who shoots also swears by them!) and I would highly recommend them to all equestrian riders. I will update you all on the last few events of the season, as I last wrote
to you all Zu's was placed 3rd at West Wilts- this was moved to a 2nd due to one of the riders placed being over qualified and therefore was disqualified! Fantastic news but I had to wait 3 months for my rosette and new prize to return as the rider in question who was disqualified did not want to return her prize! My next event up was with Sky at Gatcombe in the ON, he hadn't been out for some time due to the horrible weather so I was dubious how we would get on. He produced is best test with me to lie in the top ten after the dressage in a very large and strong section that even saw a Burghley/Badminton horse that had competed 4**** that year with the rider in the class. Sky warmed up brilliantly for SJ but the SJ team opted for a un scheduled lunch break and so by the time I went he was over boiled and we had a few fences down, I was slightly disappointed as I know how well he can jump but it was one of those things and the track was beefy so I was pleased he jumped it well (minus some poles!). XC he powered round and the commentator commented on how brave and confident my round was and even went so far as to say it was one of the best rounds of the day! He flew round and really ate up the course. We finished around middle of the road but I was chuffed with his performance as he is now 18 and still going strong. My next outing was with Zuzu at Broadway for her first 90, we had picked this out as her first 90 as it has always been known as a small course that is encouraging and kind for baby horses. I couldn't have been more wrong, they had beefed the course up due to how easy it was and it was massive for a 90. The ground was beyond terrible, we had to get towed in so I was very suprised it even ran. Again Zu produced the 2nd best test of the competition (she's getting good at this dressage lark!) a sub 27 test was what we took into the SJ. SJ the ground was very holding and the arena was held in a crowded grass arena surrounded by tents and vans so was very full on. Zu jumped her socks off just to roll one pole where she took hold and just flattened slightly. XC if I am being honest I didn't even think she would get round, some of the combinations had the technicality of a 100 course. She powered her way around and I was bowled over by her brave attitude, she seemed to really have understood what xc is and was enjoying it. She was so bold and confident that coming down the last hill she galloped past a fence! I was kicking myself as it cost us the win but we still managed a top 20 placing and for her first 90 I was so thrilled and excited for 2013 to start. The last event of 2012 was a 3 day event at Aldon Horse Trials, Aldon has been my nemesis event as I never seem to have good luck there. We took part in the BE100Open with Sky, this event actually ran over most of the N and CIC* track. The first day we almost missed our dressage slot so only had a 5 min warm up. We produced a decent test but I definitely felt we could have produced a stronger mark. We had the luxury of staying off side for the 3 days on the Melbury Estate with fellow event rider Lee Honeysett. The next day was our favorite day, Roads and tracks and steeplechase followed by XC. I think Sky was a little confused by the roads and tracks and was always looking out for a xc fence. Steeplechase we powered round and were the quickest round all day! XC was one of the best rides I have had on him and we scooted round, we even added our own extra fence in the shape of spectator tape!!! We scored a fast clean clear with no time. The final day we trotted up in order of placings and I was lying top 6 so it was a very long nervous wait. As we tacked up for SJ I commented to mum on how unhappy and tired Sky looked and wasn't sure how he would be SJ. He is normally a strong bold horse but as I warmed up it was like the engine had run out. We took him in the arena and as it was a 3 day the course was extended, unusually for Sky he was quiet and slow over his fences. We were clear until 3 from home when he ran out of puff, I had to carry him home and we incurred some faults but we managed to get home safely. I was gutted as he has never jumped like that but on reflection and after talking with mum she agreed that a 3 day at 18yrs had really taken it out of him. We finished top 14 still so I was thrilled with that result at least. Now for the news on why I have been so quiet and busy.... Mid November we received a call from the person who had my ex FEI pony on loan, they wanted us to have him back within a week! Mum was obviously furious that she had given us such little notice and want him to come back at the drop of a hat as she had found a new horse. It left us in a difficult position as we have 3 stables at home and have 3 horses in these stables. We had to make the gutting decision to return Sky to his owner. He has been a brilliant schoolmaster and has given so much fun over the two years I have owned him he was due to go back next May but our hand was tied and it had to be sooner than expected. As his owners didn't have room to have him back we helped find him a new home only 10mins from us with a older lady who would like to do the odd bit of jumping but would like to mainly concentrate on BD and progress with him. He is going to a very lovely home where he will be spoilt rotten and as he is so local I will still be able to keep in touch. It was a huge blow to us and has left a huge hole that needs to be filled. Since my
last update things seemed to completely stop! Glanusk, Salperton, Wilton, West Wilts (x2), West Buckland, Urchinwood ...... my list is endless. I had over 9 BE events cancelled due to the weather. Unfortunately this left us in the worst possible position after having the exciting news of being accepted onto the Young Riders programme we couldn't be further away from achieving it, I had aimed to do my first OIU21 at Wilton but it cancelled even before the enteries had really opened! I have had to go back to the drawing board and accept that OIU21's will have to be saved for next year, yes it is gutting but I have faced the fact that there are many of us in the same position so I am trying to be as ready as I can for next season. Lets prey for a season of sun! In all the rainy season Badminton Dressage Championship, Berkeley Show, 5 unaffiliated ODE's and a large handful of other events also got abandoned and put a even bigger dampner on my season. I have recently just managed to find some running events! My first outing since Ascott was a unaffiliated open ODE with S&D RC this was due to be a run for Sky but he tore his shoe off on the morning of the competition and so we pulled Blue out of a mini holiday to take part. The dressage was judged by a previous paralympic rider and I was please to get a good mark to lie top 2 after the dressage. After the SJ and a clear I moved up to 1st. Sadly xc with slippy wet ground we fell on the flat, luckily for yus we didnt incurr any pens but I closcked up a few time pens to drop back to 3rd. Still no bad for a horse who was due to be on holiday! My next outing was a far one on the other side of oxfordshire, we found the event at last min so Zu had a run before her next BE at West Wilts. The journey proved fruitful and after some bizzarre judging we blitzed a double clear to finish 4th so it was a good prep run before WW. The next stop for us was then West Wilts with high hopes and nerves as the owners came to watch and it was the first time they had seen her since February. Zu had finally cottoned on to what this eventing game was and was alot more energetic than normal! She did finally calm down and produced a good test with room to improve on a score of 26.5. This left me in the top 10 after dressage in a strong field. It was only the 80T but after a lack of a season I wanted to give her a confidence boost before her first BE90. Zu's energy continued into the SJ and she was very keen but still careful to do a super clear. Our luck continued XC and she powered round the jumps well inside the time, but this time not too fast! We finished on our score of 26.5 to finish 3rd with another solid placing. ( As I write my result has been changed and I am querying it as I have moved up to 2nd!) My next stop is Gatcombe ON tomorrow so I will keep you updated, I will then head to Broadway BE90 with Zu and other events are being finalised and discussed but Sky will hopefully end at Aldon. In between my very successful season I have had some terrible news, last weekend Blue had a short range kick and was kicked in his upper near fore. We called the vet out and he confirmed it was a stress cobweb fracture. While this week the wound and fracture seems to have improved and we even managed to turn him out, we went to pop him out today and he was unable to move and had got himself stuck on the floor. Once he managed to pick himself up he was stood unable to stand and his leg hanging and shaking. The vet has told us he must be on box rest and pain killers. We have everything crossed he will make a full recovery after all Blue was the beginning of PRTeventing after giving me hope of a future in eventing after our win at the Nationals. I will keep you posted of his progress and my progress of my up and coming events for the rest of September and October. Meet my new favourite sports bra the Berlei 4915.
I was very excited to trial this bra as it was the first underwire sports bra I had come across, and would be the first one I had tried. The design of the bra is very modern and had a fresh look, I hadn't seen anything like it. I would happily wear it with any outfit outside of my active daily life. The shape of the bra allows you to wear virtually any style of top even a plunge top without the bra being on show. I was immediately drawn to the comfort, stretch and quality of the material. It is sleek, durable yet extremely comfortable. The bra itself sports a 'sun burst' design support system which help support your chest and removes any possible bouncing. I found this system brilliant and increased how supported and still very comfortable I felt in the bra. The bra is made with double layered fabric and so the bra is very durable but still remains light and breathable. I was also impressed with the padded strapping which avoided and painful shoulders that you find with your everyday bra. The straps are also interchangable so you can also cross the straps over making it the perfect active bra! The cups are moulded brilliantly for maximum support and comfort, I was very dubious what a wired sports bra would be like but the Berlei has really changed my mind and I would most definatly buy another when the time comes. It is one of the most thought out bra's by far everything has been carefully thought out even down to no labels in the bra to avoid itchy annoying labels, and rounded soft corners which also avoids irritation. I gave this bra a thoughra work out over the last month and it has passed all tests I have put at it. I have enjoyed riding,running,climbing,jumping,skipping in the bra and not once has it let me down on comfort or support. By far this bra was one of the best, so easy to wear, so much support, comfort and it also impressed on looks. So if you are looking for a first sports bra thats not too dissimilar to your every day underwire bra or even if you are looking to find a new and different bra this one is for you! This one is my everyday favourite and I hope you will love it too! I have been lucky enough to meet Steve Bell who is a equine photographer. He has kindly followed me at events and taken lots of pictures of me and the horses and I am extremely grateful. As a thank you I would like to add some pictures of his fantastic work while following me at events so far in 2012.
Since my last blog I have only competed in one more BE event due to rain forcing many cancellations across the country.
My last event was Ascott Under-Wychwood with Wendy Barke's Dispol Bertie. This was his first event last year and the day ended with me soaked to my pants with heavy rain! This time it was much more enjoyable and I was very confident that we would compete with a good score. Bertie's weaker phase is his dressage as his is a ex race horse so is getting used to have to go steady and fancy! He was very well behaved and he produced his best test to date, it was slightly harshly marked but still a good mark. We headed off to SJ and I was positive it would be a good round after all the hard work we had put in with him before the event. We stormed the SJ just tapping a pole due to slipping on the grass but other than that we were thoughly impressed with his new confidence. Lastly was the XC and it was full up and beefy and had lots more questions than the last time I went. There was lots of kicks and growls but we started to get into a flow and produced a foot perfect clear ... inside the time! I was so chuffed not only for Bertie but for his owner Wendy who has worked very hard with him. We both shared a hug when we found out he finished 5th! Since my last streak of placings I have had my last three events cancelled: West Wilts, Salperton and Glanusk International. It is gutting when a event cancels and it is hard looking and the horses bored in their stables but I am holding out and have my fingers crossed for better weather and a run at West Buckland with all three horses! Now for my sunshine dance.... I will let you know if it works! I am excited to be writing my first Boobydoo Bra review, just in time for the Jubilee (very fitting with such patriotic colours!)
The first bra I have been trialling is the Shock Absorber B4490, Max Support Sports Bra. I have been a previous Shock Absorber wearing and was very excited to try out one of their more latest ones. This bra starts from cup size D and is designed with maximum support in mind. I was immediately drawn to the bright and bold colouring of the sports bra and how impressive it looked (if bright isn't for you they also come in white and black). The bra was easy to adjust and so quick to put on, perfect for all active women who are always on the go. As soon as I put it on I could notice and feel the difference in an instant. The bra fitted snugly and didn’t pinch, rub or put pressure on my shoulders- something that you find with your every day bra. It was so comfy and I truly felt supported, it supported me in all the right places but wasn’t tight or pressing down my chest (no feeling of being squeezed in). The material was very light weight but thick so there was no worry of exposure. In comparison my every day bra could not compare, riding horses everyday I would often have a tender chest area highlighting how unsupported my chest was. My every day bra was also not light weight or breathable so I would often be left very hot and sweaty, my straps would constantly slip down and I struggled with horrible over flowing out of my bra where it wouldn’t fit well. In comparison I trialled the Shock Absorber at home during training and at Mount Ballan and Pontispool BE. What a difference! I was well supported throughout the day from start to finish, the bra was so comfortable and light weight I had completely forgotten I was wearing it (that and the fact I didn’t have to keep re-adjusting myself or my straps!) It was very breathable and I didn’t sweat up as much. I also noticed, because it supported me in the right places, all my clothing fitted me better as there was no bra over spill. I have now been wearing them out running and being active around the house. The double hook is brilliant and makes you feel fully supported for your active day ahead of you. This weekend I went to Ascott Under Wychwood and thought if I could tell the difference by wearing one of my old bra's, let's just say for the next few days I was aching and sore from not wearing the Shock Absorber. I really would recommend this bra to all active women, for comfort and performance. The other brilliant plus point is because the bra is so fresh and modern, it's actually a crop top with integrated sports bra. (Mum spotted me changing into it as asked me where I got my snazzy running top from!) so it would be brilliant to wear as it is with no top- Ideal when training or during the hotter weather. I have already been spotted in mine while schooling on the arena during some of the more warmer days. Make sure you check out http://www.boobydoo.co.uk/sports-bras/shock-absorber/impact-level-4-d-max-support-sports-bra.html to find out how to order yours today! A huge welcome and also a massive thank you to Boobydoo for their support for 2012.
I am very excited to announce to you all that PRTeventing will be supported this season by Boobydoo- Sports Bra specialists (they also do other under garments and accessories and swim wear). Being an active female it is often had to find a bra, that fits a long list of requirements. Boobydoo offer such a wide and varried choice of top leading Sport's Bras it is impossible not to find one too suit your requirements. Looking through their website you are very spoilt for choice, long gone are the days when Sports Bras were only plain colours or big and 'granny' looking. Boobydoo carefully select their ranges, from the very modern, traditional, Bold and bright, Underwire..... Boobydoo really know what us active women want and like. Their website is brilliant and very informative, great for any first time sports bra buyers or regulars. The fitting room is brilliant for sizing up your new bra or asking any of those important questions. Boobydoo doesnt just stop at sports bras, clothing, underwear and also a brilliant range of swimwear. Boobydoo truely do 'Support the active women', please take a look at their website www.boobydoo.co.uk to find out more and place your order today. Keep your eyes peeled I will be doing my first bra review tomorrow, red and blue Shock Absorber - Just in time for the Jubilee celebrations. |