PATCHETTS PARA TRIAL
26/04/2008
I took Diamond to Patchetts to our last Para trial, I needed another score over 70%. I was very happy with our 72% score.
Diamond has been off since 28th March after over reaching and going lame. To help get him right he has been going to Flawborough Equine and been going in the Hydrotherapy Spa, I feel this has helped him a great deal.
He has only been back in work a week so I was very happy to get to a show. because of the over reach I pulled out of going to Belgium we are now going to Germany on the 1st May.
Patchetts was a great warm up for Germany.
BRITISH DRESSAGE PARA WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS
23/03/2008
This was my first time going to the Para Winter Championships at Vale View.
I used the short test as a warm up for Diamond, He went very well, I forgot the test and trotted before I should have so we lost marks for that. We won with 66%.
The Championship test went very well for our first attempt. We won the Championship with a score of 68%.
WILKINSON SPONSORSHIP
19/03/2008
Today I went to Wilkinson stores Head office to pick up a sponsorship cheque from them. I am thrilled to receive this financial help.
SQUAD TRAINING
18/03/2008
I only went to squad training for one day. We had a lot to fit in. Diamond went very well! Vet, Farrier and Ostoepath are all happy with him. He is looking better all the time.
VALE VIEW PARA TRIAL
16/03/2008
Today was fantastic we scored 71% there is still lots to work on with Diamond. I am very happy with our score.
WILLERBY HILL PARA TRIAL
13/03/2008
I missed Patchetts on Monday 10th because of the bad weather. I put in a late entry at Willerby Hill Equestrian cente.
It was an early morning start leaving at 7am, we had a good journey there going over the Humber Bridge.
I was happy with our performance, their was good bits and bads bits. I have a lot to work on with Diamond but we are going in the right direction.
I entered the grade 3 team test HC as a warm up.
In the grade 4 we scored 67% this is an improvement but not the 70% we need.
VALE VIEW BRITISH DRESSAGE SHOW
02/03/2008
After our setback on the 17th February, I decided Diamond needed to go to as many shows as we can fit in. He needs to learn to trust me and see new arenas.
We went to Vale View for some able-bodied competition. I entered the Elementary Summer qualifier, I was very happy with him to win with 67% as we only went for training purposes. We have now half qualified for the summer regionals.
We would have also won the Medium class on 65% but I entered that as a training class so we did not pick up any British Dressage points.
VALE VIEW PARA QUALIFIER
17/02/2008
I finally got to a show with Diamond, we went to Vale View for a Para qualifier. I entered the Medium non qualifier as a warm up for the Para class. Diamond was a little on edge and we scored 62%.
I thought he would go better in the Para class but unfortunately some scary plastic sands bags scared him and I was disappointed to score 60%.
FUN DAY ON M42
10/02/2008
I did not make it to Bromyard on 10th for our first Beijing selection trial. We spent the day on the M42 brokedown. It has been the worst week ever.
We borrowed a lorry as our lorry is of the road, on the way to squad training about 45mins away. Grey smoke starts coming out of lorry, we get to stow fine Dad looks at lorry and the Power steering fluid pipe had broke and gone all over engine.
Friday Dad spends all day at squad training fixing the pipe and we head home, about 30mins from leaving stow bang grey smoke again, then oil pressure lights comes on. Oil pipe broke this time lost all the oil and stopped in layby. Recovery come out and fix pipe. We get home Friday night. Sunday we are on M42!! Bang again grey smoke! oil pipe gone again! We spent all day sat a side of M42! tow truck took lorry home! and horsebox picked us up and took Diamond home!
A huge Thank you to Keith and Sue of Lake View horse transport.
I now hope our lorry is fixed for this sunday for Vale View 17th.
FIRST SQUAD TRAINING OF 2008
07/02/2008
7th and 8th of February first team squad training of 2008.
This was Diamond's second time at squad training and the second time team managers had seen him. Everyone was happy with the work we have been doing over the winter.
I really feel we have improved and our hard work is paying off. We are going to our first selection trial on Sunday 10th of Feb.
BBC EAST MIDLANDS SPORTS AWARDS
26/11/2007
I went to the BBC East Midlands Sports Awards at the Assembly Rooms, Derby.
I was on the short list for Disabled Sports Personality Of the Year.
I had a great time.
DIAMONDS FIRST SHOW
04/11/2007
Diamonds first show, I put in a late entry at Vale View in two Elementary classes. I thought it would be good to take Diamond out before squad training, I was verry happy with him as this was our first time away from home. We came second in both classes with 68% and 64%.
NEW HORSE! NEW SPONSOR!
10/09/2007
September has started the weather is great. I have been to see a new horse and brought him. I had squad training on 4th and 5th, on my way down to training I went to ride new horse again. I came home from training and went down to London for three days 7th, 8th and 9th for the British Athletes Commission, Athletes conference at the London 2012 offices. I had a great time meeting all new athletes.
Mum and Dad went to pick new horse up on Sunday 9th. He is called Diamond. pictures and info coming soon.
I have also been busy looking for sponsors, I wrote to LOS Clothing and they are very happy to sponsor me, I am delighted to be part of there team, and look forward to working with them. info coming soon.
AUGUST
30/08/2007
August has not been the best of months. Both horses out of work. Then I was informed Norley has retired from Para comptetion. I had qulified for the Kbis Class at the British Dressage National Championships but now do not have a horse to ride there now so I am unable to go.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
22/07/2007
Freestyle day an early morning after a very late night. My time 11.43. Warming up went really well Norley was really listening, We were getting the changes and half pirouettes. 5 minutes before my test something caught Norleys eye. I got him back thinking on his work and went in to do my test, unfortunately in the test the same thing kept catching his eye and he was distracted. I finished 10th with 69.72%.
The closing ceremony was in the afternoon, which again was very good with a display by The Mini Marvels and the Metropolitan Police Activity Ride.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
21/07/2007
After the floods on Friday all the competition was moved inside, the CDI competitors asked for their competition to be cancled so the paras could move inside, which was very nice of them. My time for the Individual Test was at 21.03, Norley had not been in the new indoor school all week, at that time of night the atmosphere was electric. Everything went perfect warming up and we wre really happy with him.
The moment Norley went in to the arena he grew and got very excited. I did my very best with him but we lost marks for the walk and submission. We finished 5th with 65.35%.
The presentation of the Individual and Team Medals followed. A very Special moment for me been part of the Gold medal winning Team.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
20/07/2007
First day of competition Team test, I was last to go in the class which I first thought was good but then the rain came. It did not stop the arena was flooded was deep to ride and puddles everywhere.
I warmed Norley up in the old indoor arena then walked down to do my test outside. By the time we had walked down we were drenched, the stream had burst it's bank where we walked past.
Norley went really well we came fifth with 68.71%. I was a little disappointed with my score but I felt Norley went Fab in the conditions.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
19/07/2007
Last Training day before competition starts. Back in the outdoor arena at 07.00. Enjoyed watching the CDI for the rest of the day.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
18/07/2007
Second training day even early start was on Norley for 07.00. GB had old indoor school for training, Norley was going better each day. We had people there to video our training everyday then in the afternoon I went to watch to video which was very helpful.
Opening ceremony was in the afternoon, it was very special. Hartpury put on a great show.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
17/07/2007
An early morning start GB riding times started at 08.00. I was one of the first riding. Norley went really well! We were outside in the arena we were then competing in.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
16/07/2007
Angela, myself and Norley traveled to Hartpury College today for the Para World Dressage Championships. We packed just about everything as the weather was so up and down.
KBIS DISABLED RIDER CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
01/07/2007
As I could not go to Hickstead I put in a late entry with Jastra at Vale View for Kbis qualifier for the National Championships. He has not been to a show for two years and only had 4 days work before going as I was away squad training. He did fantastically, winning with a score of 70.71%. I am so happy with him.
MONTHLY SQUAD TRAINING
25/06/2007
I went to squad training at unicorn centre on foot. I collected all my team GBR kit for the Worlds. Norley has a very small injury so we thought it would be best for him to have a rest, we will also miss Hickstead on the 1st July.
WORLD PARADRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
01/06/2007
I received my letter today informing me that I have been selected for the Para World Championships at Hartpury College in July. I am thrilled to have been selected with Norley.
FINAL SELECTION TRIAL
26/05/2007
Final Selection Trial by invitation only. At The Unicorn Centre. I was second to go in the morning, it was an early start getting on Norley at 8.00am. Norley was fantastic. I was really delighted to score 73.55%, I won the grade 4 section and won overall. This is a great achievement for a grade 4 rider as normally the grade 1 riders gain the highest percentage.
MONTHLY SQUAD TRAINING
25/05/2007
Angela, Norley and I travelled to The Unicorn Centre at Stow-on-the-Wold for our monthly squad training. These meetings are for the elite squad to meet up and all have training with Michel Assouline our squad coach and for the vet and osteopath to check our horses are fit and healthy.
I had training sessions with both Angela and Michel working together to perfect Norleys way of going and doing some test riding, ready for Saturday.
