News & Guides

30th October 2015 by Rowen Barbary

Safe to say we are ending our event season tired...Sarah Tomkins

Safe to say we are ending our event season tired...Sarah Tomkins
September saw Hillside Event Team make the journey to Gatcombe Park, my mini holiday for 3 days with Neo in the OI on the Friday where we had an unfortunate horse fall jumping into the woods, one big black eye and half an hour before my CIC* dressage with Coton Rainbow Star I didn’t have long to remove the sand and dirt from inside and out of my jodphurs but we made it and performed a very good but safe test. We had Saturday off to walk the course, work out which muscles were hurting me and do a tad retail therapy before my jumping phases on the Sunday, we have been working really hard on the Show Jumping but unfortunately, we were back to 12 faults although she jumped very well around her biggest track yet and then totally made nothing of the biggest and by far most technical cross country course she has come across, we had an amazing ride and I am still smiling from it, especially having had a horse fall just 2 days prior. Four days after Gatcombe, myself and  my poor parents were up at 2.30am to make the long journey down to Blenheim Palace, I can't complain after seeing the Rowen Barbary Team at their stand with a smile on their faces also having done a lot of travelling this week.  I  had  Sonnet to Shannon and Raya to compete in the dressage championships where we had to ride a first test to gain a 1st or 2nd to then qualify for the ride off in the main arena, Raya did her best test to date being first on at 8.30am and finished 6th, Sonnet to Shannon (Brady) finished 2nd in his arena to go forward to the ride off to finish 2nd again, he did a fantastic test in the main arena and myself and owners were thrilled with both their performances. Kelsall Hill, Hollys last run of the season in the BE Novice and we got a  23.5 Dressage score, two parts of the treble fell and then we put the accelerator to the floor to get around the cross country course, still gaining 4 time faults but good enough for 9th, still awaiting pictures. Honululu was in the BE100 and achieved a 33 Dressage,  4 faults show jumping and clear cross country but out of the placings this time.  Then there is BRADY in the BE90; 21.5 Dressage,  clear showjumping and going forward to the cross country we were in the lead but it wasn’t meant to be, the wheels fell off the cart when he had a cheeky run out at the corner fence, how annoying but other than that he did go very well and he will have to make it up to me at Weston Park which will be his last event of the season. Weston Park Horse Trials, the last event of the 2015 event season and the sun shone for us for yet another busy day. Brady and Raya took part in the BE90 but unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan, I think Brady is tired after his first season in work and the Janet Plant course caused trouble for many and unfortunately wasn’t a good one for Raya being twisty, I can’t be disappointed with these 5-year-olds as they really have come a long way in the 8 months work they have had and are now off home to their owners to have a winter holiday. We also had LULU on board for the BE100, we did a good test for 31 but unfortunately, I had 2 down show jumping, entirely my fault and I really should have show jump schooled since our last outing but hayho, live and learn. The cross country for the BE100 was carnage and I was wishing I could not hear the tannoy as it was all, fallers, stops and eliminations but bless my big bird's heart she was on form and breezed around the championship track to get a 6th place. Very proud of her as I have put very little work into Lulu this year as she is my own and owners horses have been given priority. I now have the heart-wrenching task off selling her so that I can gain the finances to finish my yard. I would like to thank my team for all their help and support for the 2015 season ROWEN BARBARY have been fantastic sponsors and I cannot thank you enough, the vouchers have helped hugely towards fueling the event horses and has given me the opportunity to have spare money to put towards my training. My goal was to compete Neo in a 2* but I am hoping he will bounce back from his fall and secure an advanced run next season, my goal with Cotton Rainbow Star was achieved and we stepped up to CIC* well and I will look forward to what 2016 brings with her. New arrivals will be introduced in my next blog and I will be sourcing new rides for 2016 whilst we are out and about BS & BD.