August? AuGONE!

I can’t believe how quickly this month has flown by! August came and went in a flash. It was a reasonably busy month to include #HoneychopHenrysBigBlairAdventure, some end of season showing and a yard move too.

The beginning of the month found us at Puddledub show, travelling with Tigger’s best friend and girlfriend, Liberty. Team “Tibs” have shown the whole season together this year and became the best of friends, but sadly this was their last show together before our yard move. Tigger won his side saddle class, won his turnout class and came 3^rd in the ridden hunters. He always gives the judge a good ride and I was very pleased with him, and to top it off we took home another beautiful trophy for the mantelpiece.

Look at my handsome horse!

Next stop was a new show for the area, the Horse and Country Racehorses Showing Show. Tigger warmed up well but released his inner diva in the ring, leaping into every canter transition and showing off with an extended trot down every long side! However the judges obviously didn’t mind as he placed 2^nd in the ridden hunters, 3^rd in the hand pre veteran and 2^nd in the ridden pre veteran. This show held the SSADL (Senior Showing and Dressage League) Scottish Championships, and we qualified for the supreme with our 2^nd place ribbon. Tigger was again, quite hot on his toes but we pulled in 3^rd Supreme Ridden Veteran. I was delighted and not only were we issued with the most beautiful rosettes but also won some Blue Chip goodies to include a t-shirt and a money off voucher for one of their balancers.

August is always an exciting month for all horsey-folks in Scotland, as it’s the month where we welcome Blair Castle International horse Trials and Country Fair. I decided earlier in the year that I wasn’t going to ride there this year, but that I would relax and enjoy the weekend with my friends instead. We did the same as last year and hired a beautiful lodge 20 or so minutes from the venue. I took Henry down with me for the weekend and ran some competitions, all gaining a great following on our social media platforms and some lucky winners! We started the weekend on Thursday morning, leaving the yard at 4am with little Liberty on board for her hunter classes! She pulled 5^th out of 20 in the novice hunters, and 4^th in the smalls! I was so please for Fiona and Liberty to have been recognised at such a big event in amongst other fantastic horses. I also had some friends riding in the CCI 1* and had the pleasure of watching them both in all three phases (and trot up’s!) They get a special mention because they both did so well and I really enjoyed seeing them both ride at such a prestigious event.  Well done Caitlin and Iona! I watched friends in the side saddle, friends in the Clydesdales and friends in the style jumping! I just had such a fantastic weekend supporting and cheering on my pals at Blair, playing Pictionary in the evenings and just laughing – a lot!!

September should be a little quieter for us horse wise. I don’t have

Blair 2017!

any major plans, but will let Tigger settle into his new yard and surroundings, before we head to the Caledonian Showing Championships on the last day of the month. We have qualified for this championship show various times throughout the year and having never ridden there before, i am very excited for all the glitz and glamour! I’m hoping to fit in a Honeychop open day or two this month in my local area, keep your eyes peeled on Facebook for the dates and locations – you might find me in your local store!!

Until then, G & T x