Ruby's first Competitive Event

Photo courtesy of RADFoto.co.uk

"I am pleased to report that we have had a successful weekend at the Berkshire Downs ride in Wantage with a few first time achievements.

On Saturday I took Ruby to her first ever Competitive event, and she completed the 43km ride at an average speed of 12.10kph. She demonstrated a brilliant attitude to her work and she is certainly learning her job well. She wore the Stretch and Flex Training Wraps all round and I am pleased to report that these performed really well preventing any knocks or scrapes on a mare that is sometimes not all that good at knowing where her legs are! We will now look to complete two more rides of a similar distance with the aim of upgrading her to Open level towards the middle of the summer.

On Sunday I rode Carol Legg's Pavots Dreamboy in the 84km Tyro Endurance Ride. This is a class for horses that have not previously taken part in a race ride but that does not make it any less competitive! Unfortunately the rain that had held off on Saturday came down in torrents on Sunday with high winds and horizontal rain making it even more of a challenge! Pav wore Tri-zone Brushing Boots and like the Stretch and Flex these stood up to the challenge of endurance well. Despite wet legs and wet boots they did not slip or rub and we will have no hesitation in using them for his next ride at Breamore in a few weeks time. We also used the massage pad in the vet gates and this no doubt helped to prevent him from stiffening up in the cold conditions.

Our next outing will be up to Nottinghamshire for the FEI 3* 160km with Frenchie so fingers crossed for an equally good result there."