Good to be Back!

I have just spent the past 4 weeks in Australia and have come back to what looks like a new yard! Richard Hillier has been project managing the development of the equestrian facilities at Risebridge Farm whilst I have been away and we already have new parking, the foundations for the new Barn, new fencing, repainted stable block, Claydon Horsewalker ready to be set up and all weather tracks! Its amazing what happens when I am out of the way! I am very excited to show all our old, new and future clients what we have been up to and we will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 15th August - put the date in your diary now!

Our new Yard Manager, Sarah Muir, has been doing a fantastic job in researching ways to improve and develop the quality of our facilities and service, for example, she is looking to set up regular Coffee Mornings and Clinic Afternoons. This has led to a slight restructure of the business, for example, putting a limit on the number of horses in for training at any one time to ensure that we are able to get the best results from their stay. We have also set up a liscensed Riding School that operates on Saturdays with Sarah Paxton, BHSAI, teaching on our horses and ponies. It has been a great success so far and will hopefully give lots of children and adults alike to learn to ride in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

As for my trip to Australia, it was a fantastic experience and a great opportunity to catch up with my family! After gaining British Citizenship, it was the first time I have been able to represent the UK in Polocrosse. We played against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia and it was a case of close but not close enough! The play off for 3rd and 4th between ourselves and South Africa was a nailbiting affair that we lost in extra time... It was a bit of a consolation that myself and teammate Sophie Lodder won Best Male and Lady Player awards for that game and the cracking horse that I was riding won Best Playing Pony. We will be looking for revenge this Summer when South Africa send a Men's and Ladies team across to play against us!

I also managed to spend a bit of time with some amazing horsemen, picking up a few tips along the way... not to mention the best 3yo horse I have ever sat on! Banjo was found as a yearling by my father, Doug, a great judge of a horse, and he will be flying over here this Summer to continue his training.

Please keep an eye on our website (www.australianhorsetraining.co.uk) for any events coming up and details of horses for sale, Coffee Mornings, Clinics etc,. I will be writing a blog every couple of weeks, keeping everyone up to date with what we are up to!

Here's to a great Summer, Jason Webb.