Here Comes the Sun...!

The best time of year in my opinion! The grass is green (something I'm still getting used to after growing up in the Aussie outback!), the sun is out, the horses are reaching good fitness and the polocrosse and polo seasons are just beginning... time to have some fun!

I played in Brightling Polo Club's first tournament of the season, The Spring Cup, and much to my surprise, our slightly makeshift team won! I would like to say it was down to me, but I fear I would be lying somewhat! I did manage to score a few goals though and I played a couple of homebred 4yo's who went very well, which was exciting. Brightling is our local club, just 15 minutes down the road and a really stunning setting for the sport. It is well worth taking a pcinic down there and watching one weekend!

We are holding our Kent Target Polocrosse Tournament next weekend on 6th/7th June here at Risebridge Farm, Goudhurst. Teams of all grades from all over the country will be descending upon us for a weekend of polocrosse and maybe just a couple of beers on Saturday night! The weekdn after sees Penny and I traveling to Ireland to play against the Irish Men and Ladies - again it should be a cracking trip.

It can't all be fun though (although I have to admit my job is pretty good fun too!) and the yard is coming to its busiest time of year. Sarah has done a terrific job organising things so I don't overstretch myself and we are doing our utmost to keep to our ten horse limit for starting and training. In my last blog I was starting a hand reared horse called Bono. I am pleased to say that he has come a long way and has really settled into his work. Hopefully he will be ready to go home to his owner to start his ridden career in the next couple of weeks.

I have been working with a local dressage rider, Sarah Bunch, for a while now. I started her lovely chestnut mare, Belaro, a year ago and she came to me to again in February for rebacking. She originally came from Germany through Christian Heimrich and although she has not been plain sailing for Sarah she has been coming for regular lessons and the mare has really started to work for her. The proof was in the pudding last week as she came 4th in the Potential International Young Dressage Horse class at Stilebridge, and was the 1st placed amateur rider (only 4 points behind international rider Dan Sheriff!). It is fantastic to see all the hard work and patience start to pay off!

If you are interested in coming to clinics with myself, I am holding clinic afternoons on the third Tuesday of the month each month. Hopefully they will develop into small groups for groundwork and ridden work for people who's riding and horses are at similar stages. I am also opening up the yard on the 1st Tuesday of each month for coffee mornings from 11-12.30, where people can watch me work a horse or two, have a chat with myself and Sarah and enjoy a coffee! Please contact Sarah or myself on 0774 9914267 if you are interested in attending.

Well, there's no rest for the wicked, off to take Jack for a little ride on his pony Mr. Jones (who judging from his belly, really needs the exercise!)...

Cheers, Jason.