Posts

Most dressage tests begin in the familiar rhythm of a daytime competition: an early alarm, a cool morning, a lorry packed before breakfast, and plenty of…

Cold-weather riding has a way of exposing every weak point in a kit. A jacket can be perfectly warm while fingers go numb within twenty minutes, especially…

A disappointing ride can follow me home long after Archie is untacked, fed, and settled into his stable. The scoresheet may show one missed flying change, an…

Finding the right veterinary team has become one of the most important parts of keeping Archie competition-ready. Eventing asks a great deal from a horse: the…

A dressage warm-up can change quickly. One minute Archie feels loose and attentive, and the next a simple transition becomes sticky, a leg yield loses its…

Cross-country schooling usually gives me a clear picture of where Archie feels brave, where he needs more support, and which questions require another…

When I first started eventing with Archie, I thought progress would come from riding more often and collecting enough advice to fill a notebook. I watched…

There are competition days that begin with polished boots, neatly packed tack, and a horse who seems to understand the assignment. Then there are days that…

Event season turns ordinary horse care into a careful balance of fitness, recovery, maintenance, and logistics. When Archie is preparing for dressage, show…

Cross-country used to make me feel as though I was constantly catching up with Archie. I could manage the pace on the flat and ride a careful show-jumping…