Turville Valley Stud

Success at Addington Premier League

angela — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:06:40 +0000

This weekend Pascal and Ted (Undaunted) went to The Addington Premier League. Samantha had not ridden Pascal for two weeks but they came away with a second place in the Inter 2 and qualify directly to the National Championships in September with just over 70%. In the Grand-Prix they came 7th in a strong class of over 30 and a second in the Grand Prix special. Ted did his first ever show and did really well in the 5yr old International dressage horses class. He held his own scoring 7.8 for his trot and canter despite been rather nervous as had to go in on his own, normally two horses go in at same time but one had withdrawn.

from BD website click for report.

Carl Hester took second place in Saturday’s Grand Prix and Sunday’s Special saw Carl’s pupil Sam Thurman-Baker take second spot with her own 12 year old gelding, Spring Pascal.

Lauren and Cole Qualify for Scope

angela — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:50:04 +0000

Lauren took Cole (Concorde Two) to Hartpury yesterday for the Discovery Regional Finals. It was the first time he had been there, it was the most beautiful sunny day and a lovely course to jump. The class was run over 3 rounds which get bigger each time and the last round against the clock, so quite a test for a young chap. As he entered the arena for the first time he was almost doing his ‘Totilas Trot’ as he eyed up all the fences and showed off to the spectators, but Lauren got him focused and he produced a beautiful clear round. He followed that by another. Drawn 1st to go in the jump off Lauren was going to play safe-ish and go for a clear and put in a sharp turn if she could. Cole responded to everything she asked, they put in two sharp turns and did a super time. They held the lead until a few from the end then they got knocked to 3rd place but qualified for the Championships so we are thrilled! He couldn’t have jumped any better. All the hard work on the schooling has really paid off as Lauren found the turns so easy and made it look effortless. Just to prove the training not only works on dressage horses!

Samantha in Saumur

angela — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:01:59 +0000

Samantha Thurman-Baker got off to a fine start with Douglas in Saumur. She travelled out in fine style with Carl Hester and Dances with Wolves and Fine Time and Charlotte Dujardin with Uthopia, so had to pull out all the stops! She managed 70.815% and 2nd in Young Rider Team test….great start to competition. On the second day Douglas was a bit spooky and she dropped to 67% but achieved a 9 for his paces. Apparently selectors are delighted with Samantha and her performance this week and has hopefully secured her a place on the Europeans. Just one class left to do now on Sunday… keep up the good work.

On Sunday Samantha and Douglas came 3rd in the Kur on a score 73.7%. She was delighted with this as she hadn’t ridden the test before. They are now back at Carls before Samantha heads to Addington on Friday with Pascal for the Premier League.

Casanova is doing well in his new home

angela — Wed, 01 May 2013 06:44:10 +0000

Lauren went for a jumping lesson yesterday on Cole and we bumped into Cass, her other youngster she sold in October:) He looked well and Cole recognised his half brother and exchanged a whinny. Apparently Cass is jumping very well with his new rider Rowan Willis and will be competing at Windsor next week. He said he has a huge jump and is very ‘bouncy’ …. but when you are over 6ft with the longest of legs ‘bouncy’ is OK!

Samanthas busy two weeks!

angela — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:07:58 +0000

Samantha has a very busy couple of weeks coming up. Pascal has gone up to be with her at Carl’s before they head off to the Keysoe Premier League to compete in the Grand Prix on Friday and the Inter II on Saturday. She then has a fast turn around as she loads up Douglas on Monday to travel to Samaur in France to ride in the CDIO Young Rider classes. Good luck and keep us posted on your trips:)

Pilates Classes with Lauren Fois

angela — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:55:45 +0000

Riders of all levels are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of core stability in all equestrian disciplines. Pilates strengthens the abdominals and back muscles, which work to support the spine. A general Pilates programme will develop the necessary postural alignment and balance, while specific exercises can enhance the ability to move one body part – say, the legs – without the need for major readjustment of the hips and torso.

Since a rider must cope with a horse moving both vertically and horizontally, core strength is vital, as is resilience within the body to maintain the ‘classical seat’.

Lauren has been doing Pilates since her early teens and found it has helped her riding enormously.

Now a Level 3 qualified Body Control Pilates instructor herself, she is offering individual and group Pilates classes run from Turville and the surrounding areas. A one to one session is advisable if you have never done Pilates before and she will also be offering some taster classes. Please e-mail Lauren direct on pilat.ease@aol.co.uk or see her face book page http://www.facebook.com/pilat.ease1?fref=ts A website is under construction.

Winter Dressage Championships

angela — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:53:57 +0000

Clients Claire Randall on Decree (Tinks) and Susan Armstrong on Peaceful Flight (Poppy) are competing at The Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury this week. Claire is in the Advanced Medium Restricted on Wednesday, whilst Susan is competing on Sunday in The Petplan Prelim Championships. Good Luck ladies, lets hope those extra lessons pay off and you come home with a ribbon:)

Well done to you both, Claire came 3rd and Susan 14th in their respective classes

Samantha competing at CDI Dressage – Addington this weekend

angela — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:01:16 +0000

Update: Really sad to say that we have withdrawn Douglas from the Addington CDI, with the virus going around it was decided the risk was too high

Samantha will be competing on Douglas at this weekends CDI at Addington

see http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/show/1663-home-team-looking-for-addington-advantage for full details.

Another Hester fairy tale in the making?

angela — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:43:14 +0000

Samantha gets a great write up on the British Dressage web site..

‘Carl Hester’s magic seems like it could be rubbing off on another up and coming star with a win for Sam Thurman-Baker and her ride Douglas IV in the PSG’ and ’She has been described as a ‘true superstar’ and ‘someone special’, and young dressage riders everywhere are bound to be taking notice of the story about a girl from Oxfordshire being trained and mentored by the legend who had so much to do with a certain Miss Dujardin’s gold medal collection. Could this be another fairy tale in the making?’ WOW Samantha… well done!

for full report see http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/show/1652-another-hester-fairy-tale-in-the-making

Samantha wins at Myerscough

angela — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 13:19:44 +0000

Samantha has just finished competing at The Myerscough Premier League on Douglas IV and has had successful few days. On Thursday she came 2nd in the PSG on a score of 68.52, the test went fairly well but she felt there were improvements to be made. She followed that by a win on 72.81 and a 2nd in the Young Rider team test on 71.89. Douglas was a star! Samantha was so pleased with him and a massive thank you to Carl Hester and Aram Gregory for giving her the opportunity.