Lauren and Waltons Top Flight (John Boy) picked up a 2nd today in the Foxhunter at Addington. This was their 4th double clear in a row so qualified them for the second rounds for next year. 
Another box ticked!
Samantha and Pascal managed to qualify for the Riding to Music test at the Europeans on Sunday. Thus becoming the first Junior Briton to manage this in quite a few years! All went well, although not in the top placings it was a fantastic experience. They are heading home, top of the Brits and should be back in Turville by Tuesday.
Samantha and Pascal will be competing in their second test tomorrow, Saturday. It can be seen live at 2.45 on http://www.clipmyhorse.de/en/live/channel/1/
Samantha rode Pascal through a super test today to put them 12th overall Individual in their test today. Some of you may have watched it live this morning. Pascal stayed beautifully calm throughout his test and for the presentation. The team were placed 5th.
I know people are following Samantha but she hasn’t competed as yet. Her first test is tomorrow, Thursday morning at 7.30 am and can be seen live on web http://www.clipmyhorse.de/en/live/channel/1/
Samantha and Spring Pascal head off on Friday 16th July to represent GB in the Junior European championships in Kronberg, Germany.
Samantha would like to say thank you to everyone who sent their best wishes.
Fabulous Lusitano gelding for sale. See for sale page.
Lauren and John Boy (Waltons Top Flight) jumped the class of their life today. It was the second round newcomers with 107 competitors. The first two qualify for The Horse of the Year Show and top five go through to the Scope Championships so competition was fierce! As Lauren went in she edged him on, ‘He isn’t listening today’, she commented on her way in but he obviously had his own agenda as he produced a foot perfect clear round, one of only about twenty. He followed that with another clear which put him in the final jump off with just nine others. Up went the jumps again, mum could hardly watch, some were up to 1.40m. He jumped well but incurred 8 faults which still put them 5th, such was the difficulty of the course. This qualifies the for Scope where apparently they have another crack at HOYS. We’d better look in rule book! All very happy in Turville
The pair went to day four of the Addington Classic Summer show on 9th July and got another double clear Foxhunter and were placed 3rd. John Boy is a little star!
Lauren & John Boy
We just had a phone call in from Hickstead where Samantha and Spring Pascal are competing. Diane reported that the pair had won the Final Team selection test for the Young Rider. They scored 69.87% , despite breaking in the medium trot, and are naturally thrilled!
Lauren and JB competed at Addington again today hoping to get another double clear in the Foxhunter. John Boy jumped beautifully in the first class and picked up a 3rd and then followed that with a win in the Foxhunter. Lauren was so pleased as he met every fence perfectly and made it all feel so easy today. All the hard work is really paying off now, lets hope they can keep it together for the ‘biggy’ this weekend!
Lauren and John Boy (Waltons Top Flight) had a good trip out yesterday. They started with the 1.15 open, which as usual for Addington, was full up height and width. John Boy was a bit strong but jumped well and the pair managed a 4th place. Next was the Foxhunter. Lauren needs four double clears in this from 1st June to qualify for the next round before JB wins too much money and puts him out of the class. With this in mind she wanted the double clear – but not to win, hard when the FOIS genes are so competitive! Perfect……got the first double clear and 3rd!!
Samantha and Spring Pascal have been chosen to ride as a senior at Hartpury CDI***. Following their success abroad they will compete in the Small Tour and Samantha will be the youngest rider.
Samantha and Pascal pulled off another super test today, this time with 68% which again put them into 3rd place. Diane said he was foot perfect today and even behaved like a true pro for the presentation, which used to give him the jitters! He is getting used to the atmosphere at these bigger competitions now and all the ground work is really helping.
To follow that Pascal and Sam got through to the Music section on the final day where they scored 71% and came 4th.
A very successful trip!
Samantha and Spring Pascal have made their second trip abroad. This time they are competing in the junior British Team and as an individual in the CDI, Compiegne, France.
They journey out was uneventful this time and all is running smoothly with Pascal taking it all in his stride.
Today, Friday, Samantha came 3rd as an individual in the CDI Junior and was the highest placed British rider. Pascal went beautifully but the pair made one small mistake and had one canter stride on a trot circle, this finished them on 66%. A fantastic result, we are all so pleased back home!
Lauren and Waltons Top Flight came 2nd today in the Sport Horse Classic Blue Riband Championship Qualifier which takes them through to Scope.
A very full and busy show, we arrived at about 3.30 and didn’t actually jump til nearly 7pm! Determined not to have waited in vain Lauren walked the course and saw there were a couple of tight turns to be had in the jump off. She didn’t want to push John Boy too much, but after conference with mum (Angela) felt she should try, and it would be good practice for the HOYS qualifier next week. The turns paid off and she held the lead until second from last, he was such a good boy!
We left though, with a tinge of sadness as we drove out of the Addington drive. Instead of the beautiful bronze horse there were two feet! Theives stole the life size horse one evening last week. It looked like they managed to get two feet up but the others were cut clean off! Actually sent shivers down my spine.
Highcliffe Apollo took first place at Patchetts today whilst Ravels Bolero and Tyrpentre Conjurer took second place each in their respective classes. Details to follow.
Apollo – Elementary 43 – 68.27% – 1st
Elementary 53 – 67.43% – 3rd
Apollo rode very smooth accurate tests in pouring rain and we were very pleased as it was only his second affiliated competition
Connor – Medium 73 - 66.47% – 2nd
Ravels Bolero – Medium 61 – 64.48% -2nd
Thankyou to every one who came to our lecture/demo on Sunday. It was a great turn out and we are already having some lovely messages and e-mails to say how much you enjoyed the afternoon and got a good insight to how we train.
The afternoon began by a parade round of various breeds in their respective outfits, all of whom had been trained by our Classical methods. This was followed by Diane showing different horses through their stages of training from lunging, putting on side reins, lateral in-hand work, ridden lateral, collection, up to piaffe, passage and showing Spanish Walk and the reason for doing it. It finished with Pascal showing his moves.
We hope to do another such demo later in the year, details of which will be posted here.
There are some photos on demonstration page and more on the gallery.
All going ahead for the lecture/demo on 23rd May. Forecast good, bring the suncream! See Demonstrations.
Second day of the Addington Premier League and Pascal won the PSG on 69.86% and came 4th in the Inter I on 66.97%. A fantastic result, well done Samantha and an extra bag carrots for Pascal I think!!
UPDATE: Samantha and Pascal won the Small Tour for the highest percentage over the combination of four classes.
Samantha and Spring Pascal made a trip to Addington today for The Premier League. They pulled off a super test in the PSG and got 69% which finished them in 2nd place behind Micheal Eilberg and in front of Matt Frost. They followed that with the Inter I, again, a fluent test. Diane remarked that the pirouettes were a little wide so Pascal lost valuable marks here, where the scores are doubled, but they still got 65% and came 5th. Pascal was totally ‘chilled out’ throughout and took it all in his stride today. An overnight stay and then two more classes tomorrow.
Samantha and Spring Pascal have topped off a fantastic weekend at the Premier League, held at Keysoe by winning the PSG. Yesterday they won the Junior Team test but today were up against ‘all the big boys!’ Samantha was second to go and achieved 70.56%. Thrilled with such a good score but not believing they would hold top spot with such a good class to go. However they did. Pascal went fantasticly and got no less than sixteen ‘8’s in his test. This qualifies them directly through to the Nationals.
They followed that by winning the Junior Individual test on 70.39%.
Well done the pair of them!
Lauren and Waltons Top Flight (John Boy) qualified for the National 1.15m Members Cup at Patchetts today. This sees them through to the Scope Championships in August. John Boy jumped a good round and went into 2nd place after the jump off but got overtaken by a couple of speed- merchants and ended up 5th.
They followed this with the Foxhunter. John Boy jumped an effortless round until they reached the final combination… rider error! Lauren totally misjudged the stride and John Boy launched into orbit over the first fence leaving no chance to get over the second. He saved himself but deposited Lauren on her butt! He wandered off confused whilst Lauren brushed herself down amongst the excited Paramedics. (They hadn’t had much to do all day!) Lauren is fine but a bit stiff – John Boy totally unfazed.
Samantha and Spring Pascal today won the Advanced Medium on 69% at Pachesham, Surrey. This is a direct qualifier for the Hickstead Masters in June and has also now qualified for the Summer Regionals. Pascal did a very smooth and controlled test with no mistakes, so a good outing for him after the excitement prize giving at the Nationals. This was their last time at this level and he now moves to Small Tour, which is Prix St Georges and Inter I.
Suzie and Tyrpentre Conjurer have just returned from a very enjoyable weekend at the Nationals in Hartpury, having been placed 11th in the Elementary Restricted Championships. Suzie said Connor behaved beautifully and did a very good test, the atmosphere was great and every one was so friendly.
The past week has been a great success for ‘Team Turville’, and we are proud of them all!
Sophie and Finn Again had another successful day out, this time at the Central Region BSJA show. Nearly the last to go in the 50 strong class, Sophie knew she had a pretty fast time to beat in the jump off phase. Finn just did as he was asked, skimmed the corners and won by 2/10ths of a second! Next class was the 1.10 qualifier. They were drawn to go second in the jump-off where some jumps were raised quite considerably! They did a cracking time but just had one pole down so ended up coming 5th on the fastest four faults but still just managed to qualify for the second round.
Bernadette and Ravel’s Bolero took 2nd in the Petplan Elementary Restricted Championships today. They scored 66.62%………more details when we hear.
Bernadette Briggenshaw and her Fresian X, Ravel’s Bolero have come 2nd in the National Elementary Restricted to Music Championships at the Nationals today. B was drawn to go early in the class and went into 2nd but they were lots of competitors still to go. She casually spent the morning looking around the stalls and couldn’t believe when she came back to the board the class had finished and she was still 2nd. ’Ollie’ took the prize for best british bred and B won the Best Amateur Owner/Rider. Well done! The pair are on again tomorrow in the Petplan Elementary Restricted Championship.
Samantha and Spring Pascal have just won the Petplan Prix St Georges Championships at The Nationals. A very excited Diane just phoned with the news…………more to follow.
From British Dressage website
Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Area Festival Champion
Samantha Thurman-Baker with Spring Pascal, 66.84%
17 year old Samantha Thurman Baker from Henley on Thames shone through on her charismatic Cleveland Bay x Hanoverian gelding Spring Pascal to take the Petplan Equine Prix St Georges Area Festival Championship 2010.
“It was really good to win today” she commented “ we were third to go and I was really glad we held the lead until the end. Rolland Tong helped me work in, the first time he’s done this at a competition and I felt it helped a lot. Spring Pascal was a lot calmer in the test, there were a few mistakes but I was happy with his way of going.”
Samantha is on the Junior Prime squad and is aiming for selection for the Junior European Championships later this year.
Three horses from the yard are busy getting ready for the Nationals which begin on Wednesday. Spring Pascal and Samantha Thurman-Baker are the first to compete in the Petplan Prix St Georges. Having returned from Austria on Monday, Pascal has had a couple of easy days before he sets off again.
On Friday, Ravel’s Bolero and Bernadette Briggenshaw have qualified for the National Elementary Restricted to Music Championships and on Saturday the Petplan Elementary Restricted.
On Sunday Tyrpentre Conjurer and Suzie Abecassis are competing in the Elementary Restricted Championships.
We wish them all the best of luck!
Sophie and Finn Again had their second trip out of the year and came home with two prizes. In the 1m Amateur class they did a super round clipping two seconds off the fastest time to secure themselves 1st place out of a class of sixty. They followed that with the Open speed class over a very tricky course. Finn sped round clear and went into the lead, but the competition got hotter and hotter as some seemingly impossible turns were put in towards the end of the class and they ended up coming 6th. Finn behaved impeccably and really enjoyed his day out, as did Sophie!
Call from Austria to say Sam and Pascal have just done the 2nd test. Again, no mistakes but a little more tense. The entry was super but Diane thinks after the first halt Pascal anticipated applause and was a bit uptight for the start of the trot work. However his canter work and pirouettes were really good today. They finished on 62% but as yet don’t know where that puts them. All done now. A long way for two tests but the experience has been invaluable. They set off for home tomorrow and hope to be back Monday evening.
The latest call from Austria came through at about 4.30 today soon after Samantha and Pascal had finished their test. Apparently Pascal managed to hold it together, and although a little tense to start he went beautifully. The pair were extremely nervous beforehand but didn’t let that phase them and they finished on 64.144% and came 20th. That was half way down the class which was won on 69% and the lowest was 57%. Diane was thrilled, she said some of the other horses were just amazing and watching them in the warm up she didn’t know if Pascal would have a chance. But he did!!!! Before they left they hoped for a top 20 placing and they’ve done it. They seem to be having a really good time, the atmoshere is great and everyone is very friendly towards them, even with a language problem. Its a fantastic experience for them all. They are on again tomorrow at 9.50am.
Just a short text from Diane today. They have electric, water and gas! All is good and Pascal is going well. Tomorrow they are drawn last to go at around 5pm.
The Thurman-Bakers and Pascal have arrived at the competition venue in Austria. They journey was rather longer than anticipated due to traffic jams and accidents on the road so the 7 hour planned drive yesterday lasted 13hrs! Both over nights stops were good and Pascal relaxed and was well rested. Now at the venue, Diane phoned home to report but was a bit stressed!
’We can’t speak the language and we can’t find any English people, our electric hook up is not compatible, our gas bottle ran out – we thought it was full- and no one else seems to be arriving until tomorrow at 2pm!’ Teething problems!! I am sure they will sort it out. Any way, Samantha rode Pascal around in the indoor school today in he was very well behaved and the weather is beautiful. So that beats home! Tomorrow they will rest and things get going on Thursday. Will keep posts going as we hear.
Obviously not enough Weetabix for breakfast! John Boy, aka Waltons Top Flight just touched a pole today in the Addington Championship, which didn’t fall until at least a stride after landing. The rest of the round was near foot perfect so Lauren was very pleased with him; he is gaining experience every time out. This was one of the last indoor jumpings of the winter season, and most competitions now move outdoors which Lauren prefers.
Lauren and Waltons Top Flight jumped a superb double clear in the Amateur qualifier today securing their place in the Championships on Sunday. The end of the indoor jumping season at Addington culminates with a four-day Championship and, as always it was well attended. John Boy upped his game as Lauren put her foot down (just a little!) and the pair came second by 2/10ths of a second. He had earlier jumped in the Foxhunter, but just had one pole down in the jump off, although again had one of the faster times. So off to Addington again on Sunday for a Blue Chip Qualifier and Amateur Champs. (With three Weetabix for breakfast first!!!)
The Thurman-Baker family are busy packing the lorry for Samantha and Pascal’s first International competition. They leave on Sunday 28th March on a three day drive to their destination, Stadl Paura in Austria. They have a trot up and vet inspection on the 31st followed by two days of tests. Samantha is competing as an individual and is the only British Junior on the squad. It will be quite a test for the pair and selectors will be looking to see how they cope. We wish them the best of luck and will post any news from Austria as and when we hear.
Next lecture/Demo has been arranged for 23rd May. Diane will be explaining the training methods we use from novice horses up to Grand Prix. Lunging and in-hand work that is easy to understand and see the results. See Demonstration or training pages for more insight.
Lauren and Waltons Top Flight are just starting off their season jumping after having a winter break. Today was their second trip out and ‘John Boy’ jumped two beautiful rounds. He jumped double clear in the Open and was placed 3rd, but just had 4 faults in the Foxhunter class. Lauren was very pleased, as he met every jump perfectly and it felt good. A bit more nerve-wracking for mum Angela watching - nearly every Foxhunter jump was above Lauren’s shoulders as she walked the course! They say watching is worse!
Samantha had her first radio interview today, and it was live! BBC Radio Oxford had heard of her story trying to make the 2012 Olympics and asked her in to talk about it to their listeners. She told of how she got Pascal as a youngster after he was passed by at the Addington sales for not being good enough. She was asked about his training, her studies and dreams of the future. Samantha carried it all off very well and the nerves didn’t show. What will be next……..The One Show!!!
Bernadette and Ravel’s Bolero had a successful trip to Moreton Morrell on Saturday. They picked up a first in the 1st Elementary 53 on a score of 69.12% and also took the Elementary Freestyle with 71.88%. This qualifies them for the Elementary Freestyle Winter Regionals in 2011.
Sunday saw the lorries off to Addington to the U21’s UK Dressage. Samantha had two rides, Tyrpentre Conjurer with whom she took the Junior Medium championship and Pascal with whom she came second in the Advanced section. Well done to everyone!
Samantha and Spring Pascal took the number one slot at the Advanced Medium and Pick your own Inter I at Addington today. Pascal remained calm throughout in the indoor International arena, for which Samantha was so pleased as he has shown some tension here before. They now just have one more competition before they head off to Austria where the pair are representing GB in the junior tests.
Pascal won the Pick your Own at Addington’s Affiliated Dressage today. He did a very calm and error-free test scoring 8 for his canter pirouette.
Bernadette Briggenshaw and her lovely Friesian X Ravel’s Bolero have qualified for the Winter Nationals Elementary Freestyle to music. They got in on a ‘wildcard’ as their score was so good. They have already qualified for the Nationals in the Petplan Elementary. We wish B and ‘Ollie’ the best of luck!
Discovering the appeal of Iberian horses – see lastest issue of British Dressage Magazine.