What a hectic few months we’ve had here, at Team Chapman Equestrian…not only have we been incredibly busy with the day to day manicness of yard life and competition schedules, but I’ve also been busy with a few ‘excursions’ (work related as well as a chance to enjoy a little bit of ‘rest and relaxation’.)

May started with a clutch of Eventing related activities. I took a trip to Badminton Horse Trials, where I had a super time watching the cross-country phase as well as enjoying a little bit of ‘socialising’ and after event chilling! From there, I returned home and headed straight to the Millbry Hill Richmond horse trials to watch James Adams pilot mine and my Mum’s horse, TCE Rockstar Cruising, into second place in the BE100 class. I was delighted with their performance. I was also lucky enough to have been provided with sponsor badges from the team at Millbry Hill, which made the day an even better one…thank you so much! Following this great result, Rockstar’s next trip out was to Warwick Hall, finishing in 4th place this time, on his dressage score of 28.8; what a good boy (and James too!)

The dressage team continued with a great run of form. During May we competed at Alnwick Ford, Northallerton Equestrian Centre and Somerford Park.

Our visit to Alnwick Ford was an interesting one, as we managed to lock ourselves out of the wagon. Not an easy thing to do I have since been told…but we managed it with relative ease! It took us an hour and a half to break in…it transpired that brute force was the answer. Not quite what we needed after a long day of competing but thankfully the horses had all behaved impeccably and so we headed home with some brilliant results

Thankfully our next outing (a trip to Northallerton) went swimmingly. The classes were rather large and with 6 horses for company the day was a very, very long one. I rode 12 tests (from Prelim to Medium) and was so incredibly proud of each and every one of the horses who gave everything and achieved a collection of outstanding results. This was definitely a “Super Sunday’.

May’s final outing took us to Somerford Park, for their annual Premier League. I took 7 horses (aged between 4-6) so I made sure that I packed plenty of superglue! My main intention was purely for them to have an educational outing as well as having a little bit of fun and a chance to experience a night or two away from home. The highlights of our time away were: I survived, TCE Happy Boy won the national 6 year old qualifier and each of the horses we took grew in confidence and gained great experience for the future.

We welcomed June with the first in a series of our dressage camps. A really lovely group of people and horses visited and we all had a super time. I love this part of my life, especially when I get to work alongside great people and their super horses as well as planning other equestrian related experiences for them. The team rose to the occasion (the yard was extra busy with horses and people, yet they managed to remain level headed), my Mum and Dad were SUPERB hosts and I had a chance to introduce the campers to the amazingness of Millbry Hill and share their incredibly generous contribution (alongside that of my other sponsors) in the end of camp ‘Goodie Bag.’ I’m already looking forward to the next ‘extravaganza’ in July.

Following this, normality was reinstated and the dressage schedule for June was put into action.
We found ourselves trucking up to Alnwick Ford once again (with a back-up plan this time, just in-case of another ‘lock-out!’) This time there were 8 horses ready to dance their way within the whiteboards; they didn’t disappoint. Between Jade and I, we achieved regional qualifications and/ or personal bests for each of the horses.

A rare trip across the M62 paved the way for our next outing. Whilst it was a strange day weather-wise (either very warm and humid or cloudy and chilly) it didn’t affect the performance of our horses. Alongside regional qualifications being achieved (with super high scores), there were young horse classes to be challenged. I was delighted to secure a semi-final place in the 4-year-old class for Jubilant al Sno (owned by my Dad and I) as well as completing with a 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the 5-year-old class. With three horses so closely placed in the test process, I had to recruit two additional riders to hop onboard and ride in the final selection process…Catherine and Ellie stepped up to the job and both rode brilliantly. It’s great to have such willing support.

After weeks and weeks of hecticness, I was ready for a break, so I had two. The first was work related and involved a quick visit to Holland and a little bit of horse shopping. I returned and then shortly after, headed to Gran Canaria for a week. It was a perfect opportunity to re-charge my batteries prior to returning and focusing upon the preparations required for the Summer Regionals.

When July knocked on the door, we opened it to a lovely group of children from Park End Primary School in Middlesbrough. They enjoyed a good look round the yard and met the horses. They also rolled up their sleeves and were ‘all hands on deck’ helping out with yard duties and cleaning tack. Lizzie, our new yard manager, did a great job looking after them. I’m looking forward to their next visit.

The dressage horses have had a very busy schedule of training, competing as well as being pampered from head to hoof! With regional preparations in mind, we headed to Holmside, which is a venue that we don’t visit very often. Despite our trip out coinciding with a very important World Cup football match, we were able to relax and enjoy positive outcomes. We are so lucky to have so many competition centres within easy reach of the yard.

The sun shone brightly and the temperatures rose (and rose) for our second camp of the summer. Despite the extraordinary weather, the campers (and their lovely horses) were kept well hydrated, fed and entertained, so a good time was had by all involved.

Our camps always seem to be a prelude to something busy or different. This time, we entered the first of our regional windows. On the first of three days at Port Royal, I took TCE Jubilant al Sno and we earned a ‘golden ticket’ to the 4-year-old finals at Stoneleigh. He is the most rideable stallion I have ever come across; he has such a super brain too. My Dad and I are very excited about his future. All the horses were also amazing and, with top ten placings for all of them, I couldn’t be happier.

And so this is where I leave July… there might be more to report on in my next blog as we have a Pony Club demonstration to complete and I’m planning a return to eventing before July is done. I’m also really excited about the prospect of taking another talented group of horses to the regionals (in Scotland) early on in August.

-Melissa Chapman

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