Supported Rider, Mel Chapman, gives us the low-down on the past few months

My previous blog ended just as I was abut to embark upon a trip to the BD Winter Nationals. I had qualified four Young horses for the championship in April and I couldn’t have been prouder of the way they all dealt with the atmosphere and the occasion.

The standard across the board at the BD Winter Nationals was unlike anything I’ve seen or experienced for quite a while, so having the youngsters in the mix of this was exciting.

I left feeling focused and ready to make a plan in preparation for the Summer Regionals and, fingers crossed, a chance to compete at championship level again this year.

It’s not often that I get a break from the yard, so it was lovely to be invited to spend a little bit of time at Millbry Hill’s head office. I’ve loved being part of the #MillbryHillRider team for the last two years and I am really looking forward to being a part of this for a third year. I left with a super range of attire (for both horse and rider); the team and I are going to look super smart when we are out and about.

We were invited to ride in a demonstration for two of our amazing sponsors, Baileys Horse Feeds and Millbry Hill Country Store. Holly rode 4 year-old TCE Keizer and I rode Tracy Ann Elliott’s 6 year-old TCE Shine a Light. Both horses and riders had a great time and coped well with the close proximity of audience!

In addition to visiting Hartpury, we also enjoyed competing locally at REC and NEC. Both venues are so accommodating, especially as we invariably turn up with a wagon full of horses all ready to compete across the levels. The final trip of the month saw us heading to Keysoe for the Young Horse Classes. I am always amazed as to how adaptable our young horses can be and was delighted to return with two qualifications from the Hickstead 5 year old National class.

The month ended with the re-introduction of Eventing into Team Chapman Equestrian’s busy schedule. We have discovered that TCE Ipache (who was initially purchased with dressage in mind) has wings and, with Holly Richardson on board, it is looking like anything is possible. They came sixth in their first ever BE competition. I think that the future is bright for the pair of them.

My dressage schedule for May was filled with young horse classes, which always keep the team and myself on our toes and very busy.

We travelled far and wide with a merry band of horses and humans in tow! I had a lovely time at Keysoe Premier League, returning from there with a super win in the 5 year old Hickstead class. Next up was Manor Grange where we took six 4-6 year olds with us. It was a rather hectic day, especially when all four of the 5 year olds made it into the top six of their class, which required them to be ridden again!

Fortunately Jade was with me, so we were able to share the riding. The class ended for us with a win, third, fourth and sixth.

Our final away trip was to Somerford Park, for their Premier League. On the first day I celebrated a win and a third place. Day two ended with five top six placings, one of which was a second. I always feel very lucky to have such an exciting bunch of young horses to ride but, since the retirement of Norman, I do miss riding at the higher levels.

Hopefully, with a lot of hard work and positive training experiences, the current youngsters of the team will be there in the next couple of years.

The TCE Eventing team continued to impress. Holly piloted TCE Ipache around his second BE90, finishing on his dressage score of 28.5. Had they not been competing HC, it would have been good enough for them to have finished up in first place.

Following such a confident run, we decided that it was time to step up a level. It couldn’t have worked out any better…they totally nailed each of the three phases and finished on a dressage score of 13 to take first place in style…so proud of both of them!

June continued at a pace and opened with the first camp of our summer series. We welcomed eight happy campers, who worked their socks off!

It was so lovely to watch them making such huge improvements over the two days. In between training sessions with myself, pilates with Bronagh Daly, a chance to seek feeding advice from Angie Johnson (Bailey’s Horse Feeds), mindset analysis with Daniel AP and test riding/ feedback from Eva Trotter, we were all fed incredibly well and entertained by my amazing Mum and Dad. Each rider left with a goodie bag, full to bursting with vouchers and gifts from Millbry Hill, Silverfeet and Equine Products UK.

A trip to Alnwick Ford was next on the agenda. It was an unusually quiet outing, with only four horses on-board the wagon, but it was still an incredibly successful one. Highlights included a score of 73% in the Novice qualifier on a new ride for me and securing regional qualification at Medium level for one of the younger horses of the team, who has only had a few outings at this level.

On the back of some of our super young horse class results, I was invited to compete at The Equerry Bolesworth International Horse Show. The weather wasn’t great and we arrived on a very wet and soggy day. Despite the inclement weather, the boys (Halcyon Zumarang and Jaguar DHI) were super brave in the arena familiarisation and took this confidence into the competition arena. It was the first time that I have competed at this event and, despite the trials and tribulations of the weather conditions I’d love to have the opportunity again.

June ended with another amazing eventing result! Holly and TCE Ipache won their third event in a row, finishing on a 22.5 dressage score and a double clear in their second attempt at a BE100. Whilst my eventing boots have been well and truly hung up, it is so lovely to still be involved in the discipline that was once my favourite!

The post Success For The Young Guns & A Spot Of Eventing For Mel Chapman appeared first on The Millbry Hill Blog: Life in the Country.