Training myself to be as well balanced, strong and symmetrical as I can be is super important to me both physically and mentally. Physically for obvious reasons, I want to be the best human I can be for my horses but mentally so that when I’m out on a tough course I know that I’ve got this and when I cross that start line I know I’ve done everything I can. I was once told my a Young Rider, who was one of my idol at the time, that ‘A fit horse can do nothing with a tired rider, but a fit rider can hold together a tired horse’. That’s stuck with me and something I’ve tried to live up to.

Now I won’t lie I’m failing a bit on the tip top condition human part at the moment. When I’m training for FEI I have loads of motivation to train myself, because I need the extra muscle to make weight. But when I don’t have that goal I sometimes find it a bit harder to motivate myself to go hard at the gym. Couple that with multiple injuries over the past three years; two sets of broken ribs on different occasions, dislocating my shoulder twice, breaking my hand, three concussions, multiple bike crashes and horse falls, and I’m no where near where I need to be.

But actually that’s ok, I know that, I know what I need to do and sometimes taking a slightly easier, slower route is fine. It means than when I get back to the bigger distances I won’t be sour about training, I’ll be excited. That’s where mixing it up really comes in handy, keeping it fresh, interesting and fun is so important, otherwise it just becomes a chore.

So at the moment I do three strength/weight sessions in the gym a week. Two bodyweight sessions at home following either Madfit or Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. Then one to two cardio sessions either on the rower at work or on my mountain bike.

Is it my fault? That’s the question that’s been bobbing around my brain recently. I have had three horses since retiring Tissy from international competition, in the hope of returning to FEI and Team selection. It’s been 7 years since I was last selected to represent Team GBR. So what am I doing wrong? Or is it really just luck?

I am very grateful that both Pria and Azid have been rehomed to wonderful owners, who enjoy them and care for them, that they have been able to have a ridden career and continue to compete and have adventures. But both couldn’t cope with the higher level training. Qantas has recently pulled his bicep muscle in the field and is out for the rest of the season. Was it my fault?

I keep a detailed diary of my training and the care of my horses and when I look back through the training I see nothing that could be deemed too much. I very very rarely train over 20km at a time, they only train 3-4 x a week in their novice years, day on day off up to 80km and 4 days on one day off above that. I mix up my training throughout the week and change the training focus every 6 weeks. They have three months off every year to just be horses and have a holiday. I don’t over compete with only 3-5 competitions a season and those aren’t at high speeds. They have weeks off after competition and are always bought back slowly into work.

So when I analyse my training I can’t see where I’m going wrong and I wouldn’t change what I do. But maybe something does need to change? But what? A conundrum I have been mulling over for a while, is it me, is it luck, are there external factors, do I need a major overhaul?

But for now Qantas is actually recovering well, he’ll get everything he needs to help him through and then we’ll make a plan and see how he goes. I’m remaining hopeful that this is just a blip in his endurance horse road and not a full stop. The hardest part is seeing all the potential in your horse, being excited about that spark they show, having hope that they’ll get there and then it being taken away. That’s why equestrians are so emotionally resilient, we have grit, we get back up again and we don’t give up, but most of all we always put the horse first.

Now please remember I have accumulated all this kit over many years, this is in no way a bragging look at what I’ve got post, but purely an exercise in answering the regular questions about what endurance kit do I have, or what brand my water bottle is or what I find comfiest to ride in.

I will try to link as many bits of my gear as possible and as always would love to hear what you use or any ways in which you may think I could improve my equipment. So lets get into it.

First up: Tack!

Reactor Panel Saddles

Stubben Girths

Sheepskin girth covers

Stirrup leathers

Free jump stirrups

Pionneer Numnahs

Pioneer Custom Endurance Tack

Myler bit

Water bottle holder

Next we have my kit:

Training Helmet

Competition Helmet

Competition Gloves

Ariat Paddock boots

Intercuir Champs

Edwin Bell Belt

Gaston mercier socks

Noble Equestrian Tights

Kerritts Ice-Fil top

Equipment:

Brushing boots

Stethascope

Heart rate monitor

Thermatex rug

I know many people would not be particularly proud of completing a pleasure ride, and even more so would not expect a rider who’s ridden at FEI level to be proud of completing a pleasure ride, but here I am, REALLY DAMN PROUD of completing a pleasure ride.

I see the novice years as the ‘education’ years for my horses. It’s where I have the opportunity to practice as many of the scenarios that will come up when they eventually get to FEI as I can. I try to emulate the processes they’ll be doing in years to come as closely as possible.

The week running up to a pleasure ride is exactly the same as my run up to a big race. I like to take them on overnight stays and to busy venues. I like to get them out of bed early to watch the race riders warm up and start together, walk through the vet gate the night before and generally be exposed to as much competition atmosphere as possible.

Now in the past this has gone pretty smoothly with Azid and Pria, they have taken everything in their stride, doing their novice rides at FEI venues, but Qantas is a little more sensitive. But that’s ok, it just means the education part of his training is even more important and it may take us a little more time to get him to be at ease at a competition.

Which is why I’m so proud that Qantas was well behaved for his first sleep over, walked around the busy venue listening to me and not freaking out, that he went into the vetting, that he started calmly. He was ace out on course, really forward going and sure footed, he never pulled to follow any horses that passed and he accepted being sponged down by the crew out on course like a champ. He went in front and behind and kept a lovely even pace.

I like to do the shorter distances like a mini race ride. Start slow and then increase the speed as the ride goes on, just like I would each loop of a race. If the conditions are right I also like to canter across the finish line, this gives me a better idea of what they are going to be like to crew in vet gates and gives them a teeny bit of practice for any potential racing finishes.

Qantas then stood beautifully still to be untacked and crewed at the end of his ride and did the most wonderful trot up to finish. His mind was well and truly tired ,you could see it in his face and body language but his body was in top notch form and by the way he turned out in his field later that day he still had plenty of energy left in the tank.

It would be so easy to focus on the negatives, that we had to downgrade to a pleasure ride because his heart rate was too high at the start to risk it, that he panicked and bucked me off, that his initial trot up was sideways across three lanes, that he hates the sound of sloshes, that he spins and bronks at the sound of horses coming up behind him, but to me those are things we can work on. It’s the improvements that make me happy and are what I want to focus on.

Every training session and every competition I do with Qantas I see as a stepping stone to our long term goal, the results don’t really matter, it’s the journey and giving him the best foundation I can so that one day when we are competing for a win I’ll know I did everything I could to set him up for success.

The run up to competing Qantas for the first time in 2021 has not been smooth. His sarcoid wounds took much longer to heal, he was being funny about having a girth on and it seemed like the weeks were flying by without us even starting training. But thanks to Readwood reahabilitation livery Qantas had three weeks on the water treadmill and then I got a solid three weeks of riding in before our first 40km of the season in July, better late then never!

It’s not my normal pre-season routine and without that usual structure I wasn’t exactly my usual confident self. In the week running up to the ride Qantas got me off twice, he’s just so spooky, but, he was going well and all his pre-ride checks were great. So I packed everything up the night before. I use this list to help me:

I gave the horses a bath and off we went to Cirencester. Last time Qantas went to a ride we didn’t make it into the vetting so in the hope of giving him time to settle we decided to go the night before. He also had the added advantage that Tissy was coming too.

Once I got to the venue and set up the corral I gave him a couple of hours to take it all in before taking him on a walk around the venue and most importantly practicing getting into the vetting and doing his trot up. This actually went remarkably well, by the end he was actually getting in the entrance tent and his trot ups were perfect. I went to sleep hopeful that we may actually get to start our ride tomorrow, but the big question was, would he be settled enough to have his heart rate taken and do the 40km GER or would we need to downgrade to just a trot up and do the 30km PR.

Getting Qantas going again after his long winter break and laser surgery has been quite the mission. He’s always been pretty sensitive about his girth area and very easily gets tense in his lats. The laser site took longer than expected to heal and has healed as a little bump rather than flat, which isn’t idea as it’s right under the girth.

Every time I thought he was ready to start again I’d take him out and after 20mins the tail swishing would start, he’d turn to nip the girth and then freeze on the spot and if asked to move would throw himself sideways. So I gave him more and more time off.

Thankfully the wonderful guys at Readwood Rehabilitation Livery took him on for 3 weeks, he was getting fat and unfit and I was a bit stuck with what to do with him. They did a great job of getting him back in shape and ready for ridden work, softening up the scar tissue, getting him checked by a Physio and doing sessions on the underwater treadmill. I couldn’t recommend them enough and would love to send my horses for pre-season training with them every year.

Once we starting riding we’ve had a few hiccups with his sensitivity, but considering he hadn’t been ridden since November he’s actually come back to it great. He has a 40km planned soon and I’m just hoping that this time we make it into the vet and across the start line at least. We’re taking Tissy with him to hopefully keep him calmer and going the night before to give him a chance to settle, so fingers crossed this may be the start of his endurance career and end of his current issues.

Alongside that, Azid has found a lovely new home, he’s on a lease for now, if the owners like him then the rest of the sale price will be paid and they can keep him, if it doesn’t work out then he can come back to me. I feel it’s the best of both worlds between sale and loan and really makes sure everyone is happy and Azid is looked after.

Going on a hunt fun ride is something completely new to me, so when I was asked to help plan a route for one, I really wasn’t sure what the expectations of such a route would be. In endurance we have clear rules regarding routes, no more than 10% tarmac being one, and we all know how I love rules and planning. We managed to plan a lovely route using woodlands kindly opened up for us by the Duchy, bridleways and a bit of roadwork.

In the UK Bloodhound hunts follow the scent of a human runner over a pre-planned course during winter hunting. In the summer they need to make an income to look after the hounds and to pay hunt staff so they put on fun rides.

This particular ride we had 42 horses in attendance all setting off together on a guided route of approx 11miles. It took about 3hrs in total and was definitely a different experience for Tissy, who is used to to doing that distance in under an hour. But I had great fun getting her pretty for the meet and using my leather tack, although my presentation know how is next to nil and my plait lasted about 10mins!

It would make excellent training for an endurance horse that’s experienced but is about to start their racing career as they could practice warming up with lots of other horses and keeping calm in a big group. All the jumps are optional, and Tissy will literally stand on poles and step over logs rather than jump them, so I was very surprised when I thought I’d have a go at a teeny tiny cross pole that she actually picked both front feet off the floor.

First, some excitement. As some people know I am now supported by Kevin Bacon Horse care. I have been using the hoof dressing for years and have spent the last few weeks testing out their other products. So I’ll be keeping you updated with how I get on with them in the future.

Qantas is back from three weeks at Readwood rehabilitation livery. As I still couldn’t ride him due to the laser site being so sensitive under his girth, he went to loose some weight and do some training on the water treadmill. He’s come back looking great and ready to start being ridden, finally!

Probably the biggest update is that Azid is looking to find a new home. I don’t want to keep pushing him, he’s only 8 and has so much to give in other aspects away from aiming at FEI endurance. I don’t want his happiness and welfare to be at the detriment of my ambitions. So now he’s sound and has proven he is happy at the lower levels of Endurance or hacking and lightly schooling I felt that I should give him a chance to do just that.

I’ve thought about continuing to try and get him up to FEI level but I don’t feel comfortable pushing him and I would always have at the back of my mind ‘is this right for him, am I going to break him’. If I was to keep him I know I wouldn’t give him the attention and work he deserves as my focus would be on the horse that’s going to perform at the level I want to compete at. He loves attention and he loves his adventures so I want him to have a home that will give their all to him.

There is something so magical about riding next to the sea. It was dreamy to have both Tissy and Azid at the beach together. Dan did an amazing job of keeping Tissy calm and staying on for his first ever beach ride. Although I did jump on Tissy at the end so she could have a bit of a blast through the waves!

I know I’m going to treasure this video, it’ll be one I look back on over the years to remember how lucky I am. Made all the sweeter by the amount of help we needed from my parents and brother to make it happen. Three vehicles, one back up truck, a sausage dog, two horses a boyfriend and a whole weekend to get there!

A huge part of owning a horse is taking care of it’s every need. Competition horses are much more prone to injury and lameness due to the high stresses put on their body during training. That’s why it’s really important to me that I have a regular ‘check in and check up’ so that I can catch any abnormalities as soon as possible.

Now I am not a vet, this does not replace the knowledge and experience a vet would give. But for me the basic place to start is knowing what’s normal. I regularly trot my horses up, probably every other day on their way from the field to the stable. I lunge once a week and slow motion capture their movement so I can see how they are moving and compare it to previous videos to note progress and change.

When I pick out their hooves I always run my hand down the whole leg, checking for lumps, bumps, swelling and heat. I also have a thermal camera that I use around every fortnight to check for any signs of sub-clinical heat (where it’s hotter but not drastic enough to be felt by my hand and there’s no outward signs of injury or lameness yet). Now thermal imaging is a little controversial but for me because I do it regularly on the same horses, under the same circumstances, it’s that built up bank of knowledge and what’s normal for that horse is what makes it a valuable tool. I also use it after riding to look at the heat distribution on their backs and the bottom of my saddle, it’s a great way to show where the contact is and if the fit is even.

I also stretch the horses after every session and run my hands over the muscles, feeling for any tightness, soreness or just unusual flickering. I regularly test the joints range of motion and watch for any reaction to check if anything might be a bit sore.

It’s because of this that when Azid went lame this time, I had stopped training him 3 days before because I felt something wasn’t right, low and behold 3 days later he was lame. Azid has some pretty subtle tells when he’s not comfortable. usually a forward going horse, he’ll just stop and I have to ask him to walk on, where normally I can just think it. He also prefers canter to trot and wants to rush into canter rather than stick to a steady trot. Apart from that though, this time, there is no heat, no swelling, no soreness on testing.

When a horse is lame we tend to stick to a straight forward assessment to try and establish which bit has gone wrong:

• The history of training: I look back at my training logs to see if there are any clues, dips in performance or hard ground for a session or maybe I noted a slip.
• A good look at the horse at rest: Balance and weight-bearing, as well as look for any evidence of injury or stress. How they are grazing in the field, or which foot they are stepping forward with first when asked to walk or trot.
• A thorough hands-on exam: Touch everything! checking muscles, joints, bones and tendons for evidence of pain, heat or swelling.
• Using hoof testers. Applying pressure to the soles of the feet to check for undue sensitivity or pain. Plus checking for any signs of an abscess. I would also always get the farrier out to check feet, shoes and movement.
• Evaluation of the horse moving. I walk and trot up in a straight line on the soft and on concrete and also on a slope. I would then lunge on soft and hard surfaces. Turn on a tight circle both ways and watch them back up. It’s important for me to see them trot straight from the side too, so you can really get a good look at where they are landing and how they are moving.

Actually recognising the signs of injury or lameness is the hard part, particularly if its subtle or they’re not actually lame, just have altered bio-mechanics. There’s quite a cool online tool to help you get better as assessing and recognising lameness: Lameness Trainer. But if a lameness is persistent and I can’t pinpoint the cause then I’ll always get the Physio, Farrier and Vet out.