The winners of the 2011 Showing Personality of the Year Awards were announced at the Crown Plaza, Birmingham  NEC, on the 4^th October, and we’re proud to say that Jenna won the Missina Horseboxes Handler of the Year!

Congratulations to Jenna and all of the finalists and winners!

There were over twenty in the class and Maybe was well behaved, so I could only pray and wait for the results.  The top six were placed in reverse order, but after hearing the first five I thought there were far too many top ponies, it could’ve been anyone’s.  I was so excited when my number was shouted out!

We had to wait for two more classes before the Championship, and again they called in reverse order.  After what seemed like forever waiting, the reserves number was called out, leaving me as Champion, so Maybe has done it again!  We’re off to London Olympia!  I’m so excited and happy, can’t wait to see him shine under the Earls Court spotlight with Chestfields Equine Products.

Samantha Bell

The horses have achieved so much this year, starting with the beautiful Dwenqua who had a fantastic BSPA Summer Championship at Equifest, winning Champion.  She was also Champion in the Brightwells Auctioneers Sporthorse final for the third year running, and is the only horse to have ever won the title as a yearling, a two year old and now three year old; and then the Supreme in hand Champion best in show.  She has an incredible presence and ‘look at me’ attitude, alongside a trainable mind and loving temperament, all qualities that are rarely found together.

It feels wonderful to end her third season on such a high, and she’s now enjoying a well deserved break until after Christmas when we’ll be learning to trot in circles ready for our Novice classes early next Spring, exciting stuff!

Calvin, however, has not been afforded the luxury of time off!  As a victim of his own success he’s still working hard and seems to be wondering why he’s not done for the year, we’re all so excited about HOYS!

I’ve been told to just relax and enjoy it, I’m over the moon to be in the Cuddy Final and I can honestly say Calvin has never looked better.  His coat is in a beautiful condition and dare I say, Chestfields Mane & Tail shampoo and conditioner seems to be controlling the pony frizz and making his afro a lot easier to plait!

Calvin has no trouble with large crowds and is a true showman so fingers, toes and everything else crossed, we’re in for a fantastic first of many Horse of the Year Shows!

Until next time,

Jenna x

He is spending some time with us to gain some more competition experience before being offered for sale.  After winning his first 2 novices, we thought he was ready to have a go at some Elementarys.  Again he was a star and took it like a duck to water, winning both his classes with 69% and 64%.  We have now decided it is time for him to be advertised, I think he will make a good schoolmaster type for someone.

We’re starting to think about which horses are going to the GBPRE show to be held at the college, Keysoe on the 1st and 2nd October.  It’s the first time we’ve had a qualifier for SICAB (Spanish National Championships held in Sevilla in November), so it’s a very exciting time!  We would urge anyone with an interest in the Spanish horse to go along, it will be a great opportunity to see these wonderful horses all together.

Emma Thomas

Esperanza Dressage

My next competition was Carlton in Bedfordshire. I shared the travelling there with my friend Kelly Hibbitt. I ran Sam still at the lower level as he was already entered in that class. It was a blazing hot day and I was pleased to be riding just the one horse.

Sam did a lovely relaxed test but I was still surprised with his score which put him in the top ten. I didn’t think it was quite that good but I wasn’t arguing!

The showjumping was not so good. Sam charged round showing off and took two fences down which was so frustrating. He cruised round the XC with only one sticky moment when the jockey forgot where we were going and had to put in a handbrake turn! He was definitely ready for the next level, bigger jumps may just back him off a little and slow him down.

Next was Shelford with Skibo and Sam. Both entered in the BE 100 and Skibo’s big qualifier day.

I was very nervous warming Skibo up for the dressage and I think it was obvious. Emily Chandler stepped in and gave me 20 minutes instruction which was calming and built some confidence. I needn’t have worried, Skibo was brilliant and we lay second after this phase. Sams test wasn’t quite so fluent but he tried very hard and I was pleased with him.

Skibo then had one down showjumping. Rider error – I over rode him in a related distance but we were still in with a chance if we went clear XC.

I was a bit worried about the XC as there was a new shiny trakhenner on the course along with a scary corner and double of angled hedges. We set off positively and all was going well, until we approached the hedge which Skibo sailed over in the spring.  Not this time, he took one look at it and slammed the brakes on.  I was so cross with him, all hopes dashed in a single second but this is what he does from time to time and maybe I should have been more prepared.

Sam had one jump down and I was over the moon with him. The XC didn’t go quite so smoothly, he got a bit overwhelmed half way around and refused the corner. It gave me a good idea of where we go with him now and I wasn’t too disappointed with him.

News at home is that we are having a new 60 X 30 jumping arena built so no excuses for bad showjumping next year! It’s chaos with all the earthworks and the trucks bringing in the hard core but it will all be worth it in a couple of weeks when I have a huge arena to ride in!

My plans for the rest of the year are to compete at Oasby and possibly the 3 day at Aldon in Somerset then hang up the eventing gear for another season.

Miranda Gent

The results speak for themselves. Lady Clare law stallion which James has ridden and produced since February won the ridden stallions, the Morphology section of the 7yrs plus stallion section the joint ridden and in hand results, Reserve Functionality Champion; And was overall Champion Stallion of the Show so a fantastic result for his first year!

Emma Thomas

Esperanza Dressage

Photos courtesy of Caroline Howlett.

For a busy professional groomer, time can be saved as quite often only one wash is required.  Also, Chestfields pet shampoo can be used on the whole body, making it unnecessary to use a seperate ‘no tears’ shampoo on the face, which can cut down on cost.

For discerning customers, who express a preference for an environmentally friendly product, Chestfields pet shampoo is certainly the only one I’d recommend.

Jane Greener @ Hair Off The Dog  16/6/11

Also the fly spray was excellent.  Not a fly in sight in a traditionally fly-infested venue.

Regards

Sara (Ireland)

As the Ring 5 sponsor for the season, we’re giving away loads of tickets and Chestfields products to 5 lucky winners, and here’s how you enter…

To be in with a chance of winning via Facebook you need to ‘like’ the Chestfields page, and share any link related to this competition. To win with Twitter, you need to follow Chestfields and Retweet any post related to this competition, simple!

The five prizes up for grabs are as follows…

1. Two tickets and members enclosure passes for the Thursday 28th July, including VIP parking. Plus one Chestfields Show Pack including Total Bodywash, Mane & Tail, Show & Shine and our new Fly Repellent!
2. One ticket for two to any day of the RIHS (not including parking) and one Chestfields Fly Repellent
3. One ticket for two to any day of the RIHS (not including parking) and one Chestfields Fly Repellent
4. Chestfields Fly Repellent
5. Chestfields Fly Repellent

Winners will be drawn on Thursday 21st July 2011, and we’ll contact you via Facebook or Twitter if you’re one of them! Make sure you check if you’ve won, as we’ll need you full address asap to make sure the tickets get to you in time.

Good luck!