Bicton Blogger – Abbie Burbidge

Whoopee!! We have the green light to go Eventing!!

Since my last blog, I have been increasing fitness (both horses and mine) in readiness for our first one day event of the year!

After abandoned events and cancellations at the beginning of the season, I am pleased to be preparing for my first competition back.  After lengthy discussions, we are going to save Castle this year in readiness for the rescheduled Science Supplements Cup at Badminton next year. Although he is now back in work, seeing HIS lorry leave a few times without him always leaves him a little miffed!

TJ and Blue have been busy getting ready for their debuts. They have been to cross country schooling the past couple of weeks, proving bold and willing at all combinations that were asked of them. This was followed by a busy weekend show jumping! We went to Bicton to with TJ at their BS three-day show, TJ did a lovely steady double clear in the 90cm. We are very lucky to have Bicton as a local show, who provide and meet the required standards so easily, probably with a lot of hard work and thought! Bicton had a one-way system in place, with designated pole pickers in the new NAF Five Star Arena. The stewards were busy with the Western Counties and Bond Timber arenas making sure both arenas were flowing throughout the day.

The following day we took Blue to another local venue for the 80cm and 90cm showjumping classes. Blue did two double clears despite the scary spectators sitting by the gates in the arena! All event organisers and managers are working extremely hard to get competitions back running in these new and strange times.

Although it may be frustrating for some, “we are all in the same boat” as mum would put it.  Thank you to all organisers, secretaries, stewards, and volunteers for getting us all competing!