Hi guys Charlie Boardman here … some of you may know already as I have written a few articles for BRT. I work in the industry, producing my young horse, am a freelance instructor and also the West Lancashire eventing team captain.
Here is just a short update of how me and my young horse Edd are doing, going into his first event season. I hope to keep you informed and take you on a journey with me through the 2022 event season.
I remember the first time I did my first BE event (British Eventing) and said to my Dad; look there’s more lads my age competing than girls and that was one of the first time I felt like I fitted in.
So far…
FEBRUARY
Edd has been going great, he came 6th in the British dressage area festivals at Aintree and was leading for a couple of hours before being knocked off top spot by more established partnerships. I was super proud of him and he was the youngest in the prize giving.
Since that competition he has been going out to arena hire jumping courses and xc.
MARCH
We entered the one-day event 80 at Bold heath Equestrian centre doing each phase in a different arena then the xc in the huge outdoor, he was great achieving double clear and just a few time penalties. I wanted him to understand where he was going as it was his first time doing a course however I do need to stop holding the hand brake on and let him go and move away from the fence, but he was great and I was very proud of him.
APRIL
I went XC schooling on grass at Somerford Park farm with my instructor Carrie Byrom who always gets the best out of me. He jumped great and at this stage in his career is developing the fundamentals – straightness, rhythm and understanding the question before we jump any bigger. Then went to a show jumping competition last weekend jumping the 90 cm where he jumped a lovely double clear coming 4th I was really very happy with the way he jumped and progressed.
MAY
The 1st will be the start of his first event season at Eland lodge, an unaffiliated event to start off with and then at least 2-3 a month with the aim consolidating confidence in BE90. Also, we will be representing West Lancs pony club at all 3 area qualifiers and hoping to qualify for the champs.
