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Next para competitions:
11 Feb, Vale View
22 Feb, Solihull
January 2007
Fit for Anything
With a new year comes new year resolutions... so I have joined the local gym in order to make sure I get fitter, stronger and try to improve my balance and posture this year. I'm already quite fit because I ride a lot and work on the yard, but I would like to have more stamina and better core stability.
Aireville Leisure Centre in Skipton is registered with the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) scheme which aims to ensure people with disabilities have access to leisure facilities. My instructor has written up an exercise plan for me, and I am going to go and train at least once a week.
Aireville Leisure Centre
I am still doing Tai Chi every Friday and I also attend a dance class on Thursdays. These are both good for improving my balance, co-ordination and posture.
Good start to 2007
I went to Manor Grange Stud on 13th January 2007 and competed in my first ever BD affiliated Elementary tests. I did E41 and E44 Open classes (as Indi has been downgraded from Advanced Medium points) and I was delighted to come 1st in E44 and 2nd in E41. I was really pleased with the E44 as I got 64% which was the highest score of the class overall. I rode the tests in sitting trot (although this is no longer compulsory for Elementary level) and it helped me to keep Indi together in all his trot work.
This was also my first competition using my new WOW saddle. Indi has been working well in it at home and he finds it very comfortable because of the air-filled panels.
My next competition will probably be the Winter Para Qualifier at Vale View on 11th February.
2007 World Championships - not long to go
The FEI World Para Dressage Championships will take place later this year at Hartpury College from 16 – 22 July. Construction of the new £3.5 million International Indoor Arena at Hartpury is well under way and I've been watching the progress of the build on the Hartpury website.
Every month they add new photos and it's really exciting to think that I could be riding there in the World Championships in just over 6 months time.
There are lots of ways for people to get involved. Click here for more information on volunteering.
I am sure the organisers will still be looking for suitable horses for use by those foreign riders who need to compete on borrowed horses, so lending a horse is another way to get involved.
See the competition page for results from the first qualifying competition (Patchetts EC, 9 Jan 2007) for the GB World Championship squad.