Photo by Matt Nuttall Photography

My name is Pippa Gloag and I am a 16 year old event rider based in Oxfordshire. I am currently competing in my last year in FEI pony trials with my Pony Trafalgar Blue (Bloop for short). I am a boarder at Malvern St James and have just been awarded a riding scholarship; the school are really supportive of my riding and are very happy to let me have the necessary days off to ride as long as I catch up on my school work! I’ve been riding since I was about 5 and been eventing for most of that time – I also have 2 sisters (Imogen age 17 currently riding at Intermediate level and aiming for 2* this season and Harriet age 16 who is my twin, aiming for JRN teams at Weston Park in the Autumn). We are very grateful to have just confirmed Sponsorship with Taylor Made Forage, so I am really looking forward to representing them this season! But we are always grateful for any sponsorship as eventing 3 horses and children is far from cheap!

I really enjoy the sport of eventing and I am definitely looking forward to the future, unfortunately Bloops will be for sale after the final trial (Brand Hall) and I will be looking for a new horse to hopefully compete in ONu18’s and Junior Trials.

Photo by Ultimate Images

I am currently in my 4^th year of riding Trafalgar Blue (Bloop), I have produced him to FEI level myself – we bought him from Yorkshire as a very green 8 year old who hadn’t really done anything! But it was definitely a gamble that paid off, Bloops went from BE90 to BE novice within 4 months in his first season eventing clocking up some pretty impressive results on the way – including several wins + top 5 placing’s at BE100 and second at the BE100 area final, he also finished 4^th in his first PON at Goring Heath. In 2011 we started our Pony Trial campaign and ended the season competing in Weston Park CCNP** – our first 3 day event!

Photo by Richard Dawson Photography

We have been doing lots of training over the winter specifically focusing on dressage and keeping a punchy canter in the Show jumping. Jonquil Hemming (British Pony Trainer) has been a great help with my dressage, we have done a few training sessions with her including Stonar Pony Training and they have really paid off – Bloops dressage is already showing a big improvement this season. We have also been out doing lots of show jumping, including jumping several clears round a few 1m20’s and BSJA Pony Foxhunters.

This year my aim is to be invited to Withington Manor Pony Trial and Brand Hall CCNP** (Pony National Championships) with Bloop. We had a great start to the season jumping a double clear at Aston-Le-Walls novice, our next event is Weston Park Pony Trial!

GOOD LUCK PIPPA & BLOOP!

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 To be in with a chance of WINNING A FREE 12 BAG TRIAL PALLET OF EQUIBRIGHT follow the simple instructions below… (make sure you fill in ALL parts!)

If you use Facebook AND Twitter you can enter both ways to double your chances of winning. Entries close midnight 26/03/13. Winner to be selected at random.

LIKE Prime Equine on Facebook:

LIKE Equibright on Facebook:

Follow @Prime_Equine

Follow @Equibright

RETWEET this competition on Twitter (RETWEET BY CLICKING HERE)

Now ANSWER THIS SIMPLE QUESTION, FILL IN THE FORM and hit SUBMIT!

Time is taken to get to know each horse, and having only a small number enables us to get to know them thoroughly, tailoring their education and giving them the time they need to progress.   Clients find that we describe horses in great detail and have time to discuss their needs, giving them time to consider any horse we think may be suitable without pressure and with support.

What enables us to have time to give to horses and clients?   Avonmill Equestrian is the passion of Jo Fairbrother, BA BHSAI (Reg’d), who is originally from Ireland and her family, and the correct education of her horses compliments Jo’s career in Higher Education.   Jo and her husband have jobs away from the horses and this removes any financial need to sell horses quickly or to put pressure on clients to buy.   Quite simply, we have the luxury of time to spend with horses and clients, to listen and build lasting relationships.   The three pages of testimonials on our www.avonmill.co.uk website are evidence of this pledge in practice, as does our busy Avonmill Equestrian Facebook page.

Jo believes in putting time back into the equestrian community and is Vice-Chair of her Region’s BHS Committee for whom she also covers welfare.   She is also a member of her area BS Committee and former Pony Club Assistant DC.

When sourcing horses and ponies Jo only buys those that she would be happy to have and keep for her own family over a period of time, and this philosophy is extended when sourcing horses for clients.   She will not compromise on standards and this enables clients to have confidence in the level of detail and care that has gone into the assessment and production of every horse.

Sharing the production of these horses and ponies are Jo’s two children who are active members of the Pony Club, Riding Club and successful competitors across a range of affiliated disciplines.  

Joining the Avonmill in March 2012 is Jane Ault, a former vet nurse who has a thorough Pony Club background, experience of educating horses from backing, through Young Event Horses classes and beyond, and is completing her UKCC Level 2.   Jane shares Jo’s values about the correct production of horses, and the rider’s role in enabling the horse to understand, learn and develop correctly regardless of their age or stage of education.

At Avonmill you will have the experience that you hoped might be possible, and a good time with your new horse.

The British Horseracing Authority has today (15/02/13) issued a very informative article on why racehorses are not at risk of entering the food chain.  Follow the link below to see what measures are taken to prevent this happening and the facts and figures involved:

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/resources/equine-science-and-welfare/horsemeat_QA.asp

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• provide a fashionable and functional choice of warm winter wear for both men and women

WANT TO WIN A PAIR?

THEN ENTER OUR FANTASTIC COMPETITION! 

WE HAVE 5 PAIRS OF VERY WARM HEAT HOLDER SOCKS TO GIVE AWAY

   HOW TO ENTER OUR WINTER WARMER COMPETITION    

If you use Facebook AND Twitter you can enter both ways to double your chances of winning! Entries close midnight 10/02/13. Winners selected at random.

1. LIKE Prime Equine on Facebook

 2. LIKE Heat Holder Socks on Facebook

 3. SHARE this competition on Facebook
Use the FACEBOOK “Share and enjoy!” button at the foot of this page ↓

1. Follow @Prime_Equine
2. Follow @HeatHolderSocks
3. RETWEET this competition on Twitter
   Use TWITTER button at the foot of this page ↓

Finally, just fill in this form and hit submit!

Good Luck!

                2012 winner, Olympic Three Day Event rider Tina Cook on Pascha Bere 

Whilst some of the 12 riders have had previous racecourse experience, some have not. A good friend of the Prime Equine team, Alison Royston, is one of the lucky riders who have been chosen to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity. Although she has not race ridden before, she is a very accomplished equestrian and is regularly riding-out at trainer’s yards to prepare herself for the big day. To complete her ‘fairytail’ story, Ali is planning to ride a horse she owns, Southampton, and although retired from racing, he has been put back into training with Ben Haslam for this special day! 

Earlier in the week, we spoke to Alison:

‘I am very honoured (and extremely excited!) to have been chosen to take part in the Cancer Research Charity Race at this year’s Cheltenham Festival on 14th March.

We lost Mary (mum, mum-in-law, grandma) to cancer in November last year aged just 64 and sadly almost everyone seems to have a cancer “story” whether directly or indirectly so it’s a disease that touches many people’s lives. To have a runner at Cheltenham is a dream come true – to partner that runner is in the realms of a fairytale for me….but really it’s all about raising tons of money for a very worthy cause’.

Alison’s Just Giving page link is below, which will be kept updated with both her and Southampton’s fitness regime progress.  Any donations for Cancer Reasearch UK would be extremely gratefully received… https://www.justgiving.com/alison-royston

BEST OF LUCK ALI AND SOUTHAMPTON!

The hugely talented, imaginative and versatile photographer, Andrea from Pink Lily, and some of the Prime Equine team, went to Learna’s chosen location and spent an afternoon of great fun and laughter, capturing some incredible shots. Max behaved perfectly throughout and Learna made a gorgeous model! Learna was able to select her favourite shot of the day and included in her prize was a 16inch framed print of her chosen picture (which is in fact the one shown here).

With her wonderful ‘eye’ for a great photo, Andrea was able to make the absolute most of the surroundings, whilst the rest of us had to take her word for it – of course her pictures prove she was always right!  She was certainly not afraid to get her hands dirty (as you can see from this photo taken by Prime Equine!) to get that perfect shot, and with an extremely willing and adventurous model in Learna, some beautiful pictures have emerged. We have no doubt that Learna will cherish her extra special prize forever.

If you would like your very own photo shoot, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Andrea from Pink Lily Photography for a professional yet friendly service to discuss things further. Shoots are £75 which includes a consultation in order to get the best from the shoot and to get some ideas together beforehand.

A very big thank you to Andrea for joining with Prime Equine to bring you this competition and for making the day such a huge success!

Please feel free to leave a comment or get in touch via email, facebook or twitter and let us know of any tricks of the trade that you know about – how ever weird or wonderful!  We will publish as many as we can… Obviously we have not tried all of the following personally and do not take responsibly if things go wrong!!!

• Furniture polish is great to use as a tail detangler – Katie via email

• I used Manuka honey on a deep wound my horse sustained in the field. The wound healed really well and I would definitely use it again – Jane via Facebook

• A bundle of horse hair is great to take grease off your tack! Lucy via email

WIN WIN WIN!

 We have teamed up with MacWet and are GIVING AWAY 5 pairs of their FANTASTIC MacWet gloves…

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As worn by Zara Phillips, Oliver Townend and AP McCoy to name just a few…

See the gloves in action in this short clip…

If you are a facebook AND twitter user, you can enter both ways for more chance of winning!

(Entries close 16/12/12. Winners WILL BE selected at random. Prizes must be claimed before 20/01/13)

ENTER HERE

ALL you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this FANTASTIC prize is….

FOR FACEBOOK USERS…

‘Like‘ Prime Equine

‘Like‘ MacWet

Then ‘SHARE‘ the competition (use FACEBOOK button at the foot of this page to share the competition)

FOR TWITTER USERS…

‘Follow‘ Prime Equine

Follow @Prime_Equine

Follow @MacWetGloves

Then ‘RETWEET‘ the competition (use TWITTER button at the foot of this page to retweet the competition)

Lastly, just fill in this form and hit submit!    

Good Luck!

Unfortunately for the lorry it wasn’t good news and I was told a  recovery truck for both the lorry was on its way, as well as a horse  transporter to take me, Kirsty and the ponies home! I must say and  recommend to absolute everyone that they ensure to take recovery  insurance out on their horse lorry. Luckily for us, Dad pays roughly an  extra £80 a month with the NFU to ensure that if we break down we get the horses as well as the lorry recovered. Had we not have had the extra insurance, the recovery for the lorry alone would have been £1000 apparently, and then there would have been the costs of getting the  horses home! So, despite an extra outlay each month, if something does happen it is completely worth it. The service we were also provided was absolute with was second to none. We were asked what type of horses we had with us, what size and what they were currently traveling in. Up  until the point when the horse transporter arrived for the ponies, I had been phoned 3 times to check I was okay and the ponies were also  comfortable whilst we were waiting. Despite us telling the recovery  people we were at an equestrian centre and okay, they still phoned and  kept phoning every so often until they knew we were all loaded and on  our way home.

The lovely horse transporter that came to take the ponies and us home  was also fantastic. When I told her I was going to fetch my haynets she  told me not to bother as she had provided haylage for them…which  Ceaser loved! She saw I was worried about loading Ceaser in to a  different lorry because of his previous problems loading but didn’t  pressure me into hurrying up and helped as much as she could! Amazingly  though, Ceaser loaded after just two tries and was very relaxed, despite having a previous bad experience in a small lorry very similar. Sara  also loaded with no problems and soon enough, only an hour and a half  after initially calling for breakdown services, the ponies were tucking  into their haylage and we were on our way home with the lorry not far  behind on the recovery truck (with a rather nice looking recovery man  driving!).

We drove lovely and slow home and the lady driving very kindly put the  CCTV on for me so I could watch the ponies in the back. I now have no  idea what I worry about every time Ceaser sets foot in a lorry as watching him travel on the camera showed me that he is in fact a perfect traveler and barely moves! I think I often worry because he can panic  in small spaces that I think he does whilst we’re moving too. It has  also proved to me that I can accept lifts from friends when they offer  them now as he will go into another horsebox, despite me thinking he wont and we have to go everywhere in ours! Although it was a very  mixed day of some goods and some bad, I think the good that came out of  the bad made everything worthwhile. If we hadn’t of broken down I would  have never have known Ceaser both travels and loads fine into other  boxes and not just our! By 6pm, we were all home and the ponies were  back in their stables eating dinner. What could have been a very  stressful day, turned out to be not so bad. (thanks to Dads recovery  insurance!)

Our lorry has now gone to be fixed and should be back in the next 2 weeks so it wont stop us from competing too much – I have also had  offers of lifts to my next competition just in case anyway! There’s no  getting rid of us off the dressage circuit that easy. Plus, since  getting home I have been pestering Dad that I need a 3.5 tonne lorry  that I can drive and he hasn’t outright said no. I think he realises now that it is much easier to have a smaller lorry for so many reasons.  When I told him the benefits he also agreed. Of course, the lovely  3.5tonne horsebox I have seen on Ebay is now on my Christmas list…..