Zulu is the oldest of our homebred horses and has always been very special. He is out of my Dad’s hunter – who had a fantastic jump – and by Welton Apollo. He is very intelligent and enthusiastic; as a youngster he use to undo his stable bolt and clip, and go along the line releasing his friends for a midnight canter! He always tries his hardest and loves performing to an audience.

Zulu has won at every level up to Advanced now, was 2nd at the U21 Championships as a 7yr old (which was also his first 3-day event), and was 3rd at Burgie CCI** in ’10.

Last year he has topped that by producing two double clears at CCI*** : finishing 6th in the U25 Championships at Bramham, and 9th at Blenheim, where he and Charlotte were also the 3rd best British combination.

TOP RESULTS 2011:

9th Blenheim CCI*** (jumped double clear)

2nd Aston-le-Walls: AU25

6th Bramham: CCI*** U25 Championships (jumped double clear)

10th Belton: AU25

Woody was originally bought for my sister, Al, but he was quite cheeky and I ended up swapping him for a horse I had that she loved. I was supposed to give him back…. but luckily I’ve managed to avoid it so far!

He is such an easy horse to have around, and as a fantastic jumper he upgraded to Advanced easily last year.  This season his aim will be the U25 Championships at Bramham.

TOP RESULTS 2011:

16th Gatcombe Intermediate Championships

6th Tattersalls: CCI** U25

9th Aston-le-Walls: I  (jumped double clear)

Miss Perky has it all; the movement, the jump and the presence to be a real contender. We bought her through Francesca Pollara after Little Beau’s accident, and have taken our time at Novice as she was lacking confidence.

There has never been any doubt about her talent, but she is very careful which has meant she has needed nurturing.  Last year though she produced a double clear in her first International at Tattersalls, and went on to lead Hartpury CCI* from the start, until one pole down relegated her to 2nd.  Still, this was a great result and this year she will be aimed at Houghton CCI**. 

TOP RESULTS 2011:

2nd Hartpury: CCI*

12th Wilton: I

4th Withington: N (jumped double clear)

5th Burnham Market: N (jumped double clear)

Simi is our next homebred (three of his older siblings were sold), and is a half brother to Zulu, by Its Without Doubt.

A champion in the show ring as a youngster he nearly found a new career, but he has such a spring we decided to keep him and let him follow in his big brother’s footsteps.

Simi finished last season really confident at Novice and went back to Scotland for a holiday, and to hunt (as he’s the family favourite!).  He is going to stay at home with Al for the time being, before hopefully returning later on in the season.

TOP RESULTS 2011

Purston Manor: Novice (jumped double clear)

Aston-le-Walls: Novice (jumped double clear)

7th Brigstock: PN (jumped double clear)

6th Milton Keynes: PN (jumped double clear)

7th Sapey: PN (jumped double clear)

There’s a lot to look forward to from my camp.  In addition to Zul hopefully making it to Badminton, Woody is being aimed for the U25 Championships at Bramham, and Miss Perky will hopefully make her CCI** debut at Houghton.  In addition to that I have a lovely 5yr by Harlequin du Carel to compete, as well as my first proper Dressage horse, (thank you Jan Whitehead) which is very exciting.  So I think it will be all action as March arrives…

Before that though there’s going to be a lot of cold, murky days and nights, and I think I’m going to be surviving through those memories of Africa… Before Christmas one of my sponsors – Aardvark Safaris – sent me on a journalist mission to Kenya, to experience one of their riding safaris.  I can’t give too much away now as the article is due to come out in the next issue of ‘Eventing’ mag., but suffice to say it was easily one of the best weeks of my life.  I hadn’t actually been planning on going on holiday, but now I see why people do it – you do actually return with a renewed zest for life! Genius.

And with that in mind, bring on 2012!

Rio is a great Event model; German bred with fantastic movement, plenty of scope and a light frame.  His father was a Derby specialist, and Rio has proven himself both brave and careful so far.

His half brother (a 2yr old colt by the same sire, and called ’I Can Fly’) caused a lot of excitement at the Addington Brightwells auction in December, and went on to be the top lot of the weekend.

Rio was bought purely to produce and sell on, and is a great prospect for someone to go and have fun with.   

Babe is a legend!  My sister brought him back from Goresbridge sales two years ago to produce and have some fun with, but unfortunately her degree has proved a little more time consuming than anticipated.  As a result he is now for sale, but I am hoping to do some events before then. 

Babe’s father in fact jumped for Ireland in 138cm classes, while his mother was a small horse who had had some success Eventing, so jumping is in his genes!

Dumbleton is a new arrival on the yard, and is a real pleasure to have around.  He Evented up to 1* with Laura Collett, but has since proved himself a great all-rounder by doing a variety of things, including winning a great deal in the show-ring with none other than Robert Oliver.   

Anna is a beautiful young Dressage horse, with fantastic breeding.  Owned by Carl Hester, her father - Negretto - was a son of Negro and therefore half brother to the British gold medallist Valegro.  Sadly he had an accident before his talent could be fulfilled. 

Anna was a late starter due to having a foal, but she has a wonderful temprement, natural balance and a fantastic hind leg, which makes her a very exciting prospect.        

Harley came from Ireland as an unbroken 3 year old, and has spent time growing up in Scotland.  He is a great character; full of bravado and mischief, but sensitive at the same time.  Despite being quite a big horse he has a sort of easy athleticism, and is a very exciting prospect for the future.