Captain Future

16.2hh 5yo Bay gelding by Captain Fire.

Captain is absolutely stunning looking, he has beautiful paces and is naturally balanced. He is proving to be hugely scopey and careful. He will soon be going out to some jumping shows and then will then be ready to XC school. I aim to start eventing him September at BE90 and BE100 level.

He is a true star of the future, and I genuinely believe has 4* potential which is why I am so keen to keep him and produce him to top level!

1/3 rd shares available at £7,000. This price will INCLUDE all the running costs for 2013.

Please contact Georgie on georgie@georgiespence.com or 07816 098844 for more info

SEEKS NEW EVENTERS AND SHOW JUMPERS FOR 2013 AND BEYOND

How can I even start, Woody is and was a complete star. I cant thank Gill Davison enough for coming over on the Friday to help me with the dressage, I had headed up to Bramham on my own so was nice to not only have her so I could produce a fantastic result, but to also help with the nerves, I had had an unsuccessful Bramham 2012 and it is always nerve-racking heading back to an event after a disappointment.

Woody went in and produced a great test with just one small mistake, jogging into his canter transition after the rein back, he lay 3rd after dressage on a 47.4. The XC was big and bold and I thought more like a 4* track. Plus the hills are ridiculous!!

Woody though, was a star. He jumped everything amazing, I was held just before a big combination towards the end of the course, Woody had chance to get his breath back and although he then popped through the tricky combination very well, he then got very strong and over jumped the first to parts in the last water and I then had to take the long route, this wasted some time, but I was delighted with a clear XC. We moved down to 5th place with 7.6 time faults.

Next was trot up, he was very fresh and excited and passed with flying colours. He was jumping his socks off in the warm up for the show jumping, he made up too much room in both the double and combination and rolled two poles but it caused a lot of problems and we held onto 5th place! I was so pleased with him, he was a complete star!!

May has been a bit busier. We went to Moreton Morrell with Smartie and Congo. They were both fantastic, Smartie did a 32.5 dressage, one unlucky fence down and a clear XC inside the time to finish 8th. I thought Congo did a lovely test, but I don’t think the judge was as impressed as he scored 41.0 but jumped a lovely double clear to finish just out of the placings.

Next I was at Aston le Walls, with George in the OI and Smartie and Congo in the Novice. George did a nice test to score 33.6, sadly had 3 down SJ, but a lovely clear XC. Congo scored 36.0 in the dressage, clear SJ, but then had a stop XC at the owl hole, he was just a bit green, but otherwise jumped the course very well. Smartie did a 35.5 and jumped double clear with a handful of time faults.

Next event was West Buckland, back with the Novice’s. Congo scored 40.5 and Smartie 32.5. Then both rolled a pole XC and jumped a clear XC. I then headed to Tweseldown, with the same two horses in the Novice and Milo (Millhollow Classic) in the NRF. Milo was fantastic, scoring 30.5 in the dressage and jumping an immaculate double clear inside the time to finish 5th and qualify for the Novice Champs at Gatcombe.

Congo had a disappointing result even though he actually went very well. 37.5 dressage, one down Sj and a 20 penalties XC. He tipped up the step on the 3rd last fence, and didn’t make the distance to a skinny. Smartie however was fantastic, with a 32.5 dressage and a double clear on the time to finish 4th.

I was disappointed that we didn’t get to go to Poland for the CIC*** Nations Cup team, 2 of the riders were ill and sadly we didn’t want to go out there as an individual. Woody will however now head to Bramham CCI*** u25.

**********Thank you to everyone who has donated so far**********

CHARITY SUPPORT- PLEASE HELP RAISE £700! One day you may need an air ambulance. 

My sister Charlie Spence is raising money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance along with her friend Suzie Drewett.

On the 29th June they are cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats over the course of 11 days.

They have chosen to support the charity Air Ambulance, as they rescued my sister from Bicton show ground after a horse fall when she was 14 yrs old. She was flown to hospital where she recovered from severe concussion.

The air ambulance have been a great service for horse riders all over the country at all levels.

It costs £700 a day to keep a helicopter in the air so they are aiming to raise at least £700 each, but need the support of everyone out there who loves and rides horses as we never know when we may need their help in the future.

To donate please go to:

www.justgiving.com/charliespence

any small donation will be greatly received. Thank you

I have made the very difficult decision to retire Running Brook II (George) from top level competition. At the age of 17yrs after eight 4* events together he owes me absolutely nothing, and I want to retire him fit and well. I just don’t want to push him and risk breaking his heart, he is far too important to me.

He is looking and feeling as well as he ever has and therefore I am going to lease him to a younger rider to compete up to CCI* level. He has taught me so much, and I want to give him the opportunity to teach someone else. The home is the most important thing, although I ideally want someone local who I can continue to teach, or someone who might like to keep him in full livery with me. But I would obviously consider him going further afield if the home was perfect for him. He is an absolutely dream horse.

Career results;
2006 – 6th Weston Park CCI**
15th Tweseldown CCI**
10th Aston le walls Advanced
2007 – 15th Somerley CIC**
13th Chatsworth CIC***
8th Gatcombe intermediate champs
2nd Bramham U25 CCI***
2008 – 6th Somerley CIC**
5th Aston le walls Advanced
Clear XC BADMINTON 4*
Clear XCBURGHLEY 4*
2009 – Clear XC BADMINTON 
Completed BURGHLEY 4*
2010 – Clear XC Pau, France 4*
2011 – Clear XC Bramham CCI***
Clear XC BURGHLEY 4*
2012 – Clear XC Belton, Burnham, Houghton CIC***
Clear XC BURGHLEY 4*

SEEKS NEW EVENTERS AND SHOW JUMPERS FOR 2013 AND BEYOND

It is nice at last to be out eventing.

The first event we got to was Larkhill. I took Congo and Smartie for the BE100. They both produced nice tests, Congo had 1 fence down clear, but clear XC and Smartie jumped double clear to finish 3rd.

Belton was the next stop with George and Woody doing the Advanced, it was a big ask for their first event of the season as Gatcombe was cancelled. They were a little fresh in theirs test, scoring 37.7 and 38. George jumped amazingly for 1 down, and Woody rolled 2. Them Woody jumped a fab clear XC, George pulled a shoe, then ran past a corner so I retired. Overall was pleased with them.

Congo and George then headed to Solihull, George had an easy run around the Novice and went well, I just wanted him to have an easy run after Belton. Congo was a star, he did a lovely test, a little green, but I was pleased with 35.5 and jumped a lovely double clear.

The we headed to Withington for the Advanced with George and Woody. Woody did a fantastic test to score 33.5, one fence down which was my fault and another great clear XC. George did a nice test, but wasn’t that well marked with a 41.0, sadly he didn’t SJ well, so I didn’t take him XC.

It has been a full on month, having not eventing for ages, but its fantastic to be back out eventing.

*****SHARER REQUIRED*****
I am looking for a sharer to help ride my ex 2* eventer. He is s 16.1hh 11yo Bay gelding. He injured himself 18 months ago, so I am now looking for someone who wants to hack and school (possibly some jumping) He must stay at current yard, he is full of character so no beginners please. Applicant must be competent around competition type horses. He is very good in traffic and very well schooled on the flat, but can be a bit sharp sometimes. Otherwise very easy. No stable duties required, just exercise and grooming 2-4 times a week and contributions towards his costs. Please email me if interested on georgie@georgiespence.com

Well March was supposed to be the start of our event season. However, sadly Gatcombe and Goring Heath were both cancelled. Instead we have taken the horses to a few dressage and SJ shows. They have all be going well and are ready to get out eventing. I have XC schooled them all a couple of times, and I am really excited about them all. I only have 4 to event this year, but all 4 are very talented and I am really looking forward to this year.

Next the young ones are meant to be going to Larkhill for the BE100 and George and Woody will be starting out at the advanced under 25 at Belton.

We have had a busy February. All the horses have been out jumping and all doing well. Lulu now has a couple of BN and D double clears, with several top 6 places. Smartie has been placed in all his 1.05m classes and did his first Newcombers at West Wilts, jumping double clear for 2nd. Woody has been fantastic, a few double clears at fox. Then was 2nd in the Fox at West Wilts and jumped well in his first 1.35m, we had a couple down but he jumped fantastic.

George hasn’t been out jumping yet, but is going very well at home. Feeling as supple as ever and he’s 17yrs this year!! Woody was very lucky and got a new Devoucoux saddle earlier this week and George is due to have one fitted soon. Our first event is Gatcombe with the experienced horses then they head to Belton CIC*** and the young horses go to Goring Heath then Larkhill.

Well January has been a bit of a rollercoaster with this weather. Charlotte and I had good fun sledging with some friends, but clearing the yard and walker of snow was a challenge. We had a few days when we couldn’t use the arena, but generally I think we were lucky and the arena cleared first!!

We have had a couple of outings. DEC Black Pearl (Lulu) Congo and Smartie went show jumping to West Wilts. Lulu was good, it was her first ever show and she jumped 2 nice rounds. Smartie was very excited but jumped 2 double clears and Congo was great. One unlucky pole and a double clear at 1m and 1.05m.

Then we were back at West Wilts for some dressage. Smartie and Woody went out. They were both fantastic, Smartie was running through 2 BE100 tests, he scored 73 and 76%. And Woody ran through a 3* test scoring 70 and 74%. So oeverall I was delighted!

Next we were back to West Wilts show jumping again! Lulu was a little too fresh and jumped huge over the first few then got a bit spooky in both classes resulting in a few down. Smartie jumped a perefct double clear in the 1.05m, but sadly over reached so couldn’t jump the Newcombers. And Woody jumped an easy double clear in the 1.15m for 4th, and had an unlucky fence in the Fox as I was a bit close to a parrellel. Overall very pleased. January in now over and the season is fast approaching!!!

I can’t believe it is 2013 already, the winter has flown by and all the horses are now in work, half of them after clipped and half hairy, so Mum will have a busy few days getting the others all tidied up. I plan to do a few dressage and jumping competitions over the next 2 months, and then in February the horses will do some XC schooling before the season starts…….not long now and we’ll be back out eventing!!!

November has certainly been a quieter month. All the horses went onto holiday except Star and Minnie milo who stayed in work and have been jumping. We went to West Wilts on 6th, Star jumped well, double clear in the 1.05m but had a rail in the j/o of the Newcombers. Milo was a superstar and won the Discovery and was 2nd in the 1.05m.

We were back at West Wilts a few weeks later on the 20th. Star had one down in the j/o of the Newcombers, but jumped a super double clear for 2nd in the 1.15m. A couple of days later, someone came to see Star and bought her and Milo went home to his owners for a rest so it has been very quiet at home, and its given me time to see some friends and stay with my sister in London.

On 3rd December, my new girl, Charlotte starts with us and all the horses will come in and start walk work.

The last 2 events of the season have come and gone. I had Congo and Milo competing at Calmsden. It was Milo’s last event of the season, he did a nice test to score 33.5, super clear in the SJ, and then mis-read a log into the woods for an annoying 20 penalties. Congo was a superstar. A good test to score 27.0 and jumped double clear inside the time to finish just behind the leader in 2nd.

Larkhill, and I had Congo and Star competing in the Novice. On paper they didn’t go well, but both horses actually felt amazing. Star did another consisent test to score 35.0, first fence she has ever had down in the SJ and a baby run out XC. She just didn’t pick up the line to a skinny after an angled brush, but otherwise felt amazing. Congo also score 35.0, jumped amazing until he nearly slipped over on a turn then had the next few fences down which was a real shame, then he felt good XC, a silly run out at an easy fence but learn’t a lot and will now have a nice holiday before a winter’s training to come out ready for next season.

We had a great day at Berkshire College. Star, Smartie and Congo were all doing their first Novice. Star again was a complete Star. A few wobbles in the test but was in the top 5 after dressage on a 35.0 and jumped a fab double clear with just 3.2 time faults to finish 3rd.

Congo did a lovely lest to score 36.5 and Smartie 36.0. The rolled a pole each, Smartie went on to jump a perfect clear XC, and Congo was really unlucky to have an annoying 20 penalities. There was a step to a brush skinny and he was concentrating so much on the step and got the the skinny and said ‘gosh mum we nearly hit that’ but came back round and popped straight over it so I was very pleased with all of them!!!