Well, Team Spence is certainly cold. I am now pleased that I started to dressage and jump them earlier this winter, as we have actually done plenty of competitions with them all. Recently we took a few horses to dressage and they all scored between 68 and 76%.

We are now catching up on plenty of hacking as this horrible cold weather has frozen the arena. George and Tomi have started their canter, luckily our fields have coped really well and we are still able to work in them, so full steam ahead for Badminton.

We are all hoping it warms up soon, and then we are planning some XC schooling.

We took a lorry load of 5 to Summerhouse today. Victor, Rico, Woody, Tomi and even George came out for a little jumping trip.

Rico jumped a very good double clear to finish 3rd in the Newcombers and Victor was also a star finishing 4th, George also jumped a super double clear. In the 1.15m, Victor jumped a fast clear to finish 3rd, and Rico was close behind in 5th. They then decided that due to daylight hours they wouldn’t be able to run the 1.30m, so it was a bit of a rush to get all 5 horses in the 1.15m. George touched 1 fence in the jump off. Woody had the last fence as I took it a bit tight, and Tomi got caught out in a short double.

Tomi and Woody then went on to jumped super rounds in the Foxhunter, sadly each touching a fence in the jump off, but all in all the were fresh and excited to be outdoors and jumped very well!!

We went to West Wilts again, competing in an Eventer’s Dressage competiton. This enables Event Rider’s to run through British Eventing tests.

This time we took, George, Woody and Victor. They all behaved very well, competing in two intermediate tests. They all scored about 70% and Victor really impressed with his 72.8%

A great preparation for the season, which is not far off now!

Well we had yet another fantastic day SJ. I’m almost wondering when my luck is going to run out. We took Victor for his first jumping outing back since his holiday. He was super, a very ecomical jumper, who skim’s over but clears everything, two double clears, picking up 2nd in the 1.05m and 3rd in the Newcombers.

Grace and Rico were in the 1.15m. Rico was a bit spooky but once he got going jumped lovely. Grace was a speed demon and won by 3 seconds. They were then both in the Foxhunter along with Woody. Woody had an unlucky fence in the first round, but Grace and Rico jumped classy clears. They then sadly both had the last fence in the jump off, the distance was a bit odd, and I pushed for 4 on Grace and waited for 5 on Rico and didn’t meet either right, which was a shame.

Woody then jumped in the 1.30m, his first class at this height since the summer, but only his second 1.30m. He jumped out of his skin, and jumped an immaculate double clear to finish 4th. I couldnt believe how much he had grown up, and I am so excited about him for this eventing season!!

We had a great day at West Wilts doing our first dressage tests of 2012. We took 4 horses, Rico, Woody, Grace and Tomi. They were all doing 2 BE intermediate tests. Tomi ran through her tests very well. I have now had her a full year, and she is certainly a lot better now than she was when we were doing dressage a year ago.

Grace too, has really improved, and I was delighted with a 69.5% and a 70.5%. Woody was fantastic, a bit of a spook in places but was consistent and accurate otherwise and has really turned a corner scoring 69.1% and 69.5%. Rico is proving to be a star, and is certainly climbing the ladder on the way to being one of the favourite’s on the yard, scoring 70.5% and 71.8% with only one horse beating him overall.

I was so excited with the way they all well. A great start to 2012 and roll on a competitive eventing season!!

We had another fantastic day at Hand Equestrian Centre. I only took 3 horses. Rico, Grace and Tomi, and they all jumped fantastically.

They started with the Newcombers and couldnt have gone better, all jumping double clear, with Rico winning, Grace finishing 2nd and Tomi 3rd. (what superstars). They then jumped in the Foxhunter. Rico and Grace sadly rolled a pole in the first round, but jumped well, and Tomi was on course for a prize, but sadly touched the last fence in the jump off.

But we came home in profit so very pleased!!

We had a busy day at West Wilts today with 5 horses. I took, Milo, Woody, Rico and Andy. And Annabelle Bowman-Shaw brought up Buz in her own lorry.

We started in the Discovery with Andy and Buz. Sadly Andy didnt jump his best and had a few fences down, but Buz jumped a great round and was unlucky to touch one fence. He then went on to jump a super double clear in the 1.05m finishing 2nd. I havent competed him for over a year, so I was really pleased with him.

Next we had Woody, Rico and Milo in the 1.15m. Woody jumped a steady double clear, Rico had the penaltimate fence in the jump off, which was a shame as he would have finished 2nd, and Milo had a early fence in the jump off, so I just went slowly.

Rico then took a dislike to the water tray in the Foxhunter and had a cheeky run out, but otherwise jumped well. Woody had a fence down on an awkward line as I had come in a bit to quick to the first part, but Milo pulled out all the stops to win the class with a great double clear.

So although we had a slightly 4 faultitis day, they all jumped well and Milo kept up the winning ways!!

Be Prepared for the forthcoming Season

Intensive Training Day with Georgie Spence

What the day will include: You will be split into 3 groups of up to 4 people, depending on
the level you are training at. In the morning you will have a group flatwork
lesson with Georgie. You will have the opportunity to watch the other lessons
to gain a greater depth of knowledge. At 12noon lunch will be provided. You
will then have a tour of the yard and a chance to look around our lorry and
tack room. You can ask any questions and meet some of the stars of the yard.
The afternoon will be focussing on jumping. We will work on exercises to
improve your overall riding and horse’s way of going, and you’ll even be in
with a chance to win ‘A Course Walk at Badminton 2012 with Georgie!’

Date of course:           11^th February 2012

Plan of the day

Flatwork lesson
9am – BE90
10am – BE100
11am – Novice

12-1pm LUNCH – During the lunch break you will have
a tour of Georgie’s yard, and get to meet her top horses, including Badminton
ride, RUNNING BROOK II, and a Nutritionist from Bailey’s Horse Feeds will be on
hand to talk about feeding your own horse through the day!

Jumping lesson
1pm – 90/95cm
2pm – 1.0/1.05m
3pm – 1.10/1.15m

Prize Draw: We will also
be holding a prize draw for everyone who is booked onto the course;

1^st - one lucky winner will win ‘A course walk for 2 at Badminton 2012 with Georgie Spence’
2^nd – 50% off a follow up lesson with Georgie Spence
3^rd – Free Voucher of a Bag of Baileys Horse Feeds

Price of intensive
course – £89 (10% discount if booked before 31^st January 2012)

Please contact Georgie via email georgie@georgiespence.com
if you want to ask any questions.

Limited spaces available so if you would like to book on the course, please email me for a booking form to fill out and send cheque to Georgie Spence.

We have a private yard of Five 12×14 foot boxes to rent, with it’s own private store area and heated tack room, and 5 acres of grazing. (possibility to rent upto 9 boxes if needed).

This will include a shared use of 30x60m Martin Collins outdoor school.
A full set of SJ and 20m of mirrors on the school.
5 horse Monarch walker.
Good hacking and hills.
Good access to the M4 and M5.

Also available is a one bedroom newly modernised large mobile home.

Please email or ring for details. georgie@georgiespence.com or 01249 740626

We had a quieter day at West Wilts today. Woody and Andy were having their first show since the event season and Milo was out competing again. Andy was a bit rusty in the Discovery, but made up for it by jumping a super double clear in the 1.05m. Woody was very excited to be out, he spent 90% of his time bucking and leaping around with his ears pricked. He jumped a steady double clear to finish 5th in the 1.05m, and had a fence in the jump off of the Newcombers because he jumped so high over a parellel we didnt get the distance to an upright and he chipped in.

Milo had 2 down in the jump off of the Newcombers, very unlike him, but they only had 1 double clear, and we were 6 seconds faster than the leader so we went slowly in the 1.15m and he jumped a nice double clear.

So I was generally pleased with the way they jumped, I wont be out competing until the New Year now, so I hope everyone has and AMAZING Christmas and NEW YEAR!!

We’ve had a busy weekend at Hartpury Spectacular. We went with Milo and Grace in the ‘A Tour’ (1.15m) and Tomi in the ‘B Tour’ (1.25m).

On Saturday, both Tomi and Milo rolled a fence in the warm up. But Grace pulled out a quick double clear to finish in 4th. In the Main class, Milo and Grace both jumped superb clears, but rolled a pole in the jump off, whilst pushing for the time. Sadly I was the fastest two times, so would have finished 1st and 2nd without the pole, but they jumped well. Tomi sadly didn’t jump her best in her class.

Sunday morning, Milo and Grace were fantastic, Milo jumped a fast clear to finish 5th, but Grace was foot perfect from start to finish and led the class with a very fast time. I was so sad that owner, Teresa Smee, couldn’t be there as she won a rug and silver dish.

In the Grand Prix, there were 22 clears from the 60 starters, including both my two horses, Milo and Grace. The had both jumped fantastic and I decided to really go for it in the jump off, sadly we couldn’t quite pull it off, and they both just tipped one fence each on a tight turn, but I was delighted with the way they jumped.

All in all a successful show, and it was fantastic that Grace won!!

We had another great day out jumping. This time we went to West Wilts. It was Milo’s first outing, and he came out with a win, jumping a superb double clear to win the 1.05m. Sadly just rolled a pole in the jump off of the Newcombers, but still filled a credible 5th. Gracey jumped a super double clear in the 1.15m, and was very unlucky to have the back rail of a parellel in the Foxhunter.

Tomi and Rico both jumped fantastic, but they both had a fence in the jump off of each of their classes, Rico in the Newcombers and Foxhunter, and Tomi in the Foxhunter and the 1.25m.

Rico is now going to have 2-3 weeks off as he hasn’t had a holiday yet, but this weekend we are off to Hartpury Spectacular with Milo, Grace and Tomi. Fingers crossed they are all on fantastic form and we come back having won some money!!

This year I had my Christmas Drinks Party a bit early. December is a bit hectic this year as most of the horses are already back in work and a couple are competing. So it was a ‘Drinks Party’ this year rather than ‘Christmas Drinks Party’ but it still gave us the opportunity to all come together and have some mulled wine and mince pies.

Luckily the weather was lovely so everyone had the opportunity to have a look around the yard and see some of the wooly ponies we have in the stables. There were a few news faces this year as I had lots of new horses and owners join the team in 2011. Everyone got on really well, and it was a lovely afternoon.

We certainly did get through a lot of wine and nibbles (well food really) A few absent faces which was a shame as it would have been lovely if everyone could make it, but we still had a chance to catch up, celebrate a successful 2011 and look forward to an exciting 2012 season which is fast approaching…….!!

Win a Tottie Outfit

Look stylish this winter with a new Tottie outfit. Tottie are offering one lucky Georgie Spence fan the chance to win great new gear. The new outfit consists of the Uma shirt, Molly hoody, Morgan jodhpurs and the Short Wellies.

An essential winter shirt is the Uma from Tottie. The shirt is buttoned down the front, long sleeved, semi-fitted shirt in baby cord with contrast colour cord inside the collar. Made from 100% cotton. Colours: Red or Black. Sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL. The Molly hooded top is ideal for keeping cosy and warm this winter. Great to wear down the yard or for lazy days at home. In sizes XS – XL, Molly is offered in Plum, Red and Dark Grey Marl. Keep in style this winter with the Morgan jean style jodhpurs from Tottie. Morgan skinny jean jodhpurs, feature diamonte rivets on the front and back pockets. These jodhpurs are fashion essentials. Available in sizes 24”-34” reg and 24”-32” long, the Morgan are offered in Navy and Black. The Tottie Short Wellys are great for the winter. The shorter design enables you to wear the wellies either at the yard or on a day out. Featuring pink galloping horses, your feet will stay dry and comfortable all day long in the Tottie Short Welly. Available in Navy Blue, in sizes 3-8. To be in with your chance to win one of these great new Tottie outfits, answer the question below:

Question – What is the name of the Tottie shirt?

Send your entry with the correct answer to (georgie@georgiespence.com) Please provide preferred sizes and colours. If the product is not available a suitable alternative will be provided. For further information please contact Tottie on 01274711101 or visit www.tottie.co.uk. For further information please contact Joanna van den Bos at TSM on 01724 784600.

ENTRIES CLOSE 31st DECEMBER 2011

We had a very succesful day at Hand EC yesterday. We took new horse Rico, and Tomi and Grace for their first outing since the season finished. There was a lot there, and we sadly arrived about 2 hours before I actually jumped, but all 3 horses made it worth while when Rico finished 1st, Tomi 2nd and Grace 3rd in the Newcombers. There was about 35/40 in the class and they all jumped really well. They all had one down in the Foxhunter, but I was delighted with the way they jumped and came home in profit!!

Most of the horses are now back in work. Rico the new horse is fantastic, and loved by all already. Grace, Tomi and Milo are in full work and planning on going jumping in the next couple of weeks. Luca is also in full work and will have a couple of days hunting this winter. Woody and Andy are schooling, and will start jumping soon. Ollie has had a few weeks off and will start his 6 weeks hacking tomorrow before he comes back into proper work in preperation for next season. George has hacked for 3 weeks and I schooled him for the first time this week and Victor is coming back next Monday to start hacking again.

So we are starting to get a bit busier. Amber has now left and is going back to South Africa for a couple of months and enrolls at Hartpury College next year. Jess has had 10 days in America and has got a few more weeks holiday this year, before January arrives and the competitions get underway!!