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Sponsors

Equine construction to support EHOA for 2017

Equine Construction are delighted to confirm their support of the Event Horse Owners Association (EHOA) for 2017, in the form of title sponsorship for the Badminton Owner’s Dinner in May, followed by the presentation of a set of stunning medals to the owners of horses who have represented Team GBR at the FEI European Championship in Strezgom, Poland, at the EHOA Annual Dinner in November.

“We are thrilled to be supporting the EHOA this season, as our first step into the eventing world”, added David Johnson of Equine Construction, “working with an organisation that is not only passionate about the sport as a whole, but that also supports owners from grassroots to world class level, is very important to us and we look forward to an exciting season ahead.”  Owned and managed by David Johnson, Equine Construction offer an exceptional service when it comes to the planning, development and construction of world class equestrian facilities.

With a passion stemming from a lifelong love of horses, David’s knowledge and equestrian experience shines through in the exquisite facilities he builds. Working across all equestrian disciplines, Equine Construction have designed and built numerous facilities across the country. Amongst these are a large scale polo facility consisting of 3 American Barns, 38 stables, tack rooms and associated facilities and a beautiful 28 box racing yard in Lambourn, as well as many more prestigious projects including a number of indoor and outdoor arenas.

Equine Construction and, recently launched, Equine Planning offer a service that takes the client from concept to completion, with the combination of construction experience and an equestrian background at the heart of the company, enabling Equine Construction to be leaders in their field. To see these projects and more, please visit the website at www.equineconstruction.co.uk

Categories
Grass Roots

Jack at Bicton Eventers Camp

Last time I wrote the lorry was in lorry hospital having its MOT and some work done on it, its back and we planned on going to do and do a couple of dressage tests. Then I went down with a heavy cold which knocked me off my feet and wasn’t fit to drive the lorry so that went out the window.

Last week we had booked Jack onto a 3 day eventer’s camp run by Lucy and Padraig McCarthy at Bicton Arena. He had never stayed away and being 17hh we knew temporary stables would be a tight squeeze! So this was a chance to see how he took to being away before Badminton, as its just about close enough we could have taken him up and back in a day if he didn’t settle. He took it all in his stride and quickly returned to joker Jack we all know and love!

Jack at Bicton Eventers Camp
Jack at Bicton Eventers Camp

On the 1 st day they had a dressage lesson with Lucy and then in the afternoon they had a grid work session with Padraig, it ended with them jumping over 110m oxer at the end of the grid.

On the 2 nd day we worked to make the lorry more weather proof as Alex had found it quite cold over night with a draught, it’s got a basic living but I have never put bunks in it as we haven’t had the need to stay away. Which meant the back was turned into a bedroom!

They had a Show jumping lesson in the morning working on arena techniques and then in the afternoon they ran through a dressage test of their choice. Alex ran through the championship test although slightly squished into a 20x40ish arena! But this works well as we often have to put tests together in different orders or Jack comes around a corner and asks if he should be cantering yet or pre-empts movements! He thinks he is helpful!

On the 3 rd day they did Cross Country techniques in the arena in the morning and worked on how to ride difficult lines and then in the afternoon they went out in to the field and did some cross country practice. Then we packed up and brought a tired boy home.

Jack at Bicton Eventers Camp
Jack at Bicton Eventers Camp

He’s then had a day to chill out in the field with the sun on Sunday whilst a few of us went to support Maria Cooper from our yard who was competing in the Advanced Medium Petplan Nationals at Hartpury. We also visited Teletubby land on the way (anyone that has been to Gloucester Services will know what I mean!) I am so lucky to be on a fantastic yard where everything is like a huge family. Then back to it yesterday! Today they have a lesson planned and then he is having a Bowen treatment from Pippa Perry who has treated him every few months as a preventative to keep him feeling good for a couple of years. Saturday he is entered in the BE100 at Bicton to get another run before Badminton.

Badminton got very real this morning with the numbers and sections being released. It looks like he will dressage on Tuesday and then Show Jump and Cross Country on Wednesday as he is 8 th to go in his section.