March 2021 - An update on some of our exciting young horses…

Over the past year, we’ve had more time than ever before to dedicate to our young horses and I have to say, the transformation in them is incredible. We have some beautiful youngsters who were only broken this time last year but are progressing so well under saddle with my team and me. They are showing three outstanding established paces and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

The two who are really catching my eye at the moment are my rising four-year-olds King and Mattie. King is a 2017 chestnut gelding by In Style x Tango with the most fantastic temperament and the moves to match. He will be such a huge asset to anyone's yard, professional or amateur! Mattie is another young horse with it all - beauty, talent and temperament! He is by Dream Boy out of a Johnson dam and has been with us since he was a foal, so we know every last little thing about his history. He’s perfect for young horse classes and beyond. These two lovely boys are just two of our youngsters, so do drop me a line if you’re on the hunt for your next superstar!

Of course, our horses are being bred and produced with competing in mind! Whether that’s in British Eventing, British Showjumping or British Dressage classes, we give all our young horses the chance to ‘tell’ us what disciplines they are most suited to by having a varied education. And speaking of competitions, we are all counting down the days when we can pack up the lorry and get back in the ring. I know that my staff and the horses will enjoy a break from routine after a long, quiet winter.

We’re looking all set to resume competitions, with British Eventing events restarting on the 2nd of April and the resumption of British Dressage from around the 29th of March. It has been good to have a slice of extra time to bring on the youngsters and build some fun exercises for the older horses to try, but it’s high time we got out there and strutted our stuff once more. To my fellow competitors and the usual familiar faces at our local events, I look forward to seeing you very soon!

February 2021 - Looking ahead to warmer days...

It feels a little bit as though we’ve had nothing but snow and freezing weather since we last posted a blog! A small silver lining of lockdown, perhaps, is that we haven’t had to try to get to competitions when the driving conditions are so hazardous. We are also very grateful for our all-weather school and horse walker when the weather is bad. It means we can still exercise the horses when hacking (and sometimes the fields!) are a little treacherous. Speaking of all-weather facilities, we are delighted to share the news that we have been granted planning permission for our new indoor school! Knowing that this time next year, we will have a beautiful indoor arena to train in does make us feel a whole lot better about riding in the rain, sleet, snow and wind!

But wintery weather and planning permission fun aside, we all hope that some warm spring weather will be here before too long. There’s nothing quite like those first few days when you don’t have to dress in waterproofs, wooly hats and thermals just to head to the yard - and perhaps even being able to ride in just a t-shirt again isn’t too far off… We've been dreaming of warm days ahead by planning our summer camps and have been overwhelmed by the response! Obviously, things are not 100% certain thanks to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, but we are hoping to be able to welcome you back to the home of Team Chapman Equestrian when things do settle down. The summer camps will run in a similar way as they have before:

● 2 private lessons over 2 days (with the possibility of a 3rd lesson if you wish to arrive early)

● Dressage test riding with BD judge (including feedback)

● A Pilates session

● A Baileys horse feeds session

● Possible bitting camp

● Possible jumping/pole work sessions

● Stabling and bedding for one evening included

● Lunch on both days and an evening BBQ.

The dates we have set aside later on this year are as follows:

● June 12th & 13th

● June 26th & 27th (this date is full, but we will operate a waiting list)

● August 7th & 8th

● August 28th & 29th

● September 11th & 12th

If you would like to attend, or find out more, then please get in touch with us.

Those who follow Team Chapman Equestrian on social media will have noticed that we’ve been sharing some videos and images of our crop of rising 4-year-olds. They are a really special bunch this year and it has been fantastic to have extra time to spend with them. Their development is coming on beautifully and we look forward to seeing them shine with new owners when the equestrian sporting world opens back up again. If you or anyone you know is on the hunt for their next superstar then make sure you get in touch to see what we have tucked away at Team Chapman Equestrian! Take a look at some of the horses we have for sale here:

https://www.teamchapmanequestrian.com/current-availability

December 2020 - Happy Christmas...

Christmas at TCE has been an unusually quiet affair but enjoyed nonetheless. I extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved with us throughout 2020 - it has not been the easiest of years but your support has been absolutely incredible and valued more than ever before.

If I’m honest, it has been a little bit disappointing to find ourselves starting 2021 in lockdown again, as we have been so careful and vigilant throughout the pandemic. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that the yard set up allows everyone who needs to be on site follows our rules, all of which which adhere to the Government’s guidance relating to Covid-19. Until advised otherwise, we will continue to operate in this way. We are also keeping our fingers crossed that everyone stays safe and that the coming months bring better news for everyone.

So, back to a little bit of normal…

Despite the current restrictions, we are so lucky to have super facilites at home which allow us to train safely, make progress and follow our grand plans. It is so rewarding to play such an instrumental part in the training of of our horses. The yard is currently buzzing with so many talented equines ranging from those who are just newly backed to others who are progressing through the ranks of BD and BE.

One of our rising 4yr old stars King

November 2020 - Refocusing during lockdown...

So, here we are, back into another lockdown. Although it is not as strict as the first one, sadly all grassroots equestrian events and competitions have, once again, been put on hold. What are your plans for your horses whilst we wait to see what happens next? The lockdown might be restrictive and boring, but it does give us extra time at the yard to rethink our ways of working and I am looking forward to using groundwork techniques more regularly to help me develop certain aspects of my horses.

The idea to work my horses from the ground stems from a session I had with Ian Woodhead in late October. I am so lucky to have a network of local coaches and expertise like Ian in the area to help me work out the best pathway for the horses in my yard.

My groundwork session with Ian focused on how the ground can be an excellent place to fix small communication errors with horses, particularly those who have reached a level where advanced training means cues from the rider come close together. In those horses, a small breakdown in communication can lead to frustration and confusion quite quickly. Establishing effective control and communication from the ground, coupled with the same pressure/release cues as we give when in the saddle, can have a transformative effect on flatwork movements you might have been struggling with. I know I was astonished when I got back in the saddle after this session with Ian and found that some issues, which had foxed me for weeks, were simply gone.

I probably shouldn’t have been so surprised - we start extensive programmes of groundwork with young horses, teaching them respect and personal space before introducing them to tack and aids. However, bar the occasional spin on the lunge to warm them up or long reining for exercise on a dark winter's evening, not many riders use groundwork as an ongoing element of the training programme. Groundwork can help teach horses the most basic elements of a dressage test, such as a square halt or a rein back, and help perfect the higher school movements too. Why not do some research and have a go at groundwork this lockdown and see how you get on?