2016: A New Year Dawns

It seems we are well and truly into 2016, so I thought it might be time to update my blog!  A new year brings with it many expectations for us all and I, like many others sure am glad to start a new sheet. 2015 had many highs and lows for the team, the high of course being picked to represent Team GB at the European Eventing championships held at Blair Castle.  The lows of course were not being able to complete there on Easy Target when he found the conditions too difficult.  But as with many lows there comes positives..

I have taken time to look at my current horse power for now and the future and the winter has been spent adding some very exciting new additions to the yard, the Europeans and 2015 made me think about the future sport of eventing and what sort of horse is needed.  This has been a big influence on how I have been training the horses over the winter and having the opportunity to watch the Germans dominate yet again at Championship level also gave me an insight on what changes I could make at home to better my string for 2016.

I have spent a lot of time going back to basics training with the horses, using poles, grid-work and strengthening exercises whilst always asking for self carriage. The horses have all enjoyed short holidays being brought back into work with lots of hill work hacking out and enjoying this milder winter we have had.

We have also said a sad goodbye to my lovely black Oakley Supremacy who has been sold to a new home.  It was sad saying goodbye to the truck as it never lost its appeal from the first day I drove it home.  But more exiting news is I am having a new truck currently being built by Whittaker Coach Builders and I have to say the pictures of the build progressing look great!  This is all thanks to my loyal sponsors Aldermore Bank who make this possible and I am looking forward to having the truck out and about in March.

Aldermore have a fantastic finance team and anybody looking for finance for a new horsebox really should contact them.  I have heard nothing but good reviews from people who have used them and they have been great in helping me also.

Entries open soon and we will be heading to Isleham with a few of the younger horses to start the season.  Keep an eye of my Facebook page Francis Whittington Eventing for pictures of us all, out and about on the circuit!