Our Hack Up RingCraft Ambassador, Alice Hallows, has some AWESOME news in her latest Blog..

Event horse fitness cannot be underestimated no matter what level you compete at. I build up my horses' fitness throughout January hacking but I begin the interval training in February. The interval training is normally joined onto a long hack of 6 miles which has varying terrain and hills. With Fritz for example whose first event was an intermediate, my last interval training was 5.30 minutes of canter and 2 minutes rest, repeated three times. I use a cross country stopwatch which helps gauge speed and distance which is great for finding the right speed, balance and rhythm for a set distance I have wheeled out for the appropriate level I am competing at.

A clear indication of how fit my horses are is in the recovery time and I pay close attention to their breathing and perspiration. A high fitness level is when they have their breath back before the next interval. When I finish the interval training the horses trot off on a contact and gradually slow to have a long walk home.

Other than that, I went to one show jumping competition at Anvil with Quiz and Fritz jumping the 1.10m and Foxhunter class. I was chomping on the bit to begin the eventing season. February went by quickly and Poplar Park soon approached on the first weekend of March. I was campaigning Quizical Z in the Novice and Vintage Graffiti in the Intermediate.

Luckily, I did have a RingCraft session with Alex to sharpen up the dressage skills. The session's timing was perfect with it being the weekend before the competition. The constructive analysis of the two dressage tests BE115 and BE110 allowed for positive preparation with a clear focus on what weaker areas needed further improvement. It was important to practice in the 20m x 40m compared to the 20m x 60m as the movement of the leg yield from the H marker to the X and D on the centre line and K marker to the centre line between X and G is an awkward movement, as you have the wrong bend going around the corner, therefore change the bend, get the hindquarters crossing and then not show too much bend, but you have to show just the right amount of bend, whilst trying to swing along to not hinder rhythm and not to try too hard. These dressage judges are ever so picky you know!

Alex and I were both pleased with the horses at the end of sessions and we were feeling optimistic about achieving the goal of under 30 for the dressage. But you have to read on to see if it has been achieved!

Let's just cut to the chase and get to the part about cross country.

Dad and I walked the courses the evening before as there was little time in between phases and the Hallows family are not especially brilliant in early mornings! We met Nicola Wilson whilst walking the course and had a good chat. Nicola’s leg position for cross country is just ace. I was trying hard to act normally and concentrate on the course but it was a great opportunity to meet a top rider. Practically, all the top riders and horses were at the event, and I thought well if you can all do it, so can I and my horses - I know a little bit cliché.

Quiz did a 30 dressage and double clear in the Novice to come 7th. It was a blessing to go cross country first on her as it dusted off the cobwebs and helped to get my bearings with speed and feeling the distances to the take-off point.

Fritz did a dressage test of 27.5 and jumped a classy clear showjumping. Guess where it puts us going into cross country? First place. Several times throughout my career I have been in a good position and fluffed the whole thing up. This time I had the home advantage and I wasn’t going to let it happen. Poplar Park is the first cross country course I ever went round when I was 8, it is the home where I found the magic of the cross country. I know every dip and dive, tree, corner and place to gallop. It was an inviting course, but as always tight for time.

Fritz and I are walking around the start box and I started my 30-second count down with the starter counting us in. My heart is pumping. A strong voice in my head says ‘Do not take a check at the first four fences, don’t you dare.’

5,4,3,2,1 - GO! - good luck

Ears pricked Fritz takes charge and leads us to the first fence.

I come back after the cross country elated. Fritz has never felt so confident and experienced as if to say ‘I know my job now, this is what we do’.

To be honest what a relief that I can win at the intermediate level as a lot goes into the whole process. I have an amazing environment of people to help me with my horses and they all keep me in check. Especially, my parents, they are still on my case when I ride but I relish it. Keep the criticism coming my way and let us keep on improving. I am nowhere near the rider I want to be but I can feel everything shifting into place for it to happen and my understanding of the whole aspect of riding including the management of the horses is growing and I am believing more in the systems I have in place to succeed.

I cannot thank Anna and Bob enough to begin supporting me when I was 18, a complete nobody on paper, but they saw how much I love doing what I do and along came Fritz. It was great to have a win and show all their efforts are worthwhile.

And thank you once again to you for reading the blog.

Alex and his RingCraft sessions are coming back to ours on the 19th of March just in time for preparation for Great Witchingham. I have five horses going to the event, so I will have plenty to report on and fingers crossed a few more wins!

Have a good month and we will catch up soon."

Alice x