An update from our Supported Rider Melissa Chapman ...

The last few months here at Team Chapman Equestrian have been filled with dressage training and competing. The dancing ponies have been on top form and have been really impressing me with both their progress and way of going.

We travelled to Alnwick Ford and Richmond Equestrian Centre on a mission to nail Winter Regional qualifications. Our visits went incredibly well and I am very excited to have qualified 8 horses from Novice to Advanced Medium level.

Many of the horses have stepped up to the next level during this period, which is very exciting. On the 4th of December, I took TCE Happy Boy to Alnwick, where we competed for the first time at Advanced level. It’s taken a while to regain his trust since selling him last year but now it’s time for things to get serious! He felt great and we came away with a really encouraging score. There were some super moments and some exciting parts! It got me thinking that, if we could nail the pirouettes and refine some other aspects of his way of working, then being back in my tailcoat and riding at Prix Saint George wasn’t too far away…in fact we only had to wait 14 days!

We headed to Northallerton Equestrian Centre on the 18th of December where, at just 7 years old, he did his first PSG scoring over 67%. I was delighted with his work ethic and loved every moment of it. Lots to work on and improve, but it was most definitely worth dusting down my tailcoat! What a great way to end 2019.

As we move into 2020 full of high hopes and excitement for what’s to come, I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of a very interesting and successful 2019. In particular I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the team at Millbry Hill for all of your support.