Training update on Borris

For anyone wondering why Janice and Borris have not been out competing British Dressage. Over the winter Borris developed a problem in his front feet. Borris does not have very good front foot conformation and the more advanced dressage work seems to have taken its toll. Working with her farrier, who has been surgically shoeing him because he believes that Borris has torn the Lamini in his frogs. As things have progressed his near fore seems to have repaired, but the off fore is still not quite right!

 However, with the help of some natural remedies also he is sound and able to begin some light work. Janice will be carefully bringing him back into work to see what he is now capable of. At the moments there are no thoughts on competing her favourite boy!

Training Update

Taaqib, a 5 year old Arab, owned by the Sole family came to Fir Tree Stud this week for re starting and training under saddle. Amber Sole is the 2010 Junior Endurance GB Champion and is part of the Under 21 Development squad.

Janice introduced Taaqib to ground work before restarting him under saddle. 

Mark van de Donk Delights at Fir Tree Stud

We were thrilled to welcome Mark van de Donk to Fir Tree Stud last weekend. Mark is a sucessful Dutch dressage trainer and rider, who has competed to Grand Prix. He also works and trains with the current FEI World Dressage Number 1 Adelinde Cornelissen.

Mark van de Donk delighted the riders and spectators with his clear & sympathetic understanding of the training of the horse.

He assessed Marchje, a Dutch bred Friesian mare for potential further training in Holland. Marchje is the current Friesian Horse Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Ridden Champion 2011.
One participant Deborah Howson with her KWPN mare Cietharin went to a competition the day after the clinic and subsequently won her class qualifiying for the British Dressage Northern Region Semi Finals.
Deborah said "Cietharin was a lot more settled and easier to work with thanks to Marks advice in our session".

Mark van de Donk will be returning this summer for another training clinic, full details and dates will be available as soon as they are confirmed, and will be listed on our website, blog and facebook. www.facebook.com/firtreestud