Darcy wins BD Regional Championship and other news!

Lots has been happening since I last updated this!

Firstly, I have very kindly been given the ride by Evelyn Little on her wonderful horse Bindro T (Dino). he is absolutely fabulous and I am so excited to have this opportunity. With both him and Darcy on tour, I will have some very serious horsepower in my arsenal for my European Tour campaign. Here is a photo of Eve winning a National title on the beautiful Dino. 

---

I have decided to sell the wonderfully gentlemanly George (Clouney OK). With the weather and everything this winter, I haven't been able to get him as ready for the Canadian Team's European tour starting in March as I would like and as I will be away for the best part of 2 months I feel that it would be best for him to find a new, lovely home. I have sent him to Jess at Butler Eventing to widen his horizons and I think he is loving it! Jess has been taking him out hacking, to lots of shows and even Arena Eventing! I really hope we can find him a great, forever home, but if not, I will crack on with him once I come home from Germany.

---

I was chosen by the Equestrian Social Media Awards to go through to the final round! I am thrilled to have that honour and hopefully I will have got enough votes to be in with a shout.... fingers crossed!

Last Friday, I was invited to be an after dinner speaker for the NFU Mutual Annual Dinner. It was a little daunting, especially after the fantastic political speech done before mine by Adam Quinney but I made it through. It was a fantastic experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it once I got going. Congratulations to the one clever chappy who managed to solve the Rubix cube! During the evening, those in attendance raised a considerable amount of money and pledges of fodder to help the disaster-struck farmers of Somerset - here is the link if you would like to help these struggling farmers and their livestock. 

http://www.nfuonline.com/news/latest-news/flooding-how-you-can-help/

This Monday, I had the honour of being made the Patron of Sport at my local special needs school. I had a great morning seeing all the fantastic students, the brilliant facilities and the inspirational staff. I love the way that the students can learn and contribute to the school through their sensory garden, tree nursery and work experience. It was a fab opportunity to also meet the local company Alltech who are the big sponsors of the World Equestrian Games in Normandy. 

---

Finally! Darcy (Double Agent) and I had a fantastic day at the BD Winter Northern Regional Championships where we lifted the Novice Open title!!

I couldn't be more proud of her, 2 of the 3 judges had her to win by a country mile! She was brilliantly behaved all day and even in the Prize Giving! I believe that I am the first Grade 3 Para to win an able-bodied Regional Championship.

She has now qualified for 3 Championships at the BD Winter National Championship! The Pet Plan Finals, the BD Nirvana Spa Open Para Winter Champs and BD Blue Chip Novice Open Winter National Champs!!!! It is a shame that the Winter champs are so soon after we get back from Deauville CPEDI3* but I am hoping to be able to squeak in the Novice Open class! 

---