Avalon Mill Equestrian

🌟 Another brilliant day at Chepstow International 🌟

Today I stepped Melbourne Sum Lass For One Lass up into the FEI Silver, and once again she delivered — another double clear and in the money. 🖤🇬🇧

She just keeps answering every question I ask of her. To step up at our first international and still jump two fantastic clear rounds means so much. What a mare. ❤️

Fieke also stepped up to 1.10m today and jumped brilliantly, just having the most unlucky pole. Another really positive round and so much to take forward from her.

I’ve had a huge amount of help this week from Elle, Chelsie, John and Mum, and I honestly couldn’t do it without them.

A massive thank you as well to Antony , who warmed me up in the collecting ring today. After another pull from the stewards, my head had completely gone. Things like that affect me far more mentally than I’d like them to, but between Anthony and Elle they managed to level me back out, get me focused again and I pulled myself together and rode the round I needed to ride.

Sometimes the biggest achievement isn’t just the double clear — it’s getting your head back in the game and going into that ring anyway.

Anthony and I had a good chat afterwards about where we go next, and we’ve decided it’s time to keep moving forward. Fieke is going to have a go at the Foxhunter tomorrow, and rather than taking the comfortable option with Missy, we’ve chosen the FEI Silver Grand Prix. 🇬🇧

I came here to challenge myself, so that’s exactly what I’m going to keep doing.

FEI Silver Grand Prix tomorrow — time to be brave and keep pushing. 🖤🇬🇧🐴

Fieke stepping up today ❤️

🌟 MISSY’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL! 🇬🇧 🌟

What a way to start! ❤️

89 starters and Missy jumped DOUBLE CLEAR to finish in the TOP 10! 🥹🔥

We started her in the Bronze today — despite me managing to miss the course walk 🙈 — and she absolutely delivered. There’s no point chasing another class at a height we know we’re comfortable with, so tomorrow we step up to the Silver! 🤞🇬🇧

Fieke also jumped a brilliant double clear, finishing 12th. Huge thank you to Anthony for the quick pep talk this morning — I’m honestly so impressed with how she’s come on. ❤️

Super Sam jumped fantastic too. We just need some shorter cheek pieces and for me to trust him and let him go forward! We had a super time, but unfortunately locked onto the wrong last fence and had to circle 🤦‍♀️😂 Lots to like though and plenty to take forward.

And a HUGE thank you to Chelsie and Elle for keeping everything running, getting the horses ready and, most importantly, making sure I was actually at the rings on time! 😂❤️

Three horses, three really positive rounds and a top 10 finish from 89 starters in Missy’s very first international class. Couldn’t have asked for a better start. 🇬🇧🐴✨

Silver tomorrow… let’s see what happens! 🤞🔥

Horse inspection complete ✅

A really good final prep day before Chepstow International 🇬🇧🐴✨

BP Super Sam at only his second show — such an unfortunate pole in the Discovery, but just look at the jump he’s giving me! 😍 Plenty to be excited about and a lovely round to set us up for Chepstow.

Fiki had a ride at home this morning and I probably flattened her a little more than I intended 🙈😂 but she still jumped really well and, most importantly, not a hint of napping. Another big step in the right direction.

And then Melbourne Sum Lass for One Lass — Missy ❤️ She went and won her class today 🥇 We deliberately kept her at 1.10m, just giving her a nice confidence-building sweetener before she heads off for her international debut.

Three horses, all at very different stages, but all feeling ready for Chepstow. 🇬🇧

Now for the final few days of preparation… Chepstow, here we come! 🐴🔥

A massive thank you to everyone who’s helped us along the way — Chelsea, you’ve been an absolute diamond 💎❤️ And I’m officially blaming Sam’s pole on the Zinfandel at the meal with Selina last night 🍷😂 Although I’m also letting Selina take the win for the training on Friday too — very much appreciated and just what we needed before we go - the tack adjustments worked wonders 🇬🇧🐴