February was a birthday month at the beginning for Team Sommerville. James celebrated his birthday on the 5th February, he had a busy day looking at prospective new horses, lots of presents to open and a lovely meal at home with good friends Ben Hobday and Emma Hobday. James’s favourite present was his silica sand for the walker! He could not wait to do the gruelling work and place in down!
Next birthday up was our chief John Sommerville! (James’ father) we had a lovely meal at our local pub, the Punch Bowl. He received lots of warm clothing!! Being a vet and outdoors a lot he needs to wrap up! Also his favourite thing, apart from horses – SUDUKO!
We had routine check-ups on the horses with the dentist coming to check our boys and any new arrivals. A few babies lost some caps. Our dentist is Robin Earnshaw, I love watching Robin work with our horses, the amount of care, expertise and dedication to his work is just what our special horses need! He has such an interest in the horses which is lovely to have. Most of all he will help us to understand the importance of horses’ teeth and what is going on in there! Well we managed to understand a snippet of his vast knowledge…
James has had a very busy month with getting the horses ready for the season and doing lots of teaching, especially his clinics at Farm View Hall Equestrian. We have had great fun getting the horses out and about again, galloping, show jumping and cross country schooling. All horses have done us proud coping with the increase of work and behaving themselves perfectly. 🙂
Team Sommerville has grown a little more again!! We welcome two new babies from Fairlight Stud! Our two very cute little girls are called Minnie and Margo. They have both come to be broken in and start their future. Being from the prestigious Fairlight stud, Minnie and Margo obviously have exceptional breeding, a fantastic foundation to give them all the potential to succeed.
This season we are so excited for the string we have to compete. Here is a little introduction to some of our gang! (our next blog will continue the pack!)
Talent
Our top boy Talent is looking towards his 4* debut this season with James at Badminton!! Talent will be competing all over. He begins at Oasby in the OI onto the advanced at Belton and CIC*** at Burgham International Horse Trials. Talent had a brilliant season last year, with a very good run at Bramham Horse Trials in the CCI*** coming 11th! Talent completed being one of very few double clears!
Altaskin Jack
Jack will be 8 years old this year, he will be beginning at Intermediates and 2*, being at Belton, Burnham Market and Burgham. We then will aim him toward his 3* debut at Bramham horse trials, looking onto the possible 8/9yr old class at Blenheim Horse trials. Jack previous season was spectacular being in the top two on most of his outing, especially moving up to intermediate and 2nd in his first CCI*.
Shadow Inspector
Chief had a fantastic start to his eventing zooming up to novice last year, winning a few novices also. Chief this year will be aimed to more novice runs, going onto the international scene at CIC* and CCI*, with the possibility of moving up to Intermediate near the end of this season. Looking towards some 7 yr old classes.
Master Ramiro
Master Ramiro has an exciting season ahead with him stepping up to novice. He has many notable wins at BE100. Rocky has come out so well over winter, growing….even more!! With his beautiful movement and serious jump we are super excited to see him out and about!!
Until next time….. KEEP FEEDING FIBRE BEET!!
