Rachael & Zenif
The first weekend of December saw me take Zen (Silver Zenif) to the Cotswold EGB Christmas ride atBarburyCastle, Marlbourough.
Zen was such a good boy, travelling to and from the event with not a problem at all.
Archive for the ‘Rachael Claridge’ Category
I wanted to let you know the good news in the Claridge & Phoenix Field Arabians Household last week.
This weekend Mum (Jo Claridge) was re-elected onto the Management Board of Endurance GB at the AGM and she kept her place as Chair of the society.
We took our 2011 foal Ali Shahrif to his BEF Futurity for endurance young stock at Tall Trees in Cornwall with his mother, our brood mare Shahlua.
Shahrif was awarded 8.74% out of 10, a great result for a 3 month old foal.
Charlie and I had a very successful weekend, with Adam and Jane doing a sterling job crewing for us, in an 80km ER race on Saturday at BarburyCastle. I was one of twelve riders competing for the South West branch of Endurance GB in the Inter-Regional Championships. We’ve been in the team for the past three years and have helped achieve a silver medal but this year we won gold! MORE INFO…
I have changed farrier this week because Mel has been 99.9% sound and I need him to be 101%! The farrier hadn’t been trimming enough off of Mel’s near hind hoof which was an odd shape after an abscess in so he was dragging it…this was also the leg he broke so he’s lazier on it – but its all in his head so I needed a farrier who would assist Mel in getting over his mental block that there is something wrong when there isn’t! MORE INFO…
Claridge Endurance Coaching kicked off a series of clinics at New House Farm, Acton Turville on Saturday 4th June. The day commenced with International Endurance Rider, Coach, Breeder and Trainer Rachael Claridge introducing her team for the day to an audience of existing and non- Endurance GB members from across the South West, Midlands and South East. MORE INFO…
Here are some photos of the newest addition to Rachael Claridge’s herd! Sired by R Ali Bey and out of Shahlua.
Rachael Claridge is competing in The Exmoor Golden Horseshoe Ride on the 15th, 16th and 17thMay.
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Mel is entered for the pleasure ride on the Sunday and Charlie is entered for the 2 day, 50 mile ride (25 miles each day) over Monday and Tuesday.
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Rachael will be giving her horses Blue Chip Karma, to ensure they are settled and relaxed, and can perform to the best of their abilities. Karma contains no banned substances, making it the ideal calmer to use when competing.
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Everyone at Blue Chip would like to wish Rachael the very best of luck, and we all hope the weather is kind to her and the Claridge Team throughout the competition!
Rachael Claridge - Rex Photography
Last weekend Adam, Jane and I took ‘Maarhabi’ aka Charlie to the Forest of Dean ride and successfully completed 50km at 12.8kmph. Next weekend we hope to take Mel to Wentwood Forest in South Wales to complete 32km. On 26th March I have been asked to take one of the horses to Newbury Racecourse for the BEF charity race day and parade on behalf of Endurance GB at 12noon and also stand on the EGB stand with my crew and answer any questions anyone may have about endurance.
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I have now successfully found recruits for the Riding Club Championship Qualifier at Cirencester Park in July via the Kings Leaze Riding Club. This 32km team event needs 4 riders to ride the route together and come into the vet check with low heart rates and as close to the time limits as possible for maximum points. I will let you know how Lorraine, Heather, Emily and I get on in training. MORE INFO…
The winter is normally a time when my endurance horses have a bit of R&R and I catch up on all of the jobs I’ve not fitted in throughout the season. This year has flown by and so much has been achieved and there is still plenty more to do before the year is out.
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I started off the season slowly due to heavy snow in Cornwall, which prevented my horses leaving their stables let alone yard for several weeks. February saw the relocation of Prince Meliodas (Mel) & Maarhabi (Charlie) to a yard near Badminton, my work commitments with the civil service prompted a work/life balance rethink and a creation of a base in South Gloucestershire as well as Cornwall. After establishing a new training routine, sourcing a new farrier, vet, equine dentist and physio we were ready to commence the season. Due to Mel picking up a foot abscess over the winter his season was to be one of consolidation and strengthening whilst his injury healed. Instead of endurance I entered him for show classes and our hard work at local shows paid off when he was awarded 4th place at the Royal Bath and West Show in the ridden Part-bred & Anglo Arab class. He then went on to compete at the Barbury Castle 40 km ride in August and achieved a grade one. Maarhabi or Charlie as he is better known came into his own as an 8 year old endurance horse this season. MORE INFO…
