Wow another season over, time flies! This year has been pretty eventful…
Our spring campaign went really well. With my top horses Second Supreme (Ed) and Morelands Celebration (Clarke) putting in some great runs with solid double clears. It was nice to pick up a top 10 placing in the advanced at Chatsworth with Ed - it is always such a great event.
We then rolled onto Houghton, which was a big moment for us as I was selected for my first appearance on Senior Nations Cup Team with Ed. It was an amazing week, Ed was beyond brilliant and ended up being the sole British horse to complete for the team, finishing with just 1.2 time to add to his dressage. An incredible experience and real honour to get the call up. We also took Clarke for the CCI2* and he showed his class by jumping a super double clear.
As can happen with this sport as soon as I felt Ed and I were riding on the crest of a big wave, it extremely sadly all came to an end. I devastatingly lost him at Bramham in June. Growing up surrounded by horses I know that this is something we have to deal with as riders but loosing him was particularly hard for me as we have done so much together, he has really helped me as a rider and played a huge part in getting me to the level that I am now. Ed passed doing what he loved most, and we were having the ride of our life out on the cross country course, which although we are heartbroken to have lost him, I take huge comfort in knowing.
Eventing can be such a tough sport and to lose my buddy Ed is totally devastating. He was a brilliant horse and words can’t really describe how much we all miss him.
However, we have had to re-group and concentrate on our other fantastic horses. Clarke really got me back on track and we were thrilled with the double clear he jumped in his first advance at Aston – I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this lovely boy.
Clearly a Cooley was a new addition to the team for 2018 and has showed great promise. As a 7 year old, who hadn’t evented before he came to us, he had quite a bit still to learn, but is a really exciting prospect as an 8 year old next year. As is the very latest horse on the yard Fernhill G – he is a little pocket rocket and I can’t wait to get going on him.
I am also lucky enough to have two cracking 5 year olds on the yard, who will hopefully make their eventing debuts next year and are both great types.
As I write this blog, I have to admit that I have crossed to the dark side… I am currently in Spain on a show-jumping tour with my former eventer Dirk. He has always been incredibly scopey so we thought the jumping game may be more up his street. He showed what he was capable of at Hickstead in September flying round the 1m40 in the main arena. Wow he gave me some feel! We are currently competing at the same level out here in Spain and it is a really great experience – although eventing is still definitely where my heart is at!
So overall 2018 has sent it challenges, but that is sport and I feel incredibly lucky for all the opportunities I had during the season. I have a fantastic team of horses to work with this winter and we are looking forward to seeing what 2019 brings.
Chuffy x
The Holkham Long Sleeved T-shirt as worn by Chuffy Clarke.
This item has now been discontinued, but don't worry we've still got the Thornham long sleeved t-shirt which we're sure you'll love just as much!
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