7-9 SEPTEMBER WINDSOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Karen had an interesting weekend and finished 6th overall.  Her dressage was back to 68.05 due to the new 'airs above the ground' executed by the leaders at the halts and rein back.  Perhaps they thought they were auditioning for the Spanish Riding School.  Rex got so accomplished at them that he continued them for most of the weekend!!  So much for working on marginal gains!  Maybe next year.

See http://karenbassett.co.uk for results.

21-22 April Catton Club Horse Driving Trial

Karen will be taking the pony team to compete in the  Midlands Driving Trials Club event at Catton.  She is also going to take her young horse team H/C for the experience.  Her Dressage times are 11.10 for the pony team and 17.10 for the horse team.  Let's hope the weather improves and we will post the results early next week on the website.

Diri and Delphi Retire

Karen has recently retired her two original grey funeral horses, Diri and Delphi (the wheelers in the photo). They have moved to a new home not far away and will spend their twilight years as gentle hacks, enjoying life in the slow lane. Ricsi and Viktor, a pair of Lipizzaners owned by friends, will now help out when required.

Egor

We have put some more horses on the website page and Egor is the latest.

Kittens Move

We're trying to get a photo of the kittens but their mum, now named Sooty, has gone camera shy and has moved them all to the rug room for some peace and quiet.  At least Rex can have his stable back.

Rex Made Homeless

Poor Rex has been made homeless. As he walked out of his stable a few days ago to go on excercise, a stray cat walked in and turned it into a maternity ward! Mother and kittens are being looked after by the staff and poor Rex has had to move into a spare stable. Will post photos of the intruders on the website when we can get a good look at them.

Vale View Dressage

Karen took the horses to Vale View Dressage Competition last weekend.  Blackie came 2nd in the Novice class and he, Rex and Wilaan all qualified for the second round of Trail Blazers.

Baby Matty competed for the first time indoors and took it all in his stride.  Karen was really pleased with him.

For more photos, see our web site www.karenbassett.co.uk.

Askham Bryan - February Competition

Karen took the young horses for another 'play day' at Askham Bryan in February and they went really well.  For more photos see her website www.karenbassett.co.uk.

New Web Page

A new page has been added to Karen's website as part of an upgrade and will feature details of Karen's horses.  Leonardo is the first one we have done and the rest will follow shortly.

On-line Funeral Booking Form

Karen has recently upgraded her website so that Funeral Directors and private individuals can now complete a Horse Drawn Funeral confirmation booking form on-line.  We hope this will make it more efficient and faster.

Working Weekends

Poor Awi, Kora, Hagrid and Egor can't believe its the second Saturday in a row that they have had to work.  It should be their day off!  They will be joining a union next.

British Driving Society Show

Karen took the horse team to the British Driving Society Show at the weekend to take part in a demonstration. Although she was still struggling with her broken toe, she was thrilled with the way Blackie went. It was his first time indoors, his first experience of music and his first experience of close up, applauding crowds and he took it all in his stride. What a good boy!

CATTON 24-25 SEPTEMBER

This was another practice event for the horse team and although Blackie misbehaved in the dressage this time out, they all went brilliantly across country, despite the dreadful ground conditions.  It was a good job they did, because Blackie managed to tread on Karen's foot whilst being harnessed and although she didn't realise it at the time, he broke one of her toes!!  It meant she was struggling to brake the carriage and at one point it slid on a muddy slope and hit a post hard.  The poor groom whacked her ribs and was struggling for breath, but valiantly carried on.   Karen went for the time on the cones course and  although they had 2 cones down, she was still pleased with the way they went.  Well done everyone under the circumstances!
Now both teams can take a well earned break until next year.

ESCRICK 17-18 SEPTEMBER

Karen took her horse team to Escrick for practice, as it was Blackie's first outing after his injury.  They went really well on the marathon and were clear in the cones, but had time penalties.  They were a second over on the time, which they could have made if Karen had allowed them to gallop to the finish, but as she was being cautious with Blackie, she took it steadier.

Escrick Horse Driving Trials

Karen will be taking her horse team to Escrick this weekend for practice.  Results will be posted on her website. http://www.karenbassett.co.uk

National Championships, Windsor

Karen won the Pony Four-in-Hand National Championship at Windsor and would like to thank everyone who supported her, especially Ray Aziz for the loan of his ponies.  See website for further photos and results.

National Championships - Windsor

National Championships, Windsor. Karen was 3rd in the Dressage on a score of 65.02 and 1st on the Marathon with a score of 90.57, so she is currently lying 1st. Fingers crossed for the cones!

National Championships - Windsor

Karen is competing Ray Aziz's pony team at the National Championships this weekend.  They came third in the dressage and did a brilliant marathon.  Results will be posted on the website.

Horse Drawn Funeral

Karen did a horse drawn funeral with the greys in Birmingham last week.  Not sure the boys thought they looked good in pink!

Six in Hand Horse Drawn Funeral

 

Karen did a six-in-hand horse drawn funeral yesterday in St Helens.  It was a traveller's funeral and as the family insisted on walking in front of the hearse to the cemetery, the traffic in the town centre ground to a halt.