February 2008 Report

Family News:

Paul and Georgina are soon to become an Uncle and Aunt with the fantastic news that Georgina’s sister Hannah is expecting her first baby in July. This news brings one of Hannah’s horses, “Caicos” and his owners Libby and Peter Saugman, temporarily into the Tapner Eventing Team, whilst Hannah is busy learning to be a mother this season!

Team News:

We have been extremely busy this month testing out the new lorry with numerous trips to XC schooling sessions and Show Jumping outings. The new lorry will eventually be repainted and sign written as per the old lorry, but unfortunately we have not been able to organise this before the start of the season and so we will be a little hard to find in the lorry park for the first few events.

Jenny and Claus Waalers’ Inonothing (Mannie) has enjoyed his pre-season show jumping with a WIN in the Newcomers class and a 4 th place in the 1.05 Open at his first BSJA outing of the season at Summer House EC.

Sue White’s Tiger Flynn (Tiger) is feeling fit and well again. He is very excited to be allowed back into the lorry to go out to the parties again, although the excitement is sometimes all too much for him and he’s been struggling to find his travel legs again on the lorry, making some of our trips rather slow!

Sue White’s Master Butler (Harry) has felt fantastic in his outings this month with a 2 nd place in the Discovery Class at his first BSJA outing of the season at Summer House EC.

Martin and Suzi Belshams’ Stormhill Michael (Mike) has also had good BSJA form this month with a 3 rd place in the Newcomers at Summer House EC. We now eagerly wait to see if, for the third year running, he will give us demolition demo in the show jumping at Aldon ODE or has he really grown up? Jane Gwillim-Davids’ Sensational Sydney (Syd) has missed out on the show jumping outings this month due to his hunting commitments with Jane but has felt like an old pro when out XC schooling.

Jane Gwillim-Davids’ Carry on Joseph (Joe) has been honing his show jumping skills on the unaffiliated circuit with an outing to West Wilts EC netting him a 3 rd place.

Sally and Colm McGinns’ Cheers Woody (Woody) started the season in fine style for the whole team with a WIN in the first class competed in by Paul this year at Summer House EC BSJA in the British Novice. He followed this up with a 4 th place in the Discovery class on the same day and then a week later a 3 rd place again in the Discovery class at Summer House EC BSJA.

Vicki Mace-Benson’s and Georgina Tapner’s Wickstead Didgeridoo (Balloo) is working well towards his first competitions of the season due in March.

Paul and Georgina Tapners’ For The Wife (Ronnie) is another of the team to pick up some long awaited BSJA prize money with a 3 rd place in the British Novice at Summer House EC.

Martin and Suzi Belshams’ Holey Moley (Mouse) is still busy hunting and will have a short break when the VWH hunt season ends before starting to pursue his Eventing career again.

The Duke and Duchess of Beauforts’ Giacometti (Jack) makes a welcome return to the team this year and certainly has had a constant smile on his face whilst attending his BSJA and XC outings this month.

Jenny and Claus Waalers’ The Eggman (Egg ) is a new addition to the team this season and will be making his debut a little later in the season.

This season also welcomes some new owners onto the team, Robbie and Mandy Burns with Yogi Bear (Yogi), Sam Wilson and Annabel Saunders with Snowy Elm (Mullins), Libby and Peter Saugman with Caicos (Cai) and Jennie Thorn with Dark Moon (Lowry), all of whom have been busy in their preparations for their first Eventing season, for which we wish them all the best of luck.