Sarah-Jane Brown New Year Blog

I was trying to decide if 2019 has been a good year and yes in general it has. It has thrown a few spanners in at the end (technical issues for the lorry and the death of my car) but hopefully that will be left behind for us and we can make the most of a new year. 365 new opportunities to get things done.

We have reached the end of a decade, one in the beginning which eventing wise I was competing at Intermediate and Advanced with Sarnie and then had to rebuild after her retirement. Pip reached Intermediate before injuries caught up with me and she had to be sold but I was delighted that she went on for her new owner and successfully competed advanced. Ultimately mixed in with the fabulous horses there will be a few lemons and some less fun times. Breaking my hip was a big setback both mentally and physically and probably contributed to my total loss of confidence a couple of years ago. Certainly there have been ups and downs.

So 2019 hasn’t been bad, I continued to rebuild confidence and instrumental in the fun and confidence was Ellie my project pony of coming up to 4 years. I did have a serious attempt to sell her but nothing came of it and I couldn’t help being quietly pleased. However I suspect 2020 will have to be the year she goes on to teach someone else the ropes. She continued to progress in 2019 and was placed in her 2 BE runs with double clears as well as having some good placings British Show Jumping including in some meaty 1.20 classes.

Fliss meanwhile has continued to fulfil her potential, 6 runs BE and 6 double clears including 4 at Novice level and a placing at Launceston. She has won some good classes British Show Jumping and eased round some 1.20 tracks. She remains the most lovely person and a pleasure to produce. A really good solid foundation to push on in 2020.

I have had some super support from mum, Nick and Jane Perry (no.1 Shoestring fans), friends and my fabulous sponsors. I have had some great training on the flat with Stef Eardley and jumping with Owen Moore and Caroline Moore.

For me I still struggle with the ‘not good enough demons’ but I am learning to control these and accept that I do a pretty decent job but I’m not a professional and therefore not be constantly comparing myself unfavourably.

So looking ahead to 2020 my youngster Kensa is coming 4, my first and only homebred. She is still quite immature but hopefully she will be backed and ridden on lightly. Realistically Ellie needs to move on and find a child to teach the ropes or become an FEI pony, however much I would love to keep her financially it is getting more and more difficult.

Fliss I have big dreams for this year and hope she has her first busy event season initially establishing herself at novice then doing some 2* events and finishing the season at Intermediate. I really am very excited for her future. watch this space and keep up to date at Shoestring Eventing website and social media.