YLI Equestrian.

A half term building resilience, grit & determination!!

The Cottesmore 60cm ODE was educational to say the least…
A sweet dressage test but with an unfortunate slip in the canter it dropped their marks. Followed by a smashing clear in the showjumping that was causing all sorts of problems. Then the xc which was going so well until several sheep that were on the course decided to start moving right next to the fence they were aiming at. Poor Toby was unsurprisingly spooked and they parted company. I was so gutted for them both as they absolutely didn’t deserve it.

Mavericks turn for a party. Their first solo on grass show… Bear in mind she’d taken a nasty fall off him earlier in the week when he gone over the top of her and made quite a mess of her shoulder…
Part way through her First Ridden show he decide to drop his shoulder and deposit her on the floor 🤦🏽‍♀️ Mr YLI did make a good point that he really isn’t a “First Ridden” more like a 3rd pony 😅
Another naughty moment in the warm up and I really considered loading him back on the lorry and calling it quits. But not to be beaten Evie wagoned him round the workers for a lovely clear and a super show pulling them 2nd and with a qualification for the ESUK show in August. Then a bit of fun in the 40cm sj class jumping clear & into 3rd place 🥉

She’s had a right week of it with several falls in training, which usually means she’s having a growth spurt and her balance is a bit all over the place.
I’m so proud of her, in the moments when it’s going wrong is when you learn the most. Pushing herself out of her comfort zone, constantly trying to be better, not quitting when the going gets tough 💪🏻

Happy bloody Monday 🫣

Please make sure to follow this important advice regarding Equine Flu.

💉🦠Equine Flu 🦠💉

Equine influenza cases are continuing to rise across the UK, including locally in Leicestershire, and we encourage all horse owners to remain particularly vigilant over the coming weeks.

Similar to the flu in humans, equine influenza is highly contagious and spreads very easily between horses, especially when sharing the same air space (e.g. horses travelling, competing, attending clinics, camps, or mixing regularly with others) and on shared equipment. It can also travel significant distance in the wind (potentially a few kilometres in the right conditions!).

Typical signs of influenza can include:
🤒 Fever
🐴 Harsh or persistent cough
💧 Nasal discharge
😴 Lethargy, quietness, or reduced performance
❗️Vaccinated horses can still catch equine flu BUT will often show much milder signs and spread less virus than unvaccinated horses ❗️ this is one of the key reasons vaccination remains such an important part of protection.

If you suspect your horse has flu, please isolate them and ring us for further advice.

Your horse should ideally be vaccinated at least every 12 months, with immunity beginning to reduce after 6 months. If your horse has not had a flu vaccination within the last 6-12 months, it may be sensible to discuss whether bringing their booster forward would be appropriate to help protect them.

Recent UK cases suggests that the majority of cases are not vaccinated. Those testing positive with flu that have been vaccinated have either:
• gone more than 6 months since their last flu booster,
• or are still completing their primary vaccination course

Alongside vaccination, sensible biosecurity measures remain extremely important:

☣ Isolate new arrivals where possible (in a separate barn where possible)
🥣 Avoid sharing equipment between horses
🫧 Maintain good hand hygiene and disinfection
🚫 Limit unnecessary horse-to-horse contact

Equine influenza is rarely fatal, but it can cause significant illness and disruption, and recovery periods can be prolonged in some horses. Prevention and early action remain the best tools we have to help protect both individual horses and the wider equine community.

If flu is suspected or confirmed on a yard, restriction of horse movements is the most responsible approach to help reduce further spread to neighbouring yards, competitions, clinics, and events. Additionally, please ensure all visiting professionals are informed to allow appropriate infection protocols to be carried out.

If you are unsure whether your horse’s vaccinations are up to date, or would like advice on booster timing, please contact the practice.

Team Toby’s first One Day Event!

A very respectable 32 in their dressage was a pleasing surprise. Their first test on grass and and only their second test after the rollercoaster that was Spring Festival! There’s still so much room for improvement in this area and when she’s bigger and a bit stronger to hold him together they are going to produce a gorgeous test!

A very nice clear round in the showjumping put them up the score board.

Heading out to the cross country I was holding my nerve. Having watched the two riders before Evie having problems and not completing I questioned my sanity. Evie ever the professional absolutely smashed it. We’d had a really good team talk on the course walk & she stuck to the plan!! I should really learn not to worry, she has got this!

To finish double clear in 4th place out of a huge class of 25 riders blew me away! She looked tiny in the prize giving, stood amongst her peers.

A huge thank you to the Belvoir Pony Club for putting on such a wonderful event.
Also, the messages of support and encouragement from so many people is amazing. I don’t know what the future holds for Evie but I know she’s giving it her very best shot 🔥❤️💪🏻

Happy bank holiday Monday 💫

I don’t even know where to start…

The past few weeks have been a rollercoaster!

Having qualified Billy for the Pony Club Spring Festival PC70 & entered the Freestyle to Music
Billy has sadly been off games so the Heir, Toby was drafted in. A whistle stop tour in all things dressage, last minute training, and a lot of praying to the pony Gods!

To have qualified for this show is a huge achievement and as far as I know she’s the only five year old to ever do it!! I would have moved heaven and earth to make sure she trotted down that centre line.

Toby was unsurprisingly excited to be at a big show and rather confused as to where the jumps were. This boy has no experience in the dressage world, we’ve only had him 2 months and this was their first time competing together. Their PC70 test was pretty whizzy 😆 and I did question my sanity but ever the true professional Miss Evie just took care of business and got him round the test.
Yesterday afternoon they had their Freestyle to music. She had to ride a floor-plan that we created, in a 20x60m arena with no caller and to the music. Stood ringside I’ve never known nerves like it!! All I wanted was for her to remember the test and have a great time.
She smashed it!!!

That child has nerves of steel and I couldn’t be prouder of how she’s handled this whole situation. She was a masterclass on how to cope with so many new things, over come so many challenges and to stay cool calm and collected under pressure. I know she’s my child and I’m meant to say this, but this weekend she proved beyond all doubt what a little cracker she is.

Congratulations to all the South Notts Pony Club at the Festival, it’s been testing times for many of us. A huge thank you to everyone that’s helped in the run up to this show, it’s been a mission!

Time to regroup and relax before making a few new plans for this year and figuring out what’s next.

Happy bloody Monday 💫

How are we nearly into March!?!

It has been a very busy few weeks. We welcomed the gorgeous Toby to team YLI and what a boy he’s turning out to be!!

A very successful dressage outing for Billy & Miss Evie, clocking up more points for the Area 6 pony club winter league.

A lot of very fun & muddy days trail hunting. Both Billy & Mr Maverick have been absolute legends bringing my girl home safe and sound every time. I even borrowed a ride on the fabulous Matilda while May cob is enjoying her holidays.

Plus jump training with the wonderful Isabel White, getting to know Toby and seeing their partnership grow.

A junior hunt ball & the Norton District Riding-Club presentation evening catching up with friends old and new!!

I don’t think we could have squeezed any more in if we had tried!!

Spring feels like it’s round the corner and there is so much to be excited about!

Happy super star Sunday 💫

January is absolutely flying 🚀

I’ve had the brilliant task of running the South Notts Pony Club trail hunting training & certificates. Bringing on the next generation of enthusiastic riders is such a joy. A big thank you to Mr Mottishaw MFH for supporting us & representing the SNH, particularly on a rainy Sunday afternoon!!

We made a trip to Valeview for their novice SJ show last weekend. Evie took Maverick round the 30cm & 40cm for the first time off the lead rein. He was impeccably well behaved, albeit a little confused as to where the hounds were!! Two double clears & red frillies to start the year off in style!

My lovely May Cobby has been a little star and is now on holiday for a short while. I am a huge believer in allowing them to rest & recharge, particularly when they are young. Plus I’m pretty sure she’s still got a bit of growing to do.

This weekend was the SNPC presentation evening. It’s such a highlight in our social calendar, a chance to celebrate everyone’s achievements, catch up with friends and the children have the best time together.
Evie & Billy scooped up the “best Veteran pony” award which was a gorgeous surprise.

A little trip to Brackenhurst for some dressage training yesterday, with both boys on top form.

Now back to work for a rest 😅

Happy weekend 🤩

2025 you’ve been some year!!!

Welcoming baby Harry into team YLI really has to be the highlight 💙

Evie’s had the most brilliant season with both Billy & Maverick. Those ponies just keep getting better & better!!
Baby May cob is flourishing in her role and turning into the sweetest little horse, I couldn’t love her more if I tried.
Gorgeous Olive found her new home and I’m excited to follow her next chapter.

Mr YLI continues to question his wife choices 🫢👀 And I count my blessings every day this I get to call this life mine.

Thank you all for your love & support this year.

2026 we are ready for you 💪🏻 x

Area 6 Pony Club Spring Festival Qualifier Show 💫

Miss Evie & angel pony Billy absolutely smashed it 💪🏻 their first season at PC70 and to gain that magical Q is something that dreams are made of. Forgive me for sounding boastful for a moment, but she’s five!!! Five years old and riding beyond her years to be possibly the youngest rider to ever qualify!

They also rode their first PC80 test, a few tired jockey mistakes pulled their marks down but a really solid performance & score.
I’m not sure two big hunting days this week plus all the madness of Christmas made for the best prep (I resisted the urge to suggest a practice Christmas day morning 😅)
They were a very credible 6th / 22 riders with so much to be excited about for the future.

A huge thank you to South Notts Pony Club for such a brilliant weekend of sport, the organising that goes on behind the scenes is phenomenal.

Also Sophie Wells OBE Dressage for the best training to help prep my little dancing team.

Not forgetting the wonderful unicorn Billy Blitzen who at the grand age of 24 is looking better than ever 🦄

Bring on Addington in March 🥳

Happy super star Sunday 🤩

Area 6 Pony Club Dressage 💫

We are over half way through the winter series now. Miss Evie has been putting the hours in 💪🏻 lots of training, hard work and dedication.
Her partnership with Billy goes from strength to strength. I love seeing the two of them dancing together.
They have been clocking up their points with plenty of podium placings and super score sheets.

What’s also so lovely to see is the support from our South Notts Pony Club team mates. It certainly makes the chilly mornings more enjoyable with smiling happy faces ☺️

Happy super star Sundays 🌟

Hacking, hounds & trial hunting 🍂 🦊 🐾

We’ve been clocking up the miles the last month or so. The weather has been kind, the ground conditions perfect and the ponies are enjoying themselves thoroughly.

Little May cob is proving herself to be a super all rounder and is getting into her stride following hounds, somewhat keenly at times 👀

Billy & Maverick are proving themselves to be absolutely awesome hunting ponies who both love that job. One is somewhat more trust worthy than the other 😆 no prizes for guessing who that might be…

Miss Evie amazes me with her stamina, determination and courage to cross the country. There’s a wild glint in her eye when she’s speeding along that slightly terrifies me & hugely impresses me in equal measure!

Happy super Sunday 🤩