After a busy spring season that culminated with a 9th place finish on Leyland at Jersey Fresh, Stephen Bradley has given himself and his horses a bit of a summer break. Today, Stephen checks in with us to talk about the importance of time off, teaching, and getting back in the groove. Thanks for writing, Stephen, and thank you for reading.
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Stephen teaching Kelley Williams on Western Comet at A Bit Better Farm. Photo by Stephanie Bradley-Green.
From Stephen:
Summer Vacation
It’s been awhile since I last blogged for EN, and John thought it was about time I checked in, so I pulled together a quick update about the team.
Last time I checked in was right after Jersey Fresh in the middle of May. To be perfectly honest, not much has happened on the competition front since then. I was planning on taking the young Prelim horses to Waredaca in June, but was sick that week and decided to scratch at the last minute. So aside from a catch ride at Seneca Valley, it’s been pretty quiet on the competition side of things this summer. The main reason for this is that I’m a big believer in taking some time off. As I said in my previous blog, it’s hard to keep horses at their peak for too long. I think it’s important for the horses to get some down time to just be horses. I’m lucky to have a lot of turnout at home, so the horses spend a lot of time outside with a buddy. And we’re also lucky to have hours of hacking around the property available to us, so the horses also spend plenty of time out of the ring.
Not only is the down time good for the horses, but I also think it’s good for the riders. Regardless, if you’re going to a one-day horse trials or a weekend trip away, competing is tiring, both physically and mentally. So I find that blocking off at least a month or so where you’re not competing will help keep you fresh and loving your “job” versus getting burnt out halfway through the year. I always try to remember that I’m lucky to be doing what I love for a living, so I try to hold onto that idea and never take it for granted. Complaining about getting to ride world class horses every day is simply not an option!
But just because I haven’t been competing this summer, doesn’t mean that I haven’t been busy. I’ve taught over a dozen clinics since Jersey Fresh and have put more than a few miles on my car in doing so. But again, I can’t complain and really do love teaching as much as riding. I do have to say one of the highlights of the summer was doing the cross country course walks for Pony Club Nationals at the Virginia Horse Center in July. Having started my riding career in Pony Club, I think it’s so important to give back, and this was such a fun way to do so.
So when will I be competing next? The plan is to take a few horses to Waredaca in August and then Loch Moy in early September and go from there. Helen Brettell’s Marble Arch will be making his Intermediate debut at Loch Moy and his FEI debut at the Plantation Field CIC*. If I had to look into a crystal ball, I would say that “Archie” will contest a 2* in the spring and make a hopeful move up to Advanced late next year. But horses are horses, so we’ll see what he wants to do. Charlotte Harris’ Bedazzled (aka “Boomer”) will continue at Preliminary this fall and we’ll re-evaluate at the end of the year to see if we should aim him for a spring 1* or Intermediate move up. Unfortunately Peter Foley’s Loreto sustained a mild injury that will keep him out of competition this fall, but he’ll be ready to rock and roll by winter time. And the Nicholsons’ Leyland will be gearing up for a fall three-day after thoroughly enjoying his time off this summer.
On a side note, the end of summer does mean that I will be losing two working students as they go off to school. So if you know of anyone looking, be sure to send them my way!
Until next time …
Stephen
