2016 Endurance Season Round Up – Katie Bedwin
I cannot believe it’s already the middle of October, 1151 successful kilometres ridden this season, but where has the time gone! I’ve now started studying paediatric nursing at the University of Brighton, so I’m now readjusting mine and my horses’ routine’s to fit with my new timetable. I’m very glad that I made the decision to go to university in Brighton, so I could continue living at home and keep the horses going.
This season has been one of the busiest yet, and I am finding now that despite my unit work, I still have a lot of free time at weekends! I’ve been very fortunate to ride some very special horses this year; Elayla, Burfield Goodie Two Shoes, Penhwnllys Samala De Mons and Nahzira bint Chantanz, and although they had very different goals, they have been achieved and then some!
Burfield Goodie Two Shoes, has defied all odds and is qualified for the 2017 World endurance championships for young riders in Italy, after completing her two CEI 2** 120km rides, with a 1st at Kings Forest and 8th at Euston Park. She has also had good placing’s/grading’s in all of her other competitions this season, including her first ever Red Dragon experience, where she was 8th in the Little Dragon 80km class.
Layla’s season plan has been the most difficult this year, at times it felt like every ride I entered was cancelled/changed! But she had a brilliant run at Royal Windsor CEI 2** 120km, where she placed 22nd, the 3rd GB combination home and I was the first young rider home. Layla also went on to win the 80km National race at Kings Forest in the summer, she led from the start and it was one of those races, where everything seems to go to plan – and this doesn’t happen often! Layla has also been instrumental in taking my young horses out this season, she is a brilliant confidence giver and has gained the top grading, even though she thought it was boring being a nanny!
Nahzira bint Chatanz has been with us since she was 6 months old, but it is still daunting when you enter their first ever endurance ride. I had no need to worry because Izzy has taken her three novice rides in her stride, and the atmosphere did not bother her in the slightest. She has now upgraded to open level for 2017, and has her first 40km qualifier under her belt, to start her pathway to FEI.
I am very fortunate to have the ride of Penhwnllys Samala De Mons, a mare who I backed at three years old and has subsequently returned to me to complete her first few longer rides. Marley has a lot of potential, and her owner was keen for her to fulfil this, so we started her on the FEI ladder after completing her last 80km qualifier. She was 2nd in the CEI 1* at Kings Forest, and this was a great start to her FEI career. Unfortunately, the CEI 2* we had aimed for was cancelled, so we will have to wait till 2017 to obtain her next qualification.
I could not ask any more from my horses, but I equally could not achieve what I have without my support team and sponsors. Every mile I have competed this season, at home and in competition has been with my Derriere’s on...basically because I can’t bring myself to ride in anything else anymore! The Derriere Equestrian underwear meets the needs of every rider by combining comfort with style, and once you’ve tried them you won’t look back. A personal favourite of mine are the ‘DE Padded Performance Panty’, but I cannot wait to try the new DE sports bra’s!
So whilst I watch the horses’ grazing in the field, on their winter breaks, my thoughts turn the 2017 season. Now this will obviously be my first season with juggling university and endurance – but I am not worried, I have coped through GCSE’s and A levels, a degree will be a breeze….! I’m always getting asked how I juggle my studies and sport, so I have written some tips below, I’m no expert, but they help me!
Tips on how to juggle university studying and sport training;
Be organised; you don’t want to let your studies or your sport down, so keep an up to date diary of lectures, meetings and assignment deadlines. It’s then easier for you to see when you can fit in training.
Manage your time wisely; Time is precious, you don’t want to waste an hour and then regret it! Ensuring you allow enough time each week for social and downtime is really important, and key to a happy and healthy body.
Do not procrastinate; Complete your assignments when they are set, not last minute! Poor planning leads to undue stress, and missed training sessions.
Take advantage of days off and gaps between lectures; It is very tempting to do nothing, but it is also just as easy to get ahead of your work, making your life easier over the next few weeks.
Sport is great for study breaks; Instead of using social media or watching TV. Use sport as a way of escaping from your work, it is great for the body and mind, as it gets you in the fresh air and thinking about something completely different.
Talk; Universities/schools understand the demands of sport, and how it can affect your studies. If you are honest with them, then in my experience they will give you a lot of support in juggling the two aspects.
Take time out; If you manage your time, then it should be easy for you to spend time not doing sport or studying – and this is very important, trust me!
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