Hello everyone

Just an update on what ive been doing in the 2^nd month in Belgium.

The trip to Ankys was amazing but you soon settle back into the routine at “La Fazenda” . The horses headed by  Verdi de la Fazenda (complete with Hamag number holders), competed at a local competitions for solid wins this gave me my first look at competition warm ups which along with starting the younger horses is something I really wanted concentrate on.

Between Xmas and New years I went to Jumping – Mechelen it was 5 days of Equestrian sport with prize money over 460,000 euro ,  the PSG was won by the Dutch Rider Hans Peter MINDERHOUD on an amazing Jazz Stallion IPS Tango with Julie DE DEKEN and Fazzino second and  Anky Van GRUNSVEN  third on Nelson and  I haven’t seen anything like it in my life.  The GP was won by another super Jazz horse the gelding of  Adelinde CORNELISSEN, Parzival. Second was Anky VAN GRUNSVEN and Painted Black and third was  the PSG winning rider Hans Peter MINDERHOUD on EXQUIS NADINE which made it a clean sweep for the Dutch.  The winners both being by Jazz caught my attention as there is a very nice Jazz gelding waiting for me at home.

I didn’t get the white xmas i was hoping for but I have had plenty of snow  on other days that’s for sure.  Xmas day was amazing with Johan, Penny and Sjef making it a real family xmas for all who are so far away from home..we have a Canadian and Israeli working here also. I have been getting a little more game when it comes to traveling around on days off, and I will probably have Antwerpen mastered by the time I come home.

Now Coming home is the big news,  my return has been delayed  with the aim of me competing  in the Belgium Winter Series. I was speechless when Penny made the suggestion and I couldn’t get on the phone to home quick enough to see if I could stay and flights etc could be changed.  This of course causes me to miss comps at home  and puts the timetable of some horses return back somewhat, but when all this was weighed up the opportunity to compete in a European Series won.  I want to thank those owners who have horses booked in for being so flexible in allowing me to stay.

Ive attached photos, Antwerpen, La Fazenda, Anky and Painted Black in the GP at Mechelen, The arena in Mechelen with its xmas trees hanging from the ceiling and Anky and Nelson in the PSG, these should be all in order but it won’t be hard to work out

Well that’s all the news for now

Cheers from Ben