Competitions

Claire and Perdido W at the MCI Championships 2026

~ claire ballardie

You Tube link:

Claire and Perdido W at the MCI Championships at Addington 2026

Well, we managed to qualify for the MCI Dressage Championships at Addington 2026.

This was our first championship, and we had qualified at Sevilla level, so we also competed in the freestyle Flamenca class. Perdido took all in his stride, and we certainly were more confident having had a few outings this year. Each show is a learning curve, but my main take-away was to enjoy every moment!

Everything needs to be planned so things run smoothly,  packing up the lorry in the right order, so everything is to hand when needed. Lists of tack, and essentials such as hair grips, and tea bags  make sure nothing is left behind. What I find most stressful are the logistics of driving the lorry to somewhere new,. Arguing with the Sat Nav, avoiding traffic hold-ups are all part of the experience!

 

Perdido settled in well in the stables, and stood patiently while I faffed around with his plaits.

 

 

There was a bit of ‘horse chat’ on the first night of the ‘horse sleep over’ with random neighing overnight. The second night, everyone was tired, horses and people, so we all had a good night’s sleep.

 

 

 

I met new people, and had visits from my husband, who is great for moral support and a dab hand with a camera. My nephew and his wife. came on the Sunday, and helped me to pack up again ready for the home journey., which was much appreciated.

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I am so lucky to have such a lovely horse, who just enjoys what ever we do. Here’s to next year!

You also get a lovely plaque for taking part. Much appreciated, so thank you MCI GB.

 

Perdido W at the GBPRE Show Hartpury 2026

~ claire ballardie

Here is a short diary about our 2026 show experience at the GBPRE Show at Hartpury 2026.

Short video of our Hartpury experience 2026

 

Well, we have been to this show for a few years now, and have our routine for settling in. The knack is to load the lorry in the right order for arrival, so wheel barrow, bedding and hay are the last on, and first off. I have become quick at setting uo my ‘lorry camp’, with camp bed in the horse compartment, and sundowner at the ready once all is set up!

Thursday is settling in day for both me and Perdido after the journey.

Friday

Today was dressage day, with three classes. Being familiar with the arenas, and the stables really helped us to be calm and really enjoy the classes. The process of and warm-up amongst other riders can be daunting, but we mostly focus on relaxation, walking on a long rein, saving our energy for the actual test. This prevents us getting too tired, running out of steam in the test. (this is more for my benefit, as Perdido loves showing off, and announces his presence in the ring by neighing to anyone who will listen!

My husband, Dougald arrived in the afternoon, and we shared a lovely evening with friends at the show, sharing our experiences through the day. My last class was at 9pm, so I was pretty hungry afterwards.

I was so pleased that our results were better than last year. I get a sense of satisfaction from improving,  and Perdido showing a better level of training, despite our scores not being sufficient to be in the prizes.

Saturday

Today was ANCCE showing day, with judges from Spain assessing registered horses in the classes. Perdido was in the 7+ years old stallions, ably handled by Rosie. I had to admit defeat with the running up, and settled for leading Perdido around the arena. Rosie did the technical bits of standing him properly for inspection, and running with him.

In the evening, we did our Alta Esquela test, classical riding in Spanish costume, which is my favourite. Over the last 3 years, we have been the only one in the class, but our scores have improved significantly this year. We have now won 3 medals, one each year, qualifying us for the SICAB show in Spain, thought I think we have a way to go to be of the standard to hike over to Seville!

 

 

The Grand Parade is the final class, which Perdido loves. Much neighing with showing off is his cup of tea, or rather sangria! I managed to down the cup of sherry offered to riders this time without spilling dowm my front.

Sunday

Sunday morning was the functionality dressage test, the second part of the ANCCE class. I felt a bit tired, so kept the warm-up short, mainly walking. Perdido was on form, again much neighing in the test! I think he was still on a high from yesterday’s parade classs, so i hae to keep the showing off under wrap to keep him caml through the test. Again, I was pleased with our improvement from last year, though we were placed last in the classs.

So, why do we compete? Well, for me it is a way to judge our progress at home in other venues, at different shows, a test of how far Perdido and I have come both in technique, and in confidence in each other. I’d say it is about having a succesful outing, from travelling, packing and unpacking the lorry, managing the logistics of carting everything around, and meeting up with lovely people, old friends, and new lorry park buddies!

 

Perdido at the Lusitano Breed Show Addington 2026

~ claire ballardie

Perdido and I had a great time at the Lusitano Show at Addington 2026.

We were more confident on our dressage tests, with a few mistakes, but, hey, every day’s a school day!

Our Sevilla music test went well and we ended up with 5th place. We had a go at the next level up, at Lisboa and Fandango (music). The flying changes are a work in progress, but I was really pleased about his paces.

 

We won best PRE in the Grand Parade, and we both really enjoyed taking part. The thing is not to feel intimidated by everyone ‘free wheeling’, and to just ride well and calmly. It it very much like a warm up arena, in that you have no idea where anyone is going.

 

 

 

Our prize haul from the weekend. Lovely rosettes!

Claire and Perdido at the GBPRE Show Hartpury 2025

~ claire ballardie

Perdido and I had a lovely time at the GBPRE Show at Hartpury this July. We gained a lot of confidence from competing here last year, so my goal was to improve on last time.  This is a short summary or our experience.

My top tips would be:

  • Practice feeling relaxed all the time – handling, riding, to give you horse confidence in you.
  • Train for everything- dressage tests, loading, in-hand work, and get running. Sadly my running skills were not up to keeping up with Perdido, so I did let him down.
  • Get used to your wearing your Spanish gear- tack and clothes. Including appropriate underwear. (Thank goodness for M&S ‘hold it all in pants!)
  • practice getting your chaps done up (I knocked my time down to about 10 minutes from half an hour!)
  • Practice plaiting. By the last day of the show, my skills were quit passable.
  • Pack your grooming kit with everything you need to hand (including mints.
  • Drink water. All the prep-mucking out, running around with your trolley-is very thirsty work, so stay hydrated. Mind you, make sure you go to the loo before donning said control pants- I sympathise with the corset wearers of olden days who fainted a lot!)
  • Get a festival trolley to cart everything around (last year I had a squeaky wheelbarrow which drove everyone mad!)

Upgrading the horse lorry two weeks before the show added a bit of logistical stress, with putting everything in the right place for grabbing at the right moment.With wine stashed in the wardrobe, and food rammed into the tiny fridge, all angles were covered. The cutlery draw was just the right size for phones, keys and polos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The planning paid off, ensuring calm transitions between events, with time for a sit down and a beer (kept under the sink) with my ever-patient husband in between, filming our progress.

 

Perdido is now an old hand at these away-shows, and was totally chilled throughout. Although I looked so serious in all the photos, I did actually enjoy it all! It was so lovely meeting up with old friends and enjoying showing our lovely horses.

After a long drive home, it was lovely getting back to recover: to the peace and quiet, and enjoying a hack around the fields. It took a couple of days to unpack the lorry again!