PC Amy Meecham wins the Blue Chip Championships!

Well, where do I start? A dream come true winning at the blue chip showjumping championships.

So, this weekend was the weekend I went away to the Blue chip showjumping championships having qualified Samsara in the Haygain diamond class. I went last year and had a brilliant time but had a bit of 4 faultitis so didnt get any placings. This year my aim was to come away with a rosette if possible.I had the week leading up to the championships off work to prepare but to also look after all the children as Mick couldn't take time off work due to a course. This left me trying to prepare everything and fit the social lives of the step children into busy days.

On the Wednesday I travelled to EA Equi-rug wash to collect my sponsored goodies and have a photoshoot with Sammi wearing the items. I love the goodies I have been given, saddlecloth and fly veil, rug, clothing for me and hats, rug bags. We have been well and truly spoilt by Emma and the team at EA. Rose came to take the photos and took some absolute beauties. Rose is part of EA but also runs Country Pursuit Images with her husband Kevin. You can find them regularly at Sykehouse Arena shows taking amazing pictures of competitors. 

We had a jump in Emma's arena as a bit of practice and for Rose to get some pictures. Safe to say Sammi was flying and we had a great time.I really can't thank EA Equi-rug Wash enough for supporting me and choosing me as their sponsored rider. I feel so privileged to get this opportunity.

So, roll round to Friday morning. Alarm clock set for 0445 so that I could get to the yard and be on our journey to Hartpury. Mick had gone out on the Thursday for a few drinks which turned into a lot of drinks and him not getting home until 0210. He's lucky he wasn't locked out to be fair, my tolerance of things like that isn't very high. This meant I barely got any sleep so when my alarm went off I was a touch grumpy. Anyway, I got ready, picked my suitcase up and left the house yard bound. I woke Sammi up and gave her some breakfast and then got the lorry started up. I'd packed this the night before so I didnt need to worry about doing it so early. All I needed to do was load Sammi and suitcases. My two great friends Nicola and Leoni were joining me for the trip. At 6am we left the yard.

A good clear steady drive down and we arrived at around 10am. Unfortunately the stables weren't able to be accessed until 6pm so Sammi had to stand on the lorry. Next time I think I'll book my stable for the night before I arrive as well. Anyway we got sorted and had a look around before seeing when my first class was due to start. It was lovely to not have to rush and prepare relaxed. This helps me a hell of a lot to manage my anxiety levels and not go into meltdown. Theres nothing I hate more than rushing around and being late.

I walked the course, declared and then went to get on Sammi ready to warm up. Hartpury has a lovely big outdoor arena and I know Sammi prefers this to smaller indoor arenas. My plan for the class was to not go silly and use her speed where possible. I was drawn 20th to go out of 81 so would have a long wait to know any results.With no expectations i warmed up and Sammi felt good. Listening and jumping well.

My name was called and i headed to the arena entrance to go in. As we entered the ring I spoke to Sammi and just settled her. I talk to her loads when jumping as I feel it improves our bond and i can reassure her. I told her just to get a good round under our belts. We started the course and she felt to be jumping well and listening. In a single phase the second half is timed so after the double I stepped the speed up abit. Although there was a large triple combination which I slowed her down and got balanced for. She jumped it amazing. Once through that I put my foot down and opened her stride up. Now Sammi has her own way of going, call it Sammi style if you will and I just work with that. We did the last 3 jumps and pushed on through the finish line. We had jumped clear!!! I was so happy and amazed. Then the commentator said we had gone into the lead. I was so happy as it meant I may get a chance to get a rosette as with 61 to go after me there was no way I'd hold onto the lead.

We left the arena and wandered back to the lorry where she got lots of pat's, hugs, kisses and mints. We then untacked her and let her chill out. I watched a few go but didnt hear if i was still in the lead. I just heard slower times going into other spots. As the class drew to a close i knew i must have got some placing so tacked Sammi back up and headed down to the arena.

Standing there waiting I heard one of the stewards shout my name to see if i was there. I was. And then the results came out. "Its a win for Amy Meecham and Burnhamite Samsara" I nearly fell off. Me and Sammi, winners!!! Things like this dont happen to me. I always manage to mess it up and do something silly. Riding into the arena as the winner was amazing. My dreams had come true. The prize giving was a bit of a blur but I do know I got emotional and had a few tears. I was so happy with Sammi it all just came to a head. Then leading the riders off to a lap of honour with our first place rosette on was something else. What an experience. Cue more hugs, kisses, pats and mints. I had a truly goofy smile on my face which on looking back at pictures is cringeworthy but hey, who cares. I've waited 32 years for this moment. 

Sammi was untacked and I could see she wanted a wee. Now this is an issue with Sammi. She wont wee on the lorry and is fussy where she does wee. Only really in stables. So no matter how much walking around to find grass, the arena, everything she wouldn't go for a wee. We had qualified for the final in the afternoon so I really wanted her to wee as I knew she'd be uncomfortable. She didnt!!

Time for the final came and I went to warm up. We jumped some fences and then over the oxer I missed the stride and she took off at least 1 stride out resulting in a humongous jump. This unsettled her and she then refused a couple of times. Now Sammi doesnt do refusing so I knew she wasn't happy. I managed to jump a fence but then we had to go in the arena. I didnt feel I could hold her to the fences in case she refused so i had to drive her which means fence 1 and 3 fell to the floor. Knowing this wasn't Sammi I put my hand up and retired her. You'll always get another day but not another horse. By this point her stable was free so I took her straight round and she immediately had a wee. I knew she'd be desperate the poor girl. I snuggled her down ready for bed and made sure she was happy. My horse means the world to me and that's what is most important.

Us humans had a hotel for the night so headed there, very tired but elated. I kept rewatching the videos as I couldn't get my head round that Sammi and me had won a class at the championships. I was shattered so after some food we all went to bed.

Saturday was a good day, Sammi did some good jumping rounds but just lowered a couple of poles. To be honest I didnt really mind as I'd already far achieved what I thought I'd manage.

Sunday morning I went to get Sammi ready and she looked tired. Not her usual spark. I tacked her up and went to the warm up for our class. She seemed to jump well and was excited to jump so I took her in the class. The first half she jumped lovely, in a really good rhythm but once I opened her up for the speed section she lacked her normal edge and rolled 3 poles. That's not Sammi. Instantly I made the decision to withdraw her from the last class of the day and take her home instead. Home to rest and have a bit of time off.

I obviously had to get some pictures of her from the weekend so i got them and set off home. Knowing I'd also be back in time to see Kiara for some snuggles as I'd missed her for the weekend. Once back at home I put Sammi to bed and made my way home. Kiara and Poppy were very excited to see me. Mick and the step kids not so much. You wouldn't have known I'd won a class at the championships in my house. Just moaning about me bring away all weekend. How to be quickly deflated from being on cloud 9. Add that to being in agony with my MS due to the impact being tired has on it and yesterday evening I was quite downbeat. I suppose its hard for non horsey people to have emotion towards a horse and to me what is a huge achievement. Unfortunately they just dont get it and I dont think Mick ever will.

Anyway, life goes on and it was back to work today as a police officer at a high school. First day back so the kids were a bit wild. Always fun.

I must say a huge thank you to Nicola and Leoni being brilliant friends this weekend. Everyone who's supported me, wished me luck and congratulated me. It really does mean a lot. So thank you from the bottom of my heart