Diary of Grassroots Eventer - Vicky Smith

 Vicky Smith has joined our sponsored team and competes at British Eventing competitions predominantly in the North of England as well as in showing. Vicky hunts and is also a full-time teacher. Vicky is supported by uber groom - Mum, Angela - who's a happy lady now she's got her SP jacket and pinny for plaiting!

Vicky competed in the Badminton Grassroots competition (BE100) in 2014 and aims to compete in 2015 and is going to keep us up to date in the run up to this great competition in May.




I am thrilled to have been asked to join the Supreme Products sponsored team. For me turnout is key and I have been a user of the products for many years. I am very grateful for their support and look forward to using the products to have my horse looking immaculate during the eventing season and also this winter on the hunting field.

Indian King II (Bugsy) has had a quiet month as he managed to qualify once again for the Grassroots final at Badminton 2015 on his first attempt at Bold Heath. I'm thrilled about returning to Badminton! I've been competing him throughout the season along with Mrs J Robertson's Quality Minstral (Minstral) who we are hoping may get a top 8 placing in his last regional final which would enable him to compete alongside Bugsy at Badminton next May. 

My young event prospect 'Beat Surrender' (Rue) has been turned out for a winter break following a successful first season for him and I have just returned home from Horse of the Year Show where I was lucky enough to compete in some show classes. 

'The Boys' looking dapper in their fly veils!

HOYS was great fun and I had a lovely ride on Jackie Webb's homebred Connemara Blackthorn Passion, who finished 7th. I also rode the coloured horse Llynfi Vallet Colorado for my friend Wayne Thorneycroft. It was emotional to see Wayne having his first ever HOYS win, as he has had a tough year personally and it was great to see his hard work paying off. 

HOYS is always great fun and it was good to cheer on Supreme team-mates Sue-Helen Shuttleworth and Robert Walker. Rob took the hunter championship on Jill Day's breathtaking Caesars Palace as well as winning the heavyweight cob title for the fifth year in a row on Camilla Neame's Starry Night. Sue took highest placed Traditional Cob in the Native Coloured Ridden Horse class with the Kimico Stud's In Your Dreams. 

The next few months we will focus on training and I hope to get plenty of hunting in which is great for the horses and my cross country riding! 

I hope you all keep wrapped up and enjoy a restful few months now the seasons are drawing to a close!

Until next time,
Vicky