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Back to work! From winter woes to wobbly lines, Jess Rimmer takes us through the slow work (and horses who think they’re funny) to polished event horses I would start off by saying the traditional and polite ‘December has flown by’ … but in reality, it feels like it’s been one of the longest months of the year, and I’m very glad to be seeing the back of it! The horses had been out enjoying their winter holiday, and excitingly, they all came back into work at the start of December to begin building their fitness for the 2025 competition season. This isn’t all as “sunshine and rainbows” as it might at first glance appear! With competition horses, it’s super important that we build their fitness back up slowly, to set a solid foundation of strength and protect against potential future injuries. Which sounds great … until you realise it means spending the entirety of a cold, grey December not breaking out of a walk on some rather fresh horses! Mattie and Elsa haven’t let their halos slip so far. Max can have the odd spooky moment, but has overall been pretty good, too. Jimmy, on the other hand, thought he was absolutely hilarious … he made a total fool of me on his very first ride back, bucking me clean off within about 30 seconds of my foot going into the stirrup! Luckily no harm done (other than a rather bruised ego) – the joys of excitable young horses and winter. As I said, goodbye December! Having done nearly a month of walking, just after Christmas we started some trot work. We build this up gradually as their fitness increases – to start with, just a few laps of the arena, and after a couple of weeks they’ve built up to being able to trot twice up the gallops. That’s about where we’re at as I write this: from here it starts to get a bit more interesting. We re-introduce some basic dressage moves, some pole work, and maybe we’ll even have a canter next week (yikes – I’ll be holding my neck strap!). Just a short back and sides Following their winter holidays in the field, the horses are all looking rather fluffy and unkempt. It’s actually nice for them to grow out their natural coats – but they definitely need a tidy up before the 2025 season! We will spend the next few weeks trimming their manes, tails and bridle paths until they start to resemble the sleek, shiny competition horses you are all accustomed to seeing! It’s not only about appearance, but also practicality and comfort. As they build up their work rate, the horses will find their fluffy winter coats a little too toasty, at which point we will give them a clip to help them keep cool during exercise. Clipping is a skill … one which I am yet to master. The first time I attempted to clip, it took me double the time it should have, and resulted in some very dodgy lines and an embarrassed looking horse (I’m so sorry, Bobby!). One slightly tearful phone call later, and Stacey the magic head groom came to the rescue. I have had marginally more success recently, thank goodness, but it definitely isn’t something I’ve mastered yet! Gently, gently Although it’s no speedy process bringing the horses back into work, it’s so important for their long-term soundness, and it’s something which really can’t be hurried. In many ways, it’s very satisfying seeing their transformations from floofy, unfit bog ponies to fit, polished event horses. The work it takes to get there often goes unappreciated – despite the fact it’s happening in every event yard all over the country at the moment! Hopefully things will start to speed up a bit in January – until then, it’s a case of numerous extra layers, plenty of hot cups of tea … and remembering to hold on tight! Jess Rimmer Team Rimmer Eventing Fox-Pitt Eventing #eventingyard #eventing #3dayeventing #equine #horses #equestrian #dorsetequestrian #dorset #thebvmagazine #bvmagazine