Helen Kitto Dressage

Helen Kitto Dressage BD List 3 judge, coach and competitor British Dressage List 3 judge with competition experience up to and including Inter I.

14/06/2025

Bryn had his first lesson yesterday with Hayley Watson-Greaves - WG Dressage . So thrilled with how he's coming on, he's such a dream!

Peachy 🍑🍑
14/06/2025

Peachy 🍑🍑

Bryn had his first outing yesterday since Regionals with a trip to The Grange Equestrian. As always he was a total pleas...
28/03/2025

Bryn had his first outing yesterday since Regionals with a trip to The Grange Equestrian. As always he was a total pleasure to take out and won both prelims overall with 68.75% and 71.9%, but I'm most pleased with how I feel his balance is developing, especially in the canter work. As a Welsh D he doesn't always have the natural 'uphill balance' 🤣 that the warmbloods do, so it's a bit more effort (not his favourite) for him to carry himself. We've got a couple more outings planned to hopefully get our summer regionals qualification then I'll think about trying some novice tests with him 🤞

20/03/2025

James went out today for a practice run of Advanced 1 before our first outing in the tailcoat next weekend 🤞

He's such a dream horse and after just over two years I'm starting to feel that I can more or less actually ride him (but don't hold me to that 🤣) I still don't always have control of all 17.2hh and 650kg but when me not having control means he accidentally throws in a one-time change I'll take it 🧡

Thanks to Alana Macartney and Dylan for such a lovely morning out, after what has felt like a long winter it was an absolute joy to be out and about in the sunshine 🌞

Regional Championships today for James and Bryn so it was a 4am start and a convoy journey to Chard Equestrian with Jame...
16/02/2025

Regional Championships today for James and Bryn so it was a 4am start and a convoy journey to Chard Equestrian with James in my lorry and Bryn being chauffeured by Alana Macartney - Equine and Canine Sports Therapy as I don't have the payload to travel both.

We managed to get there in time for the arena walk with Bryn which mostly consisted of a lot of crying for his long-lost brother who was about 50 metres away 🤦🏻‍♀️ Then quite a quick turnaround for the tests (it's very taxing when you also need to do an outfit change - god forbid I should wear pink on the chestnut/navy on the black 😱)

Anyway, not the scores or results I would have hoped for but two absolutely MEGA horses today - 4.5 hours of transport, their first regionals, only Bryn's 4th BD show, first time stabling away from home, 5 arenas on the go, speakers, flowerpots, and so on. Both had some small blips in their tests - James thought we were doing an intro so decided to bail before any canter, and Bryn couldn't cope with the continued absence of his brother (photographic evidence attached) but also so much fantastic work and I'm beyond proud of them.

Also, word to the wise - Chard is the coldest place on earth. I got complimented on my jacket which looked apparently like a hypothermia blanket, then doubled up with two shiny puffas. It was quite a look.

Endless thank you to Alana Macartney for all your help today. I actually literally couldn't have done it without you. And remember for next time - no washing line reins for me, no cheeseburger for you 🤣

Beautiful Bryn!
13/12/2024

Beautiful Bryn!

The Welsh one completed his Regionals qualification in style today (thank f*ck, as it was the last chance after numerous...
12/12/2024

The Welsh one completed his Regionals qualification in style today (thank f*ck, as it was the last chance after numerous missed opportunities from cancellations and withdrawals due to snow, storms, and a very uncooperative horsebox). My highest ever BD score too...

The best part is, THERE WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER!!! The less good part is that I couldn't be arsed to plait and wasn't wearing my pink jacket. Still, photos of the little legend Bryn to follow, and the pink jacket will be out for Regionals in February.




The Grange Equestrian

01/12/2024

The Welsh one was an absolute star today - our second show together, his second ever BD, and first time at this venue, and he was a total dream. My arrival was a bit hectic as the lorry overheated on the way so we had a brief sojourn on the side of the A39 while I waited for it to cool down enough for me to decant mine and his drinking water into the coolant system 🤦🏻‍♀️

But once we were in the arena not a single spook or moment that he didn't do his absolute best, one slight rider error in the first canter but otherwise two beautiful prelim tests. The scores were disappointing but I can't really be disappointed because he didn't put a foot wrong and tried so hard. Loving this little horse so much! 🖤

And what a treat to have a video for once! Thank you Alana Macartney - Equine and Canine Sports Therapy for your support and top notch leading skills - 'What, you actually want me to lead you into the arena?'. Yes. Yes I do. 🤣


27/11/2024

Polework Wednesdays. Might sack off the horses and get into cat training instead 🐈‍⬛️🐈

James's turn for a trip out today, for his first show since June 😱 I decided that given he hadn't been out for 5 months ...
17/11/2024

James's turn for a trip out today, for his first show since June 😱 I decided that given he hadn't been out for 5 months it was the right time to step him up from Novice to Advanced Medium 🤦🏻‍♀️

The changes didn't go entirely to (my) plan but despite me being largely ineffectual at most of the elements of 'riding' he got two wonderful qualifying scores. Just goes to show what a ridiculously fantastic horse he is - I suspect he'd probably do better on his own 🤣

Thanks to Equidance for my fabulous music and Tall Trees Arena for another brilliant, friendly show. No lovely photos of the outing but one of him looking suitably handsome upon arrival home.

🧡🧡🧡

New kid on the block Bryn, purebred Welsh Section D, went to his first ever BD show today. He's only been with me 3 week...
14/11/2024

New kid on the block Bryn, purebred Welsh Section D, went to his first ever BD show today. He's only been with me 3 weeks so we don't know each all that well yet, but he aced his prelims! He followed this triumph by being a bit of a tit on the horsebox, but I'll let him off for now 🤣. No photographer so just his lovely fluffy face to show here!

Cobs for the win 🙌 🖤

Many thanks to St Leonards Equestrian Centre & Holiday Cottages for such a lovely morning! Loved being back at your friendly venue.

21/10/2024

I've been very quiet on here lately but wanted to share this little belter 🤣 After various lorry related disasters I've ended up very behind on my competition plans but finally got out today to video James's floorplan for his freestyle. My Pivo has been a bit iffy lately, but I was delighted to see it kept tracking me through the whole 5 minutes I needed it to. It was only when I got home I realised what it had found so scintillating to record....

Equidance, if you can't work with this kind of video quality, are you even a proper music producer?!?! 🤣🤣🤣 (Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH for dealing with my uselessness!)

Thanks SOOOOO much to Ceri Phipps-Hewlett for letting me use your wonderful arena!

Address

Holsworthy

Telephone

+447780118734

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Helen Kitto Dressage posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category