Hi, I am Jeni Ball and I am a registered BHSAI Int SM, have my Certificate in Education, NVQ 3, a qualified Equine Body Worker and now guest blogger on this fantastic website.
I live in Lancashire and the past five years have been spent setting up and running my own equestrian business. Initially I was an NVQ centre and assessed upto level three, ran Pony Club and had a small riding school. I have now downsized a little and teach freelance clients, liveries and do equine massage. This means I do not have to employ staff and can in theory spend more time with my horses!
Before setting up my own business I was the Yard Manager at the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) for over seven years. I was involved in the retraining, re-homing and the welfare of the ex-race horses including Hallo Dandy, Earth Summit and Desert Orchid to mention a few. During my time with the T.R.C I was lucky enough to do several interviews for television and radio and I featured in national magazines and tabloids and appeared in promotional material endorsing Top Spec products amongst others. I have also ridden at demonstrations at the Three Counties Showground, Your Horse Live and T.R.C Open days.
I am also involved in writing articles and columns in various well known horse magazines and websites and local BHS magazines.
I did not have ‘horsey’ parents and had to get a job and save up for my first horse which eventually arrived when I was 18. I have owned a few different types of horses over the years and they have all taught me so much. I now have 5 horses which I hope will stay with me forever. After buying youngsters in the past to break in etc I decided to breed my own to cut out any problems that may be caused by other people and so that I knew everything that had happened to them.
Live to Event follows my highs and lows as I compete in the sport of British Eventing. I am a grassroots eventer and I am trying to secure some sponsorship to make my eventing more enjoyable and sustainable. I only approach companies who's products I use and trust and that I can promote full heartedly. You will see me using and wearing the products throughout my Eventing career.
I have started a blog to record my daily training so I can share my experiences and evaluate how the horses are progressing within their training plans.
At present I am eventing at BE90 and BE100 level on Midsomer Clover or Tilly. My aim for this year is to progress and hopefully end the season with a Novice under our belts.
I am just starting out on Mezza Luna or Mez and will be aiming to start at Stafford BE80T in March depending on how much we can get out before then. We have been competing at Indoor Arena Eventing this winter and we have won the Intro class on both occasions. She is still very green and needs to gain a lot of confidence before she gives me her all.
Please see the My Horses page for further details on all my horses and follow my blog to keep upto date with all the goings on.
LIVE TO EVENT TEAM
Joe Mackinder from Dalehead Vets is always on hand to give me advice over the phone or in person if required. I have found it so important to have a close working relationship with Joe which has turned into a friendship over the years aswell.
Barry Morton, Farrier who has shod my horses for a number of years now. He is always willing to give advice and on the very odd occasion that one of my horses loses a shoe is on hand asap to replace it. (This is usually in the fence aswell!)
Peter, my husband who is very patient and helps me with most of my descions with the horses and helps me to break and train them and has been very influential in both the foalings of Maisey and Kirkby!
Joe Mackinder from Dalehead Vets is always on hand to give me advice over the phone or in person if required. I have found it so important to have a close working relationship with Joe which has turned into a friendship over the years aswell.
Barry Morton, Farrier who has shod my horses for a number of years now. He is always willing to give advice and on the very odd occasion that one of my horses loses a shoe is on hand asap to replace it. (This is usually in the fence aswell!)
Peter, my husband who is very patient and helps me with most of my descions with the horses and helps me to break and train them and has been very influential in both the foalings of Maisey and Kirkby!
