Hi, my name is Charlie. I’m a 13-year-old boy from Morpeth, Northumberland, and together with my pony Gurteen Tonto better known as Spot we’ve qualified for the LeMieux Badminton Grassroots Championships BE90 2026.
After a great 2025 season, we secured our qualification at Scone Palace International Horse Trials, and with 10 weeks to go, our Badminton Grassroots Championships preparation has officially begun. I’m really excited to share the journey with you.
Spot enjoyed a well-deserved winter break after we competed at the Chillington Hall U18 Championships in September. Alongside riding, I also play rugby which keeps me busy throughout the winter months.
Spot came back into work in the second week of January. We planned to start earlier, but snow and bad weather delayed things. Once the ice finally cleared, he got his shoes back on and we had our first ride of 2026 a hack down our road with Mum.
I managed a few after school hacks when the light allowed, and on rugby days Mum helped by hacking him out during the daytime.
This weekend we hired a local indoor arena for a change from our home arena. With all the rain, hacking has been difficult for everyone, so it was good to do some more trotting and polework to begin building Spot’s strength again.
Spot also had a little clip this weekend, not a full one yet as we’re expecting more snow, and he still enjoys going out in the field every day.
I’m really looking forward to March. The nights are getting lighter, and hopefully we’ll manage a few more outings and our first jump of the year.
Can’t wait to share next month’s Badminton prep with you!
Charlie & Spot