As my one year anniversary as a Brand Ambassador for Bed-Down Horse Bedding approaches, along with their launch of the new Brand Ambassador program, I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to look back on my year with the Bed-Down team.
Although we haven’t had much opportunity to get out and compete this year due to Covid both Johnny and Bella had some success at online dressage with Bella qualifying for the Schools national Championships (which are sadly put on hold for the time being). Johnny, my 5 year Connemara, has gained some great experience at a few events and improves all the time so really looking forward to this year with him. He has such an amazing personality that he constantly makes me smile. Bella has had some time off this year but am also looking forward to progressing more with her in Eventing. My dear old 13.2hh Dan is 21 this year and enjoyed coming out of retirement in the summer to win an Elementary dressage test. Such a special pony who knows just how to rise to the occasion but also knows that he is most definitely king of the yard! Rocco our other young Connemara was backed in May and proving to be a superstar, learning things so quickly and is totally unfazed by new experiences including dressing up as a reindeer and following Santa’s lights a blazing musical sleigh around our village at Christmas!
It was great to meet some of the other Bed-Down Team last year where I got to visit the factory and see how the bedding is made and to interview 5 star event riders Simon Greive, Tom Rowland and Stacey Shimmons and top dressage rider Tammy Ruffles as well as attempting to beat them round a obstacle course jumping over Bed Down bales (sadly I couldn’t quite make the claim to fame as Bed-Down Champion but Simon was a worthy winner!). Dan and I also were very privileged to take part in a photo shoot for the new Bed-Down website – Dan definitely enjoyed all the attention that day!
For anyone thinking about taking part in the Ambassador search my advice is to go for it – the team are lovely and Emily Evans is great fun and very supportive and it’s really easy to say lots of nice things about Bed-Down bedding because it really is so good.
I use the Excel range of bedding for my four and it is by far the best bedding I have used ever. We use our stables all year round and this year particularly it has been really important to have such a high quality bedding with Bella having a period of box rest and Dan struggling with laminitis a little so it was great for them to have a dust free and supportive environment when they have needed to be stabled for long periods. Winter is always challenging as our fields flood so it’s good to get them in overnight to dry their feet out and keep them healthy particularly important for three barefoot ones!
The two younger ponies, Johnny and Rocco, also loved coming in during the day over the summer for a snooze often lying down within 5 minutes of coming off the field. One of the things I particularly like is how soft and bouncy the bedding is and it’s so nice to see them so relaxed and comfy in their stables. (And I also love the smell of a fresh bale!)
I am looking forward to working with Bed-Down in the coming months and there are plans for a YouTube video (Covid and lockdown restrictions permitting!) and a giveaway soon so watch this space!
