20/08/2026
๐ THETFORD โ MAXXโS BIG LEARNING WEEKEND โค๏ธ
For Maxx, AKA Mellway Golden Kosssck.
Thetford was never really about the grades. It was about education, experience and confidence.
He has already completed a few 40km Novice rides, some with Ditto and some on his own. With our young horses, we like to keep developing their education and experiences rather than simply increasing the kilometres during their Novice year.
So, Thetford was a fantastic opportunity.
It was Maxxโs first sleepover at an event and his first multi-day competition โ with the huge advantage of having Ditto there as his mentor.
Friday was all about settling in. We walked around the venue, visited the vet hold, looked at the tents, watched horses coming and going and let him take everything in without pressure.
On Saturday, he was relaxed in the vetting with Ditto nearby. Out on course, Ditto was there to show him the way when needed.
At crew points, Ditto would drinkโฆ so Maxx would drink.
On finishing, Ditto would p*eโฆ so Maxx would p*e. ๐
It was lovely watching him take his confidence from Ditto.
We kept the pace around 11kph, walking the softer and flinty sections, and allowed Maxx to learn rather than pushing him. He did occasionally remind us that he is still a young horse with some very lively moments in the canter! ๐
Then came the big testโฆ
Could he come back and do it all again the next day?
Yes! โค๏ธ
Another 40km, another completion and another Grade 2.
So Maxx finished the weekend with two Grade 2s, but more importantly, he finished with something far more valuable โ a happy, confident young horse who has learned that staying away, competing for two days and tackling the unknown is all perfectly normal.
Thatโs what this stage of his education is about.
We don't need to rush him. We want to give him the right experiences, at the right time, without pressure.
And having Ditto there to show him the ropes made Thetford pretty special. โค๏ธ
Two very good boys. ๐ฅฐ๐
For us, thatโs what Team H is all about โ producing horses with the fitness, confidence and experience to progress at their own pace, while always putting the horse first. โค๏ธ๐
From young horses learning the ropes to preparing experienced horses for international competition, every step has a purpose. The goal isnโt simply to get there โ itโs to build a horse that is ready, happy and confident when the bigger challenges come.
TopSpec
Thetford Endurance
Griffin NuuMed
Thermatex
Sarah Light
Tracey Red Hart
Endurance GB
