

	01 August 2010

Chapter Six: The Barforths set Sail

In 1998 Ian had started to compete a horse belonging to Joy Forest of Gainford called Barforth Sea Admiral in affiliated dressage, the partnership went well – practically unbeaten – so Joy and her husband Fred, who had hundreds of promising youngsters decided set up a yard at Newton Aycliffe and asked Ian to run it and to compete the horses for them. It was a highly successful partnership and Ian and Barforth Sea Admiral went on to be placed at the national winter/summer and regional championships at every level up to advanced medium over the next 3 yrs,

Barforth Sea Admiral had a little sister called Barforth Sea Lady she was a little to slight for Ian so Vicki was asked to compete her and Sea Lady like her big brother proved to be unstoppable in the dressage arena.

In one season, as a 5 yr old Vicki rode Sea lady, a she won nearly every time out which culminating in finished 3rd at the winter nationals and a credible 18th at the summer nationals. It was during this time when Ian and Vicki` were riding for the Forest` that they first met their now good friend and trainer Paul Hayler ( International Dressage rider and accredited BD Trainer),

Unfortunately after Fred died in 2000 and the yard was gradually dispersed.