Stride Ahead

Dubai Day was a fantastic showcase of Arabian racing, congratulations to all that were victorious and enjoy your celebrations, for us it was a slow jump from the stalls and a lonely first few furlongs, then she warmed up and gets going all a little to late... but to pass 6 fine horses and pick up 10th was a fair effort! If you never try you’ll never know... main thing is she’s sound, fit and well and will give us another day out soon 🤞

One more sleep to go Jo 🤞 🐎 taking you to a massive party girl, bring your ‘A Game’ and lets give it all we got, 🙏 she’s in the mood to race,Dubai International Arabian races at Newbury ... Pearl Island Arabians breed mare ‘Johara Bint Shuwaiman’.

Johara gets in at Newbury ‘Dubai International Arabian races’ ! We are thrilled as she is so well and enjoying her work, on paper she may be hard to fancy with much higher rated horses above her, but there’s no point worrying about what you can’t control, so we’ll just put all our energy into making sure the girl gets there with every chance of running a great race... sometimes it’s the quiet ones you gotta watch out for 😉 🐎 🤞

Cardio training in the heat #strideahead. 💪🐎 🌞! If they are expected to perform in the heat they must train in the heat, a heart monitor is a great way to help you find out how the horses are affected and train accordingly, the pictured horse has now acclimatised to our summer weather and his working heart rates are no higher than usual and recovery rates normal for him.. were all set for a hot race.., which means it’ll probably rain now 😂🙏 ☔️! Watch out for the need of additional electrolytes and extra care of limbs and hooves, don’t be to quick to wish the summer away... bog, mud fever, ice and snow are just months away 😫!

A new recruit to EGB ‘Vixen’ made her debut for owners Jane and Alex Tennant, the mare with a beautiful French pedigree didn’t disappoint .. awarded a grade 2 for her efforts and showed bags of potential.. once paired up with Alex should be another top combination to follow. Vixen was shown the ropes by the constant improving ‘Pearl Island Arabians’ Bahrain mare ‘Hamdanieh Farah’ appearantly it was tough out there.... not according to Farah who pricks her ears and gets the job done like a true soldier! She’s enjoying collecting the red ribbons bringing home another grade 1. The girls are now grazing the paddock and looking like they haven’t a care in the world 😍🐎🍾

We are so hopeful of the chance to have a run at Newbury ‘Dubai Day’ a huge entries list means an anxious wait for us to see if our girl gets a chance on the big stage 🤞🐎! Johara bint shuwaiman is feeling a million dollars and wouldn’t we all love to see her get past a few of the big boys🙏! Will have to hang on a few more days before we know!

This mare will be an exciting performance horse our foxy lady ‘vixen’ , Full value x Don du Ciel al Maury.

Huge well done to Liz Ashmead and ‘Zenny’ what a combination you’ve become💪! 8 consecutive 80km races since joining stride ahead last year... a few 2nds and a podium finish amongst those.. You are a top partnership and I hope you realise just how much you have achieved and how good you both are! Already looking forward to seeing him in action again next month 🐎🍾🇬🇧😍

Exciting news...... we have successfully qualified a combination for this years AHS Arab marathon... ‘Khartoum with AK’ and Nikki Malcolm. Three rivers 68km ✅ Cirencester Park 64km✅ It will be Khartoum’s first attempt at the marathon but he does have an impressive CV including many wins upto and including 160km national champion ( Euston Park FEI 3 star), he’s won flat fast races and tough mountain races, he’s had podium finishes overseas and has been presented in front of t...he queen for a top ten Royal Windsor effort. There may be younger legs out there but this horse is a legend and every sport needs its heroes so we look forward to having him on the start line 🐎🤞🏆. Qualifying Hammy and Nathan Sweeney is work in progress, Hammy is still relatively new to endurance but boasts the most impressive recovery rates and that’s often where the marathons won or lost, combined with his natural stamina and willing attitude they will make another exciting combination to follow. One qualification in the bag ... one to go🤞🤞🤞
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Big day for us and Farah ... today she had her bag packed and was sent off to cirencester Park to join her Pearl Island family ... first solo trip, first time without us on board... and she aced it with a grade 1!! Well done girl you did us proud, loved the happy but confused look on her face when the ramp dropped this evening back at ‘stride ahead’ and she saw all her friends again.. completely mind blown bless her 😂 🐎🍾🏆🇧🇭

Tayla has settled into the swing of things at ‘stride ahead’ got her riding out three to four lots already 😉! 🇦🇺🇬🇧🐎🤞

Another busy weekend of endurance/racing for the summer campaign. Today 7yr old OSO Spiralling wind made his Euston Park debut, this horse was breed to perform on a big stage so big stage experience is what he needed, I was impressed with how well he coped with the course, was very bold at the water and responsive to pull back off the pace when needed, still a little shocked at having to stand under a vetting canopy although that improved by the final vetting, an ‘A’ perfect ...Vet sheet throughout the race a good educational run, I did forfeit a couple of mins on course to take the time to congratulate HH Sheikh Mohammed on the form of his Godolphin horses for winning the Derby and a great Royal Ascot 🥂! He was driving the course to watch his horses perform but took the time to admire Spiral and thank me for my acknowledgment of his racing success. So now onto part two and hopefully a winner for his daughter ‘HH Sheikha Maryam’ tomorrow at Chelmsford ... Johara Bint Shuwaiman despite running amongst better company with a couple of furlongs further than previous wins should have a shout 🤞🍾🐎 Big thanks for top crew Annette and Anna today and to Lisa for yard duties tomorrow, the team that make it all possible x
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Ellesey in his fancy sash 😍🐎🍾

He’s a horse with plenty of ‘swagger’ about him, he’s a bit classy is our Elesey! SG Elegant looking like he’s not having to try very hard... yes Dave captured your best side 🙈#poser todays Keysoe Race ride winner 🐎🍾🥂! Massive thanks to my winning crew Nathan and Bella whilst the Sunday yard duties were executed perfectly by the home team x

No picture from today, that’s a shame as we had a great day out in glorious sunshine with one our favourite characters ‘The Hamster’ ! Wolverhampton racing, a box ticked for the AHS Marathon goal and he enjoyed his day, wasn’t under any pressure and ran on at the end picking them off and finishing 6th... the further he goes the easier it gets 💪. Next goal is Larkhill racing, that’s further again (2mile 2) could Hamster get his second qualifier and be in with a squeak ?? 🐎 course he could ! We believe in you boy 😍

On a mission to qualify two ‘stride ahead’ horses for the AHS Marathon in October, King Kharts got the ball rolling with a successful 68km today which will count as one of his two qualifiers, also competing was TT Athena, first time at open level 68km in her stride 😍, did mean job done with her for us .. from breaker to open level as a ‘stride ahead’ pupil, now she returns home for a little rest. And the ever consistent Liz Ashmead and Zenny ace another 80km and come home third place in the ‘southern championships’ ... Tomorrow is the turn of ‘The Hamster’ to represent us at Wolverhampton in his 1mile 6f race.. he is also on a quest to qualify for the marathon so fingers crossed he rounds up the weekend nicely and it’s mission accomplished💪🤞🐎🍾

So pleased for owners/ breeders Jane and Alex Tennant, today TT Athena aces her third novice endurance outing.. eligible for open level and looks to be the sort to go all the way to the top 🐎🍾☀️

Is this the face of the happiest horse in Dorset today... I think so! ‘The Hamster’ has been working hard and had some higher intensity sessions added to his usual endurance training programme ahead of a Wolverhampton Race next Sunday. Today was his R and R day, an hour long massage to relieve any tension and access how he’s absorbed his work load, a glowing report for his physic and soundness, he was so relaxed he had to sleep it off for an hour 💤 .... meaning he missed his... time at grass, he woke up to room service of greens. Racing isn’t his strongest discipline, endurance is his speciality with three grade ones from three outings, but we are on a quest to be at the start line of the 2018 AHS marathon and setting goals to achieve this and meeting the qualifying criteria. However we have a lot of faith in our Hammy and I’m reminded of one of my favourite quotes ‘ hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’ You’re already a winner to us boy 🐎🇧🇭 ❣
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Huge congratulations to the connections of this young man... backed and started at stride ahead 🐎🍾🏆

Wishing Nikki and Nathan lots of luck in their new venture which they won't need because the way they train the horses in their care attention to detail is second to none! But good luck anyway guys Xxx

We cannot thank Nicki and Nathan enough superb in every way, cannot fault their services. Recommend Stride Ahead #Stride Ahead

Sent my 5 yr old 16.2 youngster to Nikki and Nathan for some schooling for 3 weeks before he was wintered out after having an accident out hacking with him which wasn't his fault but left him very shaken and nervous. He used to be very bolshy on the ground due to having insufficient time to really work on his ground work however the change in him since returning is amazing, he now leads in and out quietly on his own and will stand to be messed with and his general stable manners has improved beyond belief. Due to being on crutches my partner now has to handle him on a daily basis, whereas she used to be very nervous of him, this is now not the case since he has returned. I am very much looking forward to Alfie returning to them before I am able to start riding again to further his schooling as I am amazed in the difference in Alfie just after 3 weeks. Thanks guys, will highly recommend you to anyone that needs help with their horses or ponies :) x

Nikki and Nathan are both amazing, talented people. The welfare standards they have are so high, proven by Nikki's competitive record on her own horses. Their attention to detail coupled with their passion for horses makes them a fantastic team to work with.

Nikki and Nathan I know with your knowledge and experience and all your success that you have had, you are sure to do brilliantly well ln your new venture.

I know u will succeed in your new venture because you are pro's at it and ur attention to detail is second to none and your track records prove that.

Exceptional standard of care, no detail to small when it comes to each horses individual needs. Fantastic facilities allowing specific training for all equestrian disciplines.

Best trainer and riders in the country, proven many times, completely dedicated, good luck in your new venture xxx

Wishing Nikki and Nathan lots of luck in their new venture which they won't need because the way they train the horses in their care attention to detail is second to none! But good luck anyway guys Xxx

We cannot thank Nicki and Nathan enough superb in every way, cannot fault their services. Recommend Stride Ahead #Stride Ahead

Sent my 5 yr old 16.2 youngster to Nikki and Nathan for some schooling for 3 weeks before he was wintered out after having an accident out hacking with him which wasn't his fault but left him very shaken and nervous. He used to be very bolshy on the ground due to having insufficient time to really work on his ground work however the change in him since returning is amazing, he now leads in and out quietly on his own and will stand to be messed with and his general stable manners has improved beyond belief. Due to being on crutches my partner now has to handle him on a daily basis, whereas she used to be very nervous of him, this is now not the case since he has returned. I am very much looking forward to Alfie returning to them before I am able to start riding again to further his schooling as I am amazed in the difference in Alfie just after 3 weeks. Thanks guys, will highly recommend you to anyone that needs help with their horses or ponies :) x

Nikki and Nathan are both amazing, talented people. The welfare standards they have are so high, proven by Nikki's competitive record on her own horses. Their attention to detail coupled with their passion for horses makes them a fantastic team to work with.

Nikki and Nathan I know with your knowledge and experience and all your success that you have had, you are sure to do brilliantly well ln your new venture.

I know u will succeed in your new venture because you are pro's at it and ur attention to detail is second to none and your track records prove that.

Exceptional standard of care, no detail to small when it comes to each horses individual needs. Fantastic facilities allowing specific training for all equestrian disciplines.

Best trainer and riders in the country, proven many times, completely dedicated, good luck in your new venture xxx