Following on from our first blog with Georgina Bathurst, we caught up with her at the end of her Point-to-Point and Hunt Race season. It has been a pleasure to sponsor Georgina this season and watch her fly the Glaze & Gordon flag!
Georgina gives us an honest and insightful reflection on her season with Jan Maat and new addition Danton – from the highs of the Cotswold Scurry to the challenges of injury, and looking ahead to next season.
Above: Georgina and Danton at Siddington Point-to-Point, video by Joss Ridley.
How has your Point-to-Point and Hunt Race season gone overall – have there been any particular highlights or moments that stood out?
It has been a good season overall – whilst the competitive side of me would love to get over the finish line first, both horses are fit and well and ready for another season – which is always the most important thing. The highlight for me has to be Jan Maat finishing third in the mixed open at Eyton-on-Severn, just a few lengths behind the winner.
Above: Georgina riding Jaan Mat in the Mixed Open at Eyton-on-Severn Point to Point, photo by Sweet Photography.
Horses can be unpredictable at the best of times, but did they both perform as you hoped? And were there any challenges along the way and is there anything you might do differently ahead of next season?
It was a disappointing run at the Melton this year with Jan Maat - he just never quite travelled or jumped as I know he can. However, come February he flew around the Cotswold Scurry and we were unlucky, being unseated when going well to win. After that I took him pointing, with Danton sidelined through injury and the ground firming up on the hunt races, and he really surprised me - showing a real will to win and a competitive edge that led to a brilliant few runs. Danton sadly only managed one point-to-point this season, but I was really pleased with how he performed and I'm very much looking forward to next season with him.
How did you come across Glaze & Gordon, and have the Classic Hunting Breeches been a go-to piece for you this season?
My introduction to Glaze & Gordon came through a pair of the original Classic Hunting Breeches. I was a fan of them from the start but noticed a few things that I felt could make them even better. I met Becs at Badminton and we got chatting - I shared how much I liked the breeches alongside a few suggestions for improvement, which were incorporated into the version 2.0. They are now the only breeches I wear out hunting - incredibly comfortable, wonderfully warm, and impressively resistant to the rain (even though they can't claim to be waterproof!), which is so important for an English winter!
Above: Georgina out hunting in the G&G Classic Hunting Breeches, video by Joss Ridley.
What does the off season look like for both you and the horses? And when will fitness work begin for next season?
The horses are out in the field with their shoes off, enjoying a well-earned three months off. They'll come back into work around July/August, and I'll be taking things slowly - plenty of walking and trotting to build their muscles back up gradually.
Looking ahead, do you have any plans or goals in mind for next season?
Next season, Jan Maat will be aimed at the Melton Hunt Race again in November, and Danton will look to have his first point-to-point run of the season around the same time.
