I’ve just had a super day at Urchinwood. I was riding a horse called Earl Galante (Ernie) for a friend, as she has been struggling with him XC. I also had Andy there competing in the BE100. Both horses did lovely tests. Ernie scored 26.5 and Andy 30.5. Sadly they both rolled a fence in the SJ, but jumped super clears XC inside the time.
Andy finished in 2nd and Ernie in 4th. They would have both won their sections if they hadnt rolled the pole in the SJ, but at least we have something to work on. Very pleased!
I took Keano to Field House on Saturday. He jumped a super double clear in the 1.05m to finished 2nd, after being the leader up until the last competitior. He then went on to jump clear in the first round of the 1.15m but was a little bit rusty in the jump off, but overall jumped well.
The following day we were at Somerford Park with George. I had never competed there before but it is a lovely event and certainly one I will want to go to next year. George was particularly fresh in his dressage, but I was pleased to scored 34.1. He followed on by jumping a super double clear. The SJ was on a fantastic new surface and rode very well.
The XC was certainly upto height, and had a lot of questions. A perfect set up…..Roll on Burghley!!
We had a busy but very successful time at Hartpury International. Milo and Victor were competing in their first 3 day event in the CCI* and Woody and Rocky were doing their first CCI**.
They all trotted up very well on Wednesday and settled into their stables. First to go was Rocky, he produced one of his best tests, but sadly in a double bridle was just slightly behind the vertical and was therefore slated in his test to score 58.7, a very disappointing start to the day. Next was Woody, he too was fantastic, but again, harshly marked on 56.6. As the day went on a lot of people were becoming disappointed with marks, but I was pleased with their tests and thats the main thing.
Next was Milo, he was fantastic and we were all delighted with a score of 47.9. This went into 2nd. Next was Victor, he too was superb, one mistake in the rein-back cost us dearly but he then went into 2nd after dressage. After the final scores, Victor was in 2nd and Milo in 5th.
XC day. They were all fantastic. Woody was particularly strong and I had to add a circle in at the bottom of the hill before turning to a combination so sadly picked up 4.4 time faults, but the other 3 all went clear inside the time. They all finished fit and well, and trotted up sound on Sunday Morning.
SJ day, Milo jumped the first clear to secure 4th place at worst. Sadly though, Victor lay 2nd over night, and just had the back rail of the last fence, which cost him the win as over-night leading Charlotte Agnew also had a fence. I was still delighted though, as Milo finished 3rd and Victor 4th.
Next was Woody in the 2*. He was very tired but jumped his heart out and went clear. He has been so fantastic all week. Rocky went in and just rolled one fence, which was fantastic as SJ is his weakest phase. Woody therefore finished in 13th and Rocky in 14th. A great week and I am delighted with all 4 horses, who all have a very bright future!!
We took 2 to West Wilts, Andy was competing in the BE100 and Henry in the Novice. Andy did a nice test to score 31.0, and Henry was on 38.0. Sadly they both rolled a pole SJ, but both made up for it with super clears XC. Henry just picking up 2.0 time penalties. They both finished just outside the placings, but otherwise I was pleased.
We had 2 days at Gatcombe Park. 9am on Saturday morning Tomi produced her best ever test at Advanced level, she was a little tense in places, but made no mistakes, and we even had our first true change in the arena….EVER!! So pleased with a score of 39.4. We then took Tomi home and came back in the afternoon with Woody, competing in the Express Eventing.
It was only the second time I had ridden a test to music. I find it really exciting, but this year it was a qualifier and the final is at HOYS in October. Woody produced a lovely test, he was quite excited at times, but coped very well with the atmosphere as it was the biggest venue he has competed at with a lot of people watching. We lay half way on a score of 27, not as good as it could have been, but I missed out 2 of the optional movements, 4x changes and piroettes which kept the mark down.
We were back again on Sunday. Woody was first on, in the XC phase, he was fantastic, foot perfect the whole way finishing inside the optimum time. Tomi was then SJ in the Open Champs. I was first to go, so no chance to watch anyone, as the time is normally tight, I rode all the inside lines, she was fantastic and jumped a lovely clear.
Next Woody was due to SJ. This was very tense, as I was the 3rd best YR and only the best YR was guanteed to qualify. Woody rolled fence 2, but then jumped the joker (eraser) fence at the end clear, this takes 4 penalties off, so we came out with a clear. I finished in 6th which was fantastic, but Sienna Myson-Davies took the qualifying spot, I now have to wait a few days to find out whether I was overall one of the top 4 riders from the 4 qualifiers to go through to HOYS.
Tomi was next in the Open Champs XC. We were lying in 20th place, Tomi was going fantastically and jumping everything beautifully. She then sadly just ran past the first of a double of corners at fence 17. Other than that she was good, we just need to get everything together on the same day.
I just took 3 horses to Summerhouse. Andy, Luca and new ride Keano. Keano is a pure jumper and has had the last year off due to his rider giving up. He is now with me to compete and sell.
We had a good show. Andy rolled a couple of rails in the Discovery but then jumped a lovely clear in the 1.05m. Luca was double clear in the Discovery, and just had 1 fence down in the jump-off of the Newcombers. Keano was a star. He won the 1.05m by 4 seconds and was 2nd in the 1.10m. A great start to our competition career together.
Another great day at Wilton. It is a lovely event and super weather. I took Milo and Victor who were competing in the Novice, Rocky was in the Intermediate and George was having his first run in the OI since Bramham.
They were all good in their tests. Milo led on 28.0, Victor struggled with the flies but still scored a respectable 36.5. Rocky was good and was in the top 10 after dressage on a 36.4 and George was quiet and settled to score 38.6.
The SJ was nice, Victor and Milo jumped super clears in the Novice, whilst Rocky and George just rolled a fence each over the intermediate track. The XC was causing a lot of problems as always. Milo jumped a super clear, and we actually went 2 seconds too fast, but that was still good enough to take top spot and win his second event on the trot.
Victor found the kennels at fence 5 very spooky but jumped clear just picking up 10 time faults, he therefore finished outside the top 10. George jumped a lovely clear but I didnt push for the time. I then had a really silly 20 penalties on Rocky, they had, had so many stops at the first water so I came in really strong, but he didnt even look at it, jumped in so bold and then tried to take a stride out to the roll top after, but couldnt make it, very annoying, but he was foot perfect elsewhere so I wasn’t at all worried.
I was very pleased with how all the horses went.
We had a great 2 days at Aston-le-walls. I had 3 in the advanced. Tomi, and 2 first-timers Woody and Rocky. They all produced nice tests. Rocky and Woody made a few errors, but I was pleased with 34.3 and 37.5. Tomi stayed settled for her, to score 42.0.
Tomi jumped a fantastic clear SJ, the others rolled a few rails, but it was a big track and caused a lot of problems. The XC seemed a nice course, there was a couple of tricky questions and the waters were different this year, but all 3 horses were fantastic and jumped clear, each picking up a few time faults.
Tomi finished 7th and Rocky was 11th.