It was my 3rd ride around the amazing Burghley Park and certainly one to remember. George was amazing from start to finish. Sadly I was drawn 2nd to go (number 4) which is never great, not only have the judges not warmed up in the dressage, but you dont get a chance to watch any of the XC before you ride. George was a star though producing his best test at that level, scoring 56.7 on Thursday morning.
We had Friday off, so a chance for me to have a couple of walks around the course, giving George a jump and visiting my sposnors. I was quite happy with the course. It was big and bold, but had no nasty combinations. I was worried to admit it was straightforward as that is normally a ticket to a stupid run out, but George as always was foot perfect through everything.
I did go for a few long strides in places, but George showed his experience by not only getting me out of trouble, but making it look so easy. I did decied to take a last minute long route, as I had come a bit to quick to the fence before which therefore lost me time. We came home with a clear XC and 9.6 time faults which I was of course delighted with.
George trotted up very well on Sunday morning, and I was also delighted to win the best dressed prize. I was kindly dressed by Moloh, so a fantastic morning for both of us. It was then on to the show jumping, he warmed in well, and jumped his socks off in the arena, just rolling 2 fences over a big course.
It was fantastic to complete again, finishing in 33rd place. This was my 6th 4* with George, and 5th clear XC and completition so a very special day for everyone involed!
We had a good day at Summerhouse. It was my first outing on Grace, and she certainly made a good impression, jumping double clear in both the 1.05m and the Newcombers. Finishing 2nd and 1st. Keano jumped well, just rolling a pole in the jump off of both the 1.05m and 1.10m Opens.
Milo and Victor were both competing in the 1.15m and their first Foxhunter. They both jumped their socks off. Miles was a bit cheeky and had a stop at in the 1.15m and Victor just rolled a pole. They then both jumped very well in the Fox, both rolling a couple of fences, but learning a lot from it!!
It was a quick turn around after Blenheim, and we were leaving for Pontispool Monday morning at 4am…….a little too early after 2 busy weeks, but both Victor and Milo made it worth while.
They were competing in their first Intermediate. They both performed nice tests, parts established and parts a bit wobbily, both scoring 35. Next was the SJ. Victor felt very established at this height and jumped a perfect clear, probably one of the best rounds he has jumped. Milo too jumped very well, a couple of rubs but still a clear round.
The XC course seemed quite strong, and I thought was a big ask for their first intermediate. I decided to take Victor slowly, we had had a few problems earlier in the year and I didnt want to overface him, but he was foot perfect and jumped a lovely clear, I did pick up 22 time faults, which put us out of contention of a placing, but I was over the moon with a double clear. Milo was class aswell, he was a bit quicker with 10 time faults and finished in 5th. A very successful day with 2 horses who have a bright future, fingers crossed they will both go 2* next spring.
I took 3 horses to Blenheim. Tomi was competing in the CCI*** and Woody and Rocky were doing the first CIC*** in the 8/9yo class.
Tomi’s dressage was on Thursday. She was quite tense throughout her test and made a couple of mistakes, but I was disppointed with a mark of 71.0, it wasnt the worse test we had done together, but sadly by far the worse mark we had had. Rocky and Woody’s dressage was Friday. They were both a bit green, but coped quite well with the atmosphere. Rocky broke in his half-pass and made mistakes with his changes to score 63. Woody was good, an extra change and no halt dragged the mark down, but he showed lots of promise at this level scoring 58.
Tomi’s XC was on Saturday. The course seemed quite nice, but caused a lot of problems, Tomi felt great, just was quite strong and we wasted time setting up for the fences, but I was delighted to jump all the straight routes and to come home clear with 7.2 time faults. She was just a bit too fresh as she missed her run at highclere, due to the weather forcing them to cancel. Woody and Rocky were show jumping that evening. The both rolled a few fences which was a shame, but actually jumped well. It was quite dark by 6pm and shadows on the fences just proved how green they were, but overall, it was a good start at this level.
Tomi trotted up very well on Sunday morning, and looked like she could run around the XC again. The times were all quite tight, and I started with Rocky’s XC. He was absolutely fantastic, jumping all the straight routes to come home clear with 5.2 time faults. Woody too, proved what a star in the making he is, he too was clear jumping all the straight routes, slightly slower with 10.8 time faults. I couldnt have been more pleased with how they had both gone.
It was a quick change and back on Tomi for her SJ, she was still very very fresh, and wasn’t tired. She jumped amazingly well, but got too strong in places and sadly rolled 2 fences, but all in all, a big improvement and a great way to finish the season!!