Gatcombe

The next day following our success at dressage we headed off to Gatcombe. I had mixed emotions about this as Wally used to live there and that is when he started misbehaving so galloping through the middle of the fields he used to be turned out in could have been a task in itself. Wally was first of the two boys to go. Warming up he felt fab and then the heavens opened and we literally drowned. Thankfully the rain then stopped again before we went into the arena. Wally performed another fabulous test scoring 27.5 and leaving us in 2nd (not bad for his second attempt at this level). Showjumping was another matter and having had to wait in the arena for a fence to be rebuilt for the competitor before to finish was a lesson learned in itself-NEVER enter the arena before the one in has finished!! Wally found a scary flag which pretty much destroyed any chance of us jumping the first 4 fences however he was clear from the 5th fence to the end!! Cross country he was fabulous, even galloping down the tracks he used to hack/nap down. He felt very bold and seemed to really enjoy what he was doing. I am very excited about his future and cannot thank his owner Simon Hall enough for giving me the opportunity if having him and being so patient with his random behaviour!

Kington was next. He didn't produce his best test, just a little green and wobbly in places but he will get there. This winter will be focused on dressage and BSJA with all of them so he'll progress on the flat. He scored 37.5. He showjumped fantastically for a clear and then went onto fly round the xc although I didn't push him for time because he is still needing to understand the fences and gain confidence at this level. He has now won his first point for going double clear-yippeee!!

All photo's courtesy of Tim Wilkinson

Blenheim Coursewalks

One of my sponsors Amtrust Equine Insurance asked me to do some coursewalks at Blenheim with some prize winners from various competitions around the country. I did one on the Thursday by myself and one on the Friday. It is very rewarding doing these as I genuinelly felt I helped people understand our pretty bonkers sport a little better. People asked lots of questions and hopefully I was able to answer then without seeming like i was speaking in a foreign language. Hopefully Amtrust will continue to support me on my quest to the top and I will be able to do some more walks for them at the big events next year.

New Boy On The Block!!

 

This week has been rather a whirlwind. Tuesday saw Simon Hall and myself taking an hour flight across to Ireland to Goresbridge sales. A whole new experience for me having never been to a sale, 300 horses a day going under the hammer for 10 days solid. Sadly we only had time to spend the one day there (Wednesday), however it was a massive success. We found a lovely 16.1hh bay gelding 3/4 TB who we have named Dougal. He arrived Friday having had the biggest adventure of his life travelling 6 hrs to the sales from the yard where he was bred, then to a holding yard, then the ferry trip over and finally a day on the lorry until he was delivered. He will have a couple of days to catch up with himself  before I get on and ride him.Very exciting for both Simon and myself and fingers crossed he will be one for the future. He has a lot of character already showing through and loves attention.

Hunters Equestrian Centre British Dressage Debut

Boston III was making his debut at affiliated dressage. Having warmed up well we went into the indoor school and performed Prelim 13. Boston behaved very well although finds the 20x40 arena rather small to fit his 17.2hh body in! However he scored 68% and would have won by miles had I not had to be HC because I have represented my country and am entitled to wear the GB flag on my coat. Our second test was outside in the 60m arena, in the pouring rain. Boston was brilliant and scored a well deserved 71% again sadly we were HC else we would have won again by a mile.

Wanadoo Too was next, he was doing 2x Novice Qualifier tests. The first one was in the indoor and Wally was great. He was very expressive and focused in his work and performed a fabulous test scoring 71.78% winning by 11%. His second test was in the outdoor 60m arena. Again Wally performed a harmonious, consistent test, although he did let his exuberance show with a buck in the first canter but he scored 71.78% again winning this class too.

A brilliant outing for both boys. Boston III is for sale as I haven't got time to produce him up the grades for pure dressage, and so his owner has decided he is best in a home where he can reach his full potential. For any information please don't hesitate to contact me on 07941865688

Highclere Castle

Last Sunday we headed to Highclere Castle, a beautiful setting which we are lucky to be able to gallop around the grounds of. Wanadoo Too was my only entry here in the PNP a step up for Wally. In the pouring,horizontal rain we performed a very good test for his first one at novice level. We got 3x 9's (and a few lower marks for 3 mistakes) but all in all a very pleasing test to score 28.5. Sadly due to the weather conditions the rest of the event was cancelled so we were unable to jump. I would have liked to have run in the conditions to see how he coped but he is saved for another day.