PENCARDER SILVER STORM was having a run in the intermediate at Gatcombe, she was second into the dressage arena which is always a disadvantage especially when dressage is her weakest phase. She collected a 40.9 then showjumped well but I shortened her down a related distance and paid the price , and she was casual through the treble catching the last element. She gave me another fantastic ride at this level xc jumping her socks off but as she was never going to be in the placings we collected 16.8 time.
The next day we returned with WANADOO TOO and KINGTON. Wally did a rather distracted test scoring 34.5, he can do so much better but the smallest thing can catch his attention, something I hope he will grow out of with time and more experience. He showjumped amazingly for a clear showing my pure showjumping is definitely helping. He was flying round the xc showing no signs of his previous character until he came to the water 4 from home. Wally saw the white boat for the 2* course in the water and was completely transfixed by it. Annoyingly I had to retire but I did get the fence judge to lead him into the water to teach him it wasn't going to bite him. He has come a long way and this monor blip is the least of my worries, we have overcome the worst and his future is bright.
KINGTON did a rusty test, he like so many others has missed runs due to the weather, and he now thinks he is a showjumper so has forgotten about dressage!! He scored a disappointing 38. Showjumped brilliantly for a clear, and went clear xc like a demon so another point collected for Stan.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Purston Manor
Back to reality from the high of Blenheim, Wednesday I hit Purston with just ERRIGAL HILL BOY in the BE100, he hasn't been to a competition since June due to the weather and then stupidly eating a tree in his field which it turned out he was allergic to!!! Dougal did a respectable test to score 35 and then jumped double clear collecting a costly 6 time faults which dropped him out of the top ten. He is becoming consistent at this level and had he not had such a break in the season he would have finished the year with a novice run but his owner Simon Hall is now going to run him at his next 3 events.
BLENHEIM
Well the moment a lot have been waiting for...
ZEUS OF RUSHALL'S return to international competition!!! Driving into Blenheim with my groom for the week Kirsty Boriello, was a very exciting moment. Jimmy was making his comeback with only 2 runs under his belt since jumping clear around Badminton 4* 2011. He settled into his stable well on the Tuesday afternoon enjoying his new bed of shavings!!
Wednesday was spent hacking Jimmy so he was familiar with his surroundings and then preparing him for the trot-up at 4pm. He looked fantastic and many heads were turned to watch him strut down the straight for the ground jury, he loves a crowd and certainly played up to them at Blenheim. Following the trot up I was straight down to have a lesson with dressage guru Pammy Hutton in preparation for my test.
Thurday afternoon was my dressage, Jimmy warmed up very well under Pammy's watchful eye and I hoped he would keep his lid on when in the main arena, thankfully he did. He performed a lovely test with one error and perhaps his outline a little long so I was thrilled with 48.6. There is loads of improvement still to come in the phase and with time to prepare over the winter Badminton 2013 will be even better.
Friday was a day off from the competition for Jimmy and I so we went for a quiet hack and then I had a jump with Richard Waygood in the afternoon. Richard also walked the course with me a couple of times for which I am hugely grateful.
Saturday I was nervous, there is no doubt about that!! I headed out on course with a banana and a bottle of lucozade to watch the first 10 tackle the some what meaty beefed up Blenheim course. Well I didn't come back feeling much better having seen several problems dotted all around the course...not what I'd wanted to see when I was heading out on a horse which could be a little rusty at this level!!
Thankfully having been a spooky monster in the warm-up Jimmy was on his game as soon as he stepped foot out of the start box. Other than a slight spook at the ditch and hedge at fence 5 he gave me a fantastic round, I took him slightly steady (collecting 14.8 time faults) as there had been so many problems and I wanted him to be full of running at the end of the course where some of the questions lay. He really felt like he has never been away from running. I can't thank his owners Mr and Mrs Wookey enough for being so patient and allowing me to ride such a talented horse. It was lovely to have their daughter Caroline (over from USA specially) and their daughter-in-law Julie, supporting me at Blenheim too.
A huge relief when Jimmy seemed none the worse for wear following the xc test. A huge thanks must go to Simon Hall for sorting the cool down team on this scorching day, my brother Adam, groom Kirsty, Kate Honey, Elodie Frost, Mark Swan, Charlotte Perryman and Rhiannon Sheehan for all their efforts in getting Jimmy's temperature down and ice on in a remarkably efficient manner following his run.
Sunday morning is always a worry but not for me this time, Jimmy looked fresh as a daisy ready for this 7am trot up. Kirsty had him beautifully tunred out and thankfully he flew through the jog with the ground jury laughing at his enthusiasm!
As i was lying in 24th place I had to wait until the afternoon session to showjump. I watched during the morning and time faults were an issue so knowing Jimmy is careful I knew I could save time by keeping the speed up. Jimmy was second into the arena and having warmed up well with Richard Waygood helping I was feeling positive. He jumped an immaculate round never even coming close to touching a pole and he was well inside the time. An amazing result for Zeus of Rushall and what a comeback!!!
I am so grateful for all the support I have received and for those that ever doubted the horse or me I hope you are eating your words!!
Many thanks
To my owners: Mr and Mrs Wookey
To all my sponsors: Kate Negus Saddlery, AMtrust Equine Insurance, Global Herbs, Prolite Products, Devoucoux, ARC Equine, The Horse Laundry, PAC Ltd, Soteria Consulting Ltd, Gatehouse.
My amazing grooms behind the scenes without who the whole operation can't run: Claudia Smith, Rhiannon Sheehan, Charlotte Perryman and those that pop in to help out Alex Hamilton-White, Josh Thompson and Katy Cooper.
My very supportive parents and brother and my super cute dogs Rolo, Twiglet, Mollie and Ben.
And to everyone else who i've missed off no offence meant.
ZEUS OF RUSHALL'S return to international competition!!! Driving into Blenheim with my groom for the week Kirsty Boriello, was a very exciting moment. Jimmy was making his comeback with only 2 runs under his belt since jumping clear around Badminton 4* 2011. He settled into his stable well on the Tuesday afternoon enjoying his new bed of shavings!!
Wednesday was spent hacking Jimmy so he was familiar with his surroundings and then preparing him for the trot-up at 4pm. He looked fantastic and many heads were turned to watch him strut down the straight for the ground jury, he loves a crowd and certainly played up to them at Blenheim. Following the trot up I was straight down to have a lesson with dressage guru Pammy Hutton in preparation for my test.
 |
| Photo Courtesy Uptown Eventing |
 |
| Photo Courtesy John Britter Photography |
Saturday I was nervous, there is no doubt about that!! I headed out on course with a banana and a bottle of lucozade to watch the first 10 tackle the some what meaty beefed up Blenheim course. Well I didn't come back feeling much better having seen several problems dotted all around the course...not what I'd wanted to see when I was heading out on a horse which could be a little rusty at this level!!
 |
| Yes this ridiculous sized ditch and hedge was 3 fences from home and Lance and I are not migets!! |
Thankfully having been a spooky monster in the warm-up Jimmy was on his game as soon as he stepped foot out of the start box. Other than a slight spook at the ditch and hedge at fence 5 he gave me a fantastic round, I took him slightly steady (collecting 14.8 time faults) as there had been so many problems and I wanted him to be full of running at the end of the course where some of the questions lay. He really felt like he has never been away from running. I can't thank his owners Mr and Mrs Wookey enough for being so patient and allowing me to ride such a talented horse. It was lovely to have their daughter Caroline (over from USA specially) and their daughter-in-law Julie, supporting me at Blenheim too.
 |
| Photo Courtesy Tim Wilkinson |
 |
| Photo courtesy John Britter |
A huge relief when Jimmy seemed none the worse for wear following the xc test. A huge thanks must go to Simon Hall for sorting the cool down team on this scorching day, my brother Adam, groom Kirsty, Kate Honey, Elodie Frost, Mark Swan, Charlotte Perryman and Rhiannon Sheehan for all their efforts in getting Jimmy's temperature down and ice on in a remarkably efficient manner following his run.
Sunday morning is always a worry but not for me this time, Jimmy looked fresh as a daisy ready for this 7am trot up. Kirsty had him beautifully tunred out and thankfully he flew through the jog with the ground jury laughing at his enthusiasm!
 |
| Photo Courtesy Uptown Eventing |
 |
| Photo Courtesy Lucy Hall Photography |
 |
| Photo Courtesy Lucy Hall Photography |
As i was lying in 24th place I had to wait until the afternoon session to showjump. I watched during the morning and time faults were an issue so knowing Jimmy is careful I knew I could save time by keeping the speed up. Jimmy was second into the arena and having warmed up well with Richard Waygood helping I was feeling positive. He jumped an immaculate round never even coming close to touching a pole and he was well inside the time. An amazing result for Zeus of Rushall and what a comeback!!!
 |
| Photo courtesy John Britter |
 |
| Photo courtesy John Britter |
Many thanks
To my owners: Mr and Mrs Wookey
To all my sponsors: Kate Negus Saddlery, AMtrust Equine Insurance, Global Herbs, Prolite Products, Devoucoux, ARC Equine, The Horse Laundry, PAC Ltd, Soteria Consulting Ltd, Gatehouse.
My amazing grooms behind the scenes without who the whole operation can't run: Claudia Smith, Rhiannon Sheehan, Charlotte Perryman and those that pop in to help out Alex Hamilton-White, Josh Thompson and Katy Cooper.
My very supportive parents and brother and my super cute dogs Rolo, Twiglet, Mollie and Ben.
And to everyone else who i've missed off no offence meant.
Moreton-in-Marsh showjumping
I took WANADOO TOO to this country show for bit of variety in his life. He jumped an impressive double clear in the Newcomers just missing out on a placing (must learn to cut more corners). I also jumped him in the foxhunter where he annoyingly had the last fence down, I think I got a bit excited!! I am really enjoying doing some pure showjumping and although it is boring waiting to jump it is paying off on the eventing side of things. Plus I now fit in with my new Gatehouse hat that I have been kindly supplied with by Gatehouse. This winter I will definitely spotted out on the showjumping circuit, with a lorry load most weeks.
Wellington
ZEUS OF RUSHALL had his second run at Wellington advanced. His first test of fitness for this level. Jimmy has spent a lot of time in the swimming pool since his injury as we are trying to gallop him once a week and swim him once a week instead of galloping twice just to save a little bit of wear and tear on his limbs. Jimmy performed a good test but both of us were very rusty at this level giving me a wake up call for Blenheim in 2 weeks. We were given a 38.2 which was disappointing. Jimmy jumped the most superb round of showjumping and so I was very surprised to hear I had had 4 faults, this was even questionned by the areana party who had not picked up an rail but the judge was adamant dispite my best efforts for him to admit he was wrong...so 4 penalties it was. XC Jimmy reminded me how lucky I am to be able to ride him, he took everything in his stride and gave me a fantastic feel coming home with just 6.8 time faults. We finished 9th. A very pleasing run for a horse that has been out of the game for the last 17months. Wellington is a lovely new event with 3 great courses, we even had to jump a fence that came from the London Olympics!! I will definitely be returning to this venue.
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| Photos Courtesy of James Pyne Photography |
Burnham Beeches
WANADOO TOO went to Burnham Beeches for his first run since going to naughty school. He performed a lovely test which was harshly marked for a 33, he had one unlucky rail down and a great clear xc picking up a handful of time faults. A great first run back with Wally feeling much happier in himself.
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| Photo Courtesy of James Pyne Photography |
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