Archive | August, 2011

We were all thrilled with The Master’s Apprentice’s (Archie) fourth place at the Novice Championships at Gatcombe. He did a super double clear to finish on his dressage score of 33.8 (see video link below).

The Master’s Apprentice – Gatcombe SJ

Sadly we had to withdraw W Iridium from the Novice Championships as he wasn’t right the day before the competition, which was hugely disappointing for everyone.

Joss Riley’s Direct Mission (Arden) bounced back from his fall at Wilton to win his novice section at Aston-Le-Walls – 26, double clear. Kangasong (Joey) continued to blow away his cobwebs with encouraging runs in the intermediate sections at Aston and Somerford Park.

The BE100 horses also went well at Somerford – Windmill came 2nd with a 31, double clear and Direct Diamond Lad came 5th (29.5, double clear) in his section.

The one star started out rather promising – all three horses did superb dressage tests in the forties. Billy Be Cool (BBC) show jumped clear but had a frustrating ‘green’ 20 in the cross-country. C’est Tout (Claude) went well cross-country but didn’t feature in the placings with a couple of poles in the show jumping. Wallaby (Wally) jumped well but we decided to take him steadily XC to build his confidence, as he’s still quite new to this level.

Jagganath (Jack) also had his first run for a while in the OI, with a 29.6 in the dressage and a good jumping performance on what was super old Cheshire turf.

We were all looking forward to an action packed weekend at Highclere – The Master’s Apprentice (Archie) carried on his form to win (HC) on 29.1, double clear in the intermediate. His performance helped to put me joint 1st in the Stately Homes Challenge – a points series for intermediate results from Somerley, Longleat, Wilton and Highclere.

But sadly Highclere was cancelled the following day due to the ground conditions, which was disappointing as Jagganath (Jack) was due a much-needed run in the advanced prior to Blenheim.

This week we’re at the stallion parade at Burghley with Up With The Lark (Max) and Billy Be Cool (BBC) – hope to see some of you there, if not at Blenheim.

The rolling hills of Barbury provide the perfect backdrop and ideal viewing for owners and supporters. W iridium (Viz) did a classy double clear in the two star and Billy be Cool (BBC) went really well in his novice section to finish tenth.
 
I also took some of the youngsters to do the Burghley Young Event horse Class and I was very pleased with Fred Ford’s young horse Woodlands Spring Time (Watty) who came fourth in the four year old class. Sadly we just missed qualifying for the Championships at Burghley.
 
We had a lovely mid-season break after Barbury and headed for a few days in sunny Barbados. We don’t normally have a summer holiday but this was a rescheduled trip after Florence’s swine flu episode in January. It was great to spend time as a family – Noah learnt to swim and fly (see below)!
 

 
Having recharged the batteries it was back to business with a 4.30am start for Dauntsey. C’est Tout (Claude), and Zeus IV (Frankie – a horse I’m temporarily helping Jenna Jewitt with) went double clear in the novice (4^th) and Direct Mission (Arden) also went well.
 
We had another good weekend with the novices at Aston-Le-Walls. Wallaby (Wally) got his act together in show jumping producing a lovely double clear and a 7^th rosette, Zeus IV (Frankie) continued to impress with a double clear and 4^th place in his section as did Billy Be Cool (BBC) who came 6^th.
 
We knew he had it in him so we were thrilled for Ellie’s parents with Wallaby’s (Wally) novice win at Wilton – 25.5 double clear. Billy Be Cool (BBC) also went well in the novice and W Iridium  (Viz) jumped another lovely double clear which will hopefully set him up for a good run at Gatcombe.
 
But ‘what goes up must come down’ and unfortunately I had a tumble on Direct Mission (Arden) on the cross country course the next day so had to withdraw my other two intermediate rides (The Master’s Apprentice – Archie and Kangasong – Joey) after the show jumping.
 
Up With The Lark (Max) is finishing up a busy spring at stud and will be aiming at the autumn season now. We’re also pleased to welcome Victoria Richards’ young stallion ‘Poof” to the yard.