My apologies for not having kept up to date with reports recently but it seems that we have been going out to events quicker than I can find time to write about them! So I have rather a lot of catching up to do. Following on from Burnham Market was a mid-week trip to Milton Keynes with Hattie for the BE100+, Sid, having his first go at BE100 level and Lulu (Lite My Fire) having her first run of the season, also in the BE100. All ponies were exceptionally good, all finishing on their respective dressage marks to bring home a 2nd (Sid) and two 3rd placings.
The end of the week saw another long motorway trek, this time to one of my very favorite events in the calender at Withington Manor. Unfortunately Archie was balloted from the Intermediate, so that just left Brooke and Muffin, both in the Advanced class. After our recent improvements in the dressage phase I was rather disappointed with Muffins efforts, although I have to keep reminding myself that things are vastly improved on last season. However she jumped the most fantastic double clear, adding just 2.4 time faults to pull the leaderboard into 10th place. Brooke on the other hand gave a very reasonable performance in the dressage and followed this with a good clear in the showjumping, however a very naughty duck out at the second last on the xc after what had been a super round put paid to his chances of a ribbon.
The following weekend was a little closer to home at Hambleden, this time with Hattie and Kiri (Novice) and Sid (BE100). Sid again was super, finishing on his dressage mark for 6th place. Hattie had her first sj fault of the year, but had a nice dressage test and is becoming a real pleasure to ride xc, I am looking forwards to her next outing in the CIC1* and Brigstock next week. Kiri led the dressage with a mark of 28 but added 8 in the showjumping and then was rather green xc picking up a further 20 but it was a good learning experience for her in only her second novice.
After missing a run at Withington, we had another midweek outing to take Archie to Aston le Walls. We have been working very hard on our dressage recently but that all went rather out the window when we found our dressage arena to be right next to the xc, my horse promptly morphed into a giraffe and that was that! Although on the up side his jumping is becoming increasingly consistent and we notched up another double clear and I am getting a much better feel for him xc, so I am looking forwards to his CCI2* at Houghton Hall.
Finally this weekend, no early morning trips down any motorways this week as we stayed at home for the Annual Golden Cross Derby Show. 2 very busy, but great fun days, split overnight by my close friend Anna’s nen night, but that’s another story….. The youngest members of the team, Candide, (Candi) and Eagles Ridge, (Fergus) had their first introduction to a big exciting atmosphere and to jumping on grass and both aquitted themselves admirably. Lulu picked up a 3rd place in a 1.05 open, Sid was placed in the newcomers and the small derby, and had his first go at a 1.15m class in which he jumped superbly. Archie was my ride in the CooperBurnett Eventers Challenge and was fantastic finishing highest of the eventers in 3rd place.
So that’s all now up to date, this weekend its off to Brigstock International, followed swiftly by Houghton Hall, and then it’s the biggie….Bramham!
Forest Farmacy's Herb Blurb 