Spring and Summer Eventing

Back from Badminton and straight back at it at Aston with Crunchie enjoying a spin around the OI.  Then it was onto Mendip with Jack and Arlo in the BE100.  Arlo was on great form finishing on his 26.5 dressage to take the win, and Jack jumping well for 5^th.

It’s hard to believe we’re already whizzing through the season and in June!  A first visit of the year to West Wilts and more podium placings for Arlo (2^nd) and Jack (3^rd) in the BE100 as we continue to build their confidence before making the step up to Novice. Which they followed up with a 2^nd (Jack) and 4^th (Arlo) at Oxstalls.

I welcomed some new rides in June – both for Julia Norman and both technically for sale.  Copyright Cooley (Mabel) who’d had some time off for breeding but has been at 3* level and is now building back up.  Plus, Scotch On The Rock’z (Scottie) who’s a serious Novice competitor.  I used West Wilts BE100 to get to know Mabel and came away with 4^th on her 29.8 dressage and followed that up with 5^th at Oxstalls.  I quickly realised how cool she was and set out to try and find some owners to keep her with me!! 

On to Howick and Crunchie and Madel both jumped super double clears in the ON.

Aachen – just WOW! It’s always been a dream of mine to ride there and making my Irish debut there was incredible. I was understandably disappointed with our dressage score, where the occasion and atmosphere just affected us a little too much, but what a mega ride cross-country he gave me!!  Such an unlucky final pole in the showjumping, but I couldn’t have been prouder of Kojak with his whole attitude that week.  He’s certainly a very special horse!!

Onto a Upton and I stepped Mabel back up to Intermediate for a steady clear, she really is such a cool mare. Also delighted that Caro has supported me to keep her!  Then things didn’t quite go to plan.  After a 21 dressage with Jack and a very comfortable lead, I got headbutted whilst tacking up and managed to put my teeth through my lip and was forced to withdraw.  Luckily the onsite team were very good and everyone who’d come to watch was very understanding – but oh my there was so much blood!

July is like we all live at Aston-Le-Walls, but at least they go above and beyond with the ground in the never-ending dry spell.  Scotty won back-to-back Novice’s on 26.4 and 24.5, while Jacka and Arlo made the step up to Novice.  Both having some green mistakes in their first run at the level but Jack stepping up to take 2^ndplace on his 2^nd attempt!