All roads lead to Badminton

April always means a trip to Norfolk for Burnham Market, this time with Crunchie and Kojak in the CCI3* and Lulu having her final prep run before Badminton.

Once again Kojak was the star of the show, jumping double clear to finish just outside of the top 20 as we opted to run more steadily.  At the moment we’re not out to win at 3* and are very much focused on the end of season goal of stepping him up to 4* level.  All his runs are focused on building the confidence and experience.

Lulu had an improved dressage compared to Thoresby, but just got a bit strong in the showjumping having the treble down.  Once again, she cruised around the cross-country, setting us up for Badminton.

Onwards to Cirencester, this time not abandoned due to rain!  Kojak has another super Intermediate run to take 8^th in a competitive OI.  We opted to run Crunchie in the ON rather than the Intermediate to try a new bit set up.  He’s a very confident young horse and loves his job a little too much at times.  He had a run and finished on his 28.3 dressage.  Zorro was having a great run in the ON, having produced a super 27.3 dressage and mega showjumping round.  On for a top 3 finish he decided to develop a sense of humour at the penultimate catching me off guard and sending me out the side door. Not what I really needed just before Badminton.

On to Badminton and it’s been a few years since I’ve competed here, and it was VERY good to be back.  Just before Badminton we welcomed Holland Cooper onboard as a lifestyle sponsor.  I’m always grateful to brands coming on board to support us and to have Holland Cooper’s support is great!

Lulu saved her best dressage for Badminton to leave us on 30.6 going into the cross-country.  And what a cross-country it was! The crowd was HUGE, and the weather was AMAZING, but Lulu was INCREDIBLE!!  She flew round and felt like a true 5* horse.  We were never going for the time.  It was all about giving her a good ride and enjoying the day.  Having Suzanne and Lucy there with us to share in the day and the excitement was amazing.  As much as it is just Lulu and I out there on course, eventing is very much a team sport as we couldn’t do anything without the support of our team and owners.  

As much as we’d have all liked a holiday after the madness (and a touch of sun stroke) of Badminton there was no time to rest as it was on to Aston with Kojak, Crunchie and Zorro.  Zorro redeemed himself to finish on his dressage score in the ON, Kojak was once again the star of the show with a 2^nd in the OI and Crunchie had a much more controlled round in the OI, feeling super confident and ready to crack on with the season.