Ryedale BYEH.....

It was a worthwhile trip to Ryedale Show in North Yorkshire, as Bee finished 2nd in her 5yr old class, and Mickey won his 4yr old Young Event horse class, so both have qualified for the final at Burghley! I also took Millie, and again although she put up a good performance she was 11th, and just out the top ten. I think we have decided that the class is not worth doing with her, we all love her and she has proved herself over and over in proper events, its very frustating when judges marks dont reward her talents. Bee put up a really good performance, and was pulled in first after the gallop in the last top ten ride off. Mickey jumped really well, and has improved from Knaptoft, he really felt like he wanted to be in the ring, and is beginning to know what lifes all about!
It was a slow journey home, as traffic was busy, so Im fairly tired, and fed up with the hot humid weather!

Knaptoft BYEH...Spider Wins Again!

It was a long, hot day, I swear it was the hottest day of the year! We took 4 horses to Knaptoft yesterday to do the Burghley Young Event Horse Class. Bee and Millie in the 5 yr old section, and Spider and Mickey in the 4 yr olds. Millie was first to go and performed really well, jumping an excellent round. As we realised last year judges don't mark small horses very well, and despite her good performance, her marks did not reflect it. Bee also went really well, another nice dressage and very good clear jumping round. Bee got good marks, but then only scored a mean 7 out of 15 for confirmation, which put her 11th! so neither had to go back in for the top 10.
Spider was first up in the 4 yr olds, and he felt a little quiet in such heat, and although jumped well, didn't have quite the same exuberance to himself. The judges didn't seem to mind as he got the second best mark in the class, and then was pulled in first after the gallop, so he won! It was a great end to a long day. Tim and Janet brought a nice bottle sparkling Rose wine so we all enjoyed a celebratory drink! It was Mickeys first attempt at anything like that, and he went as well as I could have hoped really. In his dressage my steering wasn't great in canter, and staying in the boards was quite difficult, but we managed it. He jumped round for 4 faults, and I was really chuff. He was wobbly, and green but got better and better. He got 13 out of 15 for confirmation, which was top mark out of all of mine.
Jen also had her first attempt at the class. Andy did a super test, with one of the best marks, just one down sj, they were 12th and again just out the top 10. So Spider has his ticket to Burghley which will be on the Friday of Burghley Horse Trials.

Kellymoss 2nd at Hickstead!

Yesterday Heather, Dean and I took the long trip down to Hickstead for the Eventing Grand Prix, which I won on Kellymoss last year. Last to go I could only go out there and do my best. I had a fixed plan of attack, and wanted to jump a clear round. As I entered the big arena , Mossy knew exactly where he was, and felt very revved up and quite strong as the buzzer went. I started in a steady rytham in order to settle him in to the round. He jumped really well, I just didnt dare risk turning inside the bank tight to a big, upright gate so lost a few valuable seconds, but he just wouldnt have coped with the turn well enough. Clear over all the showjumps I put my foot down and rode as quickly as I could. He was amazing, so quick on and off the sussex bank, and stayed so careful. My racing finish had people on the edge of their seats but I lost it by 2 seconds! I had achieved a clear round, which is very special in this class as in 11 years of the class running only 5 horses have jumped a clear. Well done to Gary Parsonage who won, he had a great ride on Peterstreet who also jumped clear.
I was really proud of Mossy, who just seems to love in in the Hickstead Arena, and thanks to alot of work from Heather he looked and felt fantastic.
Ive just spent all morning jumping the youngs ones going to Knaptoft tommorrow, so instead of whizz whizz it was wobble wobble!!! All 4 were in good form, I hope they go well tommorow, it could be a long, hot day for them.

Hello and Goodbye...

I am pleased to welcome Pascal back to the yard. He has been bought by Richard and Karen Goddard and myself. I hope to aim him at Weston Park CCI*.
Desdorado (Desi) has gone to a new home. It was sad to see him go as he really was the sweetest horse. I wish Claudia lots of sucess with him.

Catch Up...

I am sorry I havent made a diary entry for a few weeks, no excuses its just not good enough, so sorry! But on the positive side of things I have lots of good things to update you with!......
Spider made his debut at Upton House 4 yr old Intro class last week. He did a sweet test, and I was dissapointed to get a 42, with the comments that he was a little croup high and downhill.....He is 4yrs old!!!!!! Anyway a great double clear left us 8th. He deserved a rosette, he was very grown up, and it was as if he had done it all before.
Last weekend, Jen, Dean, and I went to Brightling Horse Trials. I only took Bee to ride, and it was her first event back since her rest, and she peerformed really well; 31 and double clear. She was really settled throughout all three phases and showed me she had gained in confidence for having her rest and thinking things over. Jen had slightly mixed fortunes; 33 dressage, 4 down and some time faults in the SJ, and a great clear XC. It was unfortunate in the showjumping as mistakes were made at the beginning and end of their round, and the 5/6 fences in the middle of the course Andy jumped very well, the best I've seen him in the ring. Bee ended up 6th. We stayed with Bee's owner who kindly put us up, and enjoyed a social day on Sunday. I saw Gillys foal who is gorgeous called Kittiwake, and has real character. We all got invited to Lunch in the sponsors marquee at the horse trials, so we went and enjoyed spectating on Sunday, and meeting lots of very nice people!
Yesterday I had 3 to ride, thats more like it! Spider had another 4yr old Qualifier, and Millie, Bee, and Andy were in the PN at Stafford Horse Trials. It was a really good event, good going, lovely courses and well organised. Spider led from the start of his class to win! So he's qualified for the 4yr old champs at Tweseldown in October! Millie enjoyed her first run back since her break, and scored an amazing 24.5 to lead the dressage. An unlucky rail down meant we finished second, such a shame! Bee put up another relaxed performance to finish 3rd. Jen did a nice test again, just one down SJ and a great clear XC. Only time faults kept her out the placings, but that will come.
Today I have been to Weston Lawns with Mossy and Mickey. It was Mickeys first show! He jumped round the British Novice very well, I was thrilled. Mossy at last is feeling more settled, I hope it all comes together for Hickstead on Thursday!! We will see, I can only but try!

Back in the swing of things....

I returned from a weeks holiday in Turkey on Friday, and was glad to see the horses were all fine, and so was Mungo. Dean and I had a really good holiday, and a restful break. The weather was fantastic, almost too hot!
On Sunday Jen went to do her first Pre Novice at Eland Lodge, so Dean and I went along to support her. Andy did a good test, but was abit up tight and lost a few marks here and there, but scored a creditable 35.5, and went on to jump a double clear. Time faults XC put jen out the placings, but we were all very pleased with their performance. She heads to Buckminster now on Saturday to do the 5Yr old PN class.
So my horses are all back in work now. Bee, Nenagh, Mossy, Spider and Mickey. Im awaiting Millies return.
Sadly I sold Desdorado (Desi) just before I went on holiday. I will miss him, and wish him well in his new home.
I am looking forward to taking Spider to Upton House next week for his 4 yr old qualifier.