Friday 15th August 2008- Suprise............!
On my return from Hong Kong I was to find I had a new horse on the yard!
With me being away Zanie had a lovely Novice horse called Pebbly Grand Design vetted for owners The Ultimate Travel company. Archie as he is known has been beautifully produced by Hayden Hankey and was winner of the 5yr old Burghley young event horse class in 2007. In 2008 he has gone on to win and be well placed in all his novice runs. He is a class horse.
I tried him before I went away and am very excited about him joining my team and glad at last we have found a horse for The Ultimate Travel company. Thankyou Iris and Nick !!
Sunday 3rd August 2008- Gatcombe Intermediate Champs.
I had a new ride here in Hollybrooke Inquisitor. He came to us the week before Wilton so we are yet to truely know one another. He did an improved test to Wilton with 2 mistakes to score a 37. I was really pleased with most of the work and can only get better the longer we have together.
The SJ at Gatcombe is always maximum height and dimension. This year saw dog legs and many fences on the turn all the time. As normal it was causing troubles but Brillo jumped really well to have an unlucky one fence which he breathed on and then first part of the combination ; I adjusted him and then he ran dis united.
Xc we had a real silly at fence 7 - he jumped the rest really eally well and its just a matter of sussing each other out. He next heads to Highclere advanced and Bleinheim.
For me I am off to Hong Kong as part of the olympic ambition programme for London 2012 and then up to Blair Castle with The Secret Weapon and Top Cat on my return.
Sunday 27th July 2008- WILTON
Probably one of the hottest days eventing to date at Wilton Horse trials this weekend.
With both Cultural and Bigtime sold I took 3 horses to Wilton - The Red Lion , Idol Hero and Hollybrooke Inquisitor.
Leo had early times starting at 8.30am, He did a good test in the Intermediate to score a 28.6 , one rail SJ and again a silly run out xc - which was really annoying especially after his win at Tweseldown last time out.
Brillo - a new ride for me was having his first run in a couple of months. I was slightly disappointed in his mark as he scored a 37 but on reflection his section was marked hard, he jumped well but had one down and fab xc to be 10th in the OI.
I was glad to get our first event together out the way and I enjoyed riding him. We now head to the Intermediate Champs next weekend.
Oscar was last of the day running in the Novice. New owners Margaret Bodycote and Esther Lewis must of been pleased with thier newest aquisition as he did a good test to score 28.6, followed by a great double clear to be 3rd.
I only have Intermediate Champs before I go to Hong Kong for a few days as part of the Olympic Ambition programme. On my return we head to Blair Castle with The Secret Weapon and Top Cat 11.
Wednesday 23rd July 2008- IDOL HERO SOLD
Idol Hero /Oscar previously owned by the Windsor Clives has been sold. Luckily back into the yard for me to keep the ride. A Novice horse that we both rate , now co owned by Esther Lewis and Margaret Bodycote , so we all would like to thank them for stepping in on ownership and look forward to continuing to produce and event this horse.
Saturday 19th July 2008- ASTON LE WALLS AND CULTURAL IS SOLD
The Secret Weapon and Top Cat 11 went to Aston for the advanced. TC was again good in his dressage except for one naughty moment in the first flying change but kept a lid on it to score a 42, this was followed by a super double clear to be 10th. Arty was a bit lack lustre in his test to score a 32, one rail down but very classy and quick across country to win his advanced section.
Both now have a month until Blair Castle where TC will contest the CCI** and Arty the CCI***.
As we were busy at Aston, Cultural was being collected by his new owners - the Hayward family from Cheshire. We wish them the best of luck.
Friday 11th July 2008- New Arrival
Friday saw the welcomed arrival of a new Advanced horse Hollybrooke Inquisitor. Owned and previously ridden by Francis Hooper Smith. Francis has been forced into semi retirement with all her shoulder ops so I am glad she came to me with the ride.
Brillo as he is known will head to the Intermediate Champs at Gatcombe and if all happy contest a CCI***.
Wednesday 9th July 2008- Upton House
Rain Rain Rain !!!! This was probably the wettest day ever ! Cultural and Idol Hero were contesting the Novice at Upton. The xc course was actually pretty demanding and with the ground and undulating parkland they both coped extrememy well. Cultural was 6th in his section with a 29 and double clear. Idol Hero was 2nd with a 28, one rail and clear xc. All very wet and muddy but pleased with how they went in testing conditions.
We have a rather un heard of weekend off and then to Aston Advanced and Wilton.
Monday 7th July 2008- Tweseldown
Yet another foul wet day as we made our way to Tweseldown with Bigtime and The Red Lion. Bryn was doing his first IN and did a good test to score 32, 2 rails SJ and Clear xc.
Leo has been knocking on the door for an Intermediate win and Tweseldown was to reward him with it! A 31 dressage and jumping a double clear.
I was pleased as he has nearly won his last 2 Intermediates but for silly run outs spoiling......... Here he jumped all the skinnys, corners etc.
Tomorrow we go to Summerhouse BSJA and then Upton on Wednesday.
Sunday 6th July 2008- BARBURY CIC**/***
Top Cat 11 headed to Barbury for the CCI**. He had his dressage on Friday and on a blustery day scored a very pleasing 50.1 leaving him in 14th position. Again he did a solid well behaved test. We returned on the Saturday for The Secret Weapon to do his test. Lucinda Fredericks had already done an amazing 30 test. The wind blew so the plants and the flags were flying about by the side of the arena. Arty although never blows up, and tries to behave is naturally spooky so a pretty immaculate test was just ruined at times by him having a sneaky glance at the flowers! However he kept a lid on it and tried for me and I was pleased with his mark of 44, which put him well up there amongst all the top lot. Top Cat SJ in the afternoon - it was so windy fences were having to be re built in between horses. Top Cat jumped a very nice clear round to move up into 7 th place overnight. The CIC** xc was stiff enough but TC had just jumped round an Adv the weekend beforehand so bar jockey error I felt confident. On walking the CIC*** it had been made alot softer but had enough on the course to catch a few out.
Sunday was vile, the wind and rain at its worst as we set off for the final day at Barbury.
Top Cat xc first and flew round with 3 time to end up 5th in the CIC** - another fab result for him ; he now goes to the Adv at Aston.
The Secret Weapon jumped well but tipped one rail jumping into the double and flew round the xc with the second fastest time of the day to secure 6th place in the CIC***. It was a great result as all the team horses for the Olympics were there and he beat most of those , so I really have to be excited in going forward with him. He is such a consistent, talented horse and I look forward to heading to Blair with him this year. His next run is also Aston Advanced.
Home to scrape off the mud and head to Tweseldown tomorrow with The Red Lion and Bigtime and then Upton House on Wednesday with Cultural and Idol Hero.
Saturday 28th June 2008- ROLLESTON
I have never been to Rolleston before but trying to get Advanced runs at this time of year is difficult. I had heard the courses at Rolleston are always big and demanding.
Entered here was The Red Lion in the Intermediate, and Prairie Monarch and Top Cat in the Advanced.
Unfortunately Squiggle was withdrawn due to a knock he sustained at Salperton so we headed off with the 2.
Leo was on early and led the section on a 26 test, followed by a rare sj clear. He had a silly stop early on the xc but was still 11th, annoying as would of won easily. The Intermediate xc caused huge troubles all day with some pretty difficult questions so overall I was pleased.
Top Cat was doing the advanced, his dressage has been the real problem with him and he especially finds the advanced stuff more difficult, however after much perserverance and help from Pammy Hutton he did his best test to date scoring a competitive 36 in his section. He jumped a fluid sj clear and fantastic xc to WIN his first advanced. I am absolutely thrilled and only sorry that Keith and Vicki Lovelock were not there to witness his win as they have stuck with him. Well done TC......
Next weekend we head to Barbury with The Secret Weapon and Top Cat 11.
Saturday 21st June 2008- Salperton
The Red Lion, Top Cat , Prairie Monarch , The Secret Weapon, Cultural, Bigtime and Idol Hero headed to Salperton last weekend.
Salperton is a top end Novice and Intermediate course that requires determined, accurate riding.
The Red Lion did a super test to score a 27.7 in the Intermediate, followed by a very good clear sj, only marred by a green run out at the influential squirrel fence two from home. I was still pleased, with it only being his 2nd Intermediate, he took all the other direct routes.
Top Cat ran in the OI. He was a good boy to behave and score a 35, great sj clear but it seemed my day for run outs as he had a cheeky glance off at the brush corner early on.
Prairie Monarch ran alongside The Secret Weapon in the hotly contested AI section, with many of the olympic hopefuls out in force. He did a very respectable 32 test, jumped well in the SJ but had a insecure moment at the double to have both parts down and I then had to circle before the next fence as he ran through my hand to incur a number of time faults. XC I set out determined after a disappointing Longleat, but he this time jumped all the complicated stuff to have a silly stop at the impressive Footbridge. Will now take stock a bit and re trace where it could of gone wrong for Squiggle.
Lastly as ever The Secret Weapon needed to lift my day and as ever, he did just that by winning the AI. Not his best test to date with a 31, but that was down to him showing off flying changes in the extended canter - that were not required!!, he jumped a great clear sj and stormed around the xc bang on the optimum time to yet again beat serious competition. The Secret Weapon and Top Cat head to Barbury next where I will be trying to win the Barbury Trophy again............
Sunday we returned with Babies. Bigtime running in his last Novice HC did a 29, one down SJ and good clear xc. He is proving to be ultra consistent.
Cultural slightly cheeky in his test scored a 32, again rolled one pole and clear xc ; he is a great horse to ride xc because he truely relishes it.
Lastly Idol Hero did his foot perfect test to score a 31, but on losing a shoe in the SJ he jumped unusually flat to have a disappointing 4 down ; but I think he had reason. He was withdrawn from the xc.
Next week I have lottery training and am still on the search for an event horse for The Ultimate Travel Company.
Next weekend we head to Rolleston.
Sunday 15th June 2008- LONGLEAT
Well not sure what to say. Longleat was a day to forget really.
Prairie Monarch did a fluid test to score a 33 in the OI, jumped a good sj clear but took a complete adversion to the crocodile fence at the first water, incurring 20 penalties. Then refused to get into the 2nd water so I was disappointed. The horse has been pretty secure and confident xc this year. Anyway they are not machines so back home for a xc school and then to Salperton.
The Secret Weapon was his normal reliable self, he led the dressage on a 28 test and jumped a lovely clear sj - I then withdrew him as we never intended to run him xc.
Lastly The Red Lion was inattentive in test to score a 39 in the Intermediate, then jumped well but had 2 down sj, so with the xc slightly firm and causing experianced horse trouble I withdrew him also.
These all head to Salperton.
Wednesday 11th June 2008- WEST WILTS
The 3 Novice horses went to West Wilts on Wednesday and we had a very good day. Bigtime was running HC as now has Intermediate points. He jumped a super double clear to finish on his dressage score of 32.4. Idol Hero did a 34 test and jumped a very consistent double clear to be 3rd and then Cultural did a 32.4 test and jumped a confident double clear to be 6th.
Good boys who now head to Salperton.
Saturday 31st May 2008- Tilly Babies!
Zanie and owner Jane James visited Twemlows this week to find a suitable Stallion for Miss Caruso. Its the trend at the moment but we are going to try Embryo Transfer with her.
After research we were particularily interested in Stravinsky. His track record and breeding is perfect to put with our mare Tilly, so we are all decided he is the man!
So hopefully we will have success and start breeding some future event horses.
Sunday 25th May 2008- HOUGHTON CCI
Top Cat and The Red Lion headed upto Norfolk for the CCI**/CCI*, with Isandhlwana temporarily sidelined it meant a quieter week.
With over 140 entries in the ** Top Cat had trot up early on the Wednesday with his test in the afternoon.
TC behaved really well and did a fluid test to score a 47.7 - personnal best for him and I was really pleased, I now could look forward to the xc and sj elements wih him.
Camping was a new adventure for Leo! and true to form he took it all in his stride to spend most of the week with his feet up!!! He is a horse that loves to lie down and certainly wasnt going to be affected by the accomadation!
He did his test first thing Friday. He did only a few steps rein back, which was a shame, as the rest of the test was pleasing and he scored a 54 - slightly higher than I thought he deserved but still pleasing.
They worked hard at Houghton to accomadate everyone and aerovate the ground, so that when Saturday arrived the xc going was certainly good enough and the horses seemed to fair well on it.
Both mine were brave and confident xc and finished well within themselves. Leo picked up 0.8 time and Top Cat cruised home inside the time.
It was good to have both done by Lunchtime so they had time to recover. In fact both needed little doing to them as very happy and sound, so Zanie and I were fortunate to watch the majority of the ** xc.
Next day as last year bought rain and wind! Its such a shame for organisers and competitors alike as everyone rushes to get finished and home.
Leo and TC trotted up well and then both jumped really good SJ rounds to jump clear.
Leo finished 18th in his first CCI* and TC Climbed the order to finish a creditable 10th in the CCI**.
A good weeks work and pleasing results.
Sunday 18th May 2008- CHEPSTOW
A relatively quiet day with only 2 horses at Chepstow. Bigtime did a nice test in the Nov to score a 35 and jump a double clear to be 4th, pleasing.
Prairie Monarch did a really nice test but marked a little high on a 35,( the judge must of forgotton her glasses!! ) but jumped a super double clear over an influential track to be 5th, so really good boys.
Now home to head off to Houghton...............
Friday 16th May 2008- MATTINGLEY
Imperial Colours, Cultural and Idol Hero went to Mattingley.
Both Mac and Murphy were short of a run with Moreton Morrell cancelled due to the weather.
Mac did a 38 test, marred by a couple of tense moments but jumped a lovely clear sj and excellent xc.
Murphy having his first Novice run, although very naughty in the warm up behaved in the arena to do a pleasing test, one unlucky sj down and awesome xc.
Oscar did his immaculate test but was very naughty in the sj to be lucky to have only two down, he acted like a complete baby but gave me the best ride xc.
I was pleased with how they all performed xc over a fairly meaty Novice course.
Sunday 11th May 2008- CHATSWORTH CIC***/ WORLD CUP
Silver Machine and The Secret Weapon headed to Chatsworth.
Harry in the normal CIC*** did an immaculate test to score 46, 3 down SJ and a fab xc round over a stiff track.
The Secret Weapon competed in a high class field to be 5th in the World Cup Qualifer. He lay 6th after the dressage on a 47, a confident clear xc and headed into the final phase - the sj in 8th place.
Arty again tried his guts out to have one rail down round a massive track, this proved a good round where rails fell everywhere so he ended up 5th and we were absolutely delighted.
Next event Mattingley and Chepstow.
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