So I’ve been hugely busy since the last time we spoke on here – back on track with events running as planned and new horses on the block! Even though the days are longer there still doesn’t seem to be enough hours to fit everything in!
We did unfortunately get another event cancelled in April – Weston Park – so we took the opportunity to head to Church Farm in Ormskirk for some showjumping practice. Sabine and Jon’s ‘Novaturient’ and Lily Roberts ‘Tawnmore Lux Crusalier’ both felt hot and fit and jumped double clears round the Newcomers. ‘Tawnmore’ finished 2nd and now has all of his double clears for 2nd rounds.
Still on a showjumping crusade we went to a very busy Dean Valley again with ‘Novaturient’ – he needs the experience and mileage in his legs, he showed his early maturity and jumped double clears again.
My sister Hayleys horse, ‘Oaken Eddie’ is with me for the season and I am very lucky to have him. He is a super talented horse and is exceeding all expectations. He jumped a double clear in the Newcomers resulting in a win in what was a huge class. He also has his double clears for 2nd rounds.
We had all been looking forward to ‘You’ve Got The Lux’ (Poppy) doing a great job at Burnham Market and it looked like she wasn’t going to let us down….however the weather did! She rode a lovely test but sadly the event then had to be abandoned.
Kelsall Hill couldn’t come soon enough. The horses were all fit and ready to go and we were all excited and ready to go too! The day dawned, the sun was shining, the ground was good, I was in a great mood!!! ‘Poppy’ temporarily caused us some stress – 5 minutes after arriving she twisted a nail in her shoe. As luck would have it we had parked next to the farrier so disaster was averted….that was until she sneezed all over me in my dressage gear. What was I saying about being in a great mood….
So first up was ‘Oaken Eddie’ in the Intermediate. Beautiful test, 28.9, clear showjumping and clear XC. This was my first event on ‘Eddie’ and he was an absolute dream to ride, he has the heart of a lion and he well deserved his win. Yes we won!! He did us proud and I’m so pleased that Hayley was there to see his debut victory.
Next up was ‘Poppy’ in the Open Intermediate. She strutted her stuff, a bit more excitable than I would have liked but a good score of 31.4. She is such a diva and kept me on my toes all day. Lovely clear showjumping round, the course is always well built at Kelsall. And then she had her usual feisty attitude round the XC and just ate it up. She is only small with a huge cat like leap but boy is she bossy!
She definitely thinks she can do it on her own without any interference from me! We finished a creditable 6th.
Day 2 was just as good – 2 runners in the Novice. ‘Novaturient’s debut at this level and my first event on ‘Quanti Du Vi’ owned by Laura Cocking. ‘Novaturient’ did a lovely test, 23, clear showjumping and XC leaving him to finish on his dressage score.
‘Quanti’ floated round the dressage arena (all pointy toes and flashy), clear showjumping and XC. He gave me a great ride and has a promising future.
Good results again – ‘Nova’ 2nd and ‘Quanti’ 3rd. So far so good!
Training at home is always busy – I have a very nice young horse I bought in Ireland – ‘Echo’ – he is showing lots of ability and I am aiming him at Burghley Young Event Horse competitions this year.
Unfortunately I never got to ride in the Point to Point race at Tabley that I’d been invited to. The meet had to be cancelled due to the dreaded weather and was rescheduled for the same day as Kelsall. So I lived to fight another day!
I gave myself a couple of afternoons off to watch Badminton which made good viewing this year. Jonelle Price rode beautifully and it was a well deserved win for her. I set up the laptop in the barn and watched it with Poppy, Echo and Quanti. Snippit the whippet lost interest and went off and caused trouble somewhere.
Next on the calendar was Richmond which we really used as an educational weekend in preparation for Floors Castle in Scotland. 3 completions in the Novice and Intermediate with purposefully slow XC runs.
And the to Floors – what a great road trip. I’ve decided I need a bigger wagon. It was like packing for a family of 12!!
We stayed with a friend, Claudia Claydon, who bought a horse from me 4 years ago. We had a ball, great hospitality and lots of laughs.
Thursday was dressage day – ‘Poppy’ first to go in the 2* producing I think her best ever test.
‘Quanti’ in the 1* was a complete show off and lay in 2nd place at the end of the day. ‘Eddie’ again showed his potential and went into 5th place.
The venue is in a wonderful setting, the showjumping arena right in front of the main house gave a great atmosphere.
‘Poppy’ unfortunately had one annoying pole in the showjumping despite jumping very well and at times feeling like she was going to fire me off! Thank God I had the foresight to put a neck strap on as apparently her backend was higher than her head at times!
‘Quanti’ continued on good form staying in 2nd after the showjumping but sadly picked up time faults in the XC so dropped to 5th. I beat myself up a bit for the time faults but hopefully it is a lesson learnt. ‘Eddie’ kept his clean sheet jumping double clears and crept in front of ‘Quanti’ to finish 4th! He is now aimed at 2*.
And last but never least ‘Novaturient’ enjoyed his first stay away camp…..he jumped double clears, but deliberately slowly as confidence builders.
And the good fortune continues. I am delighted and proud to announce that Team Hankey has been chosen as an Ambassador for Fine Fettle Feeds. We can’t wait to get started. Please have a look at their Facebook page and give them a like.
We are off to Rockingham next with high hopes and expectations! Let’s hope our roll continues.
And I might even go horse box shopping…..
