The start to my season has most definitely been a busy one. I have a very exciting string of 12 horses based at Sam Griffiths’ yard in Dorset. Being based with Sam means I am lucky enough to have some really sound advice on my doorstep whenever I need it, and he is hugely supportive. My string ranges from 4yos, up to my top horse Billy Bumble who has stepped up to 3*:
· Billy Bumble came out strongly this season picking up a top ten finish at Belton OI and then went on to go fantastically around Burnham Market Advanced to finish 8th. It was my first time at Burnham Market and I will most definitely be going back as the courses are testing and educational for the horses. However, very sadly, Bumble over reached at Burnham so will be having a quieter few weeks, but my young horses have been going from strength to strength.
· Gapolio, a 6 year old, stepped up to Novice this year picking up top ten finishes in all three of them. He then made the trip up to Chatsworth to contest his first CIC* and I could not have been more proud of him. It was a big ask but he coped brilliantly. He rolled one pole but cruised around the cross country making it feel easy. He is definitely an exciting horse for the future.
· Amoroso Gigi Z another 6 year old also went to Chatsworth and put in a very classy jumping performance with a beautiful clear xc, having done a very good ‘46’ dressage. Both my Chatsworth runners picked up time faults xc as I chose to give them a nice educational run.
· Faere Spirit is a half Welsh section D cross thoroughbred who came to me two years ago with quite a reputation and been sent away from many yards as he was deemed incapable of doing anything. He has taken to eventing very well, being in the top ten almost every time out. He really pulled it out the bag at Hambledon where he contested his first IN to win, finishing on his 20 dressage. He has since gone on to compete at the wonderful Tattersalls International Horse Trials where he was faultless finishing on his dressage score of 48 to come 10th!! Rather pleasing for a cob!
· My lovely Dancing Hero also came with us to Ireland for the Tatts CCI*. This horse came to me with a lot of quirks and a rather large fear of the show jumps. He was renowned for going into a meltdown in the ring, but I’m pleased to say he has now jumped plenty of double clears and picked up many placings at Novice. He was fantastic at Tatts and I couldn’t have asked any more of him. He tried his heart out on the final day, having gone clear inside the time xc, to just breathe on one rail.
We are now busy focussing on getting the young horses out again before the big horses run at Barbury.
Thank you to all of my team, owners and horses for all your support.
