Momentous Wellington

Our trip to Wellington was a fairly momentous day - it was exactly 2 years on from the fall that changed things so significantly for a time. That visit in 2013 was my first and only trip to Wellington until today, so coming back was quite an interesting experience.  Very sadly it also marked a year to the day since Wild Lone died at the World Championships, so there was a definitely a sense of reflection for us all, and particularly for my head groom Jess who was devoted to him.

We had three horses competing - Away Cruising in the Advanced and then Vrolijk and Tenareze in the OI. 

Away Cruising did a really smart test, and despite not quite nailing his changes still scored 27, which put him near the top of the advanced 8/9 yr old class. He had a disappointing show jumping round with three down, slightly struggling in the relatively small arena where the fences came up thick and fast. He gave me a great ride across country making it feel pretty easy. This has set him up well for the CIC*** at Blenheim in a few week's time.

Vrolijk did a smart test too, also scoring 27. He jumped another clear in the show jumping - his 11th clear so far this season - and felt great across country, finishing in 6th place.

Tenareze posted a 24 in the dressage which put him in 2nd place. He also show jumped clear which was his 14th show jumping clear this year. He had a good spin across country, felt full of confidence and just picked up a couple of time faults to finish 4th.

All the horses put up very strong performances and the runs will have brought them on. I was pleased to put the day behind me without any dramas, not least jumping the same fence that I fell at on my last visit, which was still in the course, albeit with its roof removed. 

Slow motion video of Away Cruising jumping through the water thanks to 2Gallop.

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=dA0ebfHubrA