Mattingley & Nunney Horse Trials

We've had good outings to new events for us in the last two weeks.  Both Mattingley and Nunney were lovely events that we'll definitely go back to, hopefully in better weather at Nunney!  

Away Cruising kept up his consistent performance at Mattingley finishing a very close 2nd after the dressage on a score of 29.  He went on to jump another lovely double clear with a quiet but confident run across country to finish 11th.    We were really pleased with Zebedee's calm and obedient dressage test so it was disappointing to have two poles down in the show jumping, but he went on to give Harry a super ride cross country to finish 9th.

Harry had the weather seriously against him at Nunney where by a stroke of bad luck as he went into the arena for both of his dressage tests, the heavens opened and he had to attempt his tests in tropical style storms!  Away Cruising put in a good performance but was not as expressive as normal scoring a conservative 34.  Zebdee decided it was not a day to be doing dressage and didn't play the game at all!  He redeemed himself, however, by jumping a briilliant double clear in the IN.  

We took two lorry loads show jumping at Summerhouse last week which was a particularly great experience for our 4 year olds who are preparing for their first BYEH class in a couple of weeks.  Catherston Definitive, having been very spooky at first last time, took it all in his stride and jumped two lovely clear rounds like he was on springs!  It was nice to have Wild Lone out jumping for the first time since Badminton and along with Away Cruising and Zebedee he jumped a lovely double clear. 

Sadly our lovely working pupil, Kate Martin, has suffered a series of misfortuntes, first with her horse going wrong, quickly followed by a broken finger and a hand in plaster, so very sadly she is not able to continue with us.  

Photograph: Zebdee picking up his toes at Mattingley  (Photograph courtesy of Toby Bates)