Aston le Walls

After a great couple of days at Dauntsey we took just two horses to Aston le Walls on Friday.

We had always planned for Wild Lone to do the Advanced at Aston but having had a good run at Barbury I decided there was no need for him to run, particularly as he ran there twice in a row last summer (due to most other events being cancelled at the time) so was unlikely to be exposed to anything new, so I just took him to do the dressage. We had a worthwhile trip as he did did some really great work and felt very secure, which was pleasing after rather fresh tests at both Badminton and Barbury. His outline, which can be a bit high when he's on edge, was much improved and it was mistake free to leave him lying in 6th place on a competitive score of 31.  He had a good trip to the gallops in Lambourn yesterday instead of jumping at Aston and did some good work; he's well up to speed with his fitness work, which takes the pressure off over the next six weeks in the run up to Gatcombe and Burghley.

Zebedee also went to Aston for his last Novice run before his first crack at an Intermediate next weekend at Wilton.  He also did a great test to score 30 and jumped a super double clear.  He has become really consistent and just a couple of time penalites dropped him out of the top placings to 7th.

Photograph: Wild Lone working on the gallops yesterday.