Upgrading at Aston...

We have just completed a very big weekend for Team Jackson. We had 3 in the advanced and 3 in the novice. Willy and Fish did their first advanced and Rowan and Chesney their first novices. Luke and Jack were the 'old timers' to complete the team.

I was very pleased with all 6 tests. With the exception of Luke (for whom it was his first outing since Bramham so he felt pretty frisky), everyone else was chilled and happy and put their best foot forward between the white boards. Luke did some nice work puncutated by hops, skips and jumps not required!

The show jumping phase caused drama a plenty at Aston, particularly for those running early in the day. It was a twisty, technical track built with very, very skinny rails, and that coupled with early course watering made for a tough course. On the whole my boys all jumped well, with Rowan, Jack and Willy pulling off lovely clears, and Luke an unlucky rail in the middle of the treble. Fish and Chesney were perhaps unlucky to run early in the day on the skiddy going, and both came home with jumping scores to forget.

There were squillions of advanced entries who nearly all ran cross country which is a testament to the Taylor's of Washbrook farm and their team of tireless workers. The watering, spiking and wood chip made for the best going in the country at this time of year. I had 6 clears from 6 runs which is a really very exciting achievement for the team. All 6 boys tried their hardest and I was over the moon that they each stepped up to the next grade so convincingly and I really feel lucky to be developing such strength in depth with an enviable team of ponies...look out world!!!

Its always the icing on the cake to come home with a ribbon, and Jack oblidged with a win in the ON, Luke 15th, Willy 19th from 76 starters in the 8/9yr old Advanced, and Rowan 11th in the Novice. Also well done to one of our working pupils, Rowan Hendry who won the novice on Sunday, good work!