Happy Days

Well on the sunniest March weekend we can remember both Wellshead Munnings (Jack) and Kilcoltrim Ambassador (Sprout) gave good enough performances to come home with ribbons. Jack did a ridiculously good test in the open novice to score 23, followed by a hugely irritating 4 faults at the first in the show jumping, and a super XC for just 2.4 time to place 2nd behind Chris King and the highly rated 'Billy Bounce'.

Sprouty did a super test. He was very relaxed and tried hard for a 38 in the Advanced Intermediate. A magic double clear moved him into 7th place, with the third fastest time of the section for just 4 time faults.

With our hostess HRH The Princess Royal being brave enough to stay to present prizes at 6.30pm on both days we were only too happy to make the effort. We were rewarded with a little chat with Princess Ann both on Saturday and Sunday. Jack won a beautiful glass dish and a member of the Sprout Syndicate 'Liz Hawkesworth put The Princess at her ease about the children's parties they used to frequent together in Norfolk!

So the craziness continues with Cher and Rowan heading to Somerly tomorrow, and then Willy to Belton at the weekend.

Lincoln and Draycott

Following our happy sunny Tweseldown we trekked 3 hours to Lincoln show grounds for Willy Do's second run of the year. In order to prep him for Belton he has had a slightly different program than the others. He really gave of his best in all three phases, the nicest test he's ever done for a slightly disappointing score of 32, he tried seriously hard show jumping out of some fairly deep mud to have an unfortunate 4 faults in the very last combination, and the nicest ride i've had cross country for a fairly speedy 10 time faults. Such is the incredible depth in talent of horses and riders here in the UK at the moment, this commendable performance left us in an unremarkable 17th position! We'd better keep practicing.

From Lincoln on Sunday we had a Team Jacko 'family' outing on Thursday to Draycott in Derbyshire. Bec took Alderman, I had my first ride on Cher and Fran had Radical Approach. They all did reasonable tests both girls tactfully scoring one mark worse than me with 34 for them and 33 for me! Very diplomatic. Alderman and Cher jumped nice clear rounds, and Chesney had a pesky 4 faults. Then Cher and Alderman went on to jump lovely cross country clears for 2nd and 10th places respectively.

Poor Chesney fell foul of the fading light failing to negotiate a rather nasty skinny drop into some woods above a lake, as did many riders competing late in the afternoon. I'm sure there was something about the fence that horses couldn't read once the sun had reached a certain point.

So onwards we roll to Gatcombe today with Jack in the Open Novice and Sprout in the AI....

Business Time

This week the team have been particularly business focused. Whilst working our lovely gang of permanent residents we have been lucky enough to be given a couple of horses to produce for sale.

Donnerhall Princess: 10yr old Grey Holsteiner, 16.1 hands by Dolany Registered Holsteiner, grandsire Donnerhall (Oldenberg) 28 BE points Attractive mare with three lovely paces (would do pure dressage. Fi Fi is a very careful jumper and super xc- super genuine and will get you out of a sticky spot! Would make a fantastic JRN horse. A pleasure to do in every way. £15k






We also are sad that Dr Scott Ralph, based with us for the past 2 years, has a new job in London and is therefore selling his lovely horse Radical Approach: 16.1hh, 9yr old, Bay gelding by Radolin (KWPN) out of ISH mare. Very consistent record at BE Novice and completed first intermediate clear cross country, all with total amateur rider. Stunning paces, very scopey jump and brave xc. Chesney is a lovely horse with real character £20k.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmr6LtRJCGU&context=C4dcf107ADvjVQa1PpcFMSHpAh4zeFx8rulOvEE-9vMdtTFAIdm48%3D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEz2bf2h5n4&context=C45cf5a5ADvjVQa1PpcFMSHpAh4zeFx4sjgULXdxgTaiFbecdYIQ8%3D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBEETAgmXD8&context=C4916d94ADvjVQa1PpcFMSHpAh4zeFx73Ocn0vo4O7zonkQjonJ5o%3D

It is an essential part of our operation to produce carefully selected horses for sale, and something we take pride in doing well. Do contact us if you are interested in either of the above or have a specific shopping list in mind!

Tinseltown

We enjoyed a fun two days at Tweseldown (Tinseltown). Although Sprouty was a little frisky in the dressage he kept his lid on to score 40.1, he then had an unlucky rail in an otherwise lovely round show jumping, and then scooted around the XC for just 6 time faults. In a very competitive section this was well out of the ribbons, but his expression in this photos shows that his run XC has made the entire winter worthwhile for him.
He just loves his job, the competitions in particular. It was a special treat to be joined by some 'Sprouts'. His owners were out to watch his 2012 debut, including Robert Gayner, Liz Hawkesworth, and a rare trip away from her desk for Emily Weber. It was wonderful to see you all there.

Rowan returned the next day to take 8th in a novice section with a greatly improved XC performance. Unfortunately Bec was less fortunate and retired Alderman with some drag hunting on the cards for his homework.

Team Jacko then enjoyed a rare weekend at home, having worked all the horses we even enjoyed a Sunday lunch at the local pub!! Tough at the top. We also celebrated the arrival of a new horse that Mum and I have brought together, Sammy aka 'The Ginger Pud' is a 7yr old who has yet to event. I look forward to producing him through the grades and have high hopes of what he might turn into.

Its back to reality this week with gallops on Monday, squad training on Wednesday and Thursday, cross country on Friday and Lincoln on Sunday. Although this spring weather is helping no end.

March Madness

Phew, so returning from Ireland only a week ago and so much has happened! We firstly had a fantastic days XC schooling at Lyneham Heath with four of mine who had yet to set foot on grass in 2012, and Fran with FiFi. The ground was perfect and the sun shone, what a lovely way to spend an afternoon.


On Friday India rode Cher, Bec on Alderman, Fran on Fi Fi, and I had Jack and Rowan in the unaffilliated at Aston le Walls. Again gorgeous sunshine and spot on course and conditions. All 5 ran really well with Rowan bringing home a 4th rosette!

By Sunday we realised we were still in March and still in England as Willy and Fi Fi had to endure everything from sleet, to driving rain and high winds in the peaty highlands of Cambridgeshire at Iselham! They both did us proud though with Fi Fi doing a super double clear with a very respectable test and Willy coming away with a 5th rosette in the OI. Very satisfactory.

On Monday night I had a magic treat with fellow kiwi team mate Jonelle Richards. We went whizzing down to Cardiff to watch Florence and the machine concert. A lovely change of occupation for 12 hours...wow what a voice, Florence that is!!!

Yesterday we were back to reality with a squad training day at Hartpury college. Using its extensive facilities to run through the 4* test with Isobel Wessels as judge, and jump a 1.25m with Luis. Unbelievably experienced experts advising us, I feel so very fortunate to be a part of the squad. Only Nicholson, Toddy, Jock, Jonelle, Caroline and I had horses there so we had such great input.

I can only hope that after Luke's 8th, Rowan's 4th and Willy's 5th that Sprout keeps up with his stable mates when he makes his season debut tomorrow at Tweseldown!