Wonderful Weston

I haven't competed at Weston since I did the Pony Club Champs there QUITE some years back. I wonder why I haven't been back, the ground was as perfect as I think we'll see all year, the cross country courses were inviting and educational, and aside from wishing they had more fillers and heavier poles in the show jumping I found it hard not to sing its praises. What made the weekend even better was the chance to stay with great friends, The Kemps only 20 minutes from the event...THANK YOU!

On Saturday Bec took Alderman, I took Alf (Whats it All About), Cher (Gurtera Cher) and Master Rowan for the novice. Bec had a disappointing day in the sticky show jumping ground and decided to withdraw Alderman.

I had a super day at my first event riding for Adrian and Maggie Smith. Their homebred Alf scored 28 and jumped a double clear. It was a lovely way to start on a new horse but is setting the bar fairly high for the rest of the year!

Rowan very much had a day of 'if only'. He did a super test bar one little mistake that scored 31.5. He jumped an impressive clear in the show jumping, and had a frustrating 20 penalties cross country at a tricky sunken road early on the course. He is growing up all the time and when it all clicks he'll be hard to beat!

Cher never ceases to seriously impress me and it was lovely to have her owners The Wishart's there to watch her run. She did a much improved test for a disappointing 35. I think she is so powerful it will take me a while to shift her balance into a more advanced frame. She then jumped beautifully show jumping with an unfortunate 4 faults coming out of the treble, followed by a seriously impressive clear XC. She is well ready to upgrade to 1* at Chatsworth and on to Intermediate after that. I really rate her and think she is an ideal Le Lion candidate at the end of the year. Sadly she is for sale so if any followers are interested in buying a 4* horse, either for me to keep riding (preferable) or for their own jockey to ride (2nd choice!!) do contact us.

Alf would have finished 2nd had we not been H/C, and Cher finished 11th. Willy Do returned the following day to take 7th in the OI. He did a super test for 29, had 2 frustrating poles show jumping but thankfully it was a smooth and professional round from both Willy and I to make up for my Belton head rush in this phase. He was then unbelievably classy cross country. Willy has found several new gears lately and flew around the course.

Overall a very pleasing weekend for my ponies, and a very pesky weekend for Bec who's luck is surely due a turn for the better.

Today we put Fran and Sprouty on their planes for the United States! Hugely exciting times ahead. Fingers crossed for a safe, happy and successful fortnight. Thank you to all my supporters both those coming to Kentucky and in particular those staying behind to man the fort.