In April I went to Belgium to a show called Lanaken (Zangershide). I went with four horses - Cornetta 10, Valentino VII, Olympia III and Astral 57 - and had many placings, despite there being between 160 and 180 competitors in each class!
Lancelot, Cornetta, Valentino and I travelled to Bury Farm with mum, dad and Kate on the Thursday before the show. This was our first show back since Christmas so on the first day (Friday) we just gave the horses a nice jump round.
Last week we went to London with Valentino VII to compete in The Andrews Bowen Under 18's British Show Jumping Competition at Horse World Live, held at the ExCel Arena. After qualifying competitions at Scope the top riders, based on points and performance from the UK and Europe, were invited by British Show Jumping to compete in this brand new competition aimed at supporting the best young names in show jumping.
We went straight from Southview to Addington Manor, and had another lorry load of horses meet us there from home! I ended up with four to compete there - Obligado, Benavita, Cornetta and Valentino.
This show incorporated the second viewing trials for the Europeans. We only took Valentino and Cornetta here as Olympia is having a break from competing so she can compete throughout the winter season. On the first day Valentino had a double clear in the 1.35m and Cornetta had a clear round in the 1.40m which I was very pleased with.
I took three horses to Crofton just for the day as it is our local show. Obligado competed in the B&C jumping a lovely double clear and coming second.... I think I am getting the hang of him now!
We left for Hickstead on Tuesday to get there in plenty of time to settle all the horses in and to get the Animo stand set up. I took three horses, Obligado, Olympia and Orixa, but unfortunately only ended up competing one, mainly due to the ground and weather!
We took five horses to this show and also brought another while we were there.... His name is Obligado (“Barney”), a 16hh bay gelding, who has been competing at top level with his previous rider. My first show on him will be Hickstead (20th - 24th June).
It took us 5 hours to get to Cornwall on Wednesday, but eventually we got there safe and sound. For this event we just took Olympia and Fleur, my two beautiful chestnut mares. It was Fleur’s first county show, but she took it all in her stride coming 6th in the 1.25m on the first day despite the 70mph gales and relatively heavy rain!
