Blenheim 8/9yo CCI****S

I just had one ride at Blenheim this year with Ayesha Vardag’s VARDAGS SARATOGA in the CCI****S 8/9yo class. As Sara is only an 8yo this was a huge occasion for her so we were really looking forward to taking on the challenge.

After a really promising start in the dressage as our test progressed unfortunately tension really got the better of her and too many mistakes crept in leaving us at the wrong end of the leaderboard. A real shame as in general her work has been so much improved. Her flying changes are really becoming more established now along with the rest of her more advanced work so I’m sure with a winter really focussed on exposing her to more atmosphere she will begin so settle more and produce some seriously competitive marks.

She jumped there most beautiful round show-jumping on Saturday just rubbing the final element of the combination to pick up 4faults in an otherwise really cracking round. We were bursting with pride at how she handled the very intense atmosphere in the main arena and felt like a seasoned pro.

She then gave me the most amazing ride on Sunday on the cross-country round a seriously intense track. I didn’t give her the best ride through the first combination but she is so brave and so up for it she ate up the track and felt pure class. So excited for the future with this very special little mare and so grateful to her wonderful owner Ayesha for her faith in me to produce her!