Last weekend saw us head to one of our most local events; West Wilts, with VIVENDI DE VARDAG (Viva) in her first BE10o, DIAMOND HOLLY (Princess) and THE DIAMOND GAMBLER (Brian)in the Novice and MOYLAW BADGER (Milo) in the Open Novice.
Viva stepped up to the level really well considering she is still very green and we are still forming a partnership together. She scored a respectable 32 on the flat, and then jumped a very promising show jumping round just rolling an early pole when she was momentarily distracted by the collecting ring. She is a lovely natural jumper and I feel sure there are many clear rounds to come from this horse. She gave me a great feel XC cruising round a reasonably tough track for the level and feeling like she was growing in confidence all the time. She finished just outside the ribbons but I was thrilled with her overall performance.
Brian and Milo both performed solid and consistent tests to score 33 and 31. Milo always rises to a big occasion and felt perhaps that this was not one of those! Brian is slowly but surely improving in this phase and I am still very confident he will receive better marks the stronger he becomes. Princess however was so much improved on the flat scoring a personal best of 28. She has been a very tricky character in this phase so I was very pleased our hard work is starting to pay off. All three horses jumped lovely clear rounds SJ and Brian and Milo both jumped lovely confident clears XC. Milo sped round inside the time to finish in 5th and Brian just picked up 4 time to finish 8th – overall a great day for both boys especially Brian who has now been placed in his last 5 runs proving what an ultra consistent competitor he is. Unfortunately Princess did not feel herself on the XC and wasn’t enjoying the hard ground. After early issued we decided to save her for another day.
Thank you so much as ever to my supportive owners Isobel Crosbie and Ayesha Vardag who’s horses were fantastic and to the whole team for all their hard work during a very busy weekend!