CSI3 Pioltello

Pioltello was an interesting show... One of those weekends where nothing goes to plan but somehow works itself out in the end.

As a "comeback" show for Merlin I really couldn't have asked for more. He popped around the 1m40 (clear) on the Friday, clear again in the 1m45 FEI Rolex Ranking class on the Saturday (qualified for the GP) and a fence down in the GP. I rode into the triple combination a fraction strong and he just rubbed the middle part. The track was tough enough (1m50/60) to acomodate the level of riders there - Schwizer, Guerdat, Lamaze, Bost, Whittaker etc etc (basically the entire Swiss team and half the riders seen in Paris Grand Palais the previous weekend). Around 20 riders didn't even qualify for the GP (Etter, Hecart, Lundback, Pellegrin...) and considering Merlin was just back from injury and this being his first GP start of the season; he jumped out of his skin!

Curly took a back seat this weekend - he needs a bit of a rest in Ireland before I take him out again so trying to arrange for him to get home soon. The girls did very well as usual - Clear CC in particular jumped beautifully every day, she's actually starting to relax a bit now throughout the course and giving herself that bit of time to follow through her jumps. Annie is all about the "flash"... as always catching an eye or two...

Hans Horn was there which was wonderful as he really took the time to watch the horses closely and seemed to like them all! I think Merlin surprised him a little with his grand prix extravaganza... Something went my way anyways as I've now been put on the long list for both Lisbon and Sopot Nations Cups, so here's hoping!

Youtube Links

Just back from CSI3 Pioltello, take a look at how we got on:

Fairplay 111 (aka Annie) 6yo: http://youtu.be/80VxxsZO0KQ?a

Clear CC 7yo: http://youtu.be/KSqS82_5Mto?a

Clear CC 7yo JO: http://youtu.be/82BL5r6C4Wo?a

Merlins Magic FEI RR GP Qualifier: youtube.com/watch?v=2Xg3Qn…

Merlins Magic Grand Prix: youtube.com/watch?v=jLnPKa…

Details coming soon!

All in a Day's Work

An eventful week to say the least.

After what seemed to be a very brief escape to London, I returned to Cannes in time to get Merlin conditioned and the others back on track after San Remo. Must say, Merlin was a walk in the park; three days of repetitive bursts of trotting and walking, trotting and walking, cantering and walking, trotting and walking - and now he's fit as a fiddle!

Never without drama:

I got a call from one of my owners Saturday night, and apparently a Swedish family (dealers) contacted him in the attempt to "steal" my 6yo Annie - the arguments being that the sons could develop her further than me, have access to bigger / more prestigious shows, and have wider contacts to sell her. One always tries to remain serene in such situations but how could you not be offended? For a start, I must be doing a good job with her, as is, if they are watching me all the way over there... Furthermore, last time I checked there aren't many riders donning 6 year olds in La Baule Nations Cup, and for that matter, how exactly did they obtain the inside information that I will not be getting access to any of the bigger shows this year? Takes a certain type of character to be so undermining... Enough said.

If nothing else, this just puts more fuel on the fire. Have now decided to ask my federation for almost every CSI4 out there, AND contact the shows directly, surely I'll get lucky and get a spot somewhere?? For now I have asked for Bourg en Bresse, Fontainebleau and La Coruna, also CSI5 Falsterbo - this year it seems they are taking 12 riders and I am 13th in Sweden, hoping to climb up the rankings though at the start of May. No news yet but something's gotta give, we can't just stagnate, not the way we're going, so please please please keep your fingers crossed for me!

On a brighter note it must be about 30degrees down here, absolutely beautiful. Had a great Monday/Tuesday - Francis Connors jetted in for 24hours so we could train the horses in peace and quiet at home. A boost in the right direction, he's gone before you know it - sprinkling just enough inspiration in his footprints. Always such a treat; a magician in his own right.

My friend Pamela O'Rourke flew in yesterday and she'll be staying with us for ten days (aren't we lucky!) - always a breath of fresh air. Today will be busy enough getting everything packed for Pioltello. The plan is to head off around 5am which ought to get us there around 11. Can't wait now, the countdown begins.....

Wish me luck!

San Remo week 2: 8-10 April 2011

How peculiar being at a show with Merlin and not being able to compete him... I've come to the conclusion that he is my "cash cow"; always brings home the bacon (delighted those economics lessons are finally paying off). He played a fabulous martyr though parading back and forth in his most fancy dress, four stitches, and nowhere to go...

The girls (Fairplay 111 and Clear CC) had a great weekend with only one fence down between them; consistent as ever. Curly on the other hand, it seems, has developed a slight case of schizophrenia (Alyssa certainly hit the nail on the head when she came up with that one); jumped beautifully friday and saturday, then took a notion to rear up mid-course in the Grand Prix - perfect timing as ever. We were at nothing, so I thought it best to retire. Clinically speaking; "schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations" (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Hmmm.

RESULTS

Friday:

Fairplay 111: clear round - 6yo

Clear CC (7yo): 4fts - 1m30

Heracross: 4fts - 1m45 FEI Rolex Ranking

Saturday:

Fairplay 111: Double clear (jump off) placed 8th - 6yo (She bucked me off in the warm-up that morning! All's well that ends well, as they say...)

Clear CC: Clear placed 10th - 1m30

Heracross: Double clear placed 11th - 1m45 FEI Rolex Ranking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIee0DFjVgU

Sunday:

Fairplay 111: Double clear placed 8th - 6yo

Clear CC: double clear - 1m30

Heracross - GP (I'd rather not re-live it...)

None the less, an interesting show with tough competitors, and great networking opportunities! Sure I only managed to secure an extra 5 ranking points, but thats 45points so far this month! last week the points for March were taken into account which pushed me up to 13th in Sweden (from 14th) and 397th in the world (from 470th) - feeling rather happy about that right now. Such a funny sport though, you can be up one minute and down the next. You're not the only part of the equation.

Had to jet off to London straight after the GP for an "Offshore Wind Power" training early Monday morning - great fun jumping from one world into another. The horses are taking it easy for a couple of days till I get back (Thursday morning), and then its back to business - first thing's first... getting Curly (Heracross) to "play ball". Wish me luck!

Update: Putting the videos up on youtube now. Check them out: http://www.youtube.com/sfinetto

CSI SAN REMO 1-3 April

First weekend of the month and we managed to round up a cool 40 FEI Rolex Ranking points... and no its not April Fools! My boys and girls certainly brought their A-game to San Remo. Personally I think they were just thrilled to be back in a large grass ring, they love it... as do I. Cannot compare the bounce you feel off the grass to sand (in my opinion that is).

I was worried I'd made the wrong choice with San Remo as it had been downgraded from a 3star to a 2star, but it actually worked out quite perfectly; 3 FEI Rolex Ranking classes, two of which were open to two horses per rider - In essence I had 5 shots at collecting points... and cash! And the people there... both competitively and professionally - Jan Tops, Henk Nooren, Edwina Alexander, Albert Zoer, Geir Gullikson etc etc etc.... The perfect setting for business.

RESULTS

Friday 01 April:

• Merlins Magic 1m45 FEI Rolex Ranking class - 7th place (double clear - jump off)

Saturday 02 April:

• Fairplay 111 6yo class 1m20 - 7th place (double clear - jump off)
• Clear CC 1m30 - 12th place clear round (speed)
• Merlins Magic 1m45 FEI Rolex Ranking class - 7th place (clear - speed)
• Heracross 1m45 FEI Rolex Ranking class - 10th place (clear - speed)

Sunday 03 April:

• Fairplay 111 6yo class 1m20 - 7th place (clear - speed)
• Clear CC 1m30 - clear round but no placing - still thought it deserved a mention as she's only 7! So proud of her...

No joy in GP. Curly was clear until the last line, I turned too sharply to the oxer and he ran out the little devil! I don't blame him though... I lost my head for a second and he just thought "who are you kidding???". He jumped beautifully throughout, so glad to have him back in fighting form. We headed back home (France) straight after the GP so they can get a few days rest to roam the fields before we head back out Thursday morning.

Looks like my superstar Merlin will have to "sit this one out" as he had an accident with the fence in the field this morning. 4 stitches and a shot of antibiotics later and he's feeling particularly sorry for himself... as do I!! He certainly didn't deserve that... Guess we'll be spoiling the "patient" with apples, carrots and grass over the next week... anything to keep him in good spirits.

Videos should be up on youtube this time next week when I get back to London. Fingers crossed for this weekend! keep you posted.