News From Abroad

One week gone, two to go in Follonica.

And what an eventful week its been! We left the stables in France Tuesday night and arrived safe and sound at the showgrounds Wednesday morning (aside from a minor mishap at one of the tolls... whoops). Just in time to set up the stables, lorry, get the horses out and complete the vet check.

We've been quite unlucky weather wise - a lot of rain and wind - so everything was cancelled on the Thursday. I couldn't help but think: "not again!!". What is it about me and shows??

Day 1.

The jumping kicked off Friday morning bright and early where Annie and I made our "debut" center stage - a lovely clear round in the 1m20 6 year old class. She was a little weary of everything around her, but i couldn't be happier with the way she jumped - a little firecracker...

Curly was next in the 1m35 - a taster class to get him into the swing of things - once again a clear round, top form and no complaints. I decided not to jump Merlin that afternoon as the ground was getting quite deep and loose as the day went on - we've got a long season ahead after all!

Day 2.

Started the day with Clear CC in the 1m25 7 year old class, and a clear round at that. Great form, she seems so much more settled around the course than last year. Its amazing how a nice long break over the winter just gives them the time they need to process everything they've learned throughout the year. She stayed consistent the whole way round the course, just getting the job the done... no fuss no muss... Merlin was next in the two phase 1m40 class - he jumped a beautiful clear round, magic as ever and fresh as a daisy! By the end of the day the weather was taking its toll on the ground, i Jumped Curly anyways - these big irish types aren't so fussy! we've been through a lot worse - I fence down in the 1m45 speed class, we got a bit stuck in the mud on take off. By 8pm that evening: time for bed!!

Day 3.

There's nothing like 3 horses jumping at the same time in two different rings to jump start your morning! I have to say, Alyssa and Fran handled it perfectly so it all went along without a hitch. Annie was clear again in the 6 year olds - a bit fresher that day, playing around inside the ring and disunited at times but boy did she jump her socks off! Clear CC had the last fence down in the second phase of the 7 year olds - I turned too sharply which just took her by surprise. Merlins Magic was clear and 14th in the 1m40 accumulator, perfect start! Later on Curly was double clear in the 1m45 Grand Prix - 16 went to the second round and we ended up 9th. He was incredible, i just need to put the pedal to the metal next time!

We've had a few days off now. I've made sure to keep the horses out of the ring, working them around the race track everyday. Great fun for them and me! I find they jump much happier at the show this way, no need to drill them constantly in the sand ring (unless there's a specific problem) and to be honest i think they build up much more stamina jogging around that track for an hour! It seems as though quite a few people have left (as a result of the arena) but it really wasn't that bad last week and the organizers have been working on the drainage and putting on new sand for the last three days, so you really couldn't ask for more.

The CSI3 starts tomorrow, I'll only be jumping Annie and Merlin (1m45) the first day. There'll be three FEI rolex ranking classes after that (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) so if I play my cards right I should be able to juggle Merlin and Curly between them). Looking forward to it anyhow (sun is shining now, not a cloud in sight!). I'll keep you posted, wish me luck!!