Tatts - final day

First to jump in the 3* was Atlantic Vital Spark, and he really looked like he had done nothing yesterday, he was very on his toes and feeling good.  He jumped an excellent round and just had one silly fence down, and he moved up to finish comfortably in the top 50%.

I jumped Summer at Fernhill next and he was definitely the best he had ever jumped, he produced a foot perfect clear giving every fence inches and really feeling on fire.  I was a little bit slower on him and got 0.4 time fault and he moved up into the top 12.  For his first ever 3-day that was a pretty respectable performance and I could not have hoped for much more.

So the pressure was mounting when I got on Georgisaurous. I had had a couple of warm up runs but now it was the real deal.  Happily and luckily George felt great and to fulfil the dream he jumped a foot perfect clear to hold onto his lead.  James had jumped a clear round before me so the pressure was on but Georgisaurous did not disappoint and could not have jumped much better.   Robert, Pep and Tara Glen were there so it could not have been better, and looking over his weekend he could really have not put in a better performance. He led the dressage with all three judges having him in first place, went clear inside the time show jumping and cross country and no-on could touch him, winning by 3.5 marks he made it seem rather easy.  It is important to mention that this does not happen very often.

So Yes I Can’s show jumping was my last effort of the weekend. He came out great and it was very unfortunate he had two silly fences down in the ring.  It was very out of character and I had really thought as usual he would be jumping a lovely clear round. I think perhaps he got a little bit tense in the atmosphere and with the windy weather, but that is no excuse.  However he held on to his 9th place and I am delighted that he finished in the top 10 in his first 4*.  He has had a really good weekend, achieving all that I had hoped for and I am already looking forward to the Autumn.

We are now looking forward to a couple of quieter weeks to focus on the youngsters and Kazu’s Luhmühlen preparations.

Dora and her Tattersalls team really had done the most amazing job organising all the classes.  The weekend worked brilliant for me and Izzy Taylor who were the only two 5 horse riders, and I really take my hat off to them for making that work.  

Adam, Ian and Lucy were amazing behind the scenes and made it all happen, they really did a fantastic job having every horse ready for every phase in perfect time.  We are now on our way home with quite a long journey ahead.

Photos of Georgisaurous