Aston le Walls

 I have just had a very pleasing day at Aston le Walls…..

Gaucho was having his first run after his lay-off and could not have been better.  He got 27 in the Dressage, and did a very nice test. He pinged around the Show Jumping and was as good as ever Cross Country.  It always impresses me how the experienced horses never seem to forget their job - he went as if he had done an event just weeks ago, and he was certainly very happy to be out.

Luxury FH was competing in his first ever Intermediate and I was delighted with him, he did a good test of 31 and jumped an excellent double clear with a few time faults to finish 8^th.  The Intermediate course at Aston is usually a fairly nice first time Intermediate, but this time I felt it was quite beefed up and asked plenty of questions.

It was also Top Biats first Intermediate.  He is only 6 but with the championship at Lion d’Angers looming I felt it was important for him to have an Intermediate under his belt.   He did a lovely test as usual at 27, he Show Jumped a good clear, and was fantastic Cross Country, taking all the direct routes very competently. 

I took all three fairly slowly today, the team at ALW had worked hard on the ground but it was still pretty firm. 

I am now rushing home for a quick turnaround as I am off to Hartpury CIC3* at 4 o’clock tomorrow morning!