End of Summer update

We had a fun post Rio and end of summer party last weekend which was great fun, lots of people came to join in, it was just a shame it was the only wet day that week.

Post Rio and things are very different here.  Chilli is having a great holiday before he goes off to West Kington in October for semen collection.  We decided not to push Oslo for the ERM final at Blenheim, I think it just came up a little bit to soon for his fitness, but I am very much hoping he will be on good form next season.  We have decided to call it a day with Cool Mountain and Parklane Hawk, they have had some good runs this year and they have done us so well, and have got nothing to prove.  Secret Night has sadly had a setback so isn’t at Blenheim either, and we decided to aim Top Biats at Osberton to get a 2* qualification. Sadly this leaves nothing for Blenheim, and a very quiet end of season with only Little Fire aiming. for 7YO Championships at Lion d’Angers.  Hector Payne is keeping the ride on Dynasty which is fantastic, and is at Blenheim hoping to get a CIC qualification.  He is a good horse and I am very excited for Hector.

Going forward it all looks good; I have got some lovely horses with slightly fewer for the 2017 season, I am very much hoping that one or two more will arrive over the winter.   We are looking to buy a nice young one, but it will be very strange not having a top horse to campaign for the European Championships, which will be the first time since 1999!  I am also looking forward to doing some more teaching, and have got some excellent clinics booked in the United States this autumn.  

I hope we will have the occasional nice horse to sell on.   We have got Tam’s clone Tomatillo coming back, along with Lady Voltaire’s 3 year old Crunchie.   The hunters are getting fit which is exciting.

Looking at 2017 we are going to have some empty stables which will be the first time ever.  Financially that doesn’t make sense so I am looking to rent them to somebody.  I have got up to 6 which will be ideal for a rider, and I would be available for a bit of training if required.  Details will be on the website shortly or email us for information.

We are off with the remaining gang to Pontispool on Monday, so hoping we get a little bit of rain over the weekend to keep the ground good.  The next target is Osberton, but with Weston Park not running a 2* this year there is a lot of pressure on Osberton, who have sadly obviously had to ballot with 120 entries!  I am hoping it wont be too frenetic.