Gatcombe - final day

After the very pleasing dressage tests, I decided not to show jump Bay My Hero.  The ground was just plenty firm enough and he is entered at Hartpury next weekend where the dressage and show jumping is on a surface, and some forecast rain will hopefully do the trick to the cross country.

Fernhill Pimms and Luxury both jumped superb clears show jumping.  The course was not particularly difficult or big, but I was pleased with how they felt and coped with the undulations.

I decided to run them both cross country, and to give them a steady run in preparation for their autumn three-days.  It is very easy at Gatcombe to get tangled up in the competition particularly when the cross country is running in reverse order, and they were both in the top four. 

Pimms felt great cross country but had a frustrating glance off at a corner, just not quite being able to make the turn.  I carried on because I felt there was more to be gained from the experience, particularly ahead of Burghley, and he came home very happy and full of running.

The Open cross country course was more of a challenge for Luxury, and I was delighted with how he coped.  He also had an annoying run out at the second of two triple brushes, but he is very genuine and I am not worried about that at all.  I carried on for the same reasons as for Pimms, and he will hopefully have benefited a lot for the run.

photos courtesy of Hannah Freeland Photography