Bicton - jumping

 
We had a great cross country day at Bicton. I had time to watch a bit before I got on Grafennacht and the course was certainly causing a fair bit of grief.
I had expected that but I had to remind myself what a good horse Grafennacht is.

Helen had done a pretty good job on the ground, but it was still pretty firm and I was concerned how the horses would gallop on it, happily Grafennacht felt fantastic.  She was in a very good frame of mind and set sail around the course as she normally does taking it all in her stride.

This would have been the biggest track she has ever jumped but she made it feel like a Novice.  I wasn’t sure whether the time would be obtainable with all the hills, but she very much stayed on her minute marker. Frustratingly after the last hill I found myself down on the clock and she didn’t quite make the time, but she really finished well.

Frustratingly those two time faults cost her third place but she really proved to me that she is a 5* horse ready and waiting.  
She pretty much gave me a foot perfect round but there were a couple of moments where she showed how genuine she is.  She didn’t eye up the exit to the coffin until the last minute when she very much just seemed to take it on herself.  And turning to a managed to nearly slip over but she still jumped the corner like nothing had gone wrong.

She looks good tonight so fingers cross for tomorrow, she is currently in 8th place, but the party is not over.

Kazu had another vey good day. Obviously dressage day was top rank with both of his horses doing personal bests.  Kazu was really pleased with how much they gave him. And then today was just show jumping but he had another faultless day, both jumping with clears inside the time to move up to 4th and 12th.  The plan tomorrow is not to go crazy and flat out, it is very much Olympic preparation, and therefore Kazu is likely to get a few time faults.  Our plan is this year not about 4*S it is about Olympics. But it is great to be in such a position in an incredibly competitive section.








Michelle Maidment
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