Gatcombe

 
Day one yesterday at Gatcombe was the Intermediate day and it was great to get the horses out again after quite a long break.  

Top Biats was having his first run since winning the Novice Championships and he did an excellent test of 30.5, I was a little surprised at his mark!  He had one fence down and felt very good cross country, he jumped a super clear for 16.8 time faults.

Luxury also did a good test in the OI and scored 29.1, he unfortunately had a couple of fences down but went well cross country with 12.8 time faults.  

Avoca Alibi was on great form, and was very happy to be out.  He got 26.4 in the dressage despite a couple of blips.  He had four penalties in the show jumping and had a good run round the cross country for 4 time faults, finishing 8th.  

There had been quite a lot of overnight rain which produced some excellent ground which the horses certainly enjoyed.  

The Novices all went really well today;

Ramdam finished 2nd on his dressage score of 25, just pipped by 0.5 of a mark!  I was very pleased with how he went in all phases, and this has given him his qualification for the CCI1* at Osberton next month.

The Soapdodger did an excellent dressage of 24.5 which was the leading score.  He then went double clear giving me a super ride incurring 4 time faults, and finished 3rd.

Reinstated also did a good test, scored 26 and show jumped clear, and then made the cross country feel very easy finishing well inside the time and in 1st place.

There's no eventing tomorrow and I am looking forward to a day with the family, amongst next week's excitement is a lecture demo at Merrist Wood on Wednesday.