Farley hall - Friday

Overall we had a very satisfactory day at Farley Hall. I had a rather large entry so I was very much hoping for things to run smoothly. Farley is a super event and I very much use it as the start of my autumn campaign for most horses.The courses are very inviting, and although both courses are straight forward they do ask a few questions.  Some of the distances are a bit dodgy but they seem to ride well enough.

Both Oratorio and Little Fire were having their first run since Badminton and they had a very happy day.

Oratorio put his best foot forward in the dressage to lead the OI section on a score of 23.  I was very pleased with him and that is one of the best marks he has ever got with me.  Carolyn (his only owner there) and I thought he jumped one of his best rounds of show jumping, and although he could have won quite comfortably, I was very restrained and went quietly for a good solid clear as the ground was inevitably pretty firm, his plan is to get to Burghley and not win Farley.

Little Fire also did a good test of 28, but his show jumping was a little sloppy and he had 2 rails down.  He didn’t jump badly but was maybe slightly relaxed. He then popped around the cross country for fun.

The excitement of the day came with Under Oath.  He did a very nice test to score 33.2 which sounds a bit moderate.  He then jumped a classy double clear, adding nothing to his dressage and he was a winner.  It was very sad that Lindy Best couldn’t come, but it was very exciting to notch up his first Intermediate win.

Moonlight Charmer arrived this week from Laura Collett’s yard and we were all hoping that the long legs and leverage would help with control.  However today wasn’t the day to find out, after doing a nice dressage at 30 he lost a hind shoe in the warm up for the show jumping which couldn’t be refitted so we had to withdraw him. 

Duke Legacy was only taking on his second Intermediate.  I was pleased enough with his dressage of 29 which had him in first place as it was very relaxed and posh.  The show jumping sadly didn’t quite go to plan with 4 down.  I think he was simply expecting the course to be 110.  He then was excellent cross country and was very confident and genuine.

I am back again with the Novice horses on Sunday.