Bricky & South of England

Yesterday was my first visit to Bricky, and I very much enjoyed my day.  Michael Munden and his team did a fantastic job putting on a huge variety of classes, and building their track with plenty of imagination.

Ramdam de Mons, the partnership horse, had another good outing, winning his novice section.  He led the dressage on a score of 20, with a lovely smooth test, and for once it was great to ride the novice in a 20x60 arena; it really encourages the horses to go forwards and it is something that we never seem to do enough of in this country, always being boxed into a 20x40m.  To prove my point we were performing a 2009 test and that was the first time I have ever done it!  Ramdam jumped a super clear show jumping and went really well cross country, I took him quite quietly for 9 time faults.  The ground was firm enough as it is everywhere at the moment.

Dynasty was having his first novice outing for me, and I was thrilled with how he went.  He is still quite green in the dressage and scored 35 with a few mistakes.  However he has got an excellent jump and did a lovely clear.  He also went clear cross country giving me a great feel, although he is obviously still quite inexperienced, he felt very genuine and brave, and really enjoys his job.

I had The Soapdodger and Reinstated in the Intermediate Novice and decided after the dressage not to run as they are both heading to Osberton this week, and they have done plenty of competitions.

South of England today was a big day for them being their 40th anniversary, and we had a busy day with four horses competing.  Avoca Alibi was having his last competition before Boekelo and went very well, much more settled since Gatcombe, he got 29 dressage, double clear with 7 time faults, and finished in the minor placings.

Parklane Hawk was very excited to get an outing.  He was a little on his toes in the dressage to score 28, he had a couple of fences down and had a good steady run cross country which he thoroughly enjoyed.  At last he thought!

Oslo had another good day scoring 24 in the dressage; he did a superb test and I think he might have sneaked a few more marks!  He bounced around the show jumping and gave me a great ride across country.  I took him fairly quietly as the ground was firm but enjoyed giving him a good gallop up the Ardingly Hill to make him blow a bit.

Seacookie had a good day with a 30 dressage double clear and felt on excellent form.

The South of England team made a lot of effort spiking the ground which really made all the difference and was hugely appreciated.