Having had a rare weekend off, it was all guns blazing at Aston Le Walls with six horses running over 2 days so it was a busy time for Team Keen!
Day One
On the lorry for the first day was Wellshead Fare Opposition (Derby), Total Belief (April) and Total Darkness (Ted) all owned by Total Equestrian.
Derby produced a fantastic test to lead after this phase in the open intermediate and then followed it up with a great clear round show-jumping, he felt fantastic! However, the plan was never to run cross-country – much to his disappointment!
April carried on her super consistent form by doing a 33.9 dressage and double clear in the intermediate, I took her steady around the cross-country to give her a nice easy run.
Last but by no means least, was Total Darkness in the novice class. I have been really happy with how he seems to be progressing this year and feel that every time out, he is gaining in experience and confidence. So it was fantastic for him to post a 27 dressage double clear for another top ten placing.
Overall a great first day and I was so thankful to Maddie for all her hard work turning out the horses to an incredible high standard. It was also great to meet up with photographer William Carey – he took all the lovely pictures put up in this posts gallery. I am so excited to be working with him this season.
Wellshead Fare Opposition:
Total Belief
Total Darkness
Day 2
Another early alarm set for Saturday and back to Aston we went. We had some younger team members for day two and I always find this venue a really good place for giving them a good experience.
With this in mind 6 year old Midnight Chill owned by Clare White was having his first run at novice level. It is always interesting when you move horses up a level to see what they will make of it, but this lovely horse took it all in his stride to post a 29 double clear which left him in 6th place and he gained his first BE point, a great result for this exciting young horse.
Next up was Troja Queen owned by the Giessler’s. This mare did a slightly excitable dressage (!), followed by one disagreement in the show-jumping but finished up with a great clear cross country. We finished up in 12th place again! I hope we can get the top 10 placing she deserves soon.
Last up was the real baby of the team our 5 year old homebred mare Quintessential III, having her 2nd ever run. A lovely relaxed test to score 32 and good clear in the show-jumping and then just one green moment cross country. But great to have her out learning all about the eventing game.
A huge thanks to my lovely team of owners and supporters – I love the photo William took of my Dad below running around the cross country, totally sums was a great supporter he is! Onto Rockingham International next.
