Belton Round Up

We headed up to Belton with Wellshead Fare Opposition, Total Belief and Total Darkness. With the weather causing such havoc this Spring, it was amazing to get the horses out again and Belton has to be one of the most picturesque events of the year.

I started off with Total Darkness in the novice class. He hasn’t had a whole lot of experience at this level, or with the bigger atmosphere you get at Belton, so I was delighted with his fantastic dressage test of 20.5, just a couple down show-jumping due to his inexperience but he then gave me a great ride cross country to finish in 7th place.

Total Belief was up next in the big CIC** class and I was really thrilled with her performance. A good test to score 33.4 – she slightly held her breath at the start, but then relaxed to show some really good work in the second half. Jumping wise she was brilliant, with a clear round in the showjumping followed by a classy round cross country making the time feel incredibly easy. She finished a well deserved 8th place. A great event for her.

Last but not least was Wellshead Fare Opposition, having a comeback run in the Open Intermediate. He did a lovely test, despite the mud, had an unfortunate rail showjumping which I blame myself for, but then stormed round the cross country, like the pro he is, making it feel like a 90cm! It is great to have him out again this season, he is such a cross country machine.

Overall a fantastic couple of days at Belton, the horses were all on great form and as ever my team were brilliant making it an enjoyable and successful weekend. Also huge thanks have to go to all the team at Belton, who did a fantastic job to make the going as good as humanly possibly, they really went above and beyond and we were all hugely appreciative of all their efforts.