Last weekend we headed Derbyshire for one of my favourite events, the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International, and what a BRILLIANT few days it’s been!
CHARLES RR competed in the CIC3* performing a PB dressage at this level, he show jumped beautifully just rolling a very unlucky pole, and then went on to jump a classy clear cross country round over a tough track! He is feeling very fit and well and this was a great preparation run ahead the CCI3* u25 at Equi-Trek Bramham International in a few weeks time at the beginning of June… he was VERY keen all weekend! But we took it fairly steady cross country to finish 18th. I’m thrilled with him, he is incredibly special!
Lovely LAWA put in yet another solid performance with 42 double clear in the CIC1* to pick up a 5th place finish. A silly couple of time penalties show jumping cost us a win! His next outing is the CIC2* at Rockingham International this coming weekend!
HIGH JINKS IV did a beautiful test to score 41, and just had an unlucky pole at the last in the show jumoing. Unfortunately he was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds on cross country, usually his best bit! But, this was by far the biggest atmosphere he has ever experienced… I think few more miles on the clock are needed!
A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to Sue Carson and her team for providing stables for us and organising a trip to the pub. Also to Mum and Barbara for being supergrooms at Chatsworth and Laura for being supergroom and holding the fort at home looking after the other horses. I must make special mention to my amazing mentor Rhian Jones for coming up to help me warm in, course walk and support.
Other exciting news is that I have FINISHED UNIVERSITY FOR EVER! Yiipppeeeeeee! I did my final presentation last Tuesday, after two months of dissertation and essay writing hell! The horses have had a break from competing since Burnham Market last month so I could get my head down and get some work done. I did however take them to Rectory Farm for some Elementary Dressage (Torres 1st, Max 2nd and Charlie 4th) and we have had a trip out for show jumping lessons with Rhian, you’ve got take a small break from the study every now and then!
I am so grateful and owe a MASSIVE thank you to my parents, Rhian, Laura and Barbara for all their help and support during the last few months! Mum even came out of galloping retirement to ride Nonks up the gallops a couple of times when I was at Uni! But I’m now looking forward to riding FULL TIME!
Last week we also had visits from Kerry (Sue Carson Saddles) to check the fit of the saddles now the horses are fitter, and Lorna (Baileys Horse Feed) came to assess the diets ready for the up coming Internationals!
As always Thank you to super sponsor Eventing Images, I’m very lucky to have so many beautiful photos.
© Tim Wilkinson, 2017 Eventing Images on behalf of Alicia Hawker Eventing – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.