Trig Point a very impressive second in the OI, Arctic Soul storms to victory, Cherry Law places, and Freddy does a double clear..
Hexham proved to be one of those weekends where the jigsaw came together and the horses competing seemed to want to out do each other.
The result was an outstanding weekend, and although one must always remember that horses can be great levelers, when I get asked why or how I have managed to get involved with the sport, it is weekends like this that make it very worthwhile.
The blog will be taking a little break as a combination of holidays and other events means that I will be missing potential entries at Burgie, Aske and Eglington with the next outing a possible first time visit to Aston-le-Walls.
The NBR entries this weekend were:
Cherry Law – Intermediate
Trig Point – Open Intermediate
Arctic Soul – BE100
The weather on Saturday was lovely and sunny, but Arctic Soul’s competition was split, with showjumping and Cross country on a rainier Sunday.
Photos this time are courtesy of Photo-Synergy
Dressage competitions all took place first, with Cherry Law, doing a 37.7 to kick things off in her Intermediate Class . Trig Point then produced an excellent Intermediate 117 test in what was an extremely competitive Open Intermediate class, producing one of his best with a 30. This left him lying fifth behind Oliver Townend on Master Rose, Ruth Edge, Caroline Powell, and Piggy French. He really did look on song. This was then followed by Arctic Soul producing his best test of the season, a 25.5, which also left him in 5th. The range of marks in his test was quite extraordinary ranging for 18.5 to well over 50.
The showjumping was simply outstanding from all. Cherry Law’s round left all the connections barely able to breathe, and Nicky simply had to sit very tight, as this was one of the fastest rounds that I have ever seen Nicky ride. The mare is extraordinarily clever and never looked ready to have one down, but trying to hold her back on this form simply wasn’t an option,
Trig Point approached his round in more measured style and produced an excellent clear, despite some distractions that could have been critical, as the last fence took an age to rebuild after a previous rider, and the planks were still being waved around as Trig Point was tackling the measured distance between the fourth and the fifth. (more staff on fence repair?). His ears flickered but he kept his composure.
Arctic Soul’s round didn’t take place till the Sunday but he showed absolutely no sign of wanting to touch a pole, for a brilliant clear, and is definitely ready to move up to Novice.
With three sparkling clears Mark Smiths good groundwork continues to pay off, and we must be due another series of lessons to keep up the momentum .
Cross Country – Another amazing set of rides on a fairly tricky course which did cause considerable problems. The ground was good, and it allowed galloping horses to perform, though from a spectators perspective the hill towards the end is a real tester if one is trying to see the finish.
Cherry Law was the first out of the stalls and stormed around in 6.04 gliding across the ground, and moved her up to 8th. This was a polished performance and also was an extremely good trailblazer for the horses to follow. This was close to being too fast, but the double clear earns her 2 points and mover her onto 46.
Trig Point was lying fourth after showjumping and not having competed since Auchinleck, Nicky was going to take steady at the start and gradually crank up the pace. I was half way round the course for the upper loop and could see the gears comfortably being worked through and by the tenth he was really flowing. There had been a nasty moment at the 9th, a very large Trakhener, where a lose dog had managed to get right under the fence just as the previous horse had approached. The rider had no option but to pull out of the fence, and the dog fortunately was captured before Nicky appeared. By the time I had made it down the hill onto the flat Trig Point was almost round the lower field, absolutely flying, and heading up the other side. His time of 6.12 was well inside the optimum, and was a sparkling return to the form he showed at Gatcombe last year. ODT Master Rose was never going to relinquish first, but the second place is an outstanding result, with 10 points and some prize money as well.
Arctic Soul faced entirely different weather conditions for his round with steady, if light rain, that did require care. He was also lying fourth after Showjumping and was one of the last to go so we had the benefit of knowing where the others had finished. The leader had had 8.5 time faults leaving them on 26.9, the horse that had been lying second had a refusal and the third placed horse 0.5 marks ahead was eliminated for an error of course. A clear round inside the time would bring victory, but too slow, or too fast (given that the previous two rounds were inside the time on intermediates, and he is an ex racehorse) would lead to him missing out. He produced a stunning round again increasing the pace as he went, and came in with 5.17, well inside the optimum but not too fast to trigger faults at BE 100 .. He gained a well deserved victory and rounds off his campaign at BE100 level. He gains another 10 foundation points, and a little prize money, but not enough to cover the entry. There was also a free fitness assessment for the rider as a prize , so we will be awaiting news of how that goes. I particularly enjoyed seeing him as he motored over the Spalding corner with lots to spare.
Also this weekend marked the first opportunity for Emily Galbraith to ride Freddy Curtis for myself and Nicky so marked the debut of NBR in an owning capacity for another rider with Freddy riding an HC Novice .The aim remains to sell Freddy and we both thought a different rider might prove interesting and show his versatility.
He didn’t disappoint with a steady 38.6 in the dressage, an impressive clear in the showjumping, and a very good cross country round as the partnership familiarized themselves.
This would have left him 7th and very pleasing start for everyone involved.
This proved a very successful start, and the next step is a CIC* at Burgie where he will come up against Rare Hero, followed by a run at Eglington should things go well.
Other news around the park
Good to see Kirsty Brewis getting a podium on Harbour Lights, one that we have been watching this season. Her mothers error of course prevented a similar finish.
James Oakden continued his points gathering exercise with another one for Lady, continuing to make steady progress round the cross country course. No picture this time as I had to be in three places at once…
It was good to see my ex colleague Steven Trowbridge make the long drive north with his daughter Kate, as they bring L’Espoir de Corbou back from and enforced break, and Chequers Playboy also on good form for Dee Hankey.
Also I noticed at Oatridge that Sarah Finlayson came fifth with another double clear, so continued progress there as her eventing career progresses.
The event was well organized as ever and thanks to all involved.
The Summary for NBR
2 dressage scores 70% and above
3 clear showjumping rounds
3 cross country rounds inside the time.
One first, a second and an eighth.
12 BE Points and 10 Foundation points
Trig Point 10 points, making 20 for the year and 81 overall
Cherry Law 2 points, her first for the year . Taking her to 46
Arctic Soul – 10 foundation Points – taking him to 31 Foundation points
Yard total moves to 37 BE points and 48 Foundation Points
Next outing for the Yard
Burgie
Arctic Soul – Novice for the First Time (up against a select field including Stonedge) and where he started eventing a year ago
Stonedge – Novice
WattsBurn – BE100
Rare Hero – CIC*
Inishmhor also going up for the experience and a BE Young Event Horse
Also Freddy Curtis will appear in the CIC* for his second outing with Emily Galbraith on board
Sadly I will miss Burgie , after a very enjoyable event last year and will be chomping at the bit to return.
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