Recent Event Reports
Houghtpn Hall International Horse Trials
Long trip to Houghton yesterday in the bank holiday weekend traffic with Baz and Orange for the 3 star combined training and it was very hot!!
Baz excelled himself and concentrated for the whole test to score 75%. It's only his second test at this level and he finally seems to be showing what he can really do. So pleased with him.
It was the ideal environment for Izzy to get to know Orange a bit more in a proper event atmosphere. There were a few little mistakes in their test because they don't know each other well yet, but some very good work to score 69%. Both boys then jumped lovely clear rounds to finish 1st and 3rd. We finally arrived home about 11.30pm
Rockingham Castle
Rockingham day 1, with Baz doing his CIC dressage and Stan in the novice. Baz really tried hard in his test, with no freestyle moments, to score a competitive 48.5. He jumps tomorrow. Stan loved his trip around the cross country and cruised around despite the weather, one of very few to make the time to finish 5th.
Day 2 and 11th place for Baz from over 70 starters in the CIC** at a rather muddy Rockingham Castle horse trials. Having contained his exuberance for an obedient test, he was a bit too jolly in the show jumping, which cost him a few places, but a fast clear xc kept him up the order. Next stop Houghton for the 3 star combined training, we have decided not to take Orange and Zippi back for the intermediate tomorrow at Rockingham.
Aston le Walls
Keysoe
Withington
Baz was extremely over enthusiastic in the dressage phase at Withington - I think there were more flying changes than in one of Valegro's freestyles but he redeemed himself with a beautiful double clear. 'Holiday' next week while Izzy is at Badminton, then Keysoe, Aston and Rockingham Castle.
Whitfield
Two days at Whitfield with all extremes of weather but mostly very cold!! Stan yesterday in the novice did a good test, two rails sj and a lovely clear xc. No prizes but useful experience for him.
Today was the turn of the two first timers, Heidi and Diego. Whitfield was the perfect venue, being fairly quiet and low key. Both of them did beautiful tests for the level they are at. Heidi scored a 29 and Diego a 32. Heidi wobbled her way around the show jumping, but wasn't going to touch anything, then jumped a great clear xc to complete on her dressage score for 5th place. Diego had 2 green rails sj then stormed around the XC and finished very pleased with himself. Thrilled with these two as they both tried very hard and will have learned a lot from the outing. Thank you Izzy for doing a great job
Burnham Market
Long trip to Burnham Market with Baz, Stan and Zippi. Baz was much more settled in his test in the two star and we were very pleased with him but decided not to run any of the boys as it's a long season ahead. Baz is entered for Withington at the end of the month so hoping for some rain. Heidi and Diego are entered for their first ever BE event at Whitfield, with Stan in the novice. Picture of Heidi practising hard
Aston le Walls and Weston Park
Busy weekend, with 3 horses at Aston then Stan at Weston Park. The two baby horses, Heidi and Diego, were doing their first ever competition in the 100 class. Both did super tests for their first time in an arena. Diego got into a bit of a muddle show jumping but finished well and will be better with more experience. He was amazing xc, and jumped a lovely fluent clear. Heidi jumped a beautiful clear round show jumping, but picked up 20 penalties xc as she didn't really understand the ramp and log into the water. She popped it after checking the landing looked safe and the rest of the round was good. Really pleased with these two, as they are both still really green but show huge promise. Zippi Jazzman enjoyed his novice outing with a good test, one down and clear xc.
Quick turn around and off to Weston Park with Stan. A good test for a score of 27, very proud of his clear round show jumping and a speedy clear xc. He finished runner up to one of Izzy's other rides, Monkeying Around, who recorded his third novice win in a row. The novice track caused it's fair share of problems so delighted with Stan. Another good day, with loads of prizes for #busyizzy and the sun shone both days #eventingsunny
Next stop, Burnham Market with Baz, Stan and Zippi.
Belton
A good weekend for Basil in the CIC** at Belton, a lovely event with a big atmosphere. Having missed his run at Great Witchingham due to a rub from his over reach boot, Basil was rather fresh. The arena, surrounded by flags and busy trade stands gives the horses a lot to look at. Basil produced some lovely work but made several big mistakes which kept him down the order. A mark of 50.50 was more than fair and he will hopefully be more settled next time out.
Another early start for showjumping, and Baz jumped a great round, just running deep to one upright. He stormed around the XC with just a few time penalties, which pulled him up to 12th place. Very pleased with him, hopefully he will be a little less exuberant at Burnham Market
Great Witchingham
Lovely day in the sunshine at Great Witchingham with the two ex racehorses, both much improved from their outing at Lincoln. Stan was a little tense in the dressage but jumped a beautiful double clear to finish 4th. Zippi did a lovely test for a 28, one down show jumping and clear XC for 7th place. Thrilled with both of them. A great weekends work for Team Taylor - 10 horses, 9 prizes and one just outside the top 10. #topjockey
