Belton and Burnham Market…
April kicked off with a bang at Belton, which I was a little apprehensive about having vetoed it for the last year or so, as I always seemed to have a terrible time. However, recognising that I need to take every opportunity to ensure Zul qualifies for Bramham, I decided to bite the bullet and enter up: Sparkle – Novice, Woody – Intermediate and Zul in the Advanced U25. What made it marginally more appealing was that Mark Phillips has taken over the xc design, so I knew it would be big and bold but not trappy, which would suit Zul.
Things didn’t start brilliantly – Sparkle was a little spooky in the show-jumping so had 2 down, which was frustrating as he so deserves a good placing now, and Woody was a complete terror in the same phase having done a great test, so I couldn’t take him cross-country. I’ve had so much more control jumping him in a grackle that I opted for a snaffle, but similarly to Blair last year – when I softened as I thought he was tired! – he got the better of me in the ring, and had a whale of a time spooking and generally reverting to his wild pony roots… So by the time Zul had done his Dressage, and pretty much cantered the first 4 movements with over exuberance, I was feeling reasonably dubious about the chances of our qualifying. However, someone obviously wanted me to come back to Belton, as not only did he actually get quite a good mark (37), but he jumped fantastically just tipping 1 down show-jumping and then flying round the xc as if it was a Pre-Novice. He felt incredible; totally on the ball, unbelievably scopey and absolutely flew through all the straight routes. I honestly felt like I’d won Badminton when I came through the finish – it has been a challenge finding the key with him at this level, but it was a big track and he just made it feel so easy. Needless to say my Mum shed a tear (!), and we returned home in very high spirits.
Phase 2 of Bramham qualification: Burnham Market CIC***
Eventing is a great leveller and this was certainly the case last weekend, as having gone from being adored in the Dressage arena at Belton, Zul did not make these judges smile despite producing a much tamer test, and subsequently got a very disappointing mark. As it turned out it wasn’t the end of the world as he struggled with the ground in the show-jumping and had 3 down, which put us out of contention (I thought..) For some reason they generously watered the show-jumping which in fact made it quite sticky in places, and yet did nothing to the rock solid xc, which was a little disappointing. Still, I wasn’t in a position to have to go for the time, so we just cruised steadily and again Zul was absolutely faultless – WE’VE QUALIFIED FOR BRAMHAM!! And I actually finished 17th – bonus. I am super, super excited.
The rest of the weekend was mixed, as Miss Perky very nearly won her Novice but unfortunately we went too slowly xc so dropped to 5th which was a shame. Still, it was very hard so she was obviously saving herself! Woody didn’t excel himself in the Dressage, but with more jockey control show- jumped brilliantly which made up for it. However, the lack of xc run at Belton showed a little too clearly and we had a silly glance off cross-country at a double of angled hedges, which he was fighting to get at a little too violently… Still, I was pleased with him as he felt a lot more confident than last year – and he really is a proper jumper; all good practise for Tattersalls!
