It is just fabulous to be back competing at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials after a 15-year break! Knowing how long it’s taken to get horses back to this level, we certainly plan to make the most of the opportunity and enjoy the experience.
We were greeted with a fantastic goody bag including Land Rover towels, a scented candle and gift voucher from Joules, a soap set from Heyland & Whittle, a funky Zaini headband, a classy notepad from the Stamford Notebook Co, plus yummy crisps, chocolates, dog and cat treats… all much appreciated.
Bug (Elite Syncopation) has travelled and settled in really well, although has turned some of his neighbours heads with all his rolling/groaning in the stables, which is totally standard for him. He has also had to pose for photographs as Tim Randle, the stables vet, was keen to capture a snap of his unique withers!
Out hacking this morning he felt a million dollars, passaged most of his way back from our ride past Burghley house (see picture top) and reflected his well being by flying through the trot-up. Thanks go to my lovely groom Candice for turning him out so beautifully.
Nana Dalton and Elite Syncopation at Burghley 2015. Picture by Peter Nixon
Nana and family take a break from walking the course
I have had my first walk of the famous cross-country course and it looks truly amazing. The going is perfect and the attention to detail and presentation of all the jumps is impressive. Of course it’s massive and will be a serious challenge… but I expected nothing less from one of the world’s top four-star events. I’m really look forward to tackling it on Saturday!
My young son Toby is also very happy. He has been reunited with the great range of toy tractors and diggers that he played with out in Saumur belonging to Pascal Leroy’s son. We are parked next to them and no language barrier seems to get between the boys shared love of tractors!
We are also parked next to Chris Burton, who not only has been a great help on the training front over the past couple of years, but has been a very good friend over the past couple of weeks in temporarily homing my horses while I find a new yard.
I’m so pleased that we have now found the most spectacular yard. It is everything I have ever dreamed of and more. The facilities are exceptional on every level and it will be the most superb springboard to continue training our top class horses from. There is so much to be excited about, plus we’ll now have the opportunity to be able to open our doors for a couple of extra horses to come and join our team.
Back to Burghley and we’re not doing dressage until 9.46am on Friday – between Mark Todd and Oliver Townend – so we’ve got another day to enjoy before our competition gets fully underway. Best of luck to all those competing tomorrow.
Nana
