It was so cold at Aldon Horse Trials but it was great to be out and the horses went well. Cascaelle (Lola) managed to keep a lid on it for her dressage and stayed focus to produce a nice test, although she felt like she was going to explode riding her back to the lorry.
She jumped a very nice clear showjumping but was given four faults as she spooked at one of the trade stands and spun having taken a step back! Across country she felt as brilliant as ever and was very bold. She was quite confused that I wouldn’t let her go faster but I wanted to use it as a schooling round. She’s such a good horse for the future, and because she is so bold, she needs to learn to wait for me.
>>> Coral Keen’s eventing blog: Raring to go
Highmead Proposition (Jake) did a really sweet dressage test. Sometimes he tries a little bit too hard, but he went beautifully. He also jumped well and was super across country. He feels like he knows he’s come on a lot but I went very steady with him as it’s a long season and I want to make sure the basics are firmly in place.
Total Belief (April) was a star as always in the BE100. She did a lovely test, scoring an impressive 22 and jumped a super double clear although steady. She feels much further on in her education than she was a year ago and she finished fourth in a competitive section.
Overall I am really pleased with all three and as always they looked and felt brilliant thanks to the help and advice I get from Saracen Feeds. They also all looked the part too as I was really lucky to be sent a box of beautiful bridlework from Wyvern.
>>> Coral Keen’s eventing blog: Outwitting the elements
Ted, as usual, came on the lorry with us, and I worked him. It was great as he got to see the tradestands and he coped well with lots of horses coming towards him which bodes well for the first time he has a run.
Corinne Bracken was here recently and the horses all jumped really well. It was a long day as I jumped eight horses and a few other riders came to jump as well. Then I taught six lessons that afternoon so I slept well until my alarm went off for Aldon at 5am the next morning.
The previous weekend Tweseldown was cancelled, which was such a shame for everyone involved, but Larkhill opened up their cross-country course so I took the horses down there to have a school. It was great as I was able to use it as if it was an actual run. I probably rode six rounds of cross-country in a couple of hours which was great for my fitness! The ground was super and it was a very productive day.
>>> Coral Keen’s eventing blog: All systems go
My Badminton dream is delayed for another year due to Derby (Wellshead Fare Opposition) having a bruised foot. Although he is back and fighting fit, the couple of weeks we missed meant we couldn’t do the preparation runs in time. It’s very disappointing but I’m looking forward to going back to Luhmuhlen with him again where we had such a great time last year. It’s been a huge worry but I feel relieved now that we’ve made the decision and we’ve shifted the focus to a couple of months later.
I’ve started to up my own training and I really struggled to move after my last session which I think means I had a proper workout!
Easter weekend was very much a normal one, with a roast cooked by dad on Sunday and this weekend I will be at Howick Horse Trials with a couple of horses.
Coral
