The 2014 eventing season is over and I had a fantastic weekend to round it off at my local event, Aldon, in the CCI* with Ruby (Rubabell Cruise – pictured). I won this class six years ago on our homebred Bankon Louie so it’s an event very close to my heart.
Ruby had a really good prep run at Larkhill in the novice producing a lovely double clear to finish fifth, so I was confident that we would be able to be competitive.
She did a good test to score 52.5, marred by a big mistake in her counter canter, but overall I was really pleased with how she went. She only did her first dressage test in July and there is so much more to come from her. This had us in =16th going into the cross-country.
It was a really nice track with perfect going and the time turned out to be very achievable, with quite a few of us coming home way inside it. Ruby was foot perfect all the way round and made it feel easy. She was so confident and seemed to really enjoy herself giving me a great spin. This bumped us up into 12th overnight.
She came out and jumped a beautiful clear in the showjumping on Sunday. I couldn’t have asked any more from her and she pulled up to finish in seventh place, a fantastic result for her first three-day and after only four months eventing. She has clocked up some really impressive results in a short space of time and is a very exciting prospect for the future.
I also won the fantastic George Pinney Memorial Trophy for being the highest placed local rider associated with the Cattistock Pony Club or Cattistock Hunt. This is a really special trophy to win and quite a centrepiece!
The season has had its highs and lows with the main low having my top horse Kitkat (Another Breakfast) side-lined since June, but we are confident he will be back for next season. Having not had any young horses to bring on whilst I was away at university, due to time constraints, I have really enjoyed producing them this year and all the challenges and the satisfaction that comes with it.
Even though the eventing is now over there will not be much time for any rest as I will be riding out for my brother, National Hunt trainer Harry, all winter whilst fitting in as much hunting as I can. Archie (Arise Cavalier) is going out for his first proper day on Saturday so he better behave himself and not embarrass me by bucking me off!
Rosie
