Mary King Update – Where’s Spring?
Dear all,
I am tired of all this rain and mud.. come on summer, try a bit harder!
The event season has got off to a very staggered start, and my horses have only had 2 runs rather than 4, but at least I have been luckier than some riders who haven’t managed any runs yet.
Moreton, our first event of the season had to cancel, but the following week was Tweseldown and between Emily and I we managed to compete 9 horses over the 2 days. My three were very happy to be out eventing again (and so was I!) they all went well with Joey winning the Open Novice. Sadly our more local event, Aldon, had to cancel after the first day, so my 3 who were entered in the Int and OI sections on the second day didn’t run.
Our next event was Burnham Market in Norfolk, a long drive from Devon, but well worth the journey. I ran Billy and Bobby on the Friday in the OI section, and although they both got a bit bogged down in the mud in the show jumping, they both did good tests and went clear but steadily XC. Joey was meant to run in the CIC** the following day, but unfortunately heavy overnight rain meant they had to abandon the event. This weather is so frustrating and disappointing for everyone, especially the poor event organizers who go to such a huge amount of trouble to prepare for their big day.
(photos courtesy of Liz Knowler)
Emily and I have done a couple of evening talks together and a photo shoot for The Blue Cross, who are the chosen charity at this years Mitsubishi Badminton Horse Trials. I am going to Badminton soon to do the Horse and Hound course walk, it will be very exciting to see what is in store for all the competitors. I would love to be riding there this year but sadly my three haven’t quite got to that level yet!
Emily and I did a masterclass for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at The Unicorn Centre which seemed to be well received, and we also did a lecture/demo for Baileys Horse Feeds at Hartpury.
Our young stock, and the 5 foals who are all living out, are certainly looking forward to their field drying out. They look surprisingly well, despite all the mud and rain. They are having a daily feed of Baileys Stud Cubes and Stud Balancer plus a couple of bales of Marksway Horsehage. I don’t rug up the foals but the older ones have Bucas turnout rugs on.
I am sponsored by Gatehouse for my riding hats, and they sensibly insist I wear new ones each year. I wear their Conquest one for the dressage and show jumping phases, and the HS1 for XC. British Eventing are re-tagging all hats this year to make sure everyone’s hats have up to date safety standards.
Sadly Weston Park and Sapey have had to cancel, but we are hopeful that the lovely Belton Horse Trials in Lincs will run next weekend. We have 6 horses entered, 3 each, and plan to stop at Ferdi on the way for a dressage polish up.