March was a busy month for the eventers.
The first weekend of the month was our local event Camden, I had a successful weekend with Veronica Hazelton’s beautiful Hanoverian Sport Horse Stallion ‘Statford Mantovani’ winning his first start for the season. I also had a win in the CNC* with my own ‘Dane W Brown’, I am really happy with how ‘Dane’ is coming along. He has been a long term project and I think he is as good or better than any horse I have ever ridden. My other ride for the weekend was ‘Midnight Chapel’ he went very well and finished 3rd in the Pre Novice. He is really established at Pre Novice level and will go CNC* next start.
Shane rode the ever reliable ‘Beauford Miss Dior’ (Willie) to 4th place in the Advanced. ‘All Luck’ (Bay Lucky) looked set to clock up get another win, however ‘Bay Lucky’ caught Shane by surprise and had an uncharacteristic stop cross country. He still managed to come 7th, thanks to a winning dressage test and clear showjumping round. ‘Remember Bob’ went well in the Pre Novice to finish on his dressage score and in the top 10. Shane also rode ‘Spock’ for Katherine Streline in the Novice. He jumped well but finished out side the placing’s on this occasion.
March 20 was the unofficial day at Macarthur Horse Trials. ‘Ladybrook Remington’ owned by Joanne Markwell had his first eventing start and went extremely well to finish in 2nd place. I am looking forward to progressing with this horse through the grade. ‘Statford Mantovani’ had a momentary dislike to the prospect of getting his feet wet and ended up with 20 penalties on the score board to drop him out of the placing’s. On the Sunday the big kids (official horse) competed. They all went well and we finished with a collection of coloured ribbons. ‘Bay Lucky’ placed 2nd at his first CNC** start. ‘Dane’ was 2nd in the CNC*, ‘Charlie’ was 9th in the Pre Novice and ‘Spock’ was 7th in the CNC*.
The last weekend in March we headed south to the Albury Wodonga CIC, Shane had a very successful weekend placing 3rd in the CIC*** with ‘Willie’, 2nd in the CIC** with ‘Bay Lucky’, 7th in the CIC* on ‘Midnight Chapel’ and 4th in the Pre Novice with ‘Charlie’. I won the intro with ‘Statford Mantovani’ he scored an amazing 82% in the dressage. ‘Dane’ went really well how ever time penalties cross country dropped him down to 10th place.
We have now planned events for the next few months. ‘Willie’ is aimed for selection for the Athens Olympics and will compete at Taupo CCI*** and Sydney CIC*** in her quest for selection. ‘Bay Lucky’ is headed for Sydney CCI** and ‘Dane’ will compete in the Sydney CCI*.
Shane and I would like to thank our owner and sponsors who support us. We are looking forward to continuing our busy and hopefully successful season.