Hi Everyone,

It has been a busy few weeks since my last report with shows and events every weekend and some mid weeks ones as well for good measure! Hunua was my first Horse Trial back on NZ soil and the first in the careers of Bowie and Duke. It was good to be back out Eventing in NZ, so very different from the UK Eventing scene, but familiar and nice to be home none the less.

Both Bowie and Duke posted competitive dressage scores in the Young Event Horse Class to be well placed after the first phase. Both the SJ and XC courses were tough for this level and both of them showed their greenness at times! Bowie did a lovely SJ round to be sitting pretty after the first day, but Duke got a bit of stage fright in the SJ and rolled the first couple of rails. He redeemed himself on the XC though with a lovely clear round to finish 6th. Bowie and I had a difference of opinion about jumping a skinny house on the brow of a hill, but we got there in the end and he will have learnt a bit from the experience.

Next up was a HT at Papatoe and while I had planned to ride them both, Duke had unfortunately knocked himself at Hunua and had to sit this one out. Im pleased to report that Bowie totally redeemed himself from his misdemeanour at Hunua and posted a lovely dressage followed by a good double clear to win the class and in doing so secure his first red rosette. Here’s hoping it will be the first of many!

Leo returned from his three weeks away with the show jumpers in time to join us for a mid week jumping expedition to Woodhill with a truck full. Jake had his first outing and he was a little star taking it all in his stride and winning the baby class. Bowie continued his good form for two lovely double clears finishing 2nd and 4th in his classes.

Hebe has his first competitive outing in over two years, following his injury layoff and he jumped a lovely double clear in typical Hebe fashion. However, I was most thrilled with Leo who won both the 1.05m and 1.10m and was much more ride able than he has been in the past. I have to say a big thanks to Geordie Bull for the work he did on him for me.

We have Show jumping again this week and are in the midst of Polo Week here in Clevedon. It is the BMW NZ Polo Open (an event which several of my family members are involved in organising) so it is all go!

Next weekend we are eventing again down in Rotorua.

That’s all for now.

Cheers

Anne-Marie