Hartpury Take It 2 The Top Wins a Novice

This was at Bicton today, we were balloted out of our local event Withington and so entered Bicton late and got both horses in just before they closed entries. At least we were in good company both Mark Todd and Matt Ryan were ballotted too and also redirected to Bicton. For us Bicton is 2 hours further to drive!!

So glad we did, super course, big and bold asked lots of questions, including 2 waters. SJ was on a superb surface in the main arena and dressage was on beautifully mown flat arenas with a thick covering of very green grass. All looked very posh.

More to follow but after a 3.30 am alarm I need to sleep, we still can't believe he won.....zzzzzzzz.

Woken up turns out it was not a dream, here he is flying the b element of fence 14. The course was super, the first water at 7 concerned me, it was an upturned boat jumping almost straight in. He is still green at water, however he jumped in boldly, it felt like he did not clock the water the other side until it was too late! The 2nd water was a log carved into the shape of a crocodile, a drop direct into the water, he was very bold and confident, although once in he broke into trot for a stride. Apart from that he felt foot perfect all the way round, he just goes into cruising speed and jumps everything I point him at.

Other news this week is Amazingmika flew round double clear at Milton Keynes to finish 10th, it was a decent track and he loved it. Hartpury Twilight won an 80 Eventer Training class at Allens Hill so the brothers are on winning form this week. It looks like Amazing Mika is sold so that will mean I will have time to bring Hartpury Top Gun back in work who is still on his winter holiday!