Aston le Walls, Weston Park, Hambleden International and Milton Keynes

Aston le Walls

A busy day for Ginny Howe Eventing with five rides at Ginny’s local venue of Aston le Walls. Ginny was able to upgrade a couple of the horses from their last outings.

Greenlough Dave, owned by Mrs Claire Jones, took everything in his stride. He received 35 in his test giving plenty to work on but all heading in the right direction. This was followed by an enthusiastic rail down in the Showjumping and a fantastic clear cross country to finish just out of the rosettes. 

Empyrean upgraded to the Pre Novice section. She did a calm and accurate test but more power and bend will be needed for the higher marks next time. She too jumped nicely in the Showjumping sadly having one rail down and was a machine cross country finding it all very easy despite her lack of mileage and young age. 

Cabalva Rose was not on particularly great form on the day. Although she had a good clear in the Showjumping, this was followed by a naughty stop at the water in the cross country.

Stroll On owned by Mr Mike Robins really did show all the young ones how to do it. He did good test not allowing his size, standing at 17.3hh, to hinder him in a small arena and Ginny was pleased with a great double clear. 

It was also the first event for Lux Royal owned by Miss Sarah Jane Ford. She did a good test scoring 34, with the odd 'Showjumper' moment and finding her canter particularly hard work with such power and enthusiasm. The long day was finished off with a great clear Showjumping and sadly a green stop cross country, where the spectators were far more interesting than the water fence.

Weston Park

Ginny and the ever tricky Eires Rock headed to Weston Park in hope to gain his Advanced qualification. Always struggling to contain his excitement in the dressage phase he just about managed it not scoring the best mark but, still new to this level, there are plenty of improvements to be made. He was jumping at his best in the Showjumping going around the up to height course that was causing endless problems, although rolling a couple of rails Ginny said he felt well. He was certainly pleased to reach the cross country phase where he could let off some steam and flew round clear. 

Hambleden International

Following yet more cancellations due to the unpredictable weather, the next outing for Ginny was at the beautiful location of Hambleden International. 

A BE100 run for Lux Royal was a big step up for her but she made it look very easy and knew exactly what to expect this time. She did an improved dressage test scoring 33.4 followed by a silly rail down in the Showjumping. She was bold and brave around the cross country course with an excellent clear to finish fifth in her section. This was a big improvement from her previous run at Aston and in a fairly short space of time. 

Hamilton too came out for the party the following day. The Novice presented a tough track that was causing plenty of problems. He completed a foot perfect test to score 31 and left him in a good position after the dressage. This was followed up with a careful clear Showjumping and a very bold cross country, leaving the combination with just a few time faults to also finish fifth in his section. Ginny could not be more pleased with her very exciting six year old that that is now aimed at one star mid-season. 

Milton Keynes with the babies

It was another fairly local event for Ginny Howe Eventing and the team with Cabalva Rose, Empyrean and Greenlough Dave all competing in the BE100. 

All horses were on good form for the dressage. Empyrean did a quiet test to score a mark in the high thirties, with mileage and experience still lacking for the five year old ex-race horse, Ginny is confident that her dressage will improve. Greenlough Dave scored 35, with just a couple mistakes which can be ironed out with more practice and training at home, but these are still early days in his career. Cabalva Rose gave a much improved test from her last outing. 

The Showjumping phase was mixed for the horses. Empyrean had one rail down, Cabalva Rose jumped a nice clear and Greenlough Dave also just tapped one rail for four faults lacking a little concentration which is quite unlike him. 

Empyrean and Greenlough Dave were both absolute machines cross country again making it feel very easy and ready for the bigger, tougher tracks. Cabalva Rose was not quite on form for her cross country on the day sadly after her good test and clear Showjumping.