Tweseldown

An eventful start to the affiliated season

Ginny’s first rides on Bonne Amie and Divilabit in the Intermediate on Thursday kicked off the weekend. Bonne Amie did a very calm dressage test showing that all the hard work over the Winter has paid off, however, the judge was less impressed and commented that it lacked impulsion. Nevertheless, a pleasing start to the season and long may it last. Divilabit’s test was very responsive and on the aid receiving a good score of 35; however, his Showjumping was less notable and rather spooky. His first outing on the grass this season meant he was a little out of practice and Ginny was very annoyed that he had a spooky stop at the first fence but he continued on to do an immaculate round. Bonne Amie was not quite her careful self, jumping a little flat and rushing; she had two down which was very unexpected for her. Moving on to the cross country, Divilabit flew around in his bold style as he and Ginny had left off at the end of the 2010 season. Excellent to see him showing us what he’s made of – he certainly knows his stuff. Bonne Amie’s round was very eventful. Unfortunately they had a fall at the sunken road as Bonne Amie exuberantly bounded off the step after an upright rail and attempted to bounce what should have been a short one stride. The result was horse and rider hitting the step up and Bonne Amie getting stuck under the forth element. Thankfully both Ginny and Bonne Amie came away unscathed and just a little bruised and stiff. Regrettably the same cannot be said for the saddle, breastplate and girth which have seen better days.

Ginny took her two Novice rides out on Friday, Eires Rock and her new ride Gamblers Image. After Aston, Ginny hoped that Eires Rock might have calmed down in the dressage but this was not to be. He did however redeem himself with a foot perfect double clear with many commenting on how impressive his cross country is looking. Gamblers Image was very pleased to be at a party again and did an accurate test with just a little tension in the walk. He jumped fantastically in the Showjumping but was very unfortunate to have the last fence down. Ginny was thrilled with his cross country; he was an absolute machine and gave her a great ride.

Saturday saw the turn of Creeslough and Argentinus in the Open Pre Novice. Argentinus didn’t put a foot wrong all day. He did a lovely accurate test scoring 35.5 and an impressive double clear to finish just out of the placings at 11^th. Creeslough did a much improved test from Aston Le Walls and Ginny was delighted with his score 33.2. Sadly he had one fence down in the Showjumping; the fences still much smaller than he has been used to throughout the winter’s outings to Addington. He made up for it with a lovely clear cross country inside the time – finishing just outside the placings.

All in all, Tweseldown was eventful, enjoyable and successful. Next stop for Ginny - Lincoln with Bonne Amie and Divilabit.