Barbury Thursday

 We are here at Barbury today which is bit of a nuisance as we are just doing dressage. The ground is certainly firm and dry so will need some attention, but there is talk of lots being done….

Clifton Signature was in the 3* and it is the first time I have ridden him in a test of that level, overall he went much better and I was very pleased with him getting a mark of 40.  At the time that put him in the lead, and he still is overnight.  He did some lovely work and was mostly relaxed making my life easy.

In the 2* were Oratorio and Shannondale Percy, both were level and calm and coped with their far from flat arenas.  

Shannondale Percy got a 47 for a calm and consistent test, apart from losing energy in one of his counter canters, but making no mistakes, and I was very pleased with how he did for his first ever 2* test.

Oratorio was also in a good frame of mind to score 45 with another good performance.  He is really coming on in his work and was lovely and calm.  He just found the hill quite an effort, and I would rather it hadn't been so scorching as it was en effort to keep him going.

We are back tomorrow with a busier day of Novice, 2* and 3* horses.