Dauntsey

 What a brilliant event Beanie and Rupert Sturgis put on this weekend at Dauntsey. It was the first time they have hosted an intermediate under the new management. Years ago Rupert's parents had advanced sections as well, lets hope that is where the event is heading back to. The courses were all really well presented with nice variety and a good challenge.

All my horses went really well. I was especially pleased to have Cool Mountain back to winning ways in the OI on Friday. He did a lovely test to score 21 and jumped a double clear. I was surprised to see he was the second fastest time of the day. He is still on course for Pau 4* in three weeks.

Luxury continued his good form with a win in the intermediate. He led the dressage on 27 and jumped a double clear. It was the perfect preparation for his Lion target next week where he has been selected to compete in the 7year old young horse world championships.

Neuf des Coeurs was pleased to be out. After losing a shoe and Burghley and having to be pulled up he did a 27 dressage and a good slow double clear to finish 6th.

Sea Cookie is also heading for Pau and he finished 9th with a 31 dressage and a double clear. He was very perky and jumped particularly well.

Lionheart ran HC in the intermediate as I had a withdrawal and he couldn't be fitted in to the OI. He scored 33 in the dressage and absolutely pinged in the jumping phases.

I went back on Saturday with the babies and was once again really impressed with my new french horse Topaze who finished 5th with a 31 and double clear. He gives me such a good feel at this stage.

In the pre novice I rode another new recruit, Reinstated. I bought him in Ireland last month through Nikki Ryan from James Mackevoy who bred and produced him. He is the most wonderfully straight forward horse and took the whole thing in his stride. He scored 19.5 in the dressage and jumped a lovely relaxed double clear to win.

We are now packing for Boekelo where I am taking Fernhill Pimms and Gaucho. The next three weeks are really busy as Boekelo, Lion and Pau run back to back. I am hoping to run Luxury, Henton for Fun and Tops Biatz at Lion.