An update from Mary King..... What an eventful Badminton, and a very disappointing one for me and many others. Dear Archie did a beautiful dressage test, just about managing to control his enthusiasm, and was in the hunt with 42 pens. I really thought the relentlessly big XC course was right up Archies street, and I am sure it would have been if the ground conditions hadnt been so energy sapping, and if he had been a few years younger. But after he jumped immaculately around the first part of the course he started to feel one paced. Following a very sticky jump through the owl hole at the Outlander Bank (where I was lucky not to fall off!), he felt a bit flat and I had no hesitation at retiring when he stopped at the 2nd part of fence 16. There were so many problems throughout the day with only 23 out of the 87 starters going clear, and no-one getting the time. Luckily there were no horses or riders badly hurt. Emily and I now have some other great horse trials looming up for the younger horses. Aston Le Walls on Wednesday, Chatsworth this coming weekend then Tattersalls in Ireland and Bramham CCI***. Jay (MHS King Joules) is now qualified for Bramham having successfully completed his first 2 CIC***s at Belton and Burnham Market. At the latter he got an impressive 42 dressage and jumped a double clear. I tried a different bit which gave me a lot more control which felt much better. He will do the advanced at Chatsworth as his final run before Bramham. Lottie (Kings Choice) has been consistently placed at her novice events through April and is now nearly intermediate, her run at Chatsworth will be her last before going to Tatts to do her first CCI*. Dan (King Dan my 5 yr old) did his first BE100 successfully but sadly his other 2 planned runs were cancelled due to the rain, so he is now having a break. I had an addition to my homebreds a few days ago...a beautiful Kings Temptress x Chilli Morning filly foal (nicknamed Tilly!) out of one of Twemlows recipient mares. Tess has gone back to the stud to see if she can produce more embryos. I am planning to use Cevin Z and Future Gravitis this time. Best wishes Mary
Posted on: Sat, 17 May 2014 15:14:28 +0000
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