Mike Jackson

April 2011

April started off with a well-deserved win for Claire Beveridge’s W Iridium (Viz) in the intermediate at Belton (24, double clear). Jagganath (Jack) also went well finishing 5th in the OI. Belton’s cross–country track is built on beautiful parkland, which suited them both with their big galloping strides.

I seem to have been doing a lot of driving recently and this wasn’t helped as we headed East again for Burnham Market. We had four in the two star which kept us all on our toes – W Iridium (Viz), Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie), The Master’s Apprentice (Archie) and Direct Cruising (Cruise). Downleadon (Minx) also did the intermediate.

All of the horses did pleasing tests (helped along by Trudi Robinson) and show jumped brilliantly resulting in four clear rounds in the two star. The cross-country was a bit of mixed bag. Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie) and W Iridium (Viz) did fantastic clears, The Master’s Apprentice had a ‘green’ 20 at a corner but otherwise jumped really well and sadly I was forced to retire Cruise after a dog walker decided to take up residence on my line into a tricky combination causing him to spook and run out. A frustrating blip as he was in a competitive position but this was slightly made up for with Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie) going home with a 12th rosette.

Closer to home the youngsters had some encouraging runs at Sapey, and Peppermill (Milly) continued her recent form with a 5th at Goring Heath and a win in the novice at Broadway. C’est Tout (Claude) also won his novice section at Broadway and I picked up two 3rds in the BE100 with Sea Summer Bay (Paddy) and Direct Mission (Arden). Wallaby (Wally) and Direct Diamond Lad (Carrick) also had good runs there, round what proved to be a rather tricky cross-country.

I’ve been lucky enough to have been given the ride on a lovely young stallion called Billy Be Cool (BBC). He’s been beautifully produced by Pippa Funnell and was successful in young event horse classes before going on to show jump. We had our first outing together at Broadway – he did a lovely test (26.5), and went clear show jumping but I didn’t run him cross-country as I felt we needed to get to know each other a little better first. While I was busy at Broadway, Rhea made her debut at Badminton in the stallion parade with Up With The Lark (Max). Word has it she rode rather well!

Just to keep things tidy we finished the month off with another win at Withington with Direct Cruising (Cruise - below) in the intermediate. Joss Riley’s other horse Direct Mission (Arden) also jumped double clear in the novice and The Master’s Apprentice (Archie) went well in the OI.

Mike