Mike Jackson

Hectic June!

Where do I start - what a month!

The most exciting news is that Noah Oliver Jackson was born on 23rd June, just before midnight.  Ellie went into labour on the Sunday night - after I jokingly said she could have the baby once I'd finished a busy weekend of events!  Great timing hey!  Wish Upon a Star (Whiz) won a Burghley Young Event Horse class at Milton Keynes on the Saturday, and Jack won his novice section at Salperton on the Sunday - so our perfect bundle arrived to order!

Noah's settling in very well to the Jackson household, and has already been out and about to two events!  First stop was Shipton Moyne this week where Whiz won the 5 year old class, and qualified for the breeding championships at Tweseldown.  Daisy Duke also won her novice section with an excellent dressage of 26.  Funny Hill (Ava) went well in the novice too - finishing on her dressage score of 36.

This weekend Jack, Kangasong (Joey) and Billy Bird all competed at Barbury Castle.  Things started off pretty well - Joey did an excellent test in the two star, which put him in 4th place after the dressage.  Billy Bird also did a good dressage test in the thoroughbred class, but sadly didn't get the marks we think he deserves from the judges.

Joey then had one down show jumping and frustratingly had a silly run out cross country - which was really disappointing because he was going so well.  Looking back the stop was probably my fault - so I'm not worried about it long term - he jumped the rest of the course beautifully.  Billy wasn't really on form in the jumping, so I retired him cross country.  Jack also did the novice, finishing on 31 double clear - but surprisingly wasn't placed, which shows how competitive it was!

Still those are the joys of eventing - one minute you're up and the next you're down!  I can't complain - it's been a pretty good month generally and Noah's appearance puts everything else into perspective!

This week I'm competing at Upton House with a new ride Jack - a lovely 5 year old owned by Margaret Benson.  He hasn't done much apart from a bit of dressage, but he really jumps so I'm thrilled to have been given the ride.  I'm also hoping that Whiz continues his form in the five year old class.

Oh and the other baby news is that my old advanced mare Bunny had a lovely filly earlier this month - one of Whiz's first foals which is exciting.  A future star perhaps - along with Noah?!!

Mike