Mike Jackson

Mike and W Iridium qualify for Gatcombe!

We’re thrilled with W Iridium’s (Viz) third place at Milton Keynes NRF this month, which qualified him for Gatcombe in August. It’s always pretty tough trying to qualify for the Novice Champs so it’s great to be going especially as he’s got a good chance of being in the top few if everything goes to plan…

Great Tew is normally bathed in sunshine and a good one to showcase the sport to ‘non-horsey folk’ but this year it rained relentlessly. It didn’t dampen our spirits though, and we were delighted to have Kangasong (Joey – Ellie’s parents horse) back competing after two years off. Windmill (Lola) won her BE100 section on a 30 double clear, Early Bird VI (Bird) went well in her section and Direct Mission (Arden) came 4th in the novice.

Wallaby (Wally) and Windmill (Lola -see picture) had less inspiring runs at West Wilts. The show jumping was held in the indoor arena and both being fairly green found it rather spooky but faired much better on the cross-country course.

Longleat was also a total wash out - the lorry park resembled melted chocolate. Horseboxes were getting towed in and out and the going was sticky so I withdrew Billy Be Cool (BBC) from the novice before the cross-country and W Iridium (Viz) after the CIC 2 star dressage. To make matters worse I broke down on the way home and had to wait for a recovery lorry to pick us up. Luckily we got back safe and sound and just as I was planning my wheels for the next day I heard the intermediate sections had been cancelled.

Our strange British weather continued to surprise and Salperton was tropical, which didn’t make it much fun for the horses especially as we spent most of the day swatting huge horse flies.

Despite this we had a good weekend with the novices - Kanagsong (Joey) did a lovely test – 29, double clear. Joss Riley’s Direct Mission (Arden) kept up his faultless form with a 30.5 double clear coming 3rd and Billy Be Cool (BBC) did a 29.5, double clear ending up 7th in his section.

We’d like to welcome back Jen Gordon who first worked for us back in 2005. She’s been studying at Moreton Morrell and working at another event yard since then and is now picking up the reins as head girl.

Mike