Mike Jackson

September 2011

What an amazing weekend for Team Jackson at the Fidelity Blenheim International Horse Trial. Jagganath (Jack) was a total star, jumping double clear and finishing 6th in his first CIC***. I also won the highest placed Blenheim debutant and best local rider in the CIC 8/9-year-old section.
 
So pleased for Jack’s owners Carole and John Mortimer - Jack’s now having a well-earned rest, and all things going well, will be aimed at Bramham in the spring.

Away from the glitz and the glamour of Blenheim – the rest of the gang have also been going really well. Billy Be Cool (BBC) had a well-deserved win in the novice at Goring Heath and Windmill (Lola) narrowly missed topping her BE100 section. Direct Diamond Lad (Carrick) and Sea Summer Bay (Paddy) came 4th and 8th in their respective BE100 sections.

The less experienced horses had some good confidence-building runs at Purston Manor. C’est Tout (Claude) and Windmill (Lola) were the best of the bunch jumping double clear in their novice and BE100Plus sections.

Gatcombe wasn’t a winning weekend but it was character building. Billy Be Cool (BBC) went well in his first intermediate and felt really super round the cross-country course. Direct Mission (Arden) did a lovely test (29.1) but uncharacteristically had a few show jumps down putting him down the order.

My father-in-law Chris’s lovely young horse Wallaby (Wally) finished just outside the placings in the CIC* as did Kangasong (Joey) in the CIC**. The Master’s Apprentice (Archie) didn’t put a foot wrong in the CIC**, jumping a fantastic double clear but due to a technical hitch we missed out on the spoils. I’ll spare you the details…

South of England was a trek but it was worth it – Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie) felt great finishing 5th in his intermediate section. Kangasong (Joey) did a super test - 45.3 and jumped well but frustratingly just missed out on the placings again.

We’re off to Osberton three day this weekend – apparently we’re due an ‘Indian summer’ - makes up for last year’s monsoon.