Mike Jackson

Settling down in Cold Aston

We made the move to our new yard in Cold Aston this month, which was really exciting although a little stressful at times! Sorting and packing up 4 years of clobber from Manor Barn Stables was quite a feat, but the horses didn’t mind and have settled in really well to the new pad.

As well as trying to organise everything into some kind of sense, we’ve also been busy with events. Wish Upon A Star (Whiz) is top of the class at the moment, after coming 5th in his novice at Goring Heath and finishing 2nd at Sapey.

Pepper Mill (Milly), Silver Dancer (Thunder) and Daisy Duke also went well at Goring Heath. Milly came 10th in the BE100, as did Thunder in novice and Daisy finished just outside the top ten in the open novice. Thunder collected another ribbon at Sapey finishing 4th with a 30.5 double clear.

Hambledon was a busy weekend with Daisy Duke and Jagganath (Jack) in the novice regional final. They both went well, although Jack was a little bit on his toes in the dressage which was enough to put him down the placings in a competitive section like that. Daisy Duke did a good test but unfortunately rolled a pole in the show jumping. Both of them stormed around the cross country though, proving that novice tracks are a walk in the park for them now…

Noble Big Jim (Jim) did his first event with me at Hambledon – he did a lovely test and also jumped well in the novice. He’ll be aimed at some intermediates now along with his two novice regional finals that he’s all ready qualified for.

Away from the eventing – Up With The Lark has been busy at West Kington Stud but will be back to flick his toes at Badminton in the stallion parade along with Carolyn Bates’ Wish Upon A Star.

The young horses have also been going well. Sue Excell’s four year old Harry is coming on nicely and will be aimed at some Burghley Young Event Horse classes this spring along with Wallaby – Ellie’s promising four year old by Accondy. Louise (our head girl) will also be joining us in the young horse classes with Carole Mortimer’s lovely mare by Internet. She’s half brother to Jack, so on paper she should certainly be up to the job.

I’m also thrilled to have been given the ride on Christopher and Julia Jenkin’s intermediate mare Downleadon (Minx). She’s got a super pedigree for eventing (she’s by Welton Crackerjack) and I’m very much looking forward to competing her this season.

Until next time…

Mike

April 2009