Mike Jackson

Starting the season on form

It’s always encouraging when you start the season on form. Pepper Mill (Milly), Direct Diamond Lad (Carrick) and Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie) all won their sections at Aston le Walls. I also had my first runs on Richard Oliver’s horses - Chantry Riverdance (Andy) and Sea Summer Bay (Paddy). Andy showed great promise despite a slight communication issue at the water and although a little green Paddy jumped a lovely double clear.


Joss Riley’s more experienced horse Direct Cruising (Cruise) wasn’t to be outdone by his younger stable mate (Direct Diamond Lad) Carrick, and easily won his ON section at Tweseldown. The plan was to have a steady run but Cruise finds it so easy and is so nibble, he ended up winning despite ‘pottering’ around the cross country.

For once it wasn’t too cold and windy at Lincoln, which was a relief as Jagganath (Jack) isn’t one for concentrating when things are flapping. He had an encouraging outing along with Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie) - who did a lovely test (26.8), and The Master’s Apprentice (Archie) who finished 8th in the intermediate.

Pepper Mill (Milly) followed up her form at Aston with another win at Swalcliffe with an impressive 24 in the dressage. Sea Summer Bay (Paddy) topped his section with a 27.5 double clear and Direct Diamond Lad (Carrick) continued to impress in the BE100.

Downleadon’s (Minx) show jumping has really come on and she was rewarded with a 6th place in the intermediate at Gatcombe, which upgraded her to advanced. W Iridium (Viz) also had good confidence building run around the intermediate track. Due to previous balloting Wallaby (Wally) was rather thrown in at the deep end in his first novice but responded really well gaining his first point. He followed this up with another excellent double clear at Somerley.

Despite two good performances at Somerley, silly rails in the show jumping proved rather costly for The Master’s Apprentice (Archie) and Yorkie’s Delight (Yorkie) leaving them both with lower placings in the CIC 2 star. Direct Cruising (Cruise) whizzed around the intermediate finishing third.

I passed my HGV earlier this month so we’re enjoying the extra space in the new lorry, which is just as well as Noah’s pony ‘Charlie’ has been appointed as W Iridium’s (Viz) travelling nanny.

Mike

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