Charlie Pickman

Viking Wins Again!!

The last month has been quiet on the eventing front and it was nice to have a break and prepare for the end of the season. I managed to enjoy a long weekend in Cornwall, which although the weather wasn’t very summery, still had an enjoyable and refreshing time.

We are prepared and organised for the autumn events which started in fine style with Viking winning the Intermediate at Pontispool last weekend. This year he has won a Novice, a Novice Regional Final, and an Intermediate, so it just leaves an Advanced for next year! He was third after the dressage on 28.6 and jumped a double clear inside the time to finish on his dressage score. He has had his back and saddle checked since Gatcombe and he feels a lot better. His saddle needed a little re-flocking where he had changed shape, and now he feels like he’s giving every fence a foot to spare.

This latest win means Viking has qualified for the Intermediate Championships at Gatcombe 2010 and also has another eligible result for the Equine Pathway, which will hopefully ensure he will continue to be included for next year. Next is Gatcombe to do another Intermediate class, where I will give him a quieter run. Then we go to Weston Park to do the CCI**, where, if we can continue on current form, I would hope we can be competitive.

Billy has had a couple of problems with his feet, as he pulled a shoe off at West Buckland and also damaged the inner wall of his hoof. This meant he was putting weight on the sole rather than the wall, and so was a bit sore. He has had filler put between the foot and the shoe and the wall has grown back well. Thankfully he didn’t miss too many days of work and is fit and ready to go again. He is going to Monmouth and then Dauntsey in BE100 classes, and we are then aiming for Novice at Tweseldown in October. He feels more than ready to move up to Novice so fingers crossed he will be as successful at this higher level.

It certainly feels like the summer is over, with the nights drawing in and it becoming cooler overnight. Thankfully the weather has stayed dry and not too windy - hopefully it will last. We have another busy 6 weeks to go and then that will be it until next year. I always hope at this time of year to have a good end to the season and so will have lots to look forward to for next year.

Charlie

16th September 2009