Clark Montgomery moved into the lead after this morning’s session of 3* dressage with a lovely, smooth test on Loughan Glen. I seemed to see lots of lovely big, bay horses, big movers, working this morning. Some had done their tests yesterday and were just loosening up before hacking on the trails. Arthur and Isabella both looked like they were expecting to, and would much rather run cross country. Buck Davidson brought both his bright bays up, Absolute Liberty and Ballynoe Castle (in a hackamore) up, and worked a bit, stood around and watched a bit, chatted a bit. The Selle Francaise was well-represented with Sinead Halpern this morning doing a lovely test on Manoir de Carneville. I spoke to her afterwards, and she told me she was pretty pleased, but still thinks by the autumn she’ll be able to ask for a lot more in the arena; they did look super outside and slightly lost some of that in the arena, but it still looked pretty damn good to me! Also Boyd’s french horse Otis who is going to be a stunner, and looks twice, or even ten times the horse he did just a month ago at Red Hills, but the three star is a big step up already, and of course the lovely Port Authority who has french bloodlines from Galoubet. There are lots more, and thank you so much for all your comments on everything I miss, I love it!
Steph R-B also did a nice test to currently sit in 8th place. She really rode Ollie in the arena, and got some good work out of him.
Karen O Connor also rode strongly for a nice test on Mandiba. Both of them will be heading to Badminton, fingers crossed.
Time stood still and everyone stopped to watch Karen’s test.
David O Connor and Captain Mark Phillips have totally owned the dressage warm up arena these last few days, they have both been standing out there faithfully like sentinels, helping their riders and sometimes the same rider.
It was interesting to watch the horses and riders hack to and from the dressage arena, some walked up on a loose rein, some trotted up as if they were on roads and tracks ( showing my age!), and a couple of people even got off and led their horses back down to the barns when they’d finished riding. I always dismounted immediately after I finished a cross country course and led my horse back to the barn, but apart from that, personally, I always feel much safer and much more in control on top.(of the horse!)
Doug Payne’s boots – are they lucky, or is he in the market for a new pair?!
Two whole days of dressage – booooring!
and finally, quiz question……
Which high-profile eventing persona wears shape-ups? Answer in the next random musings!