Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper take the overnight lead in the CIC*** – ESJ was right, about that anyway. Today was the first time I’ve seen the horse up close and personal, and he is all that, and more, he’s lovely, all class. Phillip told us in the press conference that being here since Wednesday and giving the horse a chance to adapt to his surroundings definitely helped his score today. The scary thing for everyone else is that there still looks like there’s room for improvement to be made within this partnership, and I can’t imagine just how good they’ll be, yes by July, but give them a couple of years together and really let them cement a relationship.
Phillip also rode Ben in the CIC*** to move him into 6th place, and was pretty much constantly doing a dressage test in one ring or another all day – you can check out all the scores here.
Diana Burnett, here on Diamond Cut 16th , rode two nice tests and sits in 11th on Shigatzi
How wonderful to see lovely Icarus back, I love this striking grey thoroughbred, there’s something about his sweet earnest face, and he always tries so hard, I just want to steal him away and mother and smother him!
I know Peter Atkins has been working hard all winter on his dressage with Jim Koford amongst others, and excuse the terrible picture, but they really did look hugely improved.
Dr. Kevin Keane, the galloping vet, is doing his first CIC*** on Fernhill Flutter here, and apart from a break in the canter did a solid test.
Kyle Carter rides Chesterlands Knockout in the CIC**
Brittany Kart on Llewellyn; I happened to be standing next to Michael Pollard while he was going and I remarked how much I liked this horse but didn’t know anything about him, and…Michael imported him! He told me Kyle Carter loved him but he’s actually quite small, and that the first person who tried him jumped a line of huge oxers, and then Llewellyn kept going and jumped a massive hedge straight out of the arena and back to the stables! That would have been a done deal for me, I would have whipped my cheque book out right there and then, but apparently not, and now Brittany Kart is the lucky rider! I wish them a great weekend, and hope to report more good news over the next two days.
Manolo Blahnik is one of Michael’s favourite horses on the cirucuit, but today he was a bit naughty for Sara Kozumplik in the dressage; hopefully he’ll redeem himself tomorrow and sunday as I have it on good authority that he’s an out and out jumper!
Karen O’Connor keeping the lid on, just barely, a very tense and spooky Mr Medicott. Mr Medicott looked very fresh trotting around the outside of the arena and it was always going to be touch and go if she could hold it together for the test, but Karen was doing an amazing job doing just that until a burst of applause for the rider next door during her trot half-pass sent Mr Medicott way over the edge, and scooting across the ring. After a brief exchange with the judges at C, she repeated the movement, and managed to contain the tension that bubbled just barely below the surface for the rest of the test. Horses and atmosphere, funny how some will rise to the occasion and do a better test because of it, and some will come undone and need gentle handling with kid gloves. So many horses evolve too as they mature, or as they become fitter during the season, so hard to judge it just right for those precious few minutes in the ring – how do you manage? Is there a precedent for repeating a movement in dressage? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it done before.
RF Rovano Rex is a very impressive horse to watch, and Marilyn rode him really, really well. She doesn’t seem to get nervous, but really rides the test, and all the movements, perhaps she approaches it like a course of obstacles, perhaps that’s just her nature, whatever it is, it’s certainly working, and with a little more polish and finesse each time I see her, who knows what they can achieve by the time they get to Rolex.
Rowdie Adams in the CIC** did a lovely test despite a massive spook right before she entered the arena, however she held No Money Down together both mentally and physically and it was pretty impressive to see.
Maybe I’ve been chatting to Max Corcoran too much (except I haven’t at all hardly!) but I think Veronica was robbed! Karen rode a smooth and accurate test which was willing and forward, and it looked beautiful to me – she sits in 7th on 43.8, less than a point ahead of her stablemate Mr Medicott. What do I know?! Anyway, there’s a full day of cross country ahead of us tomorrow so we have plenty to look forward to. Go Red Hills and Go Eventing!
