In a class performance, Nina jumped two clear rounds within the quite tight time allowed, to clinch both first and third places in the Poplar Place CIC***. As she has done all weekend, she rode calmly, consistently and extremely well, and deserves the win – congratulations Team Thailand! Also huge congratulations to Poplar Place owners and organisers Donna and Gary Stegman pictured with Nina above, the event has been a total triumph – thank you Poplar Place. It was a shame that not everyone attended the prize-giving to demonstrate their appreciation, especially as this was such a last-minute CIC, with a small field, and the staff here at the event went out of their way to make it happen for these riders.
Nina Ligon (1st and 3rd), Carl Bouckaert (2nd), Danielle Dichting (4th) and Elena Ceballos (8th) listen to the Thai National Anthem being played in Nina’s honour.
Ronald Zabala-Goetschel, who finished 5th, 6th and 7th was first in the ring this morning as he had three horses to jump. Here he is on Wise Equestrian Kairo who had four rails down and six time faults.
Nina on the first of her perfectly judged rounds, on Jazz King. All the horses except for Ronalds’ jumped clear, and jumped really well, but Nina was the only rider not to have time fautls.
Ronald Zabala-Goetschel and the lovely Wise Equestrian Brer Fox
Elena Ceballos has been a delight to get to know this weekend,she’s the perfect happy, breezy ying to coach Kyle’s dry, cynical yang and they’ve been great fun to hang out with, as has the entire South American crew. I was sad not to see Federico and Ron jump this morning, but this little french horse, Nounours du Moulin was like a bouncy ball, probably the most impressive round of the day.
Danielle Dichting forgot to tell us yesterday that her lovely horse Tops did his first ever event here at Poplar Place at Beginner Novice level – look at him now, so proud!
Carl Bouckaert had taken plenty of time to walk the course this morning, and knew his lines pretty well and where he could save some time. He and Mensa jumped a lovely, forward flowing round for just one time fault.
Ronald Z-G and Wise Equestrian Master Rose
Nina Ligon and Butts Leon for the win.
Well done to all the competitors. Thank you to all the volunteers, and thank you for reading.
Go eventing!
