Lucy Jackson, who’s 6ft tall, took an early lead in the CCI*** this morning on Willy Do, then came out after lunch and claimed the top spot in the CIC*** too riding Animator II. After Willy’s test she’d been understandably thrilled and exclaimed that she didn’t care if she was only in the lead for five minutes, it was still a wonderful feeling. Briefly she was able to double her fun. Her CCI*** lead lasted only for about ten minutes after Animator’s ride, as long as it took for the heavens to open and for William Fox-Pitt to ride his test on Avoca Alibi. I am thrilled to report that I bumped into Olivia Loiacono right before he went in, (report coming soon, I promise, video upload here is slooooow!) and we watched together, and she told me that poor Sherlock, as Avoca Alibi is known at home, hates the rain, and by then it was torrential. Apart from a slight tilting of the quarters in the halt (rain!) William rode him forward and smoothly to take the lead, and despite the weather it was a real treat to watch. Olivia also told me William got no sympathy from the crew on the yard a couple of weeks ago when he jumped the wrong last fence on this horse when on track to win at Houghton, “We were like, ‘Really, William? Really?'”! Let’s hope William has all his courses straight this week-end (he rides four horses in total) and that Olivia does too! I saw all of Lucy’s test on Animator and although he started off a tiny bit fussy in his head, she just wrapped those long, long legs around him and rode him forward and he got better and better, his canter work was fabulous. I used to console myself that Ginny Leng was one of the most stylish riders ever, and she’s teeny tiny, but then again she’s Ginny Leng! How do you feel you’re either at an advantage or not, because of your physical stature? The pouring rain means fewer pictures (none so far this afternoon I’m afraid) I always wonder if spending hundreds of dollars on a raincoat for my camera is worth it, and inevitably decide it’s not, but tomorrow I shall endeavour to remember to at least bring a plastic bag! Classing it up for Eventing Nation! Go Eventing whatever the weather!
