Nina Ligon rode three really mature cross-country rounds today; she maintains her dressage lead after cross country on Butts Leon and really looked like she’s got a handle on him now, she had less than a couple of time penalties on Jazz King to move up one place to sixth overnight, and was having a peach of a round on Tipperary Liadhnan aka Paddy until a braking issue at the second of the double of corners near the end. I spoke to Nina and I’ll have more on that later.
Wise Equestrian Master Rose
Ronald Zabala-Goetschel might not win the style prize today, but nonetheless he wagoned three horses round without jumping penalties, and one with just 2.4 time. Wise Equestrian Master Rose sits in 2nd, WE Brer Fox in 4th, and WE Kairo in 7th – not a bad day’s work.
Wise Equestrian Kairo
Wise Equestrian Brer Fox – probably the least tidy of his rounds. I have a feeling that I’ve seen this horse’s name somewhere in England and I’ll probably ask him or look it up later, but if anyone knows where it comes from and cares to comment before then, I’d love to know!
It was also fun listening to the riders as they went round – Nina Ligon said ‘Good Boy’, and really talks to every single one of her horses, Carl Bouckaert has a Belgian ‘yep’, not sure if it’s a whoa or an encouragement, and Ronald says ‘hup’ on take-off!
Federico Daners was having a great round, but for an annoying run out at the second corner at 18
What a great pair for the future – Young Rider Danielle Dichting and Tops ate up the course
Tops and Danielle Dichting sit in 5th place after XC having jumped clear with 2.8 time
Mensa, below, would be my horse to take home after today. He stormed round as keen as mustard, and that gallop – my mouth was watering! Later, I stood and held him, chatting while he got washed down and he is so beautifully put together, and also just such a pleasant horse to be around – I want! Steven the Chatt Hills super groom confirmed that he’s all that to look after too, and I spoke to Carl Bouckaert after his round who said he was push button on cross country, not one sticky moment, even the double angled cannons ( my Jack White fence!) which he said he has ridden on many horses and never had a good ride before, was smooth as silk on Mensa! Mensa had no jumping or time penalties and moved up into third place going into tomorrow’s show-jumping. The plan is now to take him and Cyrano Z, who is here for the beer this weekend, to Europe for the summer, (England probably) and campaign them there.
I did speak briefly to one of the vets where all the horses were being washed down and she told me all the horses in the CIC*** had cooled out really well, and were released within ten minutes of finishing their cross country, which was very nice to hear especially this early in the season.
Elena Ceballos rode a lovely round on her Selle Francais Nounours du Moulin, adding 8 time penalties but no jumping faults to move up from last place after the dressage to 8th. Kyle was sprinting around after her, showing very good form – I realise he’s on the Canadian Long List for something but if he doesn’t make the Olympic Equestrian Team I vote he puts on some shorts and gets in training for one of those running races! I vote he puts on shorts anyway!
The weather here has been fantastic, and the footing is ideal. More from Nina Ligon and Eric Winter later, as well as pictures and report from the dressage which was only this morning but already feels like several days ago! Go Poplar Place and go eventing!
