The last element of the sunken road turned out to be the bogey fence today, with lots of horses running past it. As Sinead commented during her wonderful stint in the announcer’s booth with Brian O’Connor, up until then the cross country has been so forward and flowing, and enabled riders to attack, and this is the first real question that they have to collect and do several steps and be more gymnastic. Doug Payne was given a 20 penalties here on Running Order which he protested, he told me that’s exactly what happened, normally R.O is very cautious, and he jumped in very aggressive so Doug made the decision to go round. It’s been a hard day to be a jump judge, here at the first water lots of riders would make their decision on the corner depending on the jump in. Likewise the double of corners are numbered separately so you can theoretically circle in between, but with only two strides if you make a last minute decision you’re bound to be penalised – hard call! Veronica was given a 20 here, and I think also at the first water when she jumped in huge and Karen decided to go long. The corner in the water actually jumped really well all day for those who were brave enough to try it, a few people took the flag with them but otherwise it caused no problem, and to go the long way really wasted a lot of time, I’m surprised more people didn’t bite the bullet and try it. Mystery Whisper was flawless, wasting no time, not looking hurried, but eating up the course and never looked to be uncomfortable, he just cruised round to stay in the lead for Phillip Dutton. Will Faudree had a less happy day, a run out at the sunken road on Pawlow, and then a heavy fall on the second corner near the end while flying round on Andromaque meant he had no chance of hanging on the joint lead he’d shared overnight. Meanwhile Marilyn Little-Meredith flew round on RF Demeter, chancing her arm a bit, but her horses seem to respond well to it at the moment, and she came home inside the time to move right up the order. Mr Medicott also bounced round, looking like Tigger, very keen, the only problem Karen might have had was how to stop or steer, but she looked pretty damn good to me! Speaking of which – Go Shandiss Wewiora and Rockfield Grant Juan, that great big beautiful Irish horse, had a few sticky moments, but Shandiss kept her head, went the direct routes, and as honest and scopey as he is they jumped clear, love them! Leslie Law had a good clear on Zenith ISF, also very impressive was Rebecca Howard on Riddle Master, made it all look effortless but came home (literally!) clear inside the time. Sara Kozumplik likewise, and Exponential had wings to fly round for the fastest time of the day; perhaps with a WEG flashback Jessie made sure to anchor him really well dropping into first water, then he threw a huge jump over the corner, she let the brake off and off they went. By the time they came back round to me they looked like they were steeplechasing the double corners, jumping for fun, absolutely safe and so exuberant, fabulous to watch. Hard luck story for me was Jess Hamp who was having a great go only to fall at the penultimate, but I’m sure there’s many others. Buck Davidson pulled up after a run out at the cheese wedges at 5, will try and talk to him later. Everyone who fell got up and walked away, thank goodness.Lots more to come, but about to start up again with the advanced so must GO EVENTING!
Exponential drops down into the water
