Millbrook Horse Trials is always one of my favorites, for a number of reasons. The first one is sentimental, because Nyls and I completed our first Advanced together there in 2010, and I remember that after our clear cross country round I was so intensely happy and proud that I leapt off, forgetting to unhook my brand new air vest. I promptly blew up like an air balloon, landing on my back like a stuck turtle, and spooking my poor horse.
We’ve been back for the Advanced again, competing last year with no penalties, and a third place ribbon. This year, we did one of our best dressage tests, cruised slowly around the semi-muddy cross country course, and jumped a clear show jumping round for 10th in the huge 47 person division.
The course was certainly nothing to sneeze at, and I was pretty thrilled to get over 5a, not gonna lie. Nyls was pretty fantastic, but then again he’s always fantastic on cross country. I took it slow because the footing was pretty deep in some places, and the hills on the second half of the course always take a lot out of them, so I wanted to leave some gas in the tank for the end. We had about 12 time penalties, but since he hasn’t run since April, I was pretty pleased! Have fun riding along!
