Longtime EN guest blogger and good friend Shannon Lilley has kindly agreed to give us her perspective on Galway this weekend. Thanks for writing this Shannon and thank you for reading.
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From Shannon:
It is funny, John asked me to guest blog… I sometimes think that is silly, because besides James Alliston, I think Dayna Lynd-Pugh and I are the busiest trainers here with at least 12 students from Flying Tail Farms and five more from other independent barns. Flying Tail Farms had a fantastic day with one in the lead in junior training. Another in 7th, Hollie Read and Rock Classic, in the T3D with Kelly Pugh and another student, Sophie Hulme, in the top 20.
The ones star finished their competition with some fairly good tests. The one that stood out, who changed the standings, was the ever ready Roxabelle ridden by Erin Kellerhouse. The two star showed some fairly good tests. One that caught most eyes but didn’t score quite as well as we thought it deserved was, Zach Brandt with Cavallino Cocktail. Barbara Cabot, deservedly leads the division, with some solid pairs to follow like Bea di Grazia with Lads Night Out in 3rd place.
The three star was a fantastic showing. I thought James Alliston and Jumbo’s Jake put in a solid test to go first. The next amazing test may not have scored really well but Hawley Bennett rode Gin n’Juice through an unbelievably tactful test. Ginny was ready to blow but Hawley kept a lid on it. Buck came through with a really good test that scored somewhat differently than I had expected. I wanted dressage whips to be legal in the ring for Buck today because I feel like he needed a whip to remind the Apprentice to stay in front of his leg. Michael Pollard put in an absolutely fantastic test to show the world what poetry in motion really looks like. The pair was exquisite and In first place going into cross country.
The training three day had some very good tests. Lindsey Weaver and Sintra lead the competitive T3D. The pair had a lovely test deservedly of first place. The rest of the scores are extremely tight meaning tomorrow’s speed and endurance phase could make it anyone’s game.
Cross country is a new day!
Good luck and go eventing!!
