First up, Mark Johnson and Yvonne Mott’s two six-year-olds had great runs around Aston-le-Walls’ novice track. My Cool Gold added just a handful of time penalties to a 28.5 dressage score for a top 10 placing. My Forever Blue did a 33 test, rolled a pole and jumped a great cross country round with just a cheeky moment at the first water.
It was then a seven hour drive north to Hopetoun. Jeanette wanted to give the horses a true test of the level, with longer courses and undulations, ahead of their end of season plans – and they all produced the results.
Sally Hayward and Mary MacGregor’s superstar Drumgiven Mr Charisma was an intermediate winner. He did a 27.3 dressage test and jumped a double clear. Molly Jackson and Rupert Neal’s seven-year-old Swhiskey did a great 25.8 test, rolled a couple of poles and jumped clear across country to finish fourth in the same Intermediate section.
Jill Sackett’s six-year-old Primiro jumped double clear in the novice with a 33 test to finish eighth, Fin Millar’s Omard Lady Lot also eighth after a slightly tense test but easy double clear.