Super Summer

As we start to come to terms with the fact that 'winter is coming' it is always good to pause for thought on what an incredible Summer we've had!

Barbury marks the start of Summer in the eventing world and it also marked the return of Sir Charles.  After his post Badminton mini break he'd been itching to get back out.  He certainly picked up where he left off with a super double clear in the CCI** to finish 9th in a very hot section.  It is always good to have the main man back out competing, he really does love it!

July to September always seems to be busy with events coming thick and fast and this season was no different.

It was a quick turn around after Barbury and onto Upton House and Stafford in quick succession before heading off to Aston-Le-Walls and Little Downham in the same weekend.  It was a rather successful weekend however!

This time it was the girls time to shine.  Jess flicked her toes and then picked them up to finish 9th in the Advanced and little Miss Ruby came 3rd in only her 2nd Intermediate! A super dressage of 30 and a double clear with just 2 time faults earned her her frilly .  Next stop Little Downham and Sky (ridden by Imogen for a whole 2 weeks) scored a record breaking 14.3 - a personal best and a best ever finishing score for the event!  She took the win with a comfortable 4 point margin, with Scarlett and Avocado in 3rd on 18.8!

Super Sky kept up the pace at Frickley Park as well, this time in the BE100+, finishing on her 23.5 dressage to win by 7 marks, over Ros Canter in 2nd!  She's a mare with a very exciting future ahead of her!

With August came the Team GBR call up - Imogen had been so close to Team GBR duties when she was younger but it was never meant to be.  The call up to the senior team is something quite special, a mark of recognition for the hard work we all put in.

A long trip to France for Le Pin Au Haras wasn't without its drama.  The travelling in convoy idea may have fallen apart slightly when 'the kids' and 'the adults' became separated when only the horsebox was allowed on the first boat.  So off they set, into France, all on their own and in charge of the precious cargo of horsebox and horses!  Mummy Murray was only having mild palpitations sat on the dock back in England!  With the aid of 'Find my iPhone' and a fair amount of phone calls, everyone safely negotiated the French leg of the journey to be reunited in France.

And what a trip to France it was! Sir Charles raised his game yet again to LEAD, yes lead the British Team to a Silver medal. 10th place over all left Imogen and Charles as the highest placed British team pair.  Ruby made the trip across the channel as well, to compete in only her 3rd 1*.  She really is a mare in fantastic form - a 3rd and a 5th in her first two internationals, she continued this form in France.  Finishing on her 44.4 dressage left her in 5th place and yet again the leading British combination!

Skipping forward slightly and omitting to mention a certain event at the beginning of September...Burnham Market was a trip to the North Norfolk coast with 4 in the Novice/Open Novice.

Super Sky continued her run of form (she also picked up 4th at Keysoe Novice) to finish 8th in her 2nd Novice.  We powered the pony up for a 7th on 33.3 with Petal and Vince enjoyed a day having a fun run around the ON to finish 6th on his 33 dressage!

A successful Summer for M.S. Team Eventing...but the fun certainly didn't stop there!