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Monday 24 January 2011 6:52
Marchington

Well yesterday was the turn off the older horses again and thankfully they were a little calmer this time. We started with the 1.05 for Lord Castell and Avola-they finished 4th and 5th which was a good start as Avola has never jumped there before and being a big mare in a tight space with spooky fillers we felt she had a brilliant attitude and there seemed no point with entering the Newcomers as she had such a smooth round nothing more could be achieved. Lord Castell was having his first go round a Foxhunter and we felt as he ahd been so fresh it was sensible to let him have a look around the arena first but as they are not very fit yet 1.05 seemed better than 1.15 as he didnt need to put too much effort in! We then had Zatina and Bentley in the newcomers- this was only Bentley's second time in this class the first time was in november so to go straight in was good and he just had 4 faults at a set of planks on a distance that seemed to ride a little awkward all day. Zatina put in her usual exhuberant performance and came 3rd that's her 3rd 3rd in the 4 newcomers she has jumped!! Carl took Ursula and Domino in the 1.15 as a warm up for the B and C. Ursula had 4 faults and Domino won the class-Carl said he wouldn't go fast just practise turns but the mare manages to keep such tight lines and never wastes a moment in the air so he actually managed a very good win!! We took Ulrich, Applebee and Lord Castell in the Foxhunter. Lord Castell had four faults but jumped a very smooth round so we were pleased and that probabaly means he wont now touch a pole for several shows- as last season he managed 27 consecutive rounds without touching a fence!!!! Applebee and Ulrich both jumped clear but faulted in the jump off- their lack of shows recently had left them distinctly rusty at jump off turns!! Especially as it was a hotly contested jump off to gain the 8 Blue Chip spaces but Sue Snow built a good track and ultimatley had 8 double clears for the 8 places! Ursula and Domino both had a run around the 1.30 but both faulted it was perhaps a show too soon to step them up and maybe a 1.20 or 1.25 for first time would have suited better then they would have only jumped the one class. Then they are older horses and we knew we wouldn't upset them so they are ready for more next time out.