Vilamoura Champions Tour Week 2

We gave the horses a little jump on Monday, and they all felt good, but the weather forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday was rain. Rain in this part of the world is always a big deal - it rains as if someone turned the taps on full blast and just walked away.

The forecast was spot on. It started raining on Monday evening and by Tuesday morning the show ground was under water. I walked the course for Khalissy and the ground in the main arena was soggy, but the jumps are not big for her, she is brave and scopey, and at her age she has to learn to go in all types of going. She jumped a lovely round to finish equal first for the second week running.

Heidi was next to go. She was in the second ring where the going is a bit harder, but when Heidi went thé ring was completely under water. I was meant to be 21st go, but the 20 before me withdrew, so I ended up first to go. Heidi was absolutely amazing and sprang round for a clear to finish 11th. I didn’t turn her tightly as I felt she really needed to have a clear view of what she needed to do.

The weather cleared up a bit after Heidi had jumped and so I walked Askeaton’s course, which I thought was big and technical, but the ground in the main arena had dried up well. She warmed up well, but just as I went into the ring the heavens opened. The rider before me retired and Askeaton had the first fence down and felt seriously not up for it so I retired her after four fences. A serious day for MacWet Gloves - a fresh pair for each round - they never, ever slip or get saturated whatever the weather.

On Wednesday Heidi jumped a very calm round but had four fences down which is most unlike her, so I think her efforts the previous day had taken their toll. I jumped Askeaton HC in the six year olds for a confidence giving round which was spot on, leaving me feeling confident to step back up to the seven year olds the next day. Khalissy jumped a nice enough round on the grass for one fence, but I am pleased with the way she’s going.

On Thursday Askeaton jumped a lovely round in the seven year olds. I made a whopping miss to the second last in the jump-off but she felt more like herself. I had decided to step her down for week three, but with some help from Shane changed my mind to leave her in the seven year olds. 24 hours of reorganising and re-reorganising: trip home, hire car, apartment, etc.

Heidi jumped well in the six year olds for eight faults in the jump-off - both probably my fault! Khalissy then jumped a good round in the five year olds for a minor placing.

April is meant to have the day off on Friday. But she woke early and very kindly fed and mucked out and I took over from there. I had a nice day hacking the horses and watching good showjumping. The 4* classes at the weekend culminated in the 4* Grand Prix, an absolutely fantastic class with only 7 first round clears. It was won by Titouan Schumacher with David Simpson a very exciting 2nd on Foudre F. It’s always fun supporting good friends, and I have also known Foudre since he came to Breen Equestrian as a 5 year old.

Another good week for the horses. I feel they are all progressing and have all been settled and well here. It’s been lovely having April here caring for them, turning them out beautifully and making life easy for me. It makes a huge difference to competing when everything else is super relaxed.

As always many thanks to April and to Trevor for being at the end of the phone, even when I changed my mind twice! Also thanks to Saracen Horse Feeds who have had to reassure everyone about the Zilpaterol feed contamination. As always calm, reassuring and super helpful. Thank you to Premier Performance CZ, MacWet Gloves, Just Equine and Worldwide Tack also.