Just Jonelle flying the flag today first up at local venue Chard (alongside various working students) with two in the 100 Open after 24 hours of tumultuous rain that whilst being much needed, came as quite the surprise.
J’Orange (Daisy) hasn’t had a start in 2024 due to an ill timed and frustratingly complicated splint bone knock that occurred just prior to Barbury Castle in March and has taken forever to come right. Brookfield Royale Love (Edward) is a new 5 year old to the team and has one novice start under his belt with Brookfield producer Sophie Callard so they were both in the 100 open section.
With an 8am dressage Jonelle departed early and one can only imagine Tim’s delight at a lie in at home with Abel and Otis. The rain yesterday had been somewhat biblical but the morning dawned bright and sunny and with both horses forecasted to be done by 11 Jonelle was hopeful of avoiding the afternoon rain.
Ans so she did with Edward fulfilling all expectations for a 28.5 test and finishing on that for 3rd spot behind the leader on 28. Welcome to the team Edward and what a cool start.
Daisy meanwhile, having exceeded all expectations to score a 29 in the dressage after some 10 months out of competition, show jumped an immaculate clear and then, as Jonelle put it, inexplicably put in a stop cross country at a rail before a drop to add 20 to her score. Jonelle then backed that up by describing it as ” Daisy executing her right as a chestnut mare to have the last say in a totally unnecessary discussion “.
To the rest of us: Daisy 1, Jonelle 0.
Gotta love a feisty girl right?!