In just a few years Cornbury has firmly established itself as a ‘destination’ event and has already become a victim of its own popularity when over 70 horses had to be balloted from the Intermediate and OI sections. Tim had 10 entered but had that taken down to 7 rides and in order to get the 7 horses in he is competing at Cornbury from Wednesday through to Sunday!
Last year we basked in plus 30 degrees sunshine, this year we shivered in temps that struggled to get out of single digits. Tim and Garcon (Tibo) had done their 3 star dressage yesterday on Wednesday and had done smart test to score 28.9 and sit in 3rd spot overnight in one of three huge sections. Tibo jumped a lovely round in the big main arena for just a single pole before finding the cross country much to his liking and cruised around for 11.6 time for eventual 14th spot. Tibo heads to Lignieres 4*Short next so it was the perfect set up run for him.
Jonelle had her two 6 year olds in the 2*Short section and both Faerie Good Golly and Faerie Usain (Maude) enjoyed their first experience of a big dressage arena. Jonelle discovered last week that Maude has fairly strong opinions about the rein back and stepping softly backwards is not an option at this point. Jonelle is fairly sure she probably got a zero for that movement but she was pretty pleased with the rest of the work and she was happy with Golly’s first foray into an FEI dressage area as well. They are in different sections but neither judge particularly agreed with Jonelle and they sit on 36.4 and 35.8 respectively.
There is a specific 6 year old 2*S class at Cornbury but as it is a Championship it runs over three days with the showjumping on the last day. Jonelle had no objections to this format but didn’t fancy being at Cornbury from Thursday through til Sunday! So both horses are in sections with horses that probably have considerably more experience than either Maude or Golly.
Tim has The Highlander (Ivar) in the 2*S as well and he sits on 28.2 and in second spot in his section and it just shows what another year in experience means! All the 2 star horses come back to do their jumping phases on Friday.
Senor Crocodillo (Diego) was Jonelle’s OI ride and she hacked up to the top arenas through the deer park for his dressage in the afternoon sunshine that was peppered with sharp showers and a biting easterly wind. Diego is very reliable on the flat and he produced a lovely test for 26.4. He followed that up with a classy showjumping round and then skipped around the intermediate cross country much enjoying the fabulous going and the flowing track for eventual 4th spot with 5.2 time.
Tim had two classy OI rides with Jarillo (Milo) and Falco having his first run back from Paris. Both horses were on flying form and they are both smart on the flat and great jumpers. Milo scored a 24.6 to lead his section and Falco a 24.1 to lie second in his behind Ollie Townend and Ballaghmor Class on 20.9. Milo survived the busy showjumping warm up and was mightily relieved to enter the spacious main arena and to have it all to himself. He jumped an immaculate clear and it was no surprise to see Falco do the same. It’s a fun and busy atmosphere around the showjumping with the generous owners hospitality tent sited on the bank above and it’s quite an eyeful for the young horses but Falco must have found the whole thing quite agricultural after Versailles!
Tim found himself at the head of affairs in both classes when Ballaghmor Class tipped a rail. Cornbury have a very strong social media presence and when Tim heard that winners of classes at Cornbury not only get some generous prize money but also win the combined weight of themselves and their groom in Hawkstone Beer it spiked his interest! Tim’s usual Modus Operandi at one days is to saunter around enjoying the scenery but with perfect ground and both of these horses heading for Autumn 5 stars he decided he may, with the possible incentive of the beer, let the handbrake off on the boys today. Both Milo and Falco throughly enjoyed their runs and they both nailed the optimum time to win their sections. Since they beat prolific one day winners Ballaghmor Class and Laura Collett’s Dacapo I am sure that both Ollie and Laura would have been fairly certain of the Hawkstone Beer themselves!
Chief of Staff Kerryn Edmans is nothing if not a great sport and I am sure Tim will do some sharing as she accompanied Tim up to the top for the weigh in which is just about as UNPC you can get in 2024 and so typically Jeremy Clarkson with his trademark disregard for woke sentiments. Much fun was had by all and it was a super end to a great day.
Photo credit Rachel Good: Tim and Kez win their combined body weight in beer!
