Normal Pau weather resumed today for the jog as it was cold but dry and the sun shone on the afternoon jumping session which was a very welcome sight after the deluge of yesterday.
Jarillo (Milo) bounced through the jog this morning as a 10 year old 5 star first timer should do, but testament to him that his weary legs were rejuvenated overnight and he had lost none of his zest this morning as he went down his runway on springs looking like the supermodel that he is.
Some great rounds and some disappointing rounds from the 56 that went forward to the jumping but when Milo cantered in in 10th spot there was plenty to play for. Tim and Milo jumped their usual immaculate round and left all the poles in their cups and it was a fairytale finish for a horse that tries so hard in very single phase. There were some very good combinations ahead and it was just Ollie Townend and Cooley. Rosalent that dropped 2 rails to leave room for Milo to move up to 9th spot and a hugely credible end of season finish with his debut at 5 star.
You wouldn’t have picked Pau this year for the warmblood Milo had you had a crystal ball but for the eventual winner, Caroline Harris and D day, it was a heaven sent opportunity. D Day is 80% blood ( Milo is 38%) and he galloped like a trooper yesterday and still jumped clear today to take the win. It’s always good to see an unexpected winner and congratulations to Caroline on a great job.
As the curtain comes down on the 2024 season we see much to look forward to next year and it is wild to think that it literally starts tomorrow with the first batch of horses that finished earlier coming back into work tomorrow. Jonelle saids yesterday that the last 2 weeks of October are the only time of the year when you cannot find a single horse to ride if you are not at Maryland, Le Lion or Pau and that she puts her jods back on on Monday morning.
Tim meanwhile is heading to Australia to front up the Eventing Masterclass at Equitana on 14th November which he is very much looking forward to. I cannot think of a better man to entertain the crowds.
And our season finalé cover photo is thanks to Kerryn Edmans and a final (maybe!) farewell to her for everything she has done for Team Price. Kez finishes up this weekend for 2024 but she said in 2023 she was going home so who knows if we will still be lucky enough to be pasting photos of her in our blog in 2025? You wouldn’t bet against it!