The most unusual thing ever in the UK, a May Bank Holiday with record breaking temperatures and wall to wall blue skies. Hot, hot hot at Tweseldown but the crew there had done their utmost to ensure the ground was as good as it could be and there was plenty of water at the finish of the cross country to aid in cooling the horses.
Big shout out to Tweseldown for being so helpful in allowing Tim to add 4 horses into the Sunday when he was trying to replan his season after Badminton. Centari (Carter) has just had the one start with Tim at Larkhill and he ran another novice (HC) and impressed everyone again with a 28.5 and a double clear. Carter has “The Future” stamped all over him and Tim is looking forward to stepping him up on his next run.
Royal Jump bound Jarillo (Milo) and Gloire de Marchenval (Louis) found themselves a little bemused to be in novice sections, again HC and they both enjoyed a spin for dressage in the 20’s and double clears. They will be even more surprised to find themselves heading off on a ferry on Monday night but, hey ho, that’s what re planning is all about.
New boy on the block Ringostar M had his first start in the UK having been imported ( eventually) from France in the winter. The start was not auspicious….his passport was missing, the transporter left France without him but, a bit like Paddington Bear, he did eventually arrive at Chedington and what a gorgeous youngster he has turned out to be. A 29.5 and a double clear for 12th spot saw him slide into everyones hearts and a great career ahead of him.
Bank holiday Monday saw temps soaring again into 30 degrees at least and it was the advanced horses Garcon (Tibo), Happy Boy and The Highlander (Ivar) that found themselves on their second outing of the season, courtesy of a certain accident in North Holland. Ivar had Oasby and Barbury under his belt, Tibo had a Barbury win and a 2 phase in North Holland and Happy, who has found Tweseldown something of a nemisis over the years ( well, namely the coffin) found himself back at the venue where he last started at the beginning of March before sauntering around Barbary Castle.
Happy obviously felt that he now had something to prove at Tweseldown and he thought he had put all that to bed with his outstanding performance at Pau 5 star last Autumn. He scored a 25.5 on the flat, jumped a beautiful showjump round and cantered around the track with 14 time which, I am sure he would like me to point out, was Tim’s choice and not his. I say this because Ivar scored a 25 on the flat, show jumped clear and then was allowed just 4.4 time to take the win in his section. Happy can rest easy…. 5 star horses rarely win at the one days in Team Price scenarios but Ivar is still learning the ropes at the big time and this is the better prep for him with what comes next on his agenda.
Meanwhile Tibo was doing his best with a 31 dressage, an unfortunate pole and then got awarded 56 time cross country in a situation which was totally outside of his control! Tim’s last ride of the day coincided with Harry Meade’s last ride of the day, aptly named “If in doubt”. Clearly there was some insecurity issues as If in Doubt deposited Harry on the ground at fence 5 which meant he ( the horse) crossed paths with Tim and Tibo. Ever helpful, Tim stopped and helped Harry catch his Doubter and then was informed by the fence judges that they hadn’t taken Tim’s stop time as he hadn’t actually stopped at a stopping point but just randomly mid track. Tim assured them he was not running for time anyway so having reunited Harry with his horse, cantered on and Tibo has to suffer the indignity of having been awarded 56 time faults.
Not to mention that I assume the RSPCA may be in touch as it looks like Tim kept Tibo out on track for 8 minutes in the scorching sun!
Photo credits Rachel Good
Shade seeking at the SJ warm up on Sunday, Miles, Lily Good and Louella
