Monday 18th of September 2023
Willa Newton

Willa Dodges The Weather

Champions Dynamo

“With the season well under way now we seem to have had a positive start with all the horses seemingly in good form. It has to be said that the red rosette seems to be lacking, let’s hope it’s coming our way soon!

Norfolk seems to have been the way forward!  I have been super lucky to have had some great ground and until last weekend no cancellations!  Burnham market has been the best weekend so far where we finished with two fourths and a second!  John and Judi Thurloe’s  Rapids Gii has hugely benefited from a winter of dressage work being placed in both his first competitions and second in only his second ever intermediate.

Not to be out done Cavatina Tinkerbelle (Bella) was second in her second ever event at Norton Disney. We thought we had got the first win, but sadly we finished on the same score of the leader but I was just a little too speedy!!

We were victims of the cancellation of Belton but you could only feel sorry for poor Stuart and Anna Buntine after all their efforts and hard work.  It’s been nightmare weather –  snow is surely not allowed in April!

 

Caja 20 © https://www.an-eventful-life.com.au/

Caja 20 © https://www.an-eventful-life.com.au/

Luckily I had entries for this coming weekend at Kelsall and Solihull, where we had a busy weekend with 7 horses out over two days. Neelix and Chance Remark were having their first runs of the season: Neelix finished 5th with a great double clear while Austen couldn’t contain his excitement. Caja 20 was doing her first AI , and I was thrilled with her solid performance and how confident she felt to finish 4th. Champions Dynamo meanwhile also stepped up to intermediate to finish 6th.

After, Kelsall, it was a quick turn around on to Solihull, where I was really pleased that the young horses excelled themselves to finish 4th, 8th and 10th! 

I can’t believe Badminton is soon to be upon us! I am very sad that I don’t have a horse ready for it this year.  It has always been a dream of mine to go there, but hopefully next year we will have a chance to give everyone a run for their money.  However,  I am very excited to be going to watch and walking some pony club members around the course on the Sunday. The Pony Club definitely kick started my eventing career and it means a lot to give something back!

 

© Julia Sherwood Photography

Newmarket Vasco One © Julia Sherwood Photography

 

While we have had some great results and some excitements to look forward to it has also been a terribly sad month. We lost a dear friend and a great partner in Newmarket Vasco One (Sully) and Hall Farm seems very quiet without him. He was one in a million and I feel so very lucky to have been able to ride him after my sister Chloe and I will never forget the ride he gave me at Burghley, a truly special horse.”

Until next time, Willa

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