WOW WOW WOW !

I can’t thank Feena Machin and Peter Thomas enough for giving me a brilliant opportunity and letting me ride Chance Remark. Blenheim has been our target for the last two years and it was brilliant to have him there in one piece. Feena and Peter have been exceptionally patient this year and I was thrilled that Austen got the result that he thoroughly deserved. Dressage was a little wild but jumping a double clear round a tough course was incredibly exciting and to finish 8th was a dream come true.

It was just a brilliant day and made by my wonderful school friends who came to support. I don’t think Blenheim has ever seen anything quite like the “entourage” but it made my first big win even more special and with Bettina there too, who has given me so much help, winning the CCI***,  it was definitely a weekend to remember!

I came home easily inside the time; but within seconds being told I had missed a fence out. What a b**gger! So furious with myself and absolutely gutted as ‘Chip’ totally deserved to win.

It was then on to Osberton with 6 horses, I’m not sure I had quite realised what I had let myself in for!!  I had always planned for the KBIS Young horse Championships to be the highlight of my season and it was also all of the owners ‘ end-of-year targets as well. It was incredibly exciting to have five, six and seven year olds all qualified as well as John and Judi Thurloe’s Rapide Gii in the CCI**. I had high hopes for all the horses but if you had told me the results at the end of the week I definitely wouldn’t have believed it!!!

I have always massively admired Pippa so for her to comment on my horses was incredibly exciting. The other horses also performed brilliantly with Moonlight Dance S finishing 10th in her first CIC** and Cavatina Tinkerbelle 18th in the CIC*. I am so thrilled for owner/breeders Chris and Viv Prior who made the journey from Wales.

I cannot thank my team enough, who have worked so unbelievably hard this year and made it all possible. I am incredibly fortunate to have amazing support around me from Mum and Dad, Head Girl Janet, Ruth, Dee and Mathew who allow everything to run super smoothly and the horses to look and feel fantastic. My owners and sponsors for their never ending support. It has definitely been the best season to date and a huge thank you to one and all.

Willa x