Katherine – Season so far
Barbara enjoying walking the course
Katherine – Season so far:
The event season is well and truly underway! My first event (well kind of) was at Isleham (first weekend of March) with the boys, but it didn’t go to plan due to awful weather and conditions!We did the dressage and then withdrew as the ground was dreadful! But Barabara the Pug (my dog) enjoyed the trip out and had fun walking the course!
Leo on his way to 25.5 to lead the section!
Next up was Poplar Park with both boys in the BE Open Novice (last minute entry meant both were put in the Open) which went much better! Leo was in the lead after dressage with 25.3 and Romeo close on his heels with 25.5 in second! Romeo went on to jump a beautiful double clear which I was over the moon with, but went steady XC as it was his first run of the season so no placings. Leo had two very unfortunate poles down in the show jumping but went on to do a very classy clear XC, but we took it steady too. I was very pleased with how the both performed! Video from Poplar Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__VZvyqBLw
Romeo flying over the second fence on the XC at Poplar Park!
Leo giving the third fence some air!
Romeo dressage at Lincoln, 29.5
At the end of March I took Romeo to Lincoln ONU18 which was our final run before Weston Park Junior Trial. Romeo was on fire doing a decent dressage of 29.5 putting us in second after that phase, one down in the showjumping which was completely my fault – sack the jockey! And a fast clear XC in the time which meant overall we came 4th in a very tough section! This was the perfect run before tackling an Intermediate! Video from lincoln: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTKV66LE8Wg
Romeo jumping the duck before the water at Lincoln!
Leo Burnham Market SJ
The first weekend of April, Leo was at Burnham Market ONU18, he did a good test to leave us in the top 5 after that phase with 29.3, annoyingly we had the last fence down in the showjumping and then a super clear XC, but went steady as he’s still inexperienced at this level, this was his 3rd BENovice! Here is a link to our full XC round: https://www.facebook.com/katherinecrosseventing/videos/1060173750695602/
Leo jumping into the water very boldly!
Another shot of Barbara enjoying a course walk, this time round Weston Park Intermediate!
Now we get to the part of the beginning of the season where the weather played havoc with it! My next two events were abandoned or cancelled! Weston Park Junior Trial (OIU21) was abandoned after dressage, it was just so so wet with a huge shower just before the showjumping started.. i got soaked through!! And Hambledeon ONU18 for Leo was canceled due to a huge downpour the night before, we traveled there the night before and had to listen to rain all night long :/
Leo in his stable at a very wet Hambleden!
Romeo dressage at Withington OIU21 in the FEI 1* B test
Romeo was next out at Withington Manor Junior Trial at the end of April/beginning of May, this was a big event for us! We started of by posting a very good dressage of 30.1 which left us in the top few! The showjumping was very upto height and a technical course which was causing a lot of problems. The nerves got the better of me which resulted in three down in the first part of the course, the second half went a lot smoother once I got myself together and Romeo jumped so well! The XC was very full up and technical – it was huge!! Romeo was incredible on the first two thirds of the course, flying through very difficult combinations! 6 fences from home we had a horse fall at an open ditch palisade, I don’t know what happened and it was a freak accident. Thankfully both Romeo and myself are fine and getting ready for Chatsworth CIC* this month. We are very fortunate to come out of it so lightly it could have been so much worse.
Romeo in the showjumping round a very big Withington OIU21!
Romeo XC at Withington OIU21
Leo flying over the last in the showjumping at Broadway ONU18.
My most recent event was Broadway with Leo in the ONU18. We went to Broadway last Ocotber for Leo’s first run at Novice, he went double clear! We were competing on Sunday the 8th May, one of the hottest days we’ve had this year .. it was 25°!! Leo coped well in the heat to produce a dressage of 29.8 leaving us in the top few, he then went onto do a faultless and classy clear in the showjumping. XC I thought I’d take him up a gear as he’s been going so well, and boy did he perform! He stormed round the track so well and picked up only 2.8 time penalties round a course that was proving to be hard to get the time! And to top off his amazing performance we won!! So pleased with how he went and I can’t wait for the rest of the season with him!
Leo over the barrels in the water at Broadway on his way to take the win!
My next few events coming up are Chatsworth CIC* with Romeo and then Rockingham CIC* with Leo.. his first 1* and Romeo is also at Rockingham in the Open Intermediate. Fingers crossed for some good runs! Romeo is fine after our fall at Withington and we have had a few lessons and he is all set for Chatsworth!
