From Belsay to Bicton, a month on the road brings progress, frustration and a few standout performances, as Jess Rimmer edges closer to that elusive top-level result, while juggling a busy string
Belsay, Bicton and all the in-between … when I say this month has sent us to every corner of the country, I mean it! Following a really positive weekend at Cirencester to kick off the month, we made the mammoth road trip up to Belsay (just north of Newcastle – sorry mum/taxi!) for Basil to compete in the 4. It seemed a bit crazy driving all that way when there was a 4 class just a fortnight later at one of our most local events, but it just happened to work better with Basil’s event plan – and as we all know, there’s nothing we won’t do to make these horses’ lives as good as we can.
If that means trucking to Belsay, then so be it!
Overall we had a really positive weekend, with Basil one of only a handful of clears across country, taking all the direct routes too. I was a bit frustrated with a showjumping round, which was a little sub-par for us, but I know what mistakes I made and hopefully I won’t do it again. We are tantalisingly close to pulling together a really competitive 4* result, which makes me feel both excited and extra determined for our next few runs. Come on Jess (and Baz)!
With Belsay at the beginning of the month, we managed to finish the month at quite literally the other end of the country, in Devon at Bicton International. Bicton is one of my favourite events, so to have both Jimmy and wonderful Blondie there for the week in their 2*L debuts was really special. They both rose to the challenge of their first long-format competitions, with Jimmy jumping a really exciting double clear inside the time, to finish 19th in a section of 70 competitors. I’m so pleased for his owners, the Portman Ladies Syndicate, who have supported him from the very beginning – he is turning out to be really special.
Not to be forgotten, Blondie also jumped a beautiful clear cross-country, and inside the time too. I was chuffed to bits with her performance, as she is still relatively green not just to this level, but to eventing as a whole! She approached the whole event with a smile and a can-do attitude, which is more than I could ever ask for.
Lovely Cleo
On the topic of mares with can-do attitudes, I’d actually like to shift the focus away from our spring international campaigns and give the lovely Cleo (MBF Musical Note) the attention she deserves, especially considering her recent success! Cleo, who is owned by Victoria Davison, is a rising 7-year-old mare whose sire is Jorado, by the prolific stallion Diarado. Her damsire (or her mum’s dad, in layman’s terms) is Ars Vivendi – who, funnily enough, is none other than Basil’s dad! So, that makes her… Basil’s niece? Someone might have to correct me on this… family trees are not my strong point! Anyway. Cleo. What I’m trying to say is that she is a beautiful, kind stamp of a horse who is absolutely bred for modern eventing. She has a captivating expression, and we often nickname her springboard jumping technique as ‘Cleo Airlines’! She has been with us for almost a year now, and I think it’s safe to say she has made some serious progress. Now that she’s decided I’m not just some boring old woman who wants her to go FAR too slowly, and that we do actually go to some pretty fun parties together, she has been unbeatable. Quite literally.
At Moreton Cotswold Cup she jumped a double clear to finish 3rd, improved again to come 2nd in the GO BE90 at Bovington, and then continued on her streak to win the Cotswold Cup 90 at Pontispool just a couple of weeks ago. We then stepped her up to the GO BE100 at Tweseldown last weekend – and the clever girl picked up a win there too, leading from beginning to end on a 24 dressage.
It’s been so rewarding to work with such a talented little horse who is fast becoming an absolute joy to work with – they say a good partnership with a mare beats any gelding, and I’m starting to see where they get that from!
Go Max go
I don’t think I can wrap up my May report without giving Max a mention! Poor Max – he’s been SUCH a good boy this month and I’ve just waffled on and on about the other horses! Following his exciting step up to Intermediate at Burnham Market, he has absolutely risen to the challenge in the most spectacular fashion, finishing 4th in the Intermediate at Cirencester and 4th again in the Intermediate at Tweseldown. We have all been seriously impressed with him, and I’m thrilled for his owners, Peter and Sue Andrews, for the wonderful horse he is turning out to be. I wonder if we can get him on a Cleo-type trajectory for his next few runs … No pressure, Max!
Overall, it’s been a really busy but fun, educational month (and I haven’t even had time to discuss the Bicton social scene – we’ll have to leave that one for another time…).
We’re now actually enjoying a few days of quiet (she says, having just unpacked from Bicton, repacked, and then spent the day at U25 Howden Way Performance Training), before we pick back up towards our June aims.
See you on the other side!
