Well the 2012 season has started and lovely to kick it off with a winner.  Wasting Light (Archie) did a faultless job to finish in 1st place in the pre-novice.  Not bad for a 5 year old doing his first ever event.

He really is a lovely stamp of horse with a super attitude and lots of talent.  He is owned by John Forde who also owned Miss AJ and is one to watch this year.   We will be careful not to ask much of him as he is a baby and still growing but will probably try and aim at the 5 year old Championships and upgrade to Novice in the Autumn season.  He is an Irish Sport Horse by Ghareeb, out of a Furisto’s Diamond mare going back to Colourfield on the grand-dam and came from Marti Rudd and Moss Doyle outside Enniscorthy as a 4 year old.

Vaguely North (Jimmy) and Paradise Falls (Doug) were also out at Aston-le-Walls and both did lovely double clears.  Jimmy was especially excited to be out and I spent most of my day trying to curb his enthusiasm. The last dressage test we did was an Advanced Medium with 6 flying changes so he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t allowed do them, and why on earth I was in rising trot.  Next stop Tweseldown Open Intermediate – I can’t wait. After picking up his unfortunate bang at Badminton last year I really missed competing him and feel so lucky to be out again.  Fingers crossed all goes to plan for Badminton 2012!

Paradise Falls was also doing his first ever event although at 7 he has previously show-jumped in Ireland.  He was superb cross-country and gave a fab feel.  I’m very excited about him.  His dressage will take time to establish as its all new to him but he moves beautifully and has unbelievable sharpness and scope in his jump.  He’s also going to Tweseldown along with Jimmy and Archie.

Very exciting news from Ballindenisk is that Ireland have qualified a team for the Olympics and what a relief.  I was there on foot to cheer everyone on as I would have been a hindrance rather than a help had I gained points.  It was a tense weekend not knowing how many slots had been secured but a huge thank you to the Fell family for all their effort in putting the event on as well as Horse Sport Ireland and everyone involved in what was a huge team effort.  Now full steam ahead for London and fingers crossed Vaguely North or Master Crusoe will be selected!

Trying to put some nice photos of the yard up on the site but every time I get the camera out the sun goes down or the sun comes up but the battery’s dead!  Promise to get it sorted shortly along with some photos of the horses competing.

All the Best

Aoife.