Finally! March saw the start of the new eventing season and 'OH' was it busy, with this just being the beginning. The first event was a new venue, Poplar Park and I have to comment 'what a lovely event it is'. I feared like last year the rain leading up to my first event may cancel it but luck was on our side and we got to witness some of the amazing horse and rider combinations that have big aims for 2024 from Badminton to Kentucky to the Paris Olympic games!
(Yasmin Ingham and Banzai Du Loir) (Tom Rowland and Dreamliner)
The following weekend was then a weekend off before the next Sunday was spent up in Lincolnshire. Unfortunately the rain we had in the morning on top of the already muddy ground meant so many of the combinations only completed the dressage phase but for someone that loves a good dressage picture 'It didn't bother me'. It also meant I had time to capture a few spur of the moment shots of my favourite 'Honeybrook Extra Special' who clearly knew what was was meant to be happening after completing her test and walking back to the lorry with a spring in her step but was disappointed when she realised she wasn't going to be doing anymore.
(Honeybrook Extra Special)
It was then meant to be on to 3 days at a venue a bit more closer to home, Cirencester park, however due to the amount of rain they unfortunately cancelled and like many of the horse and rider combinations we re-routed to Tweseldown, which again was another new venue for me and one I actually thoroughly enjoyed. Saturday was a mixture of weather and we even endured 2 hail storms but that didn't dampen our spirts and the favourite was still supported during her dressage test. Other than that the weather was on our side and a great 2 days was had, even having time to walk the course in-between supporting Tom Rowland and his 6 rides.
(Tom Rowland and The Mail Man, Gubby Leech and Royal Harvest, Gemma Tattersall and Chilli's Jester)
Finally the last event in March was 4 days at Thoresby, an absolute iconic venue to have at the beginning of the season. Thursday and Friday was mainly spent in the stunning walled gardens capturing dressage photos of the 4* combinations and occasionally popping out onto cross country to grab a few pics. Saturday was a busy day watching the Advanced and 4* come to a conclusion, with a great back to back win for Emily King and Valmy Biats in the Grantham cup and Tim Price and the gorgeous Jarillo winning the other section. Sunday was a slightly more chilled day just spent doing lots of hill work going from cross country to the top dressage and show jumping arenas.
(Ros Canter and Izilot DHI) (Emily King and Valmy Biats)
(Harry Meade and Et Hop Du Matz) (Tim Price and Jarillo)
It's now into April and this weekends antics have all been cancelled but fingers crossed looking forward to a busy long weekend at Burnham Market next.
Opmerkingen