Twas the night before Burghley

The lorry is spotless, the trunks packed, a variety of trot up outfit options hanging about the house, our passes are sitting on the kitchen table, we are ready!

We leave the yard at 8am tomorrow morning, arriving in good time to set up camp.

The past week has been filled with lots of “oh before I forget” and “what else do we need?” moments. Inevitably this had led to a new BBQ (Brayden is very excited) and an e-bike (ready to tackle the 6500+m of cross country until I know it like the back of my hand!)

We’ve done all we can in terms of our preparation to this point. The boys had an awesome final run around Hartpury in the British Open (considered one of the toughest short-format runs on the circuit), and we’ve managed to squeeze in some final SJ practice this week at Hickstead.

The next few days we will be focussing on “programming” our test movements – all the finer details that come together in the last few days to polish off what we already know. Although I have to say that Bertie and I will be more focusing on getting from A to B in a fairly orderly fashion rather than worrying about too much polishing.

We’ve watched the cross country preview which inspired our final jump training sessions – setting up a few corners in the arena since there looks to be a fair few tough corner angles on the track this year!

I have been reminiscing on 2019 Burghley – our first big UK event, creating memories we have treasured together with Rui and owners the Quigley family. What a thrill it was doing that leaf pit for the first time!

Turns out Mum and Dad have also been reminiscing and last week I got a surprise call to say that they had booked flights to come over for the next three weeks – what a treat!

Last month we broke into the top 10 in the World in the FEI Rider Rankings, a huge achievement for our team and a real reflection of the great season we’ve been having.

The goal is to carry on that good form to our final target events for the year, and it is a pretty exciting run I have to say!

Burghley – Bertie & Charlie CCI5*L

Cornbury – Quantas, Luca, Malibu final 3*S preparation runs before Blenheim, Weppy in the 3*S and Kitty in the 2*S

Blenheim – Quantas, Luca & Malibu in the CCI4*S 8/9yr Championship (plus Kaitlyn and Viv tackle their first 4*!)

Break week

Strezgom – Darcy, Luca & Lexi (with Kelli) in the CCI4*L and Kitty in the CCI2*L

Boekelo – Quantas in the CCI4*L

Break week - For the first time in a long time I won’t have a horse for Le Lion which is very sad indeed! I obviously haven’t done enough shopping in the past 12 months!

Pau – Sooty in the CCI5*L

As of right now we currently have x7 advanced horses on our team, x9 if you include the two that Kelli is riding (and with Viv entered for her first 4* that makes 10)!! Fantastic to have such a strong upper-level squad across all 3 riders.

And so, we start our Autumn campaign with the biggest event of the year!

We kick on