Jo May Event Rider News

Burghley Preparation

In preparation for Burghley; this weekend Jo won the Foxhunter class at the Hand in Clevedon. She is entered for Gatcombe Open Chamionships at the begining of August or Hartpury CIC*** also in August. Jo is 3rd reserve for the the European Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy in September - if she does go there she won't go to Burghley. Jo is also long listed for the Bejing Olympics next year and is hoping to jump up the list with some good results later this year.

Burnham Market CIC***

9th place.

Sunday 17th June 2007 - Luhmuhlen

Thrilled to bits; 4th place overall.

Saturday 16th June 2007 - Luhmuhlen

Eighth place in the cross country has promoted me to an overall 4th place, which is fantastic. The conditions were quite different from Badminton a few weeks back. Here at Luhmuhlen we have had a lot of rain and there were plenty of worries due to the waterlogged ground but I’m please to say that everything went according to plan. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Friday 15th June 2007 - Luhmuhlen

42.6 points after dressage and 7th place and second Brit behind Ruth Edge.

Thursday 14th June 2007 - Luhmuhlen

A relaxing day today. Up at 8am for a walk around the arena followed by a run through test in preparation for tomorrow. Walked the course with Yogi which was great to have his individual attention. The course is long and windy but seems a nice track. Very hot again today with the threat of rain tonight and tomorrow around midday.

Wednesday 13th June 2007 - Luhmuhlen

Arrived at Luhmuhlen. Very long journey here! Hot rainy and thundery. Trot up went well just before another downpour. Dressage on Friday. Frist look at the cross country course seem good.

Sun 20th May 2007 - Brigstock

After a disappointing Badminton we had a last minute entry into the Advanced Intermediate class at Brigstock. It really was last minute too as we did not hear that we were accepted until the Thursday - 2 days before!!

After a 3.5 hour journey up there (thankfully dressage was not too early!) we performed a leading dressage mark of 27.1 just ahead of Pippa Funnell on Ensign. That was pleasing as we were second to Ensign after the dressage at Blenheim last year.

A walk of the cross-country came next. Amazing to think that we withdrew from Badminton because of the ground and at Brigstock, following a lot of rain the week before, the going was great. The course had some lovely galloping fences and apart from their feature fence, where I decided to take the long route (which most people did), I felt it was educational.

Spex did a lovely clear in the show-jumping which Clayton Frederick's said was down to his Southern Stars saddle I was trying! Or maybe it was down to the trainer - his wife Lucinda!

Instructions from Cinda were to take the long route at the feature fence on the XC (got that right then!) but to not hang around as we were in with a shout for a decent placing.

Spex came home clear with 7.6 time and finished second. As my groom and sister Al said 'it was worth the trip'!

The next few weeks will now be spent working on his fitness again in preparation to leave for Luhmuhlen 4* on Monday 11 June.