5What a way to finish the season.....
With the last 2021 5* competition this weekend in France I reflect on my season which finished at Osberton - it was Fantastic to have 2 FOD's to finish the season with Ballycoog Breaker Boy and The Dominator gave me 110% all week at Osberton and worked with me every step of the way. They were rewarded with a 4th (in the 3*L) and 2nd (in the 2*L) at Osberton.
A huge thank you to Michael Hewlett for looking after them so well and for doing all my trot ups for me. ( I was still recovering from my fall at Blenheim!) Also, for his care of the horses and the support through out the season.
William started the week with a Thursday dressage which I was really chuffed with as he was relaxed and rideable and for me it was a better performance than at Blenheim. I was very disappointed with his mark as I didn't feel it reflected the work he did. However, Dressage is very subjective so it obviously wasn't what the judges were looking for.
William was lucky to have the best of the weather, as the forecast was very bad for the afternoon. They had reduced the course by 1 minute so they could get as many horses cross country before the weather came in. He gave me a very good ride, very straight and honest, as usual. Although we did have one hairy moment when my air jacket went off as I leant too far back at a big drop and the new lanyard got over stretched!! This momentarily winded me but luckily the air pressure reduced over time. Clear Inside the time.
William never wants to touch the SJ fences although he is economical over them!!! He jumped better than at Blenheim and achieved the clear that I wanted which moved us from 11th to 4th.
He has been very consistent this season - I am really pleased with him and looking forward to competing in the 4*L next season. We are looking for owners to join us on this journey and be part of the Will Rawlin Eventing Team.
Dom - We knew he was capable of this result as he seems to have come on so much recently. He very much did his best dressage performance, working with me from start to finish and trying really hard.
I was slightly apprehensive about the cross country as he can loose confidence and shrink within himself. Despite the really bad weather conditions he was in his element and had his ears pricked from start to finish. I was so pleased with him when crossed the finish line - clear inside the time.
After XC we were lying 4th.
No pressure then for the show jumping!!! This was by far his best round, feeling supple and rideable and he felt really confident in himself. A fantastic clear finishing with a well deserved 2nd place. It's great to be on the podium in such a competitive sport. I'm super pleased for Parkfield Breeding as I know how much they put into this and all their horses. As a team we know this is the start of what he will achieve in the future.
A big thank you to all the volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year - particularly all those who got soaked through in the down pour on Saturday afternoon at Osberton.
Look out for membership opportunities, winter training clinics, and ownership options in Ballycoog Breaker Boy.
A big thank you to the whole team for their tireless input into keeping myself and the horses on the road - we have a very special team and I am hugely grateful to each and everyone of you.
The season was full of ups and downs, as always, but overall it was a good season giving us so much hope for 2022 and beyond and with some new horses coming in we will certainly be busy.
Roll on next season.
