Kate headed Barbury this weekend to contest the CCI-3*S with HHS Dassett Class and MBF Dassett Legacy, who both put in great performances at this prestigious event, and Call Me Dassett in the CCI-S4*. It was all systems go with both of Kate’s children coming along, meaning the team was not travelling light! New baby, Finn, was suitably impressed by the evening’s choice of beverage and Ella was beyond delighted with the milkshakes on offer at the stables, as the photos show! Lauren was joining Kate for the weekend and Kate was delighted to have Lauren’s expertise on hand for the busy schedule, with all three horses completing all their jumping phases within several hours on Saturday afternoon….
Call Me Dassett (Cas) was a bit naughty in his dressage! Kate was relived to come away with a score of 37 – some bits must have scored well to make up for the ‘extra moves’! A rail fell in the double and treble in the jumping arena, but otherwise Cas jumped a cracking round. Sadly the cross country wasn’t to be today, as Cas took exception to the bright blue water and rather than jumping over the rail into the water, he slipped his front feet down between the rail and the edge of the bank, making another attempt none existent and Kate retired. Water fences have always been this talented horse’s ‘boogy’ fence – we will have to see what else we can do to get him a bit braver.
HHS Dassett Class (Matt) was the star of the show, placing 13th and in the money, in the large and competitive section. He started with a lovely dressage test of 29, and then jumped a foot-perfect showjumping round over an influential track, showing all of his ability and scope. On the cross country he looked like an absolute machine, and made nothing of the touch 3* course to jump a fantastic clear, just adding a few time penalties which dropped him down the placings. His lack of runs recently due to a stone bruise meant Kate was cautious with his fitness, but she need not of worried, as he actually flew over the finish line! He seems more than ready to tackle the Dassett Eventing 8/9YO Advanced at Aston in a few weeks and is well on track for Blenheim 8/9YO CCI-S4* this autumn.
MBF Dassett Legacy (Zam) also did a great dressage test to score 31, and then jumped some brilliant rounds. A little miscommunication in the air over a fence meant Zam dropped a hind toe on a rail, but otherwise wasn’t close to a pole. Kate took him slowly on the cross country as their partnership continues to develop, but he jumped an easy clear. This horse has so much scope and is finding his prep runs at this level incredibly straightforward, so he and Kate are sure to be very competitive in the near future.
The team at Barbury had done a superb job with the course this year on by far the best ground we have seen at Barbury, and it was fantastic to run with spectators in such beautiful surroundings. We are sure to be back again next year!
