It’s been an extraordinarily intensive summer at Church Farm with a strong team of
5* horses. We’re now almost at the start line of Burghley with an unprecedented five
entries, all fit, sound and ready to run. Those who don’t go to Burghley will make the
exciting trip across the pond to the Maryland 5* next month which is always a real
adventure so it’s by no means a consolation.
To have five horses capable of running round Burghley is a huge achievement. It’s
been years of work and dedication from the team backstage to produce these horses
to this level. They’ve all had a smooth summer of preparatory events and are feeling
confident and prepared. With each having their own bespoke training, it has taken
extreme time and devotion, so huge credit must go to Jess, Molly and the whole home
crew.
Away Cruising and Superstition both did smart tests and jumped double clear in the
4S at Burgham in Northumberland, with Et Hop du Matz following suit in the British Open at Hartpury. Annaghmore Valoner & Cavalier Crystal have both been kept at 3 level since winning Bramham 4L and finishing 3rd at Burghley respectively. This suits them better, they’re both super jumpers and I want them to find everything easy and come into Burghley brimming with confidence. Both the girls have jumped double clear in all their events this summer with some stunning dressage scores. It’s exciting to be stepping up the next generation of horses to 4 level.
Amiro Island and Cooley Anything you Like both had a great trip to Hartpury in the Intermediate Championships (run round an Advanced track) finishing 7th and 8th respectively. They’ll both head to the prestigious 8/9 year old 4*S at Blenheim in a couple of weeks. Below them, the younger horses are feeling superb and have been
very consistent in all their performances.
The consistency from our horses has been shown in the British Eventing Stats Centre at the end of August we have the highest number of Show Jumping clears, and the same for Cross Country. This is across all levels of UK events from all riders of all nationalities!
Harry Meade, September 2024
