Walking the cross country course at Harden
A traditionally frosty Saturday morning at Harden Horse Trials one-day event turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day for competing. Other than being known for being cold, Harden is known for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The committee (with several original members) have been running the competition for 28 years and even the cross-country course has good history, with the notorious sky jump being one of the original jumps still being used today.
Canteen workers, including Noel from the Harden Gun Club
The awesome Gun Club crew make a great steak, bacon and egg sandwich in the canteen and are always very jolly serving - maybe thanks to the odd beer in the back of the fridge!
On Saturday the dressage for all classes were held from encourager through to CNC* and the showjumping for encourager, newcomers, introductory and preliminary were also completed.
The Greenwich cross-country course has nothing compared to the hills at Harden!
Nat Blundell (one of our bloggers) and Girl with a Curl are winning the CNC* with Megan Bryant placed second on Talingar Cavalier. The pre-novice leader is Maia Guppy-Hall (another blogger) on Positano, followed by Nat Blundell again on My Aladdin. The preliminary class is currently being led by Hunter Doherty on his Raise a Stanza gelding Onlooker, with local Harden rider Olivia Howe riding King Thing in second place.
Dressage arenas and the new shed
The ‘Introductory Olympics’ is being led by Libby Dawes riding the very nice Mirrabooka, closely followed by Nat Blundell on GV Billie Cart, with the top six all within a point. With cross country happening today, this class could be anyones. The newcomer junior class is being lead by Bec Davis on Bills Double with Inger Sutherland winning the newcomer senior division on Springfield Miracle Magic, whilst the baby encourager class is being lead by hack-turned-eventer Tracy Wells, and Bess Morgan is lying second on Cliffden. Charlotte Brace, riding Penley Sienna, is sitting at the top of the leader board so far in the junior encourager, whilst local young rider, Alyssa Brown, riding in her first horse trials event, is lying second.
Heidi Jeffress on the way to the encourager dressage
Everyone was expecting another frosty start this morning and I don’t think they would have been disappointed. But no one will be worried about the weather as they look forward to another great day of eventing.
Jake the Jack
Onlookers
