For me the competition was a personal highlight.  I competed Avalanche ll for the first time in 8 months in both the Grand Prix and the Intermediate ll.  It is twelve months since he had his first start, and we have been working on helping him to gain the confidence and strength to perform well at this very demanding level.  I am sure we still have a way to go but of course I was delighted with his win in both classes. 

I was particularly thrilled to have been able to show some of his specialty - the piaffe - in the style that keeps me believing in his talent.  Susie Hoevenaars was prepared to see the improvement and awarded him at 8 for one piaffe sequence - naturally I was thrilled (good boy Avalanche)

Julia Battams also had a great time with her imposing imported gelding BWS Stolichnaya.  They won the Intermediate 1, also the Inter 1 Freestyle and came 4th in the Prix St. George.

Middleton Apollo also worked nicely for his rider Tracy Lee - he is still finding his balance in the most demanding Piaffe/Passage sequences, and as this makes up so much of the marks in the Grand Prix, it cost him dearly.  He could have won had that been a little more polished.  They will be a force in a short period of time.

Avalanche also won the Grand Prix.

He was expertly ridden by Emmie Schmul.

He was very well ridden by Julia Battams.