After a solid performance from 'Secret Picnic' in the Open Intermediate at Aston-Le-Walls scooping 7th place Stephen was hopeful of good things from her at Houghton, and she didn't disappoint. The event kicked off with Friday dressage and 'Secret Picnic' aka Whisper was a little lit up by the sound of the 1* cross country going on near by, so Steve focused on spending the last 5 mins before his test walking to calm her down. She did some lovely trot work in her test, but was still a little tense in the canter and as a result made one late change, but despite that one mistake she scored a respectable 52.8 and went into 9th place.

Saturday morning saw the start of the show jumping and Steve was due to jump at 9am. A lot of the uprights on the course had a downhill approach and Steve was mindful of this because Whisper can easily gain ground, and he wanted to avoid having a fence as a result. She jumped a fab round just sneaking an extra few inches in the last part of the treble and taking one pole as a result. So with just 4 faults to add they remained in 9th and went to prepare for their cross country which was later that day at 3.45pm. 

The weather hadn't held and the constant drizzle was starting to have an influence on the riders out on course. Steve managed to watch a few through the combinations, one of which being Pippa Funnel who by the quarry had already lost both front shoes and later retired. Whisper jumped a fab round with a good shot out of her stride to all the single fences, and she was very obedient when setting up for the skinnies and combinations so lost very little time. When they crossed the finish line the commentator announced that they were dead on the optimum time, and the only combination in the class to incur no time penalties.

Steve and Whisper finished on 56.8 to win the section 3 points ahead of Nick Gauntlett on 'Chilli Morning' in 2nd place. At the final prize giving they were the proud recipients of a trophy (which now has pride of place on Whisper's owners mantelpiece) a commemorative platter, rosette, and prize money. As a result of their fast and fluid cross country round they also won an addition prize of a Francis Wain watch - a reward for good timing! 

So there are smiles all round in The Eventing Way camp, and no doubt an extra carrot or 2 in her feed tonight for Whisper!

April began with Steve and 'Secret Picnic' returning from Compiegne in order to regroup back at base in Wiltshire before setting off later that month for Withington Manor where 'Private Rudolph' was entered in the Open Novice. The dressage for the ON was a 1* test and Rudolph went well just needing to relax a little more in order to cover the ground for better marks. He scored 35.7 putting him about 14th after the dressage, and added to that a nice clear round show jumping. The going was a little hard cross country and so Steve decided to take it steady coming home clear but with 11.2 time pens to add. Sadly the time pens knocked Rudolph out of the placings and they finished in 27th, and Steve was pleased with Rudolph's double clear and his decision to take it slow, and save him for another day.

Next up The Eventing Way team set off to Hambledon International with 'Suspicion' aka Fi Fi who was running in the Novice. This was Fi Fi's 2nd event of the season and she didn't take long to get back in the groove scoring her best dressage mark so far of 30. She jumped a nice clear show jumping and set off on the cross country in a competitive position. She was jumping really well until she very genuinely got caught out at the first water and had a green stop. Despite that little blip Steve was really pleased with how she went as she felt keen and eager to be doing her job.

So far the 2010 season is going great guns for TEW with 3 top 10 placings already and we are only 7 events into the season! If you are going to Houghton Hall this weekend then look out for TEW's yellow and blue colours on the cross country as Steve and 'Secret Picnic' are competing in the CIC 3*

Compiegne 2* diary, Aston-Le-Walls and Mattingley reports coming soon...

The Eventing Way kicked off the 2010 season as many riders do with a trip to Tweseldown in Hampshire. Tweseldown is a lovely event to begin the season with because the fast draining sandy going almost guarantees good ground whatever the weather. Steve competed his top horse 'Secret Picnic' in the Open Intermediate Section C, and was in good company as other riders in his section included Matt Ryan, Mark Todd, William Fox-Pitt, and Lucinda Fredericks to name a few!  

Secret Picnic aka 'Whisper' performed a solid test just losing a few marks for accuracy in the halt, and not quite showing enough stretch in the long rein canter. Despite this they scored an impressive 28.6 putting them 2nd after the dressage, just 1.3 marks behind section leader Alex Hua Tian on FBW Chico. Onto the showjumping and 'Whisper' jumped a nice round just quickening a little into the treble and having one rail down. Steve admits to being a 'little hooky' as a result of a long winter off, but was pleased with the round and moved onto the cross country on a very competitive score of 32.6. Cross country was going well until a hold on course meant Steve had to wait at fence 5 for 10 mins before being restarted. They set off again and saled round clear just picking up 6.4 time penalties, but coming home the 2nd fastest cross country clear in their section.

Their final score was 39 scooping them 1st place, 12 points, and a lovely write up in Horse & Hound and Eventing magazine. Steve is very pleased with this great start to the year, and hopes that this winning form is here to stay!