CRUISE GTI

I found Cruise with help of Brian Lusk and Show Jump trainer Rowland Fernyhough.

Cruise has Show Jumped a little in Ireland and shows talent and scope to be of a great potential.

His physique combined with a lovely temperament seem to be of the right ingredients for a top Event horse.

My aim over the next few months is to strengthen him up and improve his basic way of going.

News for Cruise 2011

Cruise had his last run at Aldon international in October. He run in the intermediate class and did a very competitive dressage test, an unlucky pole rolled in the sj phase and we had a long hold up before our xc round. The second last fence on the course caused a lot of run outs. As it got so late in the day, the sun got so low , half of the courses take-offs were impossible to see.

I opted therefore for a slow, safe round, which I thoroughly enjoyed and thought of as a good round up to his season. Cruise was delighted to grow lots of hair and a belly and walk barefoot to his field every day to get very muddy J well, time is up now and he just started his walking again...

Cruise has had two successful outings at Intermediate level.

He tackled a very technical cross country course over undulating grounds at Wilton Horse Trials superbly. The fences were causing enough trouble, especially the water, that was situated behind the lorry park close to home. A few "skinnies" on downhill approaches seemed to claim a few victims too. Cruise held his own and answered every question with ease. I couldn't have been happier.

Highclere Castle was an up-to height and technical course. Several fences of the advanced class were included in the intermediate, which made it a strong course.

The ground was slightly "holding" , which made the jumping efforts harder.

Cruise was one of only 5 clear rounds in the Show jumping and went on to jump brilliantly around the demanding xc course. He felt top class and I smiled after every single fence and gave him a pat. When finishing, I sneaked into the secretary's tent to "steal" a couple of mints, that were there for the riders collecting the numbers, only to give them to a very good little Cruiseo, who had certainly deserved them!!!

Cruise had some good results out eventing, including a brilliant double clear at Morton Morrell, a lovely double clear at West Wilts and a 9th place at Tweseldown in the Intermediate Novice.

October 2010

Unfortunately, Dauntsey Park was cancelled due to rain. Cruise suffered from severe bloating the week before Aldon. Luckily, he recovered but I worried for him to be exposed to too much stress and being away from home. For this, I decided to run him in the Novice ODE instead of the International 1*. I felt, it was a fair decision and after what felt a very nice rhythmical sj round with an unlucky pole, we sailed around the cross country course! What a great little horse... and we both finished the season with a big smile on our face!

September 2010

I took Cruise to West Wilts, where he finished just outside the top 10, but with another superb cross country round, we are now qualified for Aldon CCI*.

Only 6 days later he went to Purston Manor. He delivered a smashing double clear with only 1.6 time faults across the country and ended up in 8th Place.

May 2010

Had two more Novice Event outings. He went very well at Sapey. I took my time across country, to give him confidence and he jumped a beautiful clear round, it was an absolute joy!

He also went clear around a stunning course at Hambleden, where there was more crowd and plenty to look at. Although, he didn’t feel quite up to his usual self in the SJ. So again I opted for a steady, clear round xc to gain experience. Later, I wanted mum to check him and sure enough, she found an obvious sore spot which was taken care off right away.

With some more rest and treatment I hope Cruise to be in action again for his next event!

April 2010

Cruise went to Portman, where he competed in his 2nd ever Novice event. He finished 9th and I was thrilled.

March 2010

Aldon 19/03/10 - Cruise completed his first run of this season in good form, finishing in 6th place.

I was pleased with his dressage test and the marks reflected my feel (32.5). One pole rolled in the SJ arena but Cruise was great across the country. He stayed in a lovely rhythm and felt balanced and nimble... I finished with a big smile on my face!

Summary of the Event season: 2009

Cruise’s first season doing BE and our very first competition year showed some pleasing results.

Sapey, intro : 8th

Ascott under Wychwood PN: 9th

Shipton Moyne PN 3rd

Little Mattingley PN plus: 9th

Dauntsey Park PN:5th

We also competed our first Novice at Sapey !

Aim for next season: To move up to Novice level and get established to go beyond Novice in time to come!

FOXY SOX

CHANCE

MIKADO