So much for March coming in like a lion then out like a lamb, the whole month was very cold and very wet!!

The horses have been in longer than I can ever remember as our fields are just so wet, I’m sure we will all be complaining about hard ground and fly’s very soon!

On the competition front Detonator and I had our 5th Great Britain call up to head to the Keysoe CDI in the small tour. It was a bit last minute but I was so pleased to get our chance to compete, the feeling of cantering

down the centre line with the Union Jack on is just amazing!!!

It was going to be a cold show, snow was forecast and my goodness it was cold, in fact I think if it hadn’t been for some friends rigging me up with hook up and a heater I would have frozen to death!!
We passed the trot up and then did our arena familiarisation that night, unusually for him he was very quiet which concerned me a bit.

The first days competition was the PSG class, again he just wasn’t quite himself and I didn’t have the energy I needed resulting in too many mistakes and our worst International score. I was very disappointed but knew he wasn’t quite right.

The second day he came out a bit better so we did out Inter 1 test and although far from our best he got a better score finishing just outside the top 15 in 16th place one

off doing the Kur the following day.
I was hoping with the snow some people might drop out and the following morning we did get a place to compete. I was in two minds whether to do it but I thought I’d just try and use it as a training test and actually go for it rather than riding a bit tentatively.
I was thrilled with him, much more energy and no mistakes, I love riding to his music!
I was over the moon to find out our score and we got our first International top ten in 9th place with a rosette!!! Never give up, it took a lot mentally to get back in that arena on the last day but I’m so pleased I did!

He is now on a small break ready to do some Premier leagues from May.

Sandonista was in full swing inbetween snow days, training towards the Nationals which he qualified for back in Feb, we have a trip to Becky Moodys coming up just before to polish things up but I can’t wait I was so thrilled and surprised to get our qualification.

Mario is back in work and going well after last years operation, he will start some school work soon.

So I’m now praying for some warm dry weather please!!!

The post Cara Shardlow Competes for Great Britain! appeared first on The Millbry Hill Blog: Life in the Country.