Trying to find results from Lignieres is… trying to say the least. Having exhausted every channel that I am aware of on UK and French sites and even put a plea on their Facebook page I gave up and messaged Jonelle!
Good news indeed from rural France… tales of “very hot weather” ( ignore that part of the message through gritted teeth which Jonelle is more than aware of) with azure blue skies and lots of outdoor family activities….
But to business…. Spartaco ( Spartacus) is in the lead in the CCI 2 star with Tim on a 26 and breaking news is that bad girl Grappa Nera ( Grape) has continued her rapid ascendancy in the dressage phase from Dauntsey and is in 10th on a 31. This is meteoric compared to a non qualifying score in the 40’s at Barbury! Jonelle is pretty sure that her schooling methods have finally worked whereas we know that in fact a couple of the girls had a quiet word with our stable rebel Grape. Those that have been at Mere a little longer ( Classic Moet, Hester, Ascona M etc) are well aware that end of season means kick out time for those who don’t make the grade and they have seen a fair few of their former stablemates out on the circuit with new riders. These riders mostly don’t mind the naughty dressage but they make their steeds fight for their lives in the jumping phases as they simply point and steer and said steeds need to be on their A game not to tip up. Grape is a smart girl and it looks as though she has made the right choice in the nick of time!
Meanwhile, no doubt sitting in the stables in a seething temper, is Ascona M ( Ava) who has found herself in the totally embarrassing situation of being shoved in the CIC 1 star! She is currently sitting around third on a 26 which shows her contempt as she is quite capable of a 19 at one star if she so desired! It is no disrespect to the beautiful Ava, just that Tim wanted to take her with him and ride her for this week in an international situation before Pau. There is not a hint of pot hunting as I am sure Tim will accrue some schooling time but it’s hard not to make time 1 star on your potential 4 star pony! Although in Europe they don’t have so many events so Michi Jung et al are always rocking up at one and 2 stars with Championship horses so maybe no one has noticed. Having just watched Killing Eve ( I highly recommend) I am tempted to rename Ava “Villanelle”… explanation below!
