*Opinion* Piggy March: ‘I am getting into into the unknown’

Piggy March, who gained Badminton 2019 and Burghley 2022 and has amassed six senior championship medals, appears to be like ahead to 2 weeks of five-star motion

As I write, I’ve two thrilling weeks of five-star rides forward. I’m getting into into the unknown with Brookfield Cavalier Cruise (Fletcher) and Coolparks Sarco (Jeremy) each new to the extent – I moderately like that as there’s much less expectation than driving a seasoned campaigner. This would be the first time I’ve ridden at Maryland 5 Celebrity (19–22 October), america five-star which started in 2021, however I’ve heard a large number of excellent issues.

After Fletcher completed 2nd at Bramham Horse Trials, I mentioned his autumn plan with house owners John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn. He’s a wonderful, giant horse – no less than 17hh – and coffee on mileage. Then again, I believe Bramham is the toughest CCI4*-L on the planet and the water jumps are more difficult than some at five-star. We felt some CCI4*-Ls could be a step backwards for him and that we will have to check out a five-star when he’s have compatibility, neatly and feeling assured.

It used to be essential to us to search out the appropriate terrain for him at this degree – mentally he can deal with any floor, however bodily he’s immature so we needed to present his frame the nicest imaginable shuttle. Burghley is so undulating and Pau is twisty, so Maryland used to be an evident selection and I’m thankful to his house owners for taking up the price of the shuttle.

The adventure to the US

Fletcher flew from Stansted to Indianapolis on Wednesday (per week sooner than the trot-up). From there, he travelled a few hours to Louisville, the place he met my travelling head lady, Amy Phillips, who I name Ames. It’s unnerving to consider the horses flying with out somebody they know, even supposing the flying grooms are skilled and we have been stored neatly knowledgeable.

The horses moved to Louisville in vehicles which can be moderately other to ours – they go back and forth unfastened in a large house so they may be able to transfer round.

Right through the horses’ 48 hours in quarantine, the grooms are allowed in for an hour two times an afternoon. I requested Ames to stroll Fletcher up to imaginable as it’s now not ideally suited for this type of have compatibility horse to face nonetheless for see you later. In the future she messaged pronouncing she’d walked 5 kilometres!

The horses then have a 12-hour highway adventure to the development, arriving Saturday night. Ames will give Fletcher two or 3 quick rides an afternoon – most commonly in stroll with a little bit trot. Doing an excessive amount of too briefly may just reason a have compatibility horse to tie up. We’ve additionally reduce his feed whilst his paintings is diminished.

I arrive within the past due afternoon on Monday. We’ll pass to the venue, however I gained’t journey that day. It’s a good suggestion to stay me clear of Fletcher for so long as imaginable to keep away from the temptation to overwork him!

There’s no quarantine at the go back adventure, so the horses go back and forth a few hours by means of truck to John F. Kennedy airport in New York, then fly to Liège in Belgium and go back by means of highway. We’re in excellent fingers with Peden Bloodstock, so so long as we’re on it with the bureaucracy it’s going to confidently be a slick operation.

And directly to Pau…

I needed to scratch my head when packing, as a result of the rest that is going to Maryland within the trunk with the pony gained’t go back till the Thursday of Pau Horse Trials (26–29 October).

We’re teaming up with Tom McEwen for go back and forth to Pau – his journey JL Dublin is co-owned by means of Jo and James Lambert, who personal my journey Jeremy, so it’s going to imply a excellent base for the house owners and is helping with prices and logistics.

I’m having a look ahead to the truth Pau is over part time period so our seven-year-old son Max can come. We’ll keep in a lodge with a jacuzzi and spa and he had a good time closing yr after we went to toughen my sister Nini. I to find it onerous to depart Max for an extended length, so it makes it more straightforward for me as a mum to grasp he can experience any such two weeks.

Each Fletcher and Jeremy are on excellent shape and confidently can handle that throughout the rigours of travelling, so we’re having a look ahead to seeing the way it is going.

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• This unique column may also be to be had to learn in Horse & Hound mag, on sale Thursday 19 October, 2023

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