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Hi {name}
I am currently over in Pau, France where I have ODT Master Rose in the CCI****. It’s very strange being at an event in November. It isn’t usually on this late but this year has been pushed back a week. We trotted up on Wednesday which went well and then dressage is this afternoon. ‘Rastus’ is feeling very well and is excited to be out again! Fingers crossed it goes well.
Last time I wrote I was just heading to Weston Park with Jeepers Creepers and Undercover III. Jeepers Creepers went well and finished 4th in the CCI**. He did a reasonable test getting a score of 50, jumped a good clear XC on Saturday and then just had one show jump down on the final day. ‘Russel’ will now have a nice break after what has been a successful year for him and we will aim to continue his good form next season!
Next came Boekelo, Holland with ODT Sonas Rovatio who was in the CCI***. I had hoped to take another horse as well who was on the wait list, but unfortunately he didn’t get in – Boekelo is a really popular event. It was a very successful week as ‘Goldmine’ was a super star, finishing 8th in the CCI*** class, in what a very tough field. We were the highest placed Brits out there which was extra special considering it was Goldmine’s first attempt at that level. He is now qualified for 4* next year. The course was very big and long and there were plenty of casualties around the course. Mark Todd finished second on Land Vision, who is a lovely grey horse that I produced in his younger days, so it was good to see him doing so well also.
Last week was very exciting for me as I went to pick up my new lorry from Equi-Trek! It takes 7 horses, has a very nice living area and is very smart in blue. Look out for us travelling about the country next week on The Champions Tour, and you will of course be able to see the lorry at the yard on the Members day next month for those of you that are coming along. We should have quite a day on the 21st – Mum will have her work cut out cooking for everyone! Please, if you haven’t already; make sure you RSVP so that we know how many people are coming.
You may have also noticed that I have done a 2011 calendar! It is available now on the site. I really enjoyed doing the shoot as it was very  different to anything I have done before – the horses found it quite unusual too I think, with smoke machines and bright lights!
The team at home is busy preparing the horses for the Tour next week, keeping them fit and getting them clipped now that they are growing their winter woolies!! I am hopefully going to be taking 3 for the first few venues; Brigadier, Cooley Master Class and Gorsehill Star. Geoff and I have done all our practicing for the Tour and we are all ready to go now, along with Dave Clough and the Jive Pony team who make a great addition to the show. You can still get tickets if you haven’t already!
I head straight up to Gleneagles, Scotland from Pau for the opening night on Monday. I fly back to the UK late Sunday night from here and set off again Monday morning so it’s going to be a very busy week or two again!
Oliver
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