Horse trials may 2009

The shoe, first: Vortex is a year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred that is at the four-star "Olympic" level. He finished 20th at Badminton, and the only things on his feet are shoes, nails and studs. That's quite something in itself. I've found different ways of keeping him calm and myself focussed.

I came here just hoping to get the best out of the horse and that attitude has achieved a much better result. As anticipated, Fox-Pitt, 4th after cross-country, added to that pressure with a superbly judged clear on George and Jayne Apter's French-bred Idalgo. Some horses aren't lucky, and he's been one of them. But this has renewed people's faith in him. Stone Gate Farm H.

Hanoverton, OH US. Woodstock, VT US. Copper Meadows H. Ramona, CA US. Queeny Park Mini Trial St. Louis, MO US. Leesburg, VA US. Caber Farm H. Erie Hunt and Saddle Club H. Edinboro, PA US. Olney Farm H. Joppa, MD US. Junior riders are eligible up to the age of I am 14 years old, and the youngest rider to have been selected this year — my selection was made on my results as a 13 y.

I am very excited to have been selected and can't wait to compete in the Australian Pony Club Championships in Sydney later this year. I can't wait to meet the other team members. Unfortunately today we did not do our best dressage test but we did have clear SJ and Cross Country rounds.