Holly Bradshaw and Archfield Echo on their way to a win
An Eventful Life filmed all competitors on cross country at
Aston-Le-Walls (4) - find out more here
I may well be one of the few people in the eventing world that has not visited the Aston Le Walls Equestrian Centre but that was remedied last week when I dropped by during Aston-Le-Walls (4).
As the number after the event implies, this place is busy with events, both official and unaffiliated, throughout the year and, although the season started slowly this year with Aston-Le-Walls (1) in March falling victim to the weather and being cancelled, they are making up for it with an additional fixture at the end of year having just been announced. Aston-Le-Walls (5) will run BE80 (T), BE90, BE100 and Novice classes on October 26th and 27th so keep your fingers crossed for some kind autumn weather
Despite very dry conditions leading up to Aston-Le-Walls (4), the ground was in good condition for the three days of competition from Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th August and some rain during the Unaffiliated classes on Sunday was very welcome in one way
Washbrook Farm, the home of Nigel and Ann Taylor and their family as well as the Aston-Le-Walls Equestrian Centre, has been developed over the years to now include 300 acres of well laid out and managed land with some impressive facilities for training and competition. Everything is on hand and easily accessible including the large all-weather surface arenas in two close locations for dressage and show jumping and spectators have not been forgotten with large mounds of earth obviously excavated from creating the arenas now grassed over, landscaped and providing the perfect spot for viewing
Kate Honey's Fernhill Now Or Never produces the jump of the day
Both Nigel and Ann have competed for their countries in eventing and their children are also involved in the sport. Grace Taylor was one of the winners at Aston Le Walls (4) on Thursday, taking the Intermediate Section E on Game Changer while New Zealand’s Jonelle Price won one of the Open Intermediate classes on board Cloud Dancer and Sara Bowe won the other Open Intermediate riding Kilcoltrim Mermist
At the other end of the scale on Saturday Ginny Turnbull and Seapatrick Dancing Diamond won the 4YO class with a score of 24, impressively six points ahead of second placed Isabel White and Vanilla Ice III. Ginny won the 4 Year Old BEYH Championship at Osberton last year on Zoe Feeney’s Just Soda No Ice, who was also on good form at Aston, winning the BE100 Section O ridden by Samantha Hobbs, making it their fourth win in a row
Australia's Kevin McNab and Don Quidam
Congratulations to all winners and placegetters from this event but particularly to the winners of our XC Video prizes and you can watch their winning rides on the links below
Intermediate B: Milo Kennedy and Moher Prince
Open Intermediate D: Jonelle Price and Cloud Dancer
Intermediate F: Holly Bradshaw and Archfield Echo
Novice I: Eliza Stoddart and Clifton
Open Novice K: Bizzy Loffet and Little Minx
BE100 Section O: Samantha Hobbs and Just Soda No Ice
4YO Section R: Ginny Turnbull and Seapatrick Diamond Dancing
BE100 Section W: Rachel Cook and Lady Loxinia
