This was the second year of introducing loose jumping as a possible component available for performance testing the younger stallions. We were very pleased to have the assistance of Robert Lemieux- former international event rider who has also had experience in assessing jumping ability in loose jumping trials in the UK and abroad. Robert was very keen that we should get the ponies going forward with good impulsion in order to get them to jump out of a good strong canter stride to see their true ability. With one or two this did put them out of their ‘comfort zone’ if they did’nt want to go truly forward when asked and perhaps did’nt look so ‘pretty’ from the outside.
For those putting stallions forward next time it will be worth doing a little more homework at getting their ponies responding to a forward aid from the ground more consistently as this ‘forward’ attitude is an important aspect to loose jumping. Next time Robert would like the ponies to be allowed to be loose schooled freely around the school so that he can also assess their natural balance in canter when coping with the corners and adjustment of their canter stride as they measure up the fences, rather than being presented solely on a straight line in an enclosed lane.

John and Wendy Adams’s 4yr olds Hollybrooke Tinker and Hollybrooke Rambler both showed excellent ability scoring highly for attitude, scope and technique. Woodrow Easter owned by Elaine Pearson also showed good potential- Robert commented that he used his back very well and that his foreleg technique would improve with gridwork. Sway Mister Moon owned by Luke Blomfield impressed Robert with his attitude and excellent ‘footwork’ for such an inexperienced pony.
The highest scoring stallion of the day was Sandra Kilford’s Furzley Marinaide with comments from Robert including : lovely scope and willingness, very light on his feet, with excellent technique- ‘a star in the making’