LOUISA Lockwood’s 2010 eventing season started well despite two of her horses being unsound and not able to run at Tweseldown. 

The Diva was found to have thrown a splint, but is expected to be back in a couple of weeks.  

Penultimate Vision took fourth in the BE100 while Acheron, Ballyfarris Flight and Desert Island all went well but finished just outside the placings as Louisa opted to take them steady over the cross-country section. 

Aldon proved a more competitive event with Penultimate Vision taking third and finishing on his dressage score of 32.5.  

He will now step up to Novice at Somerley Park later this month. 

Acheron (pictured, above) and Ballyfarris Flight (below) both contested the two Intermediate sections finishing third and fourth respectively. Acheron led the dressage on 25, while Ballyfarris Flight's dressage of 29.1 was his best mark to date. 

Both horses were unlucky to roll one poll in the show jumping, but stormed round the cross-country.  

Louisa was very pleased with the season’s curtain-raiser: "Although the ground was fairly cut up, the course rode well and Acheron felt very enthusiastic cross-country. 

“I was delighted with Bally who covered the ground very well, picking up only 2.8 time faults. 

“Both horses would have won if they hadn't had the one show jump down - in Bally's case the last fence - so we will hope to do better at Somerley." 

Desert Island, who is entered for Badminton, jumped a clear in the Open Intermediate show jumping, but was withdrawn before the cross-country and will now head to Burnham Market for the CIC***.



Photos used courtesy of ALASDAIR CROOK www.alcrook.co.uk