Well seeing as Jack was no longer competing on Saturday at Weston we decided to take Belvedere to Allens Hill for some BSJA. We decided only to do the Discovery (1m) because Belv hasn't done any competitions for ages and I haven't jumped him much at all over the past two months. We had a really nice time, the weather was fantastic (actually it was too hot!) and we bought some nice things. A fly rug for Jack and a very smart leather head collar for Belv and Jack to share! Anyway, back onto why we were there - Belvedere did a lovely sweet round and went clear. I missed him to fence four but he picked up and other than that it was really quite acceptable. Pictures from the first round can be seen below.
(Click to enlarge)

I was secretly hoping for a clear in the jump off too but I knew it was unlikely because Belv has never been good once he has already jumped a round and although I don't think either of us did anything particularly wrong we had two down. I think the last fence was my fault due to our approach but the earlier pole was possibly just him being a bit lazy. But it was a sweet round nevertheless. Videos from both rounds a photo from the jump off can be seen below:

This morning we took Belvedere to Tor's for a dressage lesson. I was on him to begin with and although the walk wasn't brilliant he was doing some very nice soft trot work so that was good. Then Tor got on him for the first time in over two weeks and had a play and softened him up nicely. Put me back on board and did some work in walk, trot and canter trying to keep him soft and relaxed but up together and working from behind. He went very well and Tor seemed very pleased with it all. So that was all quite successful. Afterwards we then showed Tor the BSJA video and she said I should be very happy with it. 
Video of me and Belv in our lesson today -

And just to finish of Belv's very busy weekend we took him to Gadbury cross country course for a little play after the lesson. Tor was also heading over there with some horses so gave us a pelham with normal metal mouthpiece to play with (we think the Vulcanite pelham may be a bit too chunky in his mouth). In fact one of the horses Tor had belonged to a friend of mine who was there watching, so it was nice to see her! Belvedere went really well - better than he normally goes when XC schooling actually, I think he was quite happy to be out and about! Tor also got to see what an epic XC machine he is! 


Finally, on a good note Jack looked sound trotting about in the field earlier so I am going to give him a little ride in the school tomorrow and see how he is. If all goes well I will enter him up for Hambleden ON and Aston Le Walls OIU21!