Belissimo's International GP debut successful

The journey has begun!

Well, actually, it began some 10 months ago when I first stepped on board Belissimo for a stallion show last February. If you told me at that time, (when I was just trying to motivate the old bugger to do a bit of dressage-type stuff and actually keep going past the gate), I would be riding Mechelen World Cup at Christmas time I would have laughed hysterically in your face..... But here we are which is a true testament to what a wonderful character this horse has. He has not only returned to sport but has learnt the entire GP program in less than 9 months of training.

Today, Bello and I made our international Grand Prix debut. He was fantastic and despite some silly rider lapses of concentration and riding perhaps too cautiously throughout, Bello goes tomorrow into his first GP World Cup Kur. We finished in 12th position with 66.68% and in doing so picked up our first MES qualification score for the Olympics next year.

I am so happy and proud.

Until tomorrow

Hayley B