So the spring bank holiday has been and gone, and despite the wind and rain, the future looks bright – the cancelled events are starting to hit the official equestrian calendars, and although as we write the Burghley four-day event has been cancelled, Richard and his top ride Alfies Clover still have a busy schedule in the build-up to hopefully Blenheim International 4* or a run at Blair Castle International 4* to look forward to.
Indeed life is good for Richard, Victoria and team at Lowlands Farm with horses already out competing despite some hard ground to contend with. Richard took Grafics to the Burnham Market event where they were placed 8th with a good dressage but taking the ground easy on the XC. Next visit should be Houghton in June. Meanwhile some of the homebred youngsters made their seasonal debut at Oasby and Norton Disney and Burnham Market all behaving themselves and ticking all the right boxes for a promising season ahead.
Team Jones is aiming for the Big Time this season: Kilballyboy Bob is targeted at the Blair Castle 4* in August – just over three months away – and of course Alfies Clover is being aimed at Burghley a month later. Time always flies when you’re getting horses ready for top competitions, so watch this space.
On the dressage front, Victoria’s top ride Extra II is prepping well for his first Intermediate II, and the young horses are revving up for their first outing at Medium or Advanced Medium level – they certainly look like ones to follow so, again, watch this space.
And hope you’ve noticed but we have taken the opportunity of lockdown to develop a new-look website. All thanks to sponsors Deanne Ward and Julie Priestley for their fabulous photography and to Simon at IBA International for putting it together – hope you like it. We think it perfectly reflects the young and dynamic team at Lowlands Farm.
Team Jones is based at Lowlands Farm in Rutland. Richard Jones is emerging as a top international eventer – in the top ten at Burghley and at Blenheim in 2018 – and his wife Victoria is going from strength to strength, building her international dressage career. The team has just finished a cross-country training field to add to their facilities so that training can go on for youngsters and established eventers alike.
Team Jones is sponsored by leading horse feeds manufacturers Dodson and Horrell, saddle pad designer Sedelogic, e-bikes provider Eco Voltz, sports photographers Julie Priestly, artist and photographer Deanne Ward, Stierna Equestrian Sportswear, equestrian glove distributor Hirzl UK, and IBA International media relations consultancy.
Find out about what’s happening at www.teamjonesequestrian.com, follow them on Twitter and Facebook, and check out the Instagram account.