'Into the unknown'

Piggy March looks forward to two weeks of five-star action

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AS I write, I have two exciting weeks of five-star rides ahead.

I’m entering into the unknown with Brookfield Cavalier Cruise (Fletcher) and Coolparks Sarco (Jeremy) both new to the level – I quite like that as there’s less expectation than riding a seasoned campaigner.

This will be the first time I’ve ridden at Maryland (19– 22 October), the US five-star which began in 2021, but I’ve heard a lot of good things.

After Fletcher finished second at Bramham, I discussed his autumn plan with owners John and Chloe Perry and Alison Swinburn. He’s a lovely, big horse – at least 17hh – and low on mileage.

However, I feel Bramham is the hardest CCI4*-L in the world and the water jumps are tougher than some at five-star. We felt some CCI4*Ls might be a step backwards for him and that we should try a five-star when he is fit, well and feeling confident. It was important to us

to find the right terrain for him at this stage – mentally he can cope with any ground, but physically he’s immature so we wanted to give his body the nicest possible trip. Burghley is so undulating and Pau is twisty, so Maryland was an obvious choice and I’m grateful to his owners for taking on the cost of the trip.