We caught up with international event rider Chuffy Clarke to chat all things eventing on her return from the Tattersalls International Horse Trials.

How did you find this years event at Tattersalls:

I spent an amazing couple of days there this year, Tattersalls is brilliant! It is such a special event with top class facilities and a great friendly team.

Which horses did you take with you:

We took Fernhill G (G) and Clearly a Cooley (Bubbles) back for a visit to their native Ireland for the CCI2*-L, along with our homebred Morelands Celebrations (Clarke) for the U25 CCI3*-L.

Which phase did you see the most improvement at this event: 

All three horses put in such great performances in the dressage. Especially Clarke who scored a personal best of 28.2, with still plenty of room for improvement which is exciting. I couldn’t have done this phase without the guidance from Tracie Robinson who helps me so much on the flat.

How did you find the cross country at Tattersalls:  

Cross country day in the CCI2*L was Bubbles' first attempt at this level. Unfortunately, as we all know can be the case in this sport, we started the day off with some bad luck, when G and I took an unfortunate tumble into the ditch at fence 6. Luckily, we both live to fight another day and are fine. I had to put this knock behind me and crack on with giving Bubbles my all, and he really responded with the most fantastic clear round inside the time. He felt phenomenal and I was very excited by how he took it all on. A true day of highs and low that we all become accustomed to in eventing!

It was then Clarke’s turn next for cross country, he was a machine and ate up the course putting in a great clear round inside the time. I couldn’t have asked for more! The final trot up saw both boys in fine spirits and then attention was turned to the all-important show-jumping phase.

Due to Bubbles being in his first ever long format event, you never quite know how they will come out on the last day, but he dug dig and jumped a faultless clear to finish on his dressage score. Out of a big section he moved all the way up to 4th place – performing as well as I could have ever expected! Pip Funnell is instrumental in all the guidance she gives me and I am so grateful for all her support. So, it was a bit of a moment when Bubbles and I lined up for the prize giving ahead of Coach Pip! Bubbles was so tired by this point, but he knew he had done a great job!

How did you find the last phase of show jumping?

Clarke’s show-jumping, bar one really annoying rider error (which I am still kicking myself for) he jumped his socks off! Annoyingly the pole dropped us from 5th to 8th, but I can take nothing away from him as he performed brilliantly all week.

I was very proud of my team of horses and a huge, huge thanks to Lydia Swan for turning them out so beautifully all week. We are now back in England and gearing up to a busy summer of competing!

Chuffy looks great in the Morston T-shirt, (as seen above). Shop her look here in sizes XS - XL in three colours.