Wilson gears up for the season ahead

The 36-year-old enjoyed a year like no other in 2012 with Opposition Buzz leading her to a Team GB eventing silver at the Summer’s London Games.

And now, just over seven months on, the pair will kick-off their 2013 season with an appearance at the Oasby Horse Trials which begin in Lincolnshire tomorrow.

Wilson will take a large string to the event – headed by Opposition Buzz whose initial chief aim for the year is the four-star Badminton Horse Trials which take place over the first weekend in May.

The excited Northallerton rider reports her team in fine form ahead of this week’s eventing opener at which Huddersfield ace Oliver Townend is also competing.

“The horses are feeling really well,” said Wilson.

“We are all looking forward to getting started this weekend at Oasby.”

Wilson will be hoping for a decent start at Oasby, as experienced by Huddersfield’s British No 2 Townend at Aston-Le-Walls and Isleham.

Townend, 30, ranked fifth in the world, began his 2013 eventing campaign last weekend with eight top-10 placings.

Cooley SRS was runner up in a BE100 section at Aston-le-Walls with Power Drive, Killossery Cooley and Honour Cruise also jumping double clears to be in the ribbons.

Townend then moved on to Isleham the following day where Some Spring finished third in a Novice.

Shearwater Touchingwood was fifth at Intermediate with Skyhills Cavalier and Douglas sixth and ninth respectively in the Open Intermediate.

Townend will join the competition at Oasby on the second day after heading to Tweseldown tomorrow where some of his more familiar mounts will be on show.

Outside Chance and Trescothick will lead his charge alongside Pepper Anne, Harthill Percy and Cooley Master Class.

At Oasby on Friday, Townend will be on board ODT Sonas Rovatio, ODT Ghareeb, Douglas, Black Tie II and Neo Du Breuil.

He will then move on to Somerford Park on Saturday where the Yorkshireman will compete a whole host of horses.

Among them are Cooley Q, Cooley Ramiro, Cooley SRS, Honour Cruise, Mister Strider, Peruising, Power Drive, Red Andes Fanfare, Royale Sam and Tis A Beauty.

Another equine star whose 2013 season is starting to move up a gear is former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star who put his new dressage skills on show with a demonstration before racing at Newbury on Saturday.

In the hands of leading event rider Laura Collett, Kauto Star completed laps of the paddock both walking and trotting before breaking into a canter and criss-crossing the parade ring.