“It’s been a good season, he says with an air of contented optimism, which won’t last very long as HOYS gets closer.

Rant

The older I get, the quicker time passes by. It’s almost the middle of August now, and we are 36 events and shows down and I cannot remember the last two. I know some of you will put this down to my addled brain, but I just think it's age. By August I am sick to death of filling station sandwiches (with the exception of Marks & Spencers and Waitrose) and if I wanted to eat shoe leather then it would not come filled with spicy chicken and call itself a wrap! The coffee that comes out of the-oh-so-special-Coffee-Republic-machine spits out liquid like molten lava in a cardboard cup too hot to handle. Don’t worry, that is the end of my rant!

Humping Harry takes on one mount to far

The lovely Hackney stallion that I mentioned earlier this year - black, 14.3hh, four white socks - is now a gelding. After he tried to mount everything at an early season show - including the judge who hasn’t seen any action since the early 40’s - I would have done it personally in the lorry on the way home if the law would have allowed. He has now settled and Humping Harry is now just Harry. He has worked into his novice season very well, thanks to a very patient owner, Mr Upnorth, and he is looking forward to the future.

A champion Striker

Striker, the only man in my life, has had a wonderful season, claiming championships at Devon County, Royal Norfolk and The New Forest shows to name but a few. Alongside his new mate Vivaldi they completed the Tandem Club meet and their first show together and qualified for the National Championships.

Impatient Welsh and Exmoors

Pip, my novice Section C, has really turned out to be a charming fellow although he lacks patience, but he is Welsh after all. His progress has really come together this last two months. Both he and Non-Humping Harry are owned by the same gent.  

Merlin, the unlikely stable star, has had a bumper season for an Exmoor and has won every single country turnout and Mountain and Moorland class he has entered, thanks again to patience owners (boy, do you need to be patience with an Exmoor) and of course Miss Charity Shop who has proved to be a more than an adequate showman.

And as for me…

All this has been made possible by generous and incredible sponsorship from Baileys Horse Feeds; the horses all look like catwalk models.

As for me, I’ve learnt two things so far this year.

1. Don’t dry clean your suits too often, they are inclined to shrink.

2. Go on a diet you fat b*****d!   

Until next time, G."