So the season has finished and what a season it’s been. The team had a great end to the year, with a successful last few outings with good placings for the young horses at Pulborough and then two very good Intermediate outings, for both Chico Bella and The Perfect Storm at Oasby and Aldon. It was particularly pleasing to finish well with these two lovely horses, as they had both had to have a bit of time off and it is nice to get them back on track.

Irish adventure

A new venture for me saw me and my mum heading off to Ireland for the Goresbridge Go for Gold sale, with the three horses I have been producing for Donal Barnwell. It is a sale for elite young event horses and I was very proud to turn up with my three handsome boys. They was a lot of interest in them, as they have all had good form throughout the season and are all lovely potential superstars. Taking horses to a sale like this was a new experience and it was actually really exciting when the bidding started! All three horses sold really well and Red Curran (my favorite of the three) was the top lot, selling for a very significant sum.

It was a great experience to be submerged in Irish horses, horseman and banter, and it was educational watching the experienced guys, assessing the horses and trying to work out which ones were going to be the future Badminton winners. I am already looking forward to producing next year’s crop.

Holiday time

Since being back from Ireland things have quietened down a bit as those three boys have gone and most of the others are having a little holiday. It won’t be long before it’s time to get them in, put shoes on, take hair off and get practicing our dressage and show jumping, but before that happens I am having a couple of weeks' holiday. I will be catching up on sleep, friends and having some time to myself which I am very much looking forward to. I have a great team of staff at home so it is nice to be able to relax and leave them to it.

Until then,"

Gemma