"This time next week I will be midway through my mini training break at Carl Hester's. I travel down on Sunday and then spend four days there having lessons. I have been introducing Freddie to flying changes and some half-steps so that it is not such a big shock to him when Carl asks us to try some next week. I am going to smuggle a heater and extension cable into the lorry so that I can keep warm at night as I am not looking forward to sleeping in my lorry in November!! I'm hoping to meet up with friends on a couple of the nights for pub dinners so it will not all be work related!

Freddie luckily hardly grows a coat but he has had his first and hopefully only clip of the year in preparation for going down to see Carl. He is now wrapped up snug, but the weather has been so mild that it is a juggle between rugs each night as to what will make him most comfortable.

Rafa (Rameau), my 5yo gelding is just back into work after a couple of months off. He has come back feeling bright and quite excited to be back doing something. I really don't think they enjoy having an extended period of time off..a week is a novelty but longer and they get bored and fed-up. If things go well I hope we may make the last Novice Winter qualifier at the end of November. He has already qualified for the Novice Freestyle and it would be good to get the Novice Open class too.

With Bonfire night fast approaching our neighbours have announced that they are having a bonfire and will set off a few 'small' fireworks..time to shut the boys outside windows and turn the radio up! Forest Farmacy have sent me some 'Soothing Animal Solution' to help calm their nerves and make it less scary for them..maybe I should have a few drops myself!?

Finally my website has gone 'live' and that should help with business.. www.jobarryequestrian.co.uk"