"This week has been dominated by my trip to Germany. Before we left, I went to Norton Heath to have some dressage lessons with Anna Ross-Davies. All the horses were very good – especially Jasper (Tankers Town), who I rode in a double [bridle] and he really seemed to go well in it, and Kenny (Kenny), who is now establishing his changes. It’s all looking good for Bonn.

We left at 5.30am for Dover – for some reason, I thought it would only take me two hours to get there and I was hoping to catch the 7.45am ferry. No chance! We caught the 9.15am. The horses travelled very well, and we arrived at 7pm local time (one hour ahead) to a very nice place: good stables and surface, not to mention friendly and helpful Germans. We walked the horses but didn't work them. A good night’s sleep was needed by all.

I love the fact we can work in the main arena; Kenny was initially very excited, but settled quickly. Jasper is old hat now but it does him good to work with the screen there.

Friday at 8am Jasper performed a good test for 49. Better than recent efforts and the double bridle worked well – a permanent piece of equipment now! Kenny was very helpful and added a few extra changes but generally a very solid test and improving quickly.

Jasper didn't run – as was always the plan. Kenny was awesome, especially good at the three big waters and finished with the second fastest time having just cruised around – such is his gallop. Zara [Phillips] was very unlucky – having been so well placed after a great XC round on Secret Legacy, an over-reach sadly saw the end of their chances.

Kenny trotted up well on Sunday morning and jumped a brilliant SJ round until near the end – he just touched two and they both came down. The show jumping was very big and much faster than I've known in England for a while – a good test. I finished 11th and I am delighted as I have my 3* qualification now.

The journey home was good except the ferry crossing was rather rough, and we finally returned home at 4am on Monday morning rather tired!"