"Each week, I successfully manage to cram as much in as possible, but I think I've broken records this time! We have been up and down the country a few times.. I'm hoping July will be quieter, June usually is but now we're off to Luhmuhlen this has now changed.

I felt both myself and the horses were in need of some show jumping practice. This is something I would usually do a lot of, but since I've moved to Kent I've not been once so now it's time to start again. Not only is it good for me but the horses do become a little less careful as we gallop around cross country, understandably. If I could take all of them out that would be great but with only six places on the lorry, I have to be strategic. Therefore I choose the least experienced usually.

I left for Norton Heath early Tuesday morning as I know it has a very good clear round. I will venture out more locally soon but while I am after very specific reasons for my outings, I will choose 'safe' places to go. We took Bomber; Becky rode him and did a great job - he's now ready for competitions before he has a small holiday. I jumped Brian in the British Novice, he jumped a double clear and in the Discovery too. In fact Tweedy, Harry and Imp all jumped double clears. Harry came third in the Discovery and 1m05. Imp nearly won the Newcomers but I was 300ths of a second too slow. I was back by 3.30pm and time to ride a new schooling livery, Handsome Harvey, who is very willing. He is here while his owner is doing his exams and for me to school and work on. I enjoy projects like these. We also had a Cranio-Sacral workshop day here courtesy of Mureen Rogers. It was great - they treated six horses and believe me I really notice a difference. Still can't reccommend it enough...

We went back to Lodge Farm for some more xc schooling with Bomber and Tweedy. Bomber is becoming very grown up and jumps straight around all the combinations. He is rather brave at drops so it is good to practise the variety there is to offer, big and small. It also seems to be the 'place to be' on a Wednesday as also schooling there was Sacha Pemble, Tom Crisp and Francis Whittington. A bit of a social at the same time!

I left for lessons with Anna on Thursday afternoon after riding the remainder being left here. I also decided it was too far to go back home again as I had Brigstock Saturday and Sunday. I had six at Brigstock and wanted to have lessons with Jasper and Ken, so Gabriella very kindly lent us her two horse super-duper little Oakley. Poor Sophie had to drive up and down and back up to Suffolk. My lessons went really well. We worked on Jaspers' canter counter which was weak in my last two tests, Ken on a bit more impulsion while trying to keep the softness, Bertie on balance and he went superbly and Amber, my first lesson for six months. She was great, we still have to be careful as she is a little hot on the flat at times still, but can seriously operate and I have high hopes for future tests.

I left for Suffolk where I stayed until Saturday morning. It was lovely to stay there and have an 'easy' day. I went and saw the boys, Bob and Charlie. I sadly had poor Beanie put down in the week as he was never going to be sound and I felt it was too much to ask for him to be in pain even just in the field. Poor Beanie, he was a lovely horse. I have also found Bob a home, this has been a hard week after losing two horses. But Bob is very special and I know he will be better off with a quieter life but I still (as do all the family) find it hard. Charlie's splint looks good so he'll come home in a couple of weeks and will swap with Bomber.

I seem to be given very early times each event now, so getting up incredibly early is now normal! Brigstock is a lovely event; good galloping track with lots of ditches. I always think if you have something go boldly around the Intermediate then you have a brave horse. I had Bambi in the Novice, and I was incredibly disappointed with my dressage mark of 40. She performed a very nice test, but obviously not to the judge's liking. She then jumped a great double clear. I am so pleased with her progress, I'm sure her marks will be back to normal next time.

This seemed to be the trend for Saturday. I was horrified to see Bertie's score - it was ridiculously high, as was Tweedy's. These two horses move very well and when the judge gives them six for their paces and my riding I'm not overly pleased! However, they both jumped double clears and felt ready for the next level, Novice. Sunday's fortunes were much better. Amber was in the CIC 2*. She performed a very nice test with a few small mistakes for 56. We then went xc (in serious heat!) and she was brilliant, I opened her up though after some big jumps where she had to jump 'out' over each one and I think I just didn't appreciate how big her stride still was, as I couldn't turn for the last part of the sheep pen combination. A real shame as she would've been near the time and with 20 penalties we don't get a qualification. She jumped clear sj, a good round, always interesting to see how they jump after the xc. Harry and Romeo each performed good tests in the Intermediate and each had one down sj, Harry the last, Romeo the first. Without these we would've been very highly placed. They both jumped around the xc course superbly and each with four time faults. The hills here are definitely making a difference they both feel much fitter. Harry was fifth and Romeo seventh. Good weekend. Great weather and great to catch up with all my family and owners. We had a big dinner on Saturday night and a glass of Champagne on Sunday to celebrate my Mum's birthday - I won't tell you how old she looks and you'll never guess as she looks very good for her age!"