"Another week, packed full as usual! Some of the horses were doing their last event so I made a real hard push to get the last one right - it's always good to end on a high!

Ely ely worth it

We came back from Osberton via Little Downham as the weather reports were pretty good from that part of the country! When I woke up on Monday morning to rain I nearly had a sense of humour failure as did Sophie who thought I must be barking mad to load and go to Ely, but thought I’d see how it was as mostly the ground can take some serious rain... Well I wasn't disappointed as the ground was very good; amazing how it can cope with the extreme wet. Thank goodness we looked, unlike many who didn't even turn up, they missed out.

I had Amber and Harry in the OI, they both did good tests, 30 and 31. So pleased with Amber we seem to have nearly cracked the dressage. Maybe the changes will upset her again next year, but we'll try and be very careful introducing them again. She jumped a beautiful clear showjumping round which was well up to height and with lots of parallels. Harry had the first down for some unknown reason and then jumped the best round he's ever jumped. He was superb and felt incredibly classy; he really is exciting for the future.

An uncharacteristic blip

I set off XC with Amber and she jumped the first four fences very well, as did she the fence before the water but proceeded to run straight past the fence in the water which is most unlike her. She only ever runs out if I’ve made a mistake and thought that I hadn't or she hadn't. When I walked the course I was worried that they wouldn't focus on the fence as there were so many around it, a pre novice and advanced fence and I think this is what made the difference. I also didn't make the 4 strides easily and as I’ve jumped this fence several times was very surprised. There were a few mistakes at that fence and I’m convinced that is the problem. So I chatted with Bob who builds the course and he too agreed so I think maybe this will be changed next year or I shall ride the fence as I did with Harry.

Amber went on superbly, I circled and was given another 20 penalties later in the course which I didn't dispute as wasn't then competitive, but sadly has blotted her very good record this year. Harry was brilliant all the way around the course which I think is strong enough for an intermediate. I put five strides in from the rails to the fence in the water to make sure he had seen it and this was fine. He jumped effortlessly around the course, it is hard to believe he's only seven. We finished ninth in a hot section so was very pleased - the jump down cost me sixth place though! I left happy they'd had a good run, potentially their last. Harry is still top of the wait list for Lion so we shall see...

Lodge Farm jolly

I took a few to Lodge Farm on Wednesday. I thought Amber needed a jolly and I don't like to finish on a slightly bad note. Kenny went for a little school after Blenheim, Imp to practise for Pulborough and Bomber and Brian ditto. It was remarkable how the ground had held up to the rain; there were quite a few puddles around that the youngsters weren't overly keen on, but quickly got used to them. Imp especially felt like he enjoyed himself.

Pulborough pays off

Off to Pulborough and another early start. Left at 6am on Saturday with Bomber and Kenny, and Jasper and Bambi to school. Bomber was excellent, a little distracted in the dressage but pretty good. He was very good in the show jumping and was clear, much better than last time. He was superb XC, much more grown up and again was clear. We weren't competitive as they didn't have an open intro section but he would've been 5th. A good way to end his season. He will now holiday and hopefully grow! He is such a lovely horse and jumper it would be brilliant if he did become tall enough for me to keep.

No rest for the wicked

We again left at some unsociable hour on Sunday with Bambi, Bertie, Imp and Brian. Bambi was just doing the dressage and jumping as I felt her fitness wasn't quite as I’d like to run XC. She did a good test, 31 and was a little exuberant in the showjumping and had one down but jumped well. Bertie performed a very nice test but is definitely better in the bigger arena as I have more room to help his balance. He scored 35, also had one down, was superb as usual XC, clear and stylish.

Imp was his usual brilliant self in the dressage, scored 21. He also had a fence down! Set off XC superbly, we jumped all the difficult fences really well and felt confident and happy. I perhaps softened too much for the second to last fence which were angled houses and the cheeky monkey ran out! He is hilarious, far too intelligent! I am still delighted though as he is a different horse XC, I am confident we'll keep progressing.

Brian was excellent all day, 28 dressage, still one down! But perfect xc and we finished second. He too now goes on holiday to grow! He is still for sale but I’m happy to keep him as he is so lovely to have around.

The countdown is on to Pau and the end of the season, but as long as the weather stays like this weekend and not last weekend I could keep going forever!"