"The week started with a trip to the vets for Joe (Jorrocks Curtis) – he has not been quite right recently but there’s nothing glaringly obvious wrong, so he is going to spend some time in the field and enjoy a little holiday. I schooled Tweedy (Silbato) who appears to be very happy in his new home. I worked Imp (Impulsive), who is also enjoying his new abode and Beanie (Breeze IV) who was quite fresh!

The next day I schooled Beanie again and Harry (Azeb), both of whom were excellent and are so much more established now. I jumped Brian (Opposition Express) who was quite strong – a good thing as he has his Young Event Horse class soon, and I'm sure he'll be spooky at his first big show. I left for the gallops with Romeo (Romeo Z) and worked on his stamina with longer, slower canters. It’s important to build his stamina, particularly before Gatcombe. I took the dogs too – they are hilarious trying to keep up - I must get someone to video it! I went on to the XC course with Imp, Ken (Kenny) and Tweedy. Tweedy was again good; he is getting better and gaining more confidence each time. Kenny was great – we practised a bounce into the water before the weekend (Aston Advanced). Imp was superb – I can't wait for Aston, he's in the Open Novice on Sunday…

On Wednesday I rode Bomber, my four-year-old before leaving for Towerlands. He has a wonderful canter and I can't wait until he grows! I took Imp Tweedy, Bruno (Ultimate Opposition) and Kenny. Sedge (Coogan Sedge), owned by Jane Bailey, also came, courtesy of Amanda – Jane Bailey’s groom. Tweedy did a great double clear for 6th and Sedge would've also been placed but he is not registered. I also jumped Sedge in the clear round, which we put up several holes. He, like the others, is improving rapidly. Tweedy just had one down in the Newcomers (I’m delighted, as he is only five!) and so did Imp. I also jumped him in the clear round, which was raised, and he jumped very well – two clear rounds. I jumped Bruno in the 1.15 and he went clear. He also did a double clear in the Foxhunter and won the class. Ken also jumped a double clear and finished 6th. So a good day – hopefully we’re all set up for clear rounds at Aston... I collected the lorry, she looks superb – shiny and new and I intend to keep her that way!

The following day I was up early to school Bruno and Kenny before Aston. Both were excellent and I hope for good marks on Friday. I jumped Harry – he is a superstar, I think this is the best he's gone. I left for Hickstead to watch the Grand Prix – the traffic was awful and took forever, I hate the M25! It was a good class though and I had a great day out. Back at home I packed the lorry up for three days at Aston, with Ken and Bruno in the Advanced and Imp in the Open Novice.

On the Friday, I left with the horses at 8am for Aston. We arrived in good time and all the way up, the weather had been very good as it was for most of the day except when I warmed up for each dressage test. I got soaked – twice! I've never seen so many top riders at the same event as here. The organisers had made good efforts with the ground and the advanced XC course was great, not too big but it posed enough questions. Bruno performed a very nice test for 35 – only a few marks off the leader so I was very happy with that. Kenny did his test in the most awful conditions – pouring rain and thunder, so he was a little tense but still quite good for 38. I walked the course, which was perfect for them and I hope the rain stays so keeps the clay soft.

Amber (Red Amber), my mare, had been dropped off for me from the Kyles as I'm going to try another time with her; I adore her but we just have differences of opinions at times! I schooled her and Imp in an arena with mirrors, they are so helpful – both horses were good and I managed to squeeze in an entry on Sunday for Amber for the Novice (although the time was very early).

On Saturday I enjoyed a very leisurely morning as I wasn't on until 11am and we were stabled only two minutes up the road, which was ideal. We arrived at 9.30am and I watched some show jumping – the course looked quite big and it was a small arena; there were not many clears. I jumped Ken and he did a fantastic clear; I am now using a hackamore, which really seems to help as he's quite sensitive in his mouth. We then went XC and he was awesome, a little green at the bounce into water but foot perfect otherwise and finished 8th. Brilliant result! Bruno jumped in the afternoon; he jumped clear in the show jumping (as I'd expect) and went fantastically XC. We've changed his bit to an American gag and I had much more control and could ride more forwards. Hopefully he will continue as well in the bit as I've always slightly struggled with brakes! Bruno got just a few time faults and finished 6th – again, I was delighted as it was a very good result against top competition. Two double clears out of very few too – all in all a very good day at the office!

On Sunday, I was up at 6am as I had an 8am dressage test. I was riding Amber first and hadn't ridden her since March except during the last two days. It was not a bad test but we need to get to know each other again. She jumped superbly – a double clear and finished 10th. Not bad for our first event again. Imp was in the Open Novice – he performed the most perfect test but for some unknown reason we only scored the 3rd best mark in the section, however he jumped a great clear in the show jumping and was faultless XC to finish 2nd. It was very exciting as this was our first proper event. Next time we’ll do an Intermediate for both of them. Well four double clears out of four is fantastic! I’m glad all the hard work paying off. It’s a busy week next week with three days at Knaptoft, which will hopefully be as successful as this weekend!"