"I write this blog sitting in the glorious French sunshine at Lignieres - the weather here has been fantastic, even a little too warm at times. I have had a few events before this one and seem to be struggling to find time to do anything but ride.

Back to Burnham

We went to Burnham with Rubin for his first ever event. He is proving to be a promising horse and we only did the BE90, but he showed a good attitude and enjoyed the day. He is a grandson of Quidam De Revel so is a very good jumper.

Columbo was in the BE100; he did a very good test for 24 but sadly had two show jumps down, though his cross-country was good to finish fourth. He is in the in-between stage of too good for a 100 and not quite bold enough for a novice yet - I would do a pre novice plus with him but there are very few of these around

On the Sunday I entered the intermediate with Red, Bertie and Romeo, and the novice with Bambi. All did very good tests and were very near the leaders in each section. Romeo jumped beautifully and just had the first part of the combination down; and Bert jumped immaculately. Red uncharacteristically jumped right in the last combination so my right foot hit two wings to have two down.

Romeo then went very well XC and finished eighth, this was my last run with him as he has gone to Alex Liddle as a junior horse, I'm sure he will excel at this so fingers crossed for them.

Bertie jumped superbly but was slightly green into the first water - I now realise it was very shadowy as they all did the same. He jumped in so boldly we stumbled up the step and I was catapulted out of the saddle! I got back on and finished but the top placing was gone.

Red was good but ran right in the water and past the red flag for 20 penalties! Bambi was excellent; she jumped a great double clear to finish sixth.

Horse shopping 

In between events we went to Ireland looking at horses, as I am always keen to keep building a team even better than last year's one. I bought a very handsome four-year-old by a son of Cavalier, he moves beautifully and has a good jump.

Moreton Morrell was the next event, the last time I was there Jasper was a novice! It has definitely improved, the courses were good and the BE100 was decent which is a good thing as so many are uninspiring. I had Columbo in the 100 and Rubin for his first at this level. Rubin was green as expected but went very well overall, two down but only as he needs to improve his technique, he has lots of scope.

Columbo scored 21 in the dressage then sadly one down and few time faults cross-country to finish second. This was his last run this year, as he has gone so well and always placed in top few each event. Bambi did the best dressage in her section, clear show jumping and fantastic ctoss-country but they must have wheeled the course incorrectly, as I had two time faults for being too fast which made me fourth not first.  

Off to Lignieres 

We left early Tuesday, I usually drive through the night but was too tired this time, it does mean traffic is slower but you don't get there exhausted. We had a good trip down and arrived at 8pm.

I love Lignieres, it has a great laid-back atmosphere and incredibly helpful organisers. The stables are fantastic, wooden permanent with big overhangs to stop the sunlight. There are surfaces for the dressage and show jumping and the XC is watered and spiked. They also have drinks each night, so very social too!

This was Red's longest trip so far and he generally coped well. It must have been 30 degrees each day with no wind, so it was very hot. I even had shorts on all week and time to sunbathe - in-between plaiting, as I didn't take a groom.

Red worked well each day and I was careful not to do too much with him, so I'd do two 30 minute sessions per day. He did his test at the hottest part of the day and apart from a couple minor mistakes, I was happy with it. I was therefore a little disappointed to be given a score of 49.6. It was quite evident that in the heat and the serious two-star cross-country course it wasn't going to be a dressage competition.

I went near the end so had plenty of time to watch the other riders. There were a number of thrills and spills horses were also looking tired, so I planned with Red to go positively but not to push too hard, as I really wanted a qualification.

I was anxious when I walked the course to make everything as straightforward as possible, as there were so many places to run out, so I planned to do one long route which took an extra four seconds.

A lucky escape

He set off well but strong. Unusually strong and fighting a little, but jumped the first seven well, including the water complex which had caused some difficulty. We got to the interspace skinny and he ran out to the right, has never done that before and I was rather shocked. We went the long route and carried on, as 20 penalties is still a qualification.

He was still very strong and never really settled, which in the heat surprised me. He jumped very well over the next 14 fences when we got to a turning combination, a big table then five forward strides to a skinny on a right hand turn.

Well we jumped the table well and were good for the skinny, when just on take-off he suddenly dived left and half jumped the fence, hitting it behind. I fell off the left hand side with my right foot still caught in the stirrup. My jacket blew up thankfully (I nearly didn't wear one as it was so hot) and saved me from breaking my collarbone or a dislocated shoulder. Thankfully Red stopped and I got my foot out the stirrup, and walked off battered and bruised. I have no idea why he did it but will be practising lots and lots of skinnies before next season! 

I am off riding for a few days to let my body recover so will make the most of the sunshine and begin to book up teaching clinics in my spare time this winter! Please contact me if interested."

Sharon