"This week has flown by; the week before a big competition always does seem to... Jasper is in great form after his run, had the final vet check (just to make sure) so we'll be heading off full of excitement and anticipation for the week ahead!

I've had a very busy week as usual.... I certainly feel that I've achieved as much as possible! The ground has been really good still all week so we've been jumping them outside and XC schooling.

Makes such a difference to me having these facilities on site. I've also been cantering all the horses and they are getting much fitter. I feel I've done enough with Jasper but as its a new area I've nothing to gauge it against as is all new territory, he looks amazing though and feels great so fingers crossed.

We've also had Max Gorden staying/ helping us for a few days. He got on well and we're always grateful of the extra help. Bedgebury is a great place to come for a few days training as we have so many places to work them plus the XC course etc... If anyone is interested for a few days training please let me know via email or leave a comment on this blog.

I went with three horses to Golden Cross for some affiliated dressage on Wednesday - Tweedy, Amber and Harry. Someone had changed the novice 24 without informing me and I then had to go h/c as I hadn't a clue what the test was! Tweedy performed a lovely novice test and came second. Amber also performed a good test but was a little strong, ditto for the elementary. Harry however was superb and won both elementarys with 68% and 70%. Very promising for the future...

In between riding I went to Ingatestone to help launch the new Ariat Devon Pro quantum boot. They upgrade their boots and technology regularly and so this was a launch of the new improved boot. I am incredibly lucky to be sponsored by them, I'm sure you're all very jealous! I will also be doing various signings for sponsors at Badminton so see some of you there...

I went to Bury farm for some lessons with Anna on Friday with Jasper, who we worked in the field. We perfected the warm up and then ran through the test once which he performed very well. Just a case of keeping us both very relaxed, he's capable of a serious test so I'll try my hardest to make that happen. I also had lessons with Bertie and Bambi, mainly working on transitions to canter, also their straightness and self carriage. Anna could see lots of improvement in Bertie so I must be on the right track...

For some reason now I'm in Kent I seem to have very early start times and this weekend was no exception! We left at 6am with Bambi for her first novice. Bambi did a good accurate test for 35 and a double clear, with good time for 7th. We were delighted for her first one, there were a few good questions and she was brilliant, just a little strong at the end. I worked Ken, Amber, Brian and Jasper. The organisers very kindly let me use the arenas with Jasper which is so beneficial. We could then work through the areas needed... Last time I used the arenas there I came 5th at Badminton, would be pleased if that was the result this year!

We went back the next day with the babies, we had a fantastic day as my parents came to watch as did Jane Bailey (Brian’s co owner), Pene Parker who owns Charmed my advanced horse from last year, and David and Sue Howard popped in who co own Harry. The weather was also kind, looked as though we were in for rain but it held off. They had done a superb job with the ground, spiked and levelled so it had some spring in it. Tweedy was awesome, a 27 dressage and double clear and won!

Bert was a little tense in his dressage as I should've given him longer to warm up but still finished 4th with a good double clear. Brian did his first ever BE100, a good test 32, two down in the show jumping, one due to spooking at the number one and the second was greenness. He was superb XC, very brave and bold and grown up especially as it's only his second event. He is such a good jumper; he'll eventually be on the market so watch out for when as he will be a serious junior horse.... I got a late entry for Imp in the open 100 as I decided he needs going back to basics, which paid off as he went very well XC and came fifth, he will stay at that level until I feel he's happy.

After such a good few weekends of results there was a need for a celebration which was duly done at our local pub - can't be all work and no play!!

[Editor's note: Sharon has just posted a 48.2 in Friday's dressage at Badminton and is lying in ninth place!]