“We seem to have had a very short week as I have spent four days at Barbury Castle. This is one of my favourites as the atmosphere is fantastic as the XC is run in reverse order and gets very exciting, but also because you can see nearly all the course as is set in a huge natural bowl. Anyone who hasn't been there must go.

A new horse

Before we left though, I had a new horse arrive. Phoenix, who is owned by Mrs Avrina Milton. A quality big bay, five-year-old. He seems to be settled already, we plan to take him to a few competitions and go from there. He has already competed in three Intros so hopefully will be eventing in the near future, once we get some rain - which is now forecast, yippee!

I rode all the horses that I leave behind as much as possible before I go away. Nelson is really growing in confidence and his flatwork is improving daily, he is a lovely horse. The lessons I had with Anna means I can pass on the new things I have learnt to the others and gives me plenty to work on. I love the fact they all improve in different ways; yes, I have my favourites but they all are lovely to ride.

Anki (Sederholm) from Butet came and checked my saddles before we left Wednesday; we're doing a pretty good job with the fits for the new horses but I prefer to have the professionals to tell me! Butet now have different trees and fittings so can fit all horses which is helpful, as mine are various shapes and sizes now!

Barbury stars

We left Wednesday lunchtime with five horses, Kenny, Amber, Bambi, Harry and Imp for Barbury. I had a few very busy days ahead of me with three courses to walk and several tests to ride with most twice a day the days leading up to it. This generally paid off as I had some good marks, Harry scored a 50 in his first 2* and Amber 53, which I thought was a little tough as some of her work was superb. Bambi performed a good test although she was a little tense but had a rather high mark. Imp was brilliant and scored a 24 - not sure if that was the leading mark but must have been somewhere near. This mark was enabled by Anna Ross Davies' input, luckily for me she was there to help me warm up, but more than that, to watch them in their tests and see where they go wrong (and right.) I love criticism and believe this is the way to move forward, I am well aware my tests are far from perfect so would like them to move towards perfection. Anna is very kind though and thinks my corners need more preparation (perhaps one thing at a time!). I was pleased she watched Kenny’s' test as there were some brilliant moments and some rather strong ones too, the happy medium will come soon, I think courtesy of a double bridle which I wish I’d used Thursday. It wasn't our best mark but with such a hot section I wasn't too surprised.

My show jumping record was very good there, four clear rounds and Ken had one down and three time faults which was a very respectable score for this track. There were very few clears, we nearly jumped one but had the back rail of a triple bar down surprisingly. Really pleased with them, we headed for the XC.

Bambi set the standard, an immaculate clear with a few time faults. A very impressive double clear. My next round was not quite so smooth, having set out on a score of 24 I thought I could be competitive with Imp, but I forgot how inexperienced he really is and probably was too quick into the quarry and we hit it, hard. I tested the Point Two air jacket and it really was superb. I fell very hard and didn't feel a thing, my jacket blew up by the time I hit the floor and had a soft landing. I was gutted though as he was going so well and I felt I could have prevented this. However I saw the funny side and hope that he will learn from it so wait for next time...

Harry was in a very respectable 10th place before the XC but had a run out (my first proper one ever!) at the very skinny mushroom fence. He went so well after; he is a class horse, one for the future as they say. Amber also was class, she was clear. I played safe at the mushroom complex, fence five and six and the rest she flew over. I now ride her in an American gag which she seemed to really like, I now have my 2* qualification. Kenny however was the real delight as again, trying new brakes, he cruised around the 3*, all the straight routes, felt superb. Probably the best round we've had, he is so scopey and brave, hopefully Blenheim will give us the result we would like/deserve. He’s really becoming my back up horse, just time to calm the dressage down.

Will we make selection for Team GB?

I watched the other British contenders with interest. This was our final trial except three weren't running, disappointing I’m sure for the selectors. Congratulations to Nicola Wilson who had a superb win.

Well, I wait to hear of our fate, I hope with our three wins this year I will be selected but you never know. Jasper (Tankers Town) is having a mini break but soon to work again, he hates holidays. Whatever happens, he has been brilliant and did you know he is the leading British horse so far this year?”