"This week has been all about Bramham, but we had a few missions to achieve on the way...we left at 8am on Tuesday morning - after I'd cantered Amber and schooled Harry - with Kenny and Jasper. We went via Towerlands were I looked at a few horses. Saw a really nice five year old black Thoroughbred gelding (which I am just on my way to collect!). They very kindly let me school Kenny and Jasper over the jumps that were up, it’s a good practise as I could get so close to a competition. They both jumped very well, so full of confidence I left for Suffolk.

In Suffolk we picked up Charlie who had been holidaying at Sue Cross's. I was taking him on the long trip to Bramham to give to a friend of mine to ride as he has more time and I'd already sold him a horse which he had done a brilliant job with. So I thought he'd be the perfect man for Charlie.

We arrived at Bramham about 6pm to torrential rain which I later realised was much needed as the going was a little on the hard side.The weather changed the next day and we were to have a few gloriously sunny days.

The boys were fairly settled for the whole week. Bramham is always full of atmosphere, as there is a lot going on especially around the dressage arena. Jasper did his test first on the Thursday and performed a very nice test with only a couple of small mistakes for a 47. Kenny performed his test Friday lunchtime; he had been working very well. I had been mainly working on relaxation as he can get a little tense in the arena. The first part of his test was really good and scored some good marks in his trot work but in the walk he became a little keen at the end and then was a little strong in the canter. However I was pleased with the test and did think the marks were very harsh at times.

It was evident it wasn't going to be a dressage competition as the cross country was big, bold and long. The fences were big and wide from the very first fence. Numer three was similar to a double of corners. The fourth fence was a serious parallel and the fifth fence was a decent water complex. The straight route through the water I didn't think was far off a 4* with a seriously angled brush on the way out. I chose the log in and a slightly safer route out. The course remained difficult the whole way around with lots of areas to have penalties. I prefer a competition like this to sort everybody out, which this certainly did. I am also hoping Kenny will compete at 4* in the future so this would be a good stepping stone for him.

On Saturday he set off very well, he was rather strong at times which I am still working on and actually it was only the really big fences that I could ride him forward at. He jumped superbly through the first water but I had a run out at fence nine b which was a big corner on a road crossing due to lack of brakes. I then took the option and carried on, he jumped really well around all the other fences which included another double of corners, water complex and ditch and palisades. Towards home he jumped a double of arrowheads very well I then jumped a massive double of brushes were he stumbled quite badly on landing and after the next corner, when I was only three from home, I thought he wasn't right so I made the devastating decision to pull up. I always would rather save the horse for another day rather than risk big injuries. I was genuinely devastated as he had been going so well but this is what can happen.

I withdrew Jasper after an immaculate show jumping round as he is going to Lumuhlen in 10 days time. Kenny is fine and will next run at Barbury much more experienced. I always love Bramham. Apart from the hospitality being so good (a particularly good Thursday night party) it’s always a real test of cross country skill and endurance which I believe is very important. We left on Sunday morning for the long trip home after having a good week. I shall definitely be back next year and many congratulations to Pippa who is a very deserving winner."