“We arrived back from Luhmuhlen at 5.30am; I went to bed for a couple of hours and then rode all the horses here. I hadn't sat on them for a week. I was rather tired but it's amazing how your adrenalin keeps you going. I rode 11 I think, they all went very well; Becky and Gemma have done a good job working them for us.

We have two new arrivals this week, Kit and Sarah, both on work experience. We are probably in our most busy period now so the timing is great! It will come as no surprise to everyone that this week was as full as ever, no resting! We left for Hickstead Tuesday evening with five horses. Amber and Kenny who were entered in the Foxhunter, 1.25 metre and 1.30 metre classes. Bertie, Harry and Tweedy were entered in the one metre and 1.10.

The courses were all well up to height and spooky, so the metre, although a bit small for them, served a good purpose for gaining experience. I have only jumped at Hickstead once a few years ago so I was looking forward to the two days ahead. The facilities are amazing, the warm up arena is absolutely huge and the grass arenas are all watered so there was a good cut in the ground. The horses jumped well on the first day, I jumped the 1.30 and they both just touched a fence which I was delighted with as it was rather large and square. The younger horses jumped in two different rings which was really good for them to see different fillers, etc. There was so much going on around the arenas too, which again is great to get them used to the atmosphere of a big competition. I also enjoyed watching the show jumpers ride. I find watching [other riders] fascinating, you can learn so much from watching and copying (or trying to!). The show jumpers also look like they know how to party! I was still rather tired from my trip abroad and went to bed at a very sensible time, only to wake up at 3.15 am hearing some very loud music and singing and they got up and jumped at 8am as we did, very impressed!

The horses jumped better on the second day, all horses jumped double clears in the one metre and Harry did in the Newcomers and the others just touched one. The 1.25 was up to height, I had the first down on Amber and the second on Ken but they were excellent, the rest were better than the previous day, and the two days ended in jumping the Foxhunter double clear, really pleased. I think I picked up minor places in a few classes but it wasn't about that so much as the practising some good jumping rounds. We left for home thoroughly exhausted but enthused!

Friday was again spent riding/jumping the horses which were at home and/or going to Milton Keynes. I couldn't be without my indoor school now in this heat, it means I can keep going all day without stopping and work the horses well without them being too hot.

We left for Milton Keynes at about 1.30pm, safe I thought to get up there at a reasonable time, how wrong was I! Everybody had decided to finish early for the weekend it seemed and I had my first standstill on the M25 since I’ve moved. Eventually we got to Milton Keynes about 5.30pm. We were very kindly taken out for dinner by Sophies' parents to a lovely restaurant five minutes away, very nice food! We had with us Bertie, who was in the novice, he performed a good test and a beautiful double clear, he is absolutely delightful to ride XC! Imp was in the Open Novice, he also performed a lovely test, no mistakes, very relaxed but active so was rather surprised that he was given a 34.5. He jumped very well, a confident double clear and finished just out of the places. I hope I’m not speaking to soon, but I think we may be starting to form a partnership now.

Harry was in the NRF, which we were hoping to qualify for Gatcombe. He was so submissive in his test and scored the best mark, 27.3. He jumped beautifully clear in the show jumping (definitely Hickstead had helped) and as ever fantastic XC. I wore a watch to make sure I didn't get any time faults and when I only had 45 seconds to get home at the bottom of their big hill, I asked him to open up. He has an incredible turn-on sustainable speed, we went like a rocket up that hill and he finished inside the time to win. So delighted for everyone as I feel he's got a very good chance of doing very well at Gatcombe. David and Sue Howard were/are very proud owners!

I also ran Brian in the BE 100 section, he performed a good test for 31.5, just touched one for four faults and went well XC as the course was reasonably hard and had two corners! He also finished just out of the places. I am full of praise for the efforts from the organisers at Milton Keynes, the grass cover was good and spiked so good going. I shall be back next year.

Another good week then, let’s hope for rain soon, however I do love the sunshine! Thank you for all my lovely messages by the way for Luhmuhlen, they are much appreciated.”