“Monday started with catching up on admin work – yawn! Tuesday was much more fun – I taught four groups of five riders at Stanford Rivers XC course. I also took a few horses to school as my pupils usually find it beneficial to watch me ride too. Everyone did really well.

The following morning, I left for Jane Gregory’s for three days’ intensive dressage training. I took four horses – Jasper (Tankers Town), Bruno (Ultimate Opposition), Kenny (Kenny) and Joe (Jorrocks Curtis). Jane was pleased with the improvements made by all horses – especially Jasper. I was delighted, as I’ve been working very hard on them! Jane and I worked on movements for my Badminton test and we also did lots of lateral work. I went swimming in the evening for my own fitness.

On Friday, I worked on my Badminton test again with Jane and recorded it so I could practise riding all the movements correctly and accurately. The following day, back at home, I took Jasper, Dave (Mightaswell) and Bob (Good Sport II) swimming. It’s perfect extra fitness work for Jasper and excellent for Bob, who’s coming back into work from injury; swimming works the horses’ lungs without stressing the legs and joints.

On Sunday, I competed at the South of England Horse Trials. Jasper did a lovely test for a 25 and a great clear show jumping in the OI, but I decided not to run him XC, as the going was too soft. Romeo did a lovely test in the Novice, but had a very unusual three down in the show jumping, which was devastating as he flew around the XC very boldly and would have picked up a good place if he'd jumped his usual clear. Never mind; that’s horses for you and what makes three-day eventing so skilful – they need to be brilliant at everything!”