"I've had a brilliant week as was my birthday on Monday. I won't say how old I am, but at this age I'm the right side of 35 so birthdays are still reasonably pleasurable, but soon won't be I'm sure!

I spent the day in style at Patchetts with Jasper, Kenny and Red doing dressage. As Jasper had not been out for a while I thought he may need a quiet competition. We arrived slightly late as the M25 was not kind to us and didn't have long to warm up, hence my low score in the first novice with Red, but after a good warm up for the second class we scored 67%, much more respectable. He is coming on in leaps and bounds now. Jasper and Kenny were both excellent. The tests were indoors so slightly easier than doing the tests outdoors but were still very spooky with mirrors, etc. I rode Jasper in a double bridle as he can sometimes be quite strong, so I can't set him up properly for the movements at times in a snaffle. I use these tests purely for training so would sacrifice movements to get better future tests, this however was not necessary as they both behaved very well - although Kenny is still not keen on halting! Jasper scored 70% in the first class and Ken 69% in both and Jasper  73% in the second class. We still got beaten though into second and third! I had a couple of drinks down our local pub but nothing too exciting as I was absolutely shattered!

Working on me

We had one day at home and then left for Stuart Harvey's on Wednesday with five horses for lessons. I took all the horses who were going to Oasby, Red, Jasper, Kenny, Bert and Harry (who is still on the waiting list for Le Lion). Stuart helped me with the same trend I have on all of them: potentially not enough leg on at times. We jumped a grid and courses, working on me more than the horses which is great. I have plenty of things to work on now.

I had a rare treat on Thursday evening when my best friends came and took me out for my birthday celebration. This night was considerably heavier than monday, I knew why I'd nearly stopped drinking on Friday! No more for a while!

We went to Oasby on Saturday lunchtime as I decided to work all the horses there before competing on Sunday. The weather was horrible, cold and raining. But by all accounts the ground was quite firm on Saturday so the rain made it very good on Sunday. I've not been to Oasby for years; the courses were good, the novice had a few questions and the intermediate would be a good first timer. The ground was pretty perfect so great for my boys off to Pau.

A clean record for Bertie

We started at 8am so I had to be there at 7; it was still dark and the grass had a frost on it - I must admit I won't miss this! This was my last event in England, the weather (once the sun came out) was very kind to us but made it rather shadowy and spooky in places. Bert and Imp both did good tests, Bert needs more strength in general to improve his canter but is so much more relaxed now. Imp found the ground quite firm with the frost and scored his first test over 30 for as long as I can remember! They jumped well in the SJ, but I had one down on Bertie, but Imp went clear. Bertie went first xc, he was as usual perfect to ride. I don't wear a watch specifically as I would like to go at the pace he needs to run at rather than chasing places. He had one time fault and finished seventh. I am delighted with him, he hasn't had an xc penalty ever and plan to keep his record clean next year!

Imp however is not so reliable! We set off well xc, he is so much better and more confident and I think he lulls me into a false sense of security. He jumped so boldly over the brush before the water I thought he would jump straight in, but alas he stopped and catapulted me out of the saddle but luckily not into the freezing water! My air jacket went off and the cushioning from the fall is superb. How anyone cannot wear one does make me wonder why not as they do save collar bones, bruising and for me my lower back as I used to get quite sore from falls and not just a little stiff. Once inflated though it does take a long time to go down so I left it with the jump judge and carried on to finish. I will get there with him - we'll work on one fence on the course, drag hunting and water schooling.

Fully fit Jasper and Ken

Jasper and Kenny are at full fitness now so were nearly excellent in their tests. The commentator was very excited just at the times I didn't need him to be, but we still got 28 with Jasper and 34 with Kenny. Red is constantly improving but a little strong this time so I wasn't as accurate as I would have liked to have been! They all jumped clear in the show jumping, Jasper loved it and Kenny jumped very well. I have his bit with two reins now, so far he prefers it.

I rode Jasper first xc, and he started perfectly, no problems there anymore I am certain! He was fabulous, I ran him reasonably quickly but as his aim is Pau so this was for practice and not to go too fast. He won the section though, his fourth win in a row - I so hope Pau is our fifth! Kenny was great, I thought I was going fast enough but apparently not and had a few time faults to come ninth. These tracks are quite small for him though, he's not a horse who needs easy runs, he needs challenges! Red was the last of my rides, he was superb, I rode him in a Pelham to gain more control which worked perfectly until the end where he took off with me and I was rather out of control! I think this was simply because the fences weren't big enough! He only had two time faults, he is quick! He finished third, really pleased and look forward to next year with him as he is one for the future.

A good season

We left Oasby having had a very good season so far. Many of my friends are now finished, but I'm of course not. I had hoped to get to Lion but this seems incredibly unlikely sadly, he would've had a good chance I'm certain. I shall have to do well at Pau to make up for this disappointment! I cannot wait and nor can Jasper!!"