"I had a small panic on Monday. I went down to the yard to find a swollen Jasper (Tankers Town); his cheeks and stomach were puffy from where the awful flies had eaten him. It’s not good and he felt quite poorly. Mike Shepherd, the best vet ever, worked his magic and Jasper looks and feels much better now. Jasper likes to scare me – over the years you become less affected by the traumas of horses, but undoubtedly they still manage to stress you out from time to time!

I jumped Bruno (Ultimate Opposition), who was awesome and definitely ready again for an event. I had lessons with John Thelwall and worked on my turns, my approach to fences and asked him a million questions – I can never have enough info! The horses jumped well, especially Imp (Impulsive) who is very smart and I am delighted with him so far.

On Tuesday, I schooled Bob (Good Sport II) and Beanie (Breeze IV) before leaving for Keysoe. Bob is surprisingly fresh considering the hard work at the gallops he did on the previous day. He must be feeling well and getting fitter. We had Jasper (Tankers Town), Joe (Jorrocks Curtis), Tweedy (Silbato), Harry (Azeb) and Ken (Kenny) with us. Joe and Harry were in the novice classes, and they scored very high marks – 71%, 70% – so Harry won both the classes and Joe was second and third. I am very pleased with both, and Harry in particular – they should be all set up for the weekend now.

Jasper was his usual perky self and worked well despite the horrific thunderstorms. I was napping before going back outside to do my test on Kenny, as it really was torrential. Kenny was good but was quite stressed by the thunder and noise of the rain so his second test was not as good as the first. Jasper was superb and did his best walk and rein back without a moment’s tension, so I can't wait to perform at Barbury. Back home at 7pm, unloaded all the horses and loaded Skampy (Impulsive) to take him XC schooling as I'd just heard I could have his entry for Barbury CIC 2 * – very exciting! He was great; quite spooky at the water but I think with more schooling he'll be fine. It feels like he has real potential and is a very, very nice horse.

I spent Wednesday afternoon packing the lorry for Barbury, as I’m taking six: Beanie (Breeze IV), Joe (Jorrocks Curtis), Imp (Impulsive) and Ken (Kenny) to do the 2*, Harry (Azeb) the Novice, and Jasper (Tankers Town) for the big class – the CIC3*. We've packed the lorry full – there’s stuff on the roof and in every locker; put it this way, we wouldn't open anything until we got there as it may all burst out!

We had a good journey on Thursday and arrived by 11.15am. I worked the horses that had tests that day, as well as all the others – I didn't stop riding until 7pm!
Jasper did a good test: his halt and rein back were superb, so much so that I forgot to ride the movements after and lost marks by under riding them; 53 was okay but not as good as I'd hoped. Beanie was a little bright and cheeky in the 2* but good overall. Kenny was much better and scored 50.9 – a very respectable mark. I then walked the course for the 2*, which looks good; decent enough and the ground was good – with amazing grass cover that was mown beautifully – but it did need some rain.

The next day, I enjoyed a small lie in until 7am. Again, I worked the horses before their tests – I find they are then more settled for later. I worked the others too on the gallops (which is rather like a ski resort with all the various gallops over different hills!) - I wish East Anglia had the same facilities. Joe (Jorrocks Curtis) performed a very good test for 49 in the 2* but Harry (Azeb) was faultless for 21 in the Novice and in the lead! I then walked the 3* course, which looked the same as last year. Again, it was decent and there were plenty of places to have problems. The Novice course was also good – very educational and a good test for Harry. The rain came too, making the ground spot on. We had a BBQ in the evening in the rain – where has the summer gone?

On Saturday, I woke up to very cloudy skies and the forecast was not great – lots of rain. Harry (Azeb) jumped a great clear round SJ and so is still in first place. Oli (Townend) went XC before me and was clear inside the time on 24, which put some pressure on. The rain came down and Harry and I set off; he was superb, foot perfect except one moment out of the water, when he was a little green but otherwise fantastic. He is very quick as I was slightly too fast! We still won, exciting for me as a rider and for David and Sue Howard who own him, as he really is a champion for the future.

I had an exceptionally busy day, two CIC 2* show jumping rounds were clear – Ken (Kenny) and Beanie (Breeze IV). Joe (Jorrocks Curtis) struggled with the terrain and my new horse Imp (Impulsive) did a good test – a couple expected mistakes (I’m still trying to find the right buttons), and jumped the first seven fences in copy book style when he became a little strong towards the end of the course. This was my first SJ round with him so in at the deep end with the enormous hill to jump on and a decent size course! Beanie (Breeze IV) went XC well – we had two run outs but one was at a difficult fence decorated with brightly coloured mushrooms; he spooked at the second only because he jumped so big over a dolphin (one of the amazing animal carvings) in the water so the next part didn't quite happen! He shows real scope and talent though. Ken was brilliant in the pouring rain for a good clear round. I then had dinner and went to bed exhausted.

The next day Joe (Jorrocks Curtis) had XC early, the rain looked like it was set in for the day and then luckily it stopped. I set off with Joe; he had an early run out and I decided his mark wasn't competitive enough so pulled up. I had a big day with Jasper (Tankers Town), as it was our 'final trial'. He jumped very well in the SJ but touched one and, sadly, it fell down – that’s just the way it goes sometimes. I waited all day to go XC at 5pm. I spent a long time watching – it’s a great place as you can see the whole course, which is completely unique. Jasper went phenomenally. We were only five seconds outside the time and on that course that is a serious achievement! I had the same time as Andrew Nicholson, the speed demon, so I was pleased. Many thanks to Rachel (my head girl) for putting so much effort and time in to teaching Jasper to lead – it’s really paid off.

I had a great competition as it is run in reverse order and as the competition hots up people get faster and faster, which is brilliant for the spectators. Daisy (Dick) won with a fantastic round and I finished a very respectable ninth. Hopefully good enough for a place for this year’s Europeans."