"Apologies for the lack of contact the last two weeks but my computer has officially died and my phone has been temperamental, so writing my blog has been rather challenging! As I now have nearly three weeks to write about, it maybe a little more condensed...

Anna adds marks

I've had more lessons with Anna [Ross Davies] again which is really helping the marks. We've been working on small flexions and bends to help prepare for the lateral movements and improve suppleness. I put this into practise at Oldencraig where I had a particularly good day winning the elementaries on Harry and Jasper, who was superb in his first trip out after Luhmuhlen, and a medium on Jasper. Ken also won the advanced medium, he tried incredibly hard as the test was complicated; he really is settling and improving.

Highclere qualifiers

My tests were also good at Highclere - the hard work is paying off! I ran Imp in the 100 as the XC course is so nice and he just needs easy runs. He did a 20 dressage and a lovely, relaxed double clear. His next run is a novice again. Amber has been slightly upset by the introduction of changes so her tests are slightly tense, she jumped clear SJ but I decided not to run her as she was at Breda the next week. Harry was his usual amazing self with a 28 dressage, one down and fast clear xc round to win his intermediate. I knew this would be the last chance I may have to win and qualify for Gatcombe intermediate championships next year. As he did so well in the novice, I plan to do the same next year!

Jasper aces the dressage but is withdrawn from WEG

Jasper was in the advanced, he did a beautiful test, a 25! I was in the lead but didn't run as he has a splint I'm looking after so we can get to Pau. I am now no longer on the reserve list for WEG as he won't be fit enough sadly. Was just not meant to be. 

Changing bits

Kenny was a superstar also in the advanced. He performed a lovely test and got a much better mark, 32. He then jumped clear in the show jumping! We changed the bit to a curb gag which he seems to really like, he has fences down because he comes against the hand and with this bit in he seems not to so far... He was brilliant XC too and finished sixth, our best result so far... And great preparation for Blenheim!

A new addition

I have a new horse named Red or to give him his proper name, Chataigne Filice. He is a seven year old chestnut gelding Irish Sport Horse x Selle Francais. Very nice, just needs producing, has lots of talent and some very nice owners Vivian and Bob Jupp. I'm delighted he's come my way...

Firle cross country

I took Red, Brian, Bomber, Phoenix and Bertie to Firle for some XC schooling. I was seriously impressed with the changes they've made to the course and the ground was superb. They open the course for schooling after the event for three days so is all flagged etc. It was superb, they all went really well. I could take them around a smaller course then the next one up and so on.

Phoenix looking for a new home

We have decided to sell Phoenix though as although he is a fabulous horse he is perhaps a little on the large side, I must admit I prefer smaller horses now sadly. Please contact me if interested, he is stunning to look at, he will be a lovely horse in the future.

Breda beckons - carriages carnage

We left for Breda at 5am with Jasper, Amber and Harry. The aim was to get my qualifications and hopefully some prizes! Jasper was never really going to run unless he did a fabulous test again, but the carriages made sure that didn't happen! It was my first time there, fabulous place, great for experience for the younger horses. There were big arenas and flags everywhere. Also carriages, four horse, two horse and single. The world championships for the Paralympics were also on at the same time so the event was even bigger and better than usual. My horses were terrified of the carriages though and the drivers seemed unaware of the grief they caused us all! By day four they were beginning to calm down but sadly too late for Amber and Jaspers' tests!

Harry however performed a lovely test and didn’t get the mark I was expecting, a 56! It was fault free and got 5′s and 6′s. Never mind, I was still very pleased. The show jumping was in a very big arena full of atmosphere. The 2* was big but the 3* wasn’t which surprised me. It was a brilliant experience for them with the large crowds and still the carriages there were going past! Harry jumped clear; he was rather strong but jumped really well, as did Amber who also jumped clear. I didn’t jump Jasper as his splint is still slightly sore.

Harry moved up a massive amount from his clear round and Amber too, about 20 places! This had me in a good position with Harry for the XC, I had decided to take him at the pace he needed to give him a good, confident run and qualify as this was the aim. He jumped superbly as usual; the course was not technical but reasonably big. The ground was superb and very flat, something I’m not used to anymore. He jumped clear, we had just four time faults and finished ninth which was a good result. He is now qualified for a 2* so will either be Osberton or Le Lion D’Angers seven-year-olds. Amber also jumped clear, I took her around a couple of long routes to make sure she got her 3* qualification as this was also the reason we were here. I was full of praise for the courses and place - it's just the carriages need addressing, as they were too close too often. Breda itself was a beautiful town, I will return next year if Kenny isn’t at Burghley."