"I have had a very busy week with two events and I competed at Towerlands as well. I also had lessons with John Thelwall prior to Towerlands and we worked on my turns, approaches and position. We also took Imp (Impulsive) to pracitise XC afterwards – I think I have finally found a bit that he likes and which doesn't interfere with his mouth, teeth, cheeks and tongue! A 'danger' bit, which locks so it won't put pressure on the tongue and therefore is not uncomfortable and so he won't bite his cheeks; this coupled with a pricker pad on the right hand side (as he gets strong on this rein) makes a very happy Imp!

Kenny and Beanie (Breeze IV) went galloping to the links in preparation for Ligniere and/or Boekelo. Both feel fit and well.

I took five horses with me to Towerlands; Brian (Opposition Express) who had just the first fence down in the Discovery – his first one! Imp jumped four clear rounds, as did Beanie (two in the foxhunter); Amber (Red Amber) had just a time fault in the Foxhunter and Kenny a fence in the same class and also one in the 1.30m too. A good day!

We went to Purston Manor on Thursday with Imp and Amber. Amber was quite fresh having not been to an event for a while and was quite bright in her test; she jumped a lovely double clear for 8th though. Imp performed a beautiful test, scoring the best mark in the section; show jumped clear but had a spook at the water and sadly the judges gave me two stops (no idea how they arrived at that decision) but I felt it wasn't worth discussing as I'd already not won! I schooled Beanie at the event who is making big progress very quickly…

I had one day at home then left for Allerton park with five horses: Imp, Ken, Amber, Beanie and Romeo (Romeo Z). They were all in the Intermediate. It was well worth the three-hour drive as the ground was fantastic and the course was lovely but definitely not a first-time Intermediate! I never intended to run Kenny as he had just come back from Germany - I must admit though I was tempted as he performed a very good test and clear SJ; in fact they all did well and in five rounds I only had the first down on Amber.

All were in good positions before the XC. Beanie went first and was flying round until he misjudged a step into water and literally did the splits – he went right down, belly in the water and amazingly kept me on board. It was evident immediately that he was not right and he was taken back in the horse ambulance. This really upset me as it is the first time that this has ever happened to me (I've been incredibly fortunate) but I did find it hard leaving him with the vet and riding the others. Romeo was superb and jumped clear and Amber was phenomenal but had a glance off. I decided not to run Imp as the course wasn't very straightforward and he needs confidence. I returned home with my very poorly horse and I'm dreading the results of the x-rays…"