"Weeks/weekends like this don't happen too often! Had a great week, a great event too. The weather has been fantastic so we've been able to get the jumps and the dressage arena outside in the fields which has proved invaluable. The first few days they were a little excited to be there rather than the school but relaxed quickly and by Thursday were working well.

We've also been able to canter the horses in the big field which works them hard up a decent hill. Jasper's been cantering well and often. Not long till Badminton now... I've also been cycling around the forest as much as possible to make sure we're both in the same shape! Dogs still getting thinner.

Belton has always been lucky for me and this year was no exception. There was much debate about the ground, it is always a little rough but I thought it was soft enough to be good, last year was hard, too hard but this was much better. I also thought that I would much rather run on that ground than the bog/ holding ground we've been having so was a little surprised how many withdrew on Sunday. Friday went well, Amber was brilliant and did a 29 dressage, fast double clear and won. Delighted!

Harry did a nice test, couple of mistakes but generally good, a little harshly marked I thought. Romeo did a great test and was close to the lead. Saturday was also good. Harry was unlucky and had two down but jumped well, I made a stupid mistake XC and ran out at a corner (was too quiet) which he turned around and jumped the second time. Romeo was brilliant and was double clear, I thought he was fast - we had eight time faults but I'm sure he was faster. Never mind, he finished 10th in the seven and eight year old intermediate class.

Ken and Jasper both did a slightly hot test but that arena is fairly electric. They jumped well. Jasper was awesome and jumped out of his skin for a double clear; felt fantastic and was also incredibly quick! He won. Great warm up for Badminton! Ken had two down, I still need to get the softness around turns, he jumped the XC like it was nothing and finished fourth in the advanced. Chuffed to bits, he's ready for Bramham...

It makes such a difference to me when the ground is good, I'm competitive when it's like that, long may it continue!"