Monday 25th April- Sunday 1st May 2011

As ever had a couple of usually busy weeks but all sorts of different things going on this time!

I seem to be permanently on a horse now, which is perfect for me as I would still rather ride all day. The yard is basically full but have some out at night which means we can have more if needed. The weather is still amazing, not for the ground though and our grass, I do hope we get some decent rain soon, it seems to miss us here each time.

I had some lessons with Anna at Patchetts which went very well. Bert has now learnt counter canter circles which will improve his dressage marks dramatically I hope, it has taken him a while to understand as he does such good changes but they are not required yet!! Red has started to now go forwards and relaxed which has significantly improved his paces, Maisey much the same as Red and Imp needs to keep the connection through as can drop behind the leg/ vertical if she can. I left Patchetts full of enthusiasm for my dressage riding!!

I went to Thursley too, stayed at my owners Barry and Karen Carter fantastic yard for some jumping lessons with Stuart Harvey. I had nearly a full load, Fly, Elsa, Bomber, Amber and Imp. They all jumped well, it’s good to jump them at different places especially when they are younger or less experienced as they get to see more. I used to always go jumping when I lived in Suffolk but now with such good facilities I rarely do. We have very spooky fillers here and as my ring riding gets better I feel less need to go out, I will still however go to Hickstead this year as 3 days of jumping really brought the horses on.

I went from Thursley to Tweseldown XC schooling on the Friday. It was incredibly hot, must’ve been 27 degrees I’m sure. That was hotter than I go schooling in the summer! They all went really well, I practised with Amber the water fences particularly (and Imp!) and the coffins but there wasn’t much to jump at all. It was very disappointing and the fences that were able to be used had deep ground on takeoff and landings, I am pleased I only travelled from Guildford to there!!I’m sure this was just an exception as I believe it’s a great schooling area normally.

To end the busy week I went to Badminton for the Sunday. I was fortunate to be asked to commentate the XC by Horse and Country which of course I jumped at the chance. I had never done any but was starting high!! This was my first in 8 years of not competing so it was great to be a part of it if I wasn’t competing. (I think Jasper would’ve rather we’d been competing too! He is now doing very well and nearly cantering again so watch this space!) We started with commentating on the top 8 dressage tests, it is hard to not be critical of the riders and horses as generally you can’t say its perfect all the time would be a little dull! So I hope I got the balance right? Ed Holloway was fun to work with and had it all under control so this helped me not be nervous. The XC was pretty exciting to watch as was the show jumping, a great result for Toddy!! It makes a fantastic story for eventing that he can come back after all these years and win another Badminton, London should be incredible.

I also had the good fortune of working with Mike Tucker doing some voice overs, was great experience and I would love to do more, I hope I sound ok!!

I have been to Milton Keynes this week with Elsa, Bomber and Luna. Elsa and Bomb were in the same section, the open 90. Bomber had a spook at the flowers by the dressage but did a nice test and the judge gave him a 41.5. I must admit I didn’t even bother to collect the sheet as I was so appalled at the mark, please can we have better judging at the lower levels as these marks go on their records!! He jumped clear SJ and was superb XC, the best he’d been until I went too fast to the spooky corner which had shadows on it and he just ran past it, he jumped it 2nd time when I was considerably slower! Elsa was at her 1st event, she was rather excited before the dressage but performed a great test for 29. She then jumped double clear with extra care at the corner! and won. Not bad for her first event but she is a very nice horse. Luna was too a little fresh and was a bit strong in the canter so scored 33, she then too jumped double clear in the 100 to come 5th. The ground was superb as it had rained for 3 hours that night before so this has been the best ground I’ve competed in England on so far!

I went to Nurstead yesterday with Fly and Imp. We have had no rain so the ground was dry as expected but they had made huge efforts with spiking and sand. The dressage was firm but the SJ ok and the first and last parts of the XC were good, the middle a bit harder but I chose to run mine I didn’t feel it too bad at all. Imp did a good test, 27 and double clear. I went quicker than last time but still a few time faults so was 5th but a good solid result again!! Next one more novice then an intermediate!! Fly did a good test, disappointing with 35 mark. Had the last part of double and combination as a touch brave still but jumped a very good round. He also jumped very well XC but as only his 2nd novice and is for sale I took him carefully. He is for sale now so any enquiries please contact me, photos etc to come very soon… He is a fantastic hunter too and will definitely go up the levels eventing so a good prospect. Bomber is sadly also for sale as I haven’t the time for him now as have so many others and he ultimately is too small. He has done 4 90′s, 1 more then 100′s. I will be sad to see him go as he is such a pleasure to have here and ride and has turned into a very competitive horse; I hope someone wanting a really good future prospect will be interested…