Diary

Wednesday 1st September 2010 - Highclere
It was great to get the Advanced and Intermediate horses out after quite sometime.
I took Ash and Bally on the sunday for the OI.
Ash performed what I thought was one of his best tests but we were rather disappointed with his mark of 33. He jumped his socks off showjumping and then flew round the XC giving me one of the best rides I have had on him and feeling much more grown up and very classy. He just picked up a few time faults as my wrist was still weak to just miss out on the top ten.
Bally performed a good test but just had a couple of moments of over exhuberance to score 35. He jumped another great clear showjumping and cruised round the XC with just 2 timefaults to slot in just behind Ash. I couldn't have been more pleased with them both.
We returned on the monday with Topic for his first intermediate and Diva for the advanced.
I was really pleased with Topic's test he is still quite green at this level but tried really hard to score 35. He jumped amazingly showjumping balloning everything and they flew round the XC jumping all the straight route feeling really bold and straight. Unfortunately he got rather strong and with my wrist still quite weak I waisted quite a bit of time setting him up for his fences resulting in 4 timefaults and leaving him 9th. I was really pleased with his performanced and now very excited about his future but unfortunately our time faults meant I just missed out on winning the Stateley Homes Challenge and finished 5th instead.
Diva performed a good test to be right up with the leaders on 31 and the jumped a great clear showjumping round and up to height track. We hadn't planned to run her XC but after going so well we decided to tack a chance and she didn't disappoint flying round all the staight routes to pick up 9 time faults and finish 3rd. She was definately back on form again and I am now keeping all our fingers crossed that we get into Boekelo.

Monday 30th August 2010 - Milton Keynes
Having had my wrist pinned it was finally time to venture out competing again with it well strapped up. It has seemed like and eternity so I was itching to get going again.
I had had Helen Casey's two horses while she was on holiday and I took them both to Milton Keynes along with Andy (the Leopard) for the novice.
Eric (Mayheath Myway) was competing in the BE100 and perfomed a really good test to lead the section on 24 although there is still more to come. He was rather naughty in the showjumping and when I took a pull to set him up for the second fence he stopped dead and napped. I circled him and he then jumped the rest of the course really well just picking up the 4 penalties. He jumped well XC just being green in a couple of places having not run for a while to finish bang on the optimum time and finish 3rd.
I rode Carrot (Kates Touch) a couple of years ago before he was sold. He was competing in the Novice and I was really pleased with his test as he finds this phase hard but we were disappointed with his mark of 41 although his section was marking hard. He jumped really well showjumping in torrential rain but unfortunately just clipped one rail. He jumped fantastically XC all the way but was rather cheeky to run out at the corner after the water. He jumped it second time and finished well.
My friend Mark Ford had done a couple of novices on Andy while I have been off so he could continue his education and hopefully get qualified for a 1 star he had been going very well but I was keen to get back on bored. He performed one of his best tests to date staying more settled to score 34. He jumped fantastically showjumping but was rather over bold in to the double just clipping the front rail and then cruised round the XC making it all feel very easy just picking up a few time faults to be just out of the placings.
They all now head to Goring with Helen taking the reins back on Carrot

Sunday 11th July 2010 - Barbury
Bally and Diva went to Barbury to do the CIC** with Topic doing the novice.
Topic was a little tight in the dressage not performing his best to receive 37. He just clipped the back rail of the triple bar but jumped very well and then cruised round the XC making it feel very easy to be just outside the placings.
Bally performed a really good test with just one little error at his first attempt at this level but I was rather disappointed with his mark of 55. He jumped his customary clear show jumping and felt a class act XC but just tripped up the step out of the water and I circled before the last element resulting in 20 penalties. I was still really pleased with how he had gone though.
Diva performed a good test to score 49. She was quite feisty in the showjumping but left all the poles up and the set off confidently XC. Unfortunately we got a little bit close to the wall into the quarry and she hit it with her knee sending me out the side door. She was absolutely fine but unfortunately I must have put my hand out when I landed and fracture my wrist

Tuesday 6th July 2010 - Shipton Moyne
I took Ash and Andy to Shipton Moyne for the ON and Novice. Ash was having his first run since Houghton so we decided to give him a confidence outing. He performed a good dressage test with just one little wobble to lead on 25. He then jumped a confident double clear just a couple of seconds over the time to win the section.
Andy was performing his first novice. He was rather tense in the dressage but still managed to score 36. He jumped fantastically showjumping but just jumped rather big into the combination and clipped the final part. He then flew round the XC feeling very classy and bold leaving me very excited about his future.

Thursday 24th June 2010 - Longleat
With only a few horses to event at the moment I just took one horse each day to Longleat. My new horse The Leopard went on the friday for his 2nd BE100. He had got cast in his stable the night before and although he seemed none the worse for it he felt a little tight in his back resulting in being slightly tense to score 36.5. He jumped a really good clear showjumping but was quite keen resulting in 4 time faults. He jumped another really good clear XC but I took him steady as the ground was quite firm.
I returned the next day with Topic for the NRF. I was pleased with his test as it was his first attempt at an intermediate and he tried hard just getting a little tight in places to score a competitive 35.5. He jumped out of his skin for most of his round show jumping but his over enthusiasm caught him out and he clipped a couple of fences but I was still really pleased with him. I took him steady XC but he jumped well and confidently just picking up a few time faults.
Sunday was Ballys return in the Intermediate after having a couple of weeks holiday. He started his test really well but part way through the canter a bird flew out of the lake spooking him. We manageg to recove well and he still managed to score 34.6 to lie in 5th place although I could have been much better. He redeemed himself in the showjumping jumping his socks off never in danger of touching a pole round a very up to height course. The XC was also quite strong with the double of corner causing alot of trouble but he cruised round jumping the corners like a pro just getting a little tired having not run for a while but still only picked up 2.4 time faults to win the section, his 3rd this year so far. He really is an exceptional horse for his age and it was a great result for his new owners who have been so supportive and who had previously owned Desert Island and have now formed a syndicate to own him. As part of the Stately Homes Challenge this result has left me at top of the leader board so far with 2 events left to go. Unfortunately Bally has now upgraded to Advanced so I will need to find another intermediate horse for the remaining two events. Hopefully Topic might be up for the challenge.

Tuesday 15th June 2010 - Berkshire College
I took my new horse Andy (The Leopard) and Double Act to BCA for the BE100 and Topic for the Novice.
Topic performed a reasonable test but was rather figity in the halt before the rein back spoiling the overall flow. I was however quite dissapointed with the mark of 39.5 however when I looked at the rest of the scores they were all pretty high. He jumped a really great clear showjumping and then cruised effortlessly around the XC inside the time to finish 7th.
Andy was competing in his first ever horse trial and performed a good test just getting a little tight in places to be well in touch on 32.5. He jumped really well showjumping but got a little over enthusiastic and clipped the 2nd part of the double also picking up a time fault. He gave me a fantastic ride XC jumping beautifully just picking up 1.6 time fault as I didn't push him, to finish just outside the placings and leaving me very excited about his future.
Walter performed what I thought was his best test to date so we were rather dissapointed with his mark of 35. He warmed up well for the showjumping but backed off the first fence in the arena and hit the back rail he also stopped at the double which was rather unlike him and I couldn't find any reason for it. He jumped really well XC all the way round to the 2nd last the water where unfortunately he stopped at the first element. I think he saw the water at the last minute and it caught him by surprise but he jumped it 2nd time and finished the course. He is now having a short holiday while Andy and Topic head to Longleat.

Tuesday 8th June 2010 - Bramham
Diva returned to Bramham for the CCI***. She settled well and produced a calm accurate test but was just a little tight in her back resulting in her being slightly on her forhand. She still received 53 to lie in 14th place however I knew she could have produced even better work. She had a good massage and was jumping her socks off the next day leaving me feel slightly more confident about tackling Ian Stark's huge and daunting XC course. She set off well and was one of only a few to jump straight through the first two part of the first water making me feel a little more confident. She continued jumping really well untill the double of corners where after jumping the first one well she slipped on the turn to the second one loosing her back end and we were unable to get the canter together again for the 2nd one which was really dissapointing as it wasn't her fault and she would have jumped it if she could. They had watered the course over night and going so early on it was still wet and slippery. She carried on and jumped the rest of the course well just getting a little tired towards the end to only pick up 14 time faults. The course had caused alot of problems and we still finished 26th over night. She flew through the trot up the next day feeling very good and was full of beans for the show jumping. She was quite full of herself in the ring but jumped her socks off to leave them all up and move up to 20th place. This was a good result and I was really pleased with her although it was rather frustrating as she could potentially have been in the top 5. She will now have a short rest before aiming for another 3 star in the autumn.

Tuesday 1st June 2010 - Houghton
We just took Ash up to Houghton for the CCI**. He settled in well and was enjoying the attention. He performed a really good test just getting a little tense in the piroettes but the rest was as good as I could have hoped to score 48.9. I was a little dissapointed with the mark as on judge scored him 6% less than the other but he was still in 12th place. He flew round the XC finishing full of running and bang on the optimum time to move up to 7th over night. We had quite a long night as he had punctured his knee on a brush fence and we had to ice it alot but it was all worth while as he was full of the joys of spring the next morning and flew through the trot up. He then jumped possibly one of his best showjumping rounds to retain his 7th place a really good result in very competitive company. He will now have a couple of weeks off and then be aimed at Brightling CIC** and the Int Champs at Gatcombe

Monday 24th May 2010 - Mattingley
I took Topic to Mattingley for the Novice and Walter for the BE100.
Topic performed an improved test although there are still a few more rough edges to iron out to score 33. He started the showjumping jumping out of his skin but lost his attention and clipped an upright and shot off after resulting in him knocking the next fence as well which was rather dissapointing as he is such a good jumper. I took him steady XC but he jumped really well all the straight routes round probably his toughest Novice so I was really pleased.
Walter warmed up very well for the dressage but just got a little tense in the arena but still performed well to score 34. He jumped much better showjumping but just clipped two fences. Being so big and still weak he finds this phase quite difficult but is progressing in the right direction. He was great XC and flew round a really tough course for him so I was really pleased.

Monday 10th May 2010 - Hambledon
Ash and Bally had both been drawn in the same Intermediate section at Hambledon. I was still finding it hard to be out again after Badminton but everyone has been really kind and both horses performed really well. Ash performed another really good dressage test to lead on 28.6. He showjumped really well and was much more relaxed but just clipped one upright getting a little flat off the turn. The XC looked quite tough with strong waters and tricky drops but Ash stormed round with just a couple of dodgy moments where he was taken by surprise to pick up 9.6 time faults and finish 2nd.
Bally performed one of his best tests so far and I was really pleased how he is progressing in this phase to be just behind Ash on 30. He jumped his usual good clear showjumping and then cruised round the XC taking everything in his stride to just pick up 6 time faults just piping Ash to win the section. He is really turning out to be a very exciting prospect and it is really great that Sonia's owners have decided to now buy into him. He will have a short rest now while Ash heads to Houghton for the CCI**

Sunday 9th May 2010 - Morton Morrell
Walter stepped up to BE100 at Morton Morrell. He was performed a good dressage to score 31.5. Although he jumped well showjumping he is still quite green and struggles to keep his canter together and unfortunately rolled a few poles. He went really well XC until the penultimate fence an arrowhead coming after the water which he ran out at due to being rather unbalanced coming out of the water. I was otherwise very pleased with how he had gone.
Tis was having his first run after having a year off due to an injury. He performed a good test for his first outing just getting a little excited in the canter to score 33. He jumped out of his skin Show jumping feeling very happy to be out but unfortunately just rolled the 2nd part of the double as he jumped in so enthusiastically. He jumped a great clear XC but I took him slowly as it was his first run.
I felt Topic did his best Novice test to date and I was rather disappointed to still receive 35. He jumped really well showjumping but just ran a little bit deep to the last parallel clipping it behind. He was really good XC helping me out a little as I was still feeling rather fragile just picking up 1.2 time faults to finish 7th. He now heads to Mattingley with Walter.

Saturday 1st May 2010 - Badminton
I set off to Badminton with Sonja for her 2nd Badminton nervous but very excited. She was in fantastic form and had matured and grown in strength and confidence after last year so I was optimistic that she could improve on last year's very promising performance. She settled in well and I had a really good dressage lesson with Pammy before getting her ready for the vets inspection which she passed easily.
She was in great form all week and felt great warming up for her dressage and I was really pleased with her test. She was a little unsettled in her halts and walk (which was a shame as she has such a good walk) but the rest of the test was so much more established than last year and I was really pleased although slightly disappointed with her mark of 53.2 but it was still heading in the right direction and was so close to showing her true potential in this phase.
After walking the XC I thought it asked alot of tough questions and would take a lot of riding but was well within Sonja's ability. She warmed up really well jumping out of her skin which helped settled the nerves a little and within no time we were cantering out of the start box with her feeling well up for the job in hand. She jumped through the Quarry well and galloped down to Huntsmans Close feeling good. Having jumped the gate well I thought (as the fence judges agreed) we were on a really good line for the brush corner but on take off she jinked slightly left putting her feet down on top off it. I don't know if she got her leg caught or landed on it but when we both got to our feet it was obvious that she had tragically badly fractured her pastern and there was no alternative but to have her put down. It was the saddest most traumatic day I have had in my eventing career and she will be sorely missed. I have worked with her since she started her eventing career as a tempermental but very talented 6yr and she had come so far. She was really beginning to show her true class and her round at Badminton last year showed how genuine and talented she really was. At only 11 she had so much more to give and was shaping up to be a real top class 4 star contender. I have to thank her for getting me back to Badminton last year after 9 years of struggling to find and keep a top class horse and will never forget her and what she has done for me and the partnership that we formed. She was a great character and part of the family and will never be forgotten. She leaves a big whole in the yard which will be very difficult to fill but hopefully someone will step up to the challenge.

Tuesday 27th April 2010 - Withington
I just took Ash and Diva to Withington for the Intermediate and Advanced.
Ash performed a really nice relaxed test to score 29.1 and be well up with the leaders. He was a little over enthusiastic in the showjumping and got a bit quick towards the end resulting in us having the last fence down but he otherwise jumped very well. He set off fantastically XC but unfortunately we got our striding in a bit of a muddle at the treble coming out of the woods and we ended up at the 2nd element on a bit of a half stride resulting in him having a stop. He carried on and jumped the rest of the course well leaving me a little frustrated but still pleased with his over all performance.
Diva performed a good test just getting a little bright in the canter work but I was reasonably pleased. She scored 36 which I was a little disappointed with but it still left her in a very competitive position. She was really pinging in the showjumping and jumped a great round but unfortunately 2 fences fell which I couldn't really understand but we put it behind us and she gave me a fantastic ride XC confidently jumping all the straight routes only picking up 8.8 time faults to finish 7th in a very large competitive section. A really pleasing performance leaving me quietly optimistic about Bramham. She will now hopefully have one more OI run beforehand while Ash heads to Hambledon for the intermediate.

Tuesday 20th April 2010 - Bickenhall
I took May, Walter and Billy (Balkirk) for my first visit to Bickenhall to do the BE90open. May was a little tense in the dressage but still performed a good test to score 35. She then jumped another great double clear to finish 5th on her dressage score. She is proving to be quite a machine XC and will now be advertised.
Walter was a little unsettled in the contact which a little bit spoilt a really nice test but still scored 33.5. He was jumping really well showjumpig but spooked at a parallel heading towards the trade stands which had taken his concentration away and then just clipped the next fence but went excellently XC in only his 2nd ever event leaving us feeling positive about his future.
I was riding Billy for my groom Holly as he needed a bit of confidence to get him going after injuring his back. He performed a really nice consistent test to lie 2nd on 28. he was a little sticky showjumping but jumped clear but then took exception to fence 6 a log drop on the XC which was causing a lot of trouble and no amount of persuasion could make him jump it. He will have one more attempt at Morton Morrell but if he doesn't improve will return to his owners.

Monday 19th April 2010 - Belton
I took Diva to Belton for her first run of the year in the OI after throwing a splint. She performed a really good dressage test and was really settled considering she hadn't been out for a while to score 26.2. She felt a little ring rusty in the showjumping and just clipped the last fence but then cruised round the XC finishing bang on the optimum time to win the section. A really good performance for her first run of the season and it was worth the wait.
Bally was entered in the 7/8yr old Intermediate section which turned out to be very competitive. It was a bit of a mad dash when we got there as we had been stuck in really bad traffic but he tried really hard in the dressage which he still finds difficult to be in touch on 35. He jumped a great clear showjumping and then followed it up with a very impressive clear XC around one of his toughest courses just adding a couple of time faults to finish 7th and really excite me about his future.
We took Sonia as well to do the combined training which was using the Badminton test. She warmed up we but just got a little tight and tense in the canter work in the arena to score 37 but I was still pleased with her performance and it was really good practice to ride through the Badminton test. Hopefully we can now put a few more finishing touches to it before next week

Tuesday 13th April 2010 - Larkhill
I took Topic to Larkhill on the saturday for the Novice. He was feeling quite bright and was a little unsettled in the dressage but produced a reasonable test to score 35. He jumped a great round showjumping to produce a rare clear and then stormed confidently round the XC with just .8 of a time fault to finish 2nd. A really good performance for only his 2nd Novice. I am very excited about his future and am still trying to find a few people who might like to buy into him.
We returned the next day with May (Mayhills Dream) and Walter (Double Act) for the BE90open, their first ever horse trials. May got a little tense towards the end of her test but still performed well to score 35.5. She pinged round the showjumping giving them all feet and gave me a great ride XC feeling like an old pro finishing on her dressage score to come 8th. Walter is 17.2hh and found the 20x40 dressage arena rather small but apart from a few losses of balance performed a good test to score 34. He jumped well showjumping but unfortunately just clipped the last fence. He was a bit green XC, as it was his first course and had a stop at the first fence and hesitated at the water but he finished really well and will have learnt a lot for the experience. They now both head for Bickenhall the following weekend for another BE90open.

Wednesday 7th April 2010 - Burnham Market
Unfortunately Diva was still not quite right so we made the long trek to Burnham Market with just Sonja for the CIC***. We were trying her in a double bridle for the first time in the dressage. She warmed up fantastically but unfortunately put her tongue over the bit going down the centre line and subsequently stuck it out during some the trot work but she still performed a reasonable test apart from a rather large resistants in the rein back to score 56.7, a respectable mark for her although there is still so much more to come. She jumped fantastically showjumping in sticky mud and with a very tight time but unfortunately just clipped the back rail of a very large oxer which was a shame but there were very few clear rounds. I didn't push her XC but I did keep moving along as it was her last run hopefully before Badminton (providing she gets in) so I wanted to use it as a good fitness test. She stormed round jumping confidently just picking up 9.2 time faults to leave her in 10th place in very good company, a very pleasing result and hopefully now we can just put the final touches to her Badminton preparation.

Thursday 1st April 2010 - Somerly
I took Ash and Bally to Somerly for the Intermediate and Topic for his first Novice. The ground was very wet and it was amazing that the event was even able to run but the XC held up very well. Ash performed another good test considering the conditions to score 30.5 and lie 2nd. Unfortunately he struggled with the going in the showjumping and clipped a few poles behind but then flew round the XC giving me a great ride. Bally had a few small errors in the dressage but still performed a pretty good test to score 33. He tried his heart out in the SJ to jump a very rare clear in very deep mud and then stormed around the XC comfortably making the time without me having to push him to win the section. I couldn't have been more pleased with him and am very excited about his future.
Topic struggled a bit in the mud warming up for the dressage but still performed a reasonable test to score 35. He jumped a great round Showjumping but was rather unlucky to clip one rail. I took him slowly XC as it was his first novice but he confidently jumped all the straight routes and produced a very impressive clear round. He now heads to Larkhill for his 2nd Novice while Bally heads to Belton for the 7/8yr old class and Ash to Withington for the Intermediate.

Wednesday 24th March 2010 - Aldon
I took Topic (Penultimate Vision) to Aldon on the friday for the BE100. He performed a better dressage test to score 32.5 just behind the leaders. He then jumped a good double clear inside the time to finish 3rd one place higher than at Tweseldown.
We returned on the Sunday with Bally and Ash for the intermediate and Sonia for the OI. Ash did a really nice, relaxed test coping really well with the mud to lead the dressage with 25. He jumped his socks off in the showjumping and was unlucky just to clip the back rail of one of the oxers and the stormed round the XC just picking up 3.2 time faults to finish 3rd. Bally performed a hugely improved dressage test in his new double bridle to be well in touch on his best ever score of 29.1. He jumped really well but just clipped the final fence in showjumping but then was great XC in only his 3rd ever Intermediate just picking up 2.8 time faults to finish 4th.
Sonia performed an improved dressage although she was still a little tense to score 35 and then jumped a great clear showjumping back to her normal reliable self. I never had any intention on ever running XC as it was rather too close to Tweseldown for her so she was withdrawn after that. She now heads for Burnham Market for the CIC*** and Ash and Bally head to Somerly for the intermediate and Topic for his first Novice and I am still on the look out for a couple of new rides.

Tuesday 16th March 2010 - Tweseldown
After a long cold winter with plenty of snow and a great trip to Africa the season got off to a good start at Tweseldown. I took Diva and Sonja on the Thurs for the OI. Diva performed well in her dressage and managed to score 35 but I didn't think she felt quite right so we decided to withdraw her from the rest of the competition. It has turned out now that she is throwing a splint, a little annoying timing wise but nothing too much to worry about. Sonja was a little jolly in the dressage and although there were so good parts to it there were also a few to many mistakes resulting in a score of 40. She was rather spooky in the showjumping acting like she hadn't ever been in a showjumping ring before resulting in one down although she did jump pretty well and then flew round the XC with a few time faults to finish just outside the placings.
I returned the next day with Ash and Bally for the ON. Ash was a little bright and spooky in the dressage but still performed well to score 34. He then jumped a really good double clear with a few time faults to finish 10th. Bally was a little bright in the dressage although I was still reasonably pleased with him considering it was his first time out but I was a bit disappointed with his mark of 37. He also jumped a really good double clear to finish just outside the placings. Topic also performed his dressage for the BE100. He started really well but unfortunately did break in the canter but he still managed to score 31.5 to be just behind the leaders. We returned the next day where he jumped a really good double clear just picking up a couple of time faults to finish 4th.
Ash and Bally step up to intermediate next at Aldon and Sonja heads to Burnham Market for the CIC***

Friday 30th October 2009 - Zoe update
We took Zoe to Sapey for the BE100. She is still quite green but performed a good test to be well in contention on 32.5. She was a bit spooky in the showjumping and spooked at the judges box as we approached the double resulting in us having an unfortunate run out however she jumped the rest of the course very well. Having only been XC a couple of times there were quite a few questions on the course for her but she flew round and really felt like the penny had dropped and was getting the idea of XC.
She then went to Goring Heath and although a little spooky did a good test to score 31 she was much better showjumping and jumped a great round just being a little unlucky to rub one pole. She was rather sticky XC and had a stop at the water and another at a narrow role top which was rather dissapointing as she had gone so well last time. After she had finished she did seem a little unsound and on later investigation by my vet if was found that she was throwing a splint which might have been why she was a bit sticky. She will now have a few weeks off to let it settle and then be brought back into work and probably be hunted along with some dessage and show jumping

Friday 30th October 2009 - Ash Update
After Wilton I took Ash to Hartpury for his first CCI*. He performed a really nice test but I was a little dissapointed with his mark of 49 but it still left him in a competative position. He flew round the XC easily making the time. He game out the next day feeling great and jumped the first half of the course really well but unfortunately he got a little tight towards the end and clipped two rails. This was a little dissapointing and dropped us to 27th just scrapping the last prize but I was really pleased with his overall performance.
After a couple of weeks off I took Ash to Gatcombe for the intermediate. He was a little tense in the dressage with it being rather close to the XC but was still overall good enough to score 34. He jumped his heart out to go clear in the show jumping and then stormed round the XC just picking up a few time faults to finish 4th, a really good overall performance. Ash's next outing was the CCI** at Weson Park but as Wally was slightly unsound I took him in his place to Dauntsey just to practice the dressage and show jumping in the IN. He performed a good test to score 32 and just clipped one rail but it proved good practice for him. Ash was very settled at Weston and tried really hard in the dressage producing really good canter work to score 49.8 and leave him in 5th place just behind Diva. He set out XC jumping fantasticly but unfortunately had a stop at the coffin. He is still quite inexperienced and just saw the ditch at the last minute. I decided to retire him after that and save him for another day when he had a little more experience.
I manged to get an entry for Ash in the intermediate at Aldon to finish the season with. He did possible one of his best tests being really relaxed and soft to score 26.4 and lead by just over 4 marks. He jumped a really good round show jumping and felt great but just clipped the penultimate upright. This still left him in the lead. He gave me one of the best rides I have had on him XC feeling really happy and confident and flew round inside the time to win the class. This was a fantastic way to finish the season. Ash has proved an excellent addition to the team and wil now have a break in preperation for next season which having had more time to work on him should prove very exciting.

Tuesday 27th October 2009 - Merlin Update
After Wilton we dropped Merlin back down to BE100 level at Sapey. He was a bit tense in the dressage, having become rather excited by Catherine's mare, to score 34. He did however settle down and jumped a great clear showjumping and felt really confident XC just picking up some time faults, (owing to a technical steering issue!), to drop him just out of the placings. He did another BE100 at Goring and I thought he had done a much better test so I was quite disappionted with his mark of 37. He jumped another excellent double clear picking up a couple of time faults to just miss the placings again.

I stepped Merlin back up to Novice at Purston. He did a good test to score 33 and jumped another really good double clear to pick up his first point but I took him slowly XC to make sure he was happy stepping up to this level. I entered Merlin for the BE100 again at Moreton Morrell, in case we had needed to consolidate again after his novice, and he proved he was completely happy, scoring his best dressage of 28 and being rather unlucky just to clip one of the smallest uprights but flew round the XC to finish 6th.

He stepped back up to Novice at BCA and performed a really good test bar one wobble in the counter canter, nearly leaving the arena, but he made up for it by scoring a 10 for that movement on the other rein resulting in 31 overall. He again just clipped one upright showjumping but was fantastic XC to finish 5th. His next outing was Mount Ballen and Merlin probably performed his best test to score 31 and was a little unlucky to just rub one rail showjumping. He was quite enthusiastic XC and rather argumentative turning into the sunken road and I was unable to get him straight in time resulting in him runnning out at the first part, which was rather annoying as he could have won if he had made the time, but I was really pleased with how he went round the rest of the course. He finished the season doing the Novice at Aldon, unfortunately, he got a little tense in the dressage to only score 35. He jumped a great round showjumping and was really unlucky just to come down on the back of the middle of the treble. The XC was the following day and he was rather full of himself! He jumped a great clear, around one of his toughest courses to date, but was quite strong so we picked up 9.6 time faults to drop him to 10th. I was really pleased with how he has come on and taken to eventing this season. He has now gone home for a short break and will then be going to stud before coming back for hopefully an exciting season next year.

Monday 26th October 2009 - Penultimate Vision Update
Penultimte Vision (Topic) arrived at the end of Sept. As Zoe had been entered for for the BE100 Moreton Morrell before throwing a splint I decided to take the new arrival instead. He performed a good dressage, considering I had very little time to warm up and had only had him a few days, to score 33. He jumped most of the show jumps extremely well but was a little green in places,n unfortunately having 2 down but the cruised round the XC really well to finish 9th. I then took him to Dauntsey the following weekend. He performed a much improved test having got to know him a bit more. He managed to score 32 even though my stirrup leather broke whilst trotting around the arena and I had to do sittting trot with only one stirrup for the whole test. He jumped a really good clear show jumping and followed it up with another great clear XC to finish 2nd. Topic continued to improve his dressage at Mount Ballen to score 27 and although still a little green produced another clear showjumping and flew round the XC, just picking up a couple of time faults as it was a little twisty for a big horse , but still managed to come 2nd again. To finish the season off I took him to Aldon. He certainly seemed to please the dressage judge to score 21. He jumped out of his skin show jumping and again cruised round the XC to again finish 2nd - our third in a row. He has really impressed me in the short time that I have had him and hopefully with the winter to work on him and really get to know him he will be a very exciting prospect for the future.

Wednesday 21st October 2009 - Bally Update
We gave Bally a short break after his 1st Intermediate at Wilton as he has done exceptionally well for his young age, although he got rather bored and continuously jumped out of his field. His next event was the Intermediate at Cleobury Mortimer. He performed one of his best tests at this level and was unlucky just to rub the rail going into the double. He went fantastically XC over probably the biggest track he has done to date but was just a little green through the treble of narrow logs and I got tipped off, but I couldn t have been more pleased with the way he went. I dropped him down a level at Gatcombe and did the 6yr old class which was round the novice course. I was relatively pleased with his dressage test but rather dissappionted with the mark of 37. He then jumped a great double clear making it all feel very easy and just picking up 0.8 of a time fault to finish 9th.

I then took him to Weston Park for the 1 star and couldn t have been more pleased with the way he went all week. He performed probably the best test he could for his age and level of training to lie 26th out of 123 on 50.9. He flew round the XC jumping everything effortlessly, just inside the time, and the next day jumped one of the very few clear rounds in the showjumping to pull up to 8th place - better than I could have hoped for such a young horse. He is now enjoying a well earned rest although for how long will probably depend how quickly he gets bored!! I am also looking to find someone who is interested in owning a share in him as I think he has a very exciting future.

Wednesday 21st October 2009 - Sonia Update
After a good run in the Advanced at Aston le Wals, I took Sonia to Hartpury to do the CIC 3 star. She was quite uncooperative in the dressage and then really didn’t feel herself XC so I decided to retire her. We took her home and a couple of days later she went very lame in front so that was probably why she wasn't on form. Unfortunately, she still wasn't quite right in time to go to Blair so we decided to re-route to Blenheim.
Blenheim was a great event with great weather and a fantastic course. Sonia was back on form although she was still a little argumentative in the dressage, and one judge had her over 10% lower than the other 2 which was rather disappointing, to score 60.2. She was fantastic XC, storming round all the straight routes to pick up just a couple of time faults. She then went on to jump an excellent clear round in the final day's show jumping and I couldn't have been more pleased with the way that she jumped. She is now having a well earned holiday and then will hopefully be aimed at Badminton again in the spring. We are also trying to find an additional owner to join her existing 3 and hopefully share in all the fun they have had so far.

Wednesday 21st October 2009 - Diva update
After a good run at Aston Le Wals in the Advanced I took Diva to Gatcombe for the Open Championships. She performed a good test although I thought she was rather harshly marked to score 59 and jumped a good round showjumping but unluckily just rubbed the first part of the double. She didn't feel her normal self XC and tried adding a stride fom the gate to a very large table under the barn and unfortunately hit it and we both hit the floor face first. Bar a few scrapes though we were both none the worse for wear. I did however decide not to take her up to Blair and to re-route to Blenheim so that she had more time to recover. I took her to Cleobury for the OI as a confidence boosting run after Gatcombe. She was brilliant in all 3 phases scoring 27 in the dressage and then jumping a great double clear. I didn't push her for the time XC as it was rather close to Blenheim but she still managed to finished 3rd and she felt really happy which was the main thing. It was then off to Blenheim for the 3 star. She produced a lovely smooth relaxed test to be well in contention on 49. She set off XC feeling enthusiastic and jumping out of her skin. Unfortunately, the sun was glaring badly on the roofs of the off-set houses and she didn't lock on to them at all and ended up jumping across the first one tipping me off which under FEI rules meant I was eliminated. As a result of this I re-routed her to Gatcombe for the CIC 2 star. Again she performed her usual good test to score 51. She flew round the XC just picking up 0.8 of a time fault to move up to 3rd. We performed the show jumping in reverse order after the XC which added to the tension and excitement. She didn't feel at all tired and jumped a great clear to retain her 3rd place.

At the last minute I was lucky enough to managed to get a late entry into the 2 star at Weston Park. She was a litttle tight in her canter work and had a couple of wobbles but still performed a good test to score 49.4 and lie 4th. She stormed round the XC but having jumped really boldly into the water we ended up in a bit of a half stride at the step out. She tripped up the step and ended up on her knees so unfortunately we had to take the alternative at the arrowhead coming out thus picking up 2 time faults and dropping down one place to 5th. The final day she felt a little tight through her back after her exersions and unfortunately just rubbed one pole to drop one place and finish 6th overall although this was still a really good all round performance over the 3 days. She will now have a couple of months off to recharge the batteries in preperation for next year.

Sunday 2nd August 2009 - Wilton
Having just sold The Wizn't, who was entered for the Intermediate, I decided to sustitute Bally into his place so he joined Acheron who was also doing the Intermediate and Merlin who was doing the Novice on the Saturday at Wilton. Merlin did a much improved dressage test to be right amongst the leaders on 32.5. He then jumped a good clear show jumping round and flew round the XC until the narrow but very tall cow's head at the bottom of the steps. Being still quite green he didn't appear to understand the question being asked of him and I called it a day there.
Ash did a good test ,just being a little tight over the back at the start, to recieve 31.4 . He then tried his heart out to jump clear showjumping and stormed round the XC just picking up 10 time faults to finish 3rd behind William F-P amd 0.1 behind Andrew Nicholson. I couldn' t have been more pleased with his performance.
Bally tried hard in the dressage, but still finds the moves at this level difficult, to score 38. He then jumped fantastic in the showjumping just getting dissunited and running on down to the treble and was very unlucky to have 2 down as he jumped like a star. I wasn`t sure how he would cope with his first Intermediate XC but he stormed round clear giving me an amazing ride, just being a little green at the water. I couldn t have hoped for him to have gone better and am very excited about his future. He is now going to have a short break whilst Ash heads for Hartpury for the 1 star.

Friday 24th July 2009 - Aston le Wals
Desert Island and Diva both went to Aston Le Wals for the Advanced class. They both performed their dressage on the Friday in very stormy conditions. Diva performed a good test although she was a little tight over her back resulting in a couple of wobbles but still managed to score 35. Sonja (Desert Island) warmed up very well but was also a bit tight in the test and got a little tense in the canter work, fluffing our final change but she still recieved 39 which left her reasonably competitive in her section.
We returned the following day for the jumping. Sonja was feeling a little opinionated and argumentative resulting in her clipping one of the easiest fences on theshow jumping course however she flew round the XC making it all feel very easy and although I didnt push her she still finished 10th in a very hot section. Diva again felt a little tight in her back and although she tried her heart out she was unlucky to knock 2 fence down a very tricky line. She then also felt fantastic XC cruising round in exactly the same time as Sonia to finish just outside the top 10.
Diva now heads to Gatcombe for the Open Champs while Sonja is off to Hartpury for the CIC***

Monday 20th July 2009 - Cheltenham
I took the new 5yr old Zoopsie to Cheltenham for her first BE100 and Merlin, the little stalion, for his first Novice. Merlin was a little tense in the dressage but still performed a respectable test to score 36. He show jumped really well in very muddy conditions just to clip one pole. He flew round the XC until the last fence. a very unattractive coffin which had got very cut up and muddy in front. He stopped at the first part and I decided to call it a day as the conditions were not very good and I didn't want to knock his confidence.
Zoe performed a lovely dressage test to score 25. She then jumped a good clear show jumping but was very green XC and we had a few steering issues resulting in a couple of run outs, but with a bit more experience I'm sure she will be very good.

Saturday 18th July 2009 - Stockland Lovell
I took Bally to Stockland Lovell for his NRF along with Wizard for the Novice and Acheron in the ON. Wizard (The Wizn't) was a little tense in the dressage but still performed a very respectable test for him to score 38. He was a little onward bound in the Showjumping and was slightly unlucky to role one pole. He then stormed round the XC giving me a great ride and feeling ready to step up a level to Intermediate.
Ash was great in all phases. He recieved 27 for the dressage although I still feel there is more to give. He jumped a lovely clear showjumping feeling much more confident and then flew round the XC inside the time to finish 3rd in a very competitive section.
Bally tried very hard in his dressage although he still finds it difficult at this level and although there were a few wobbles he managed to score 35.5. Unfortunately, although he jumped very well has was unlucky just to clip the last part of the double in the show jumping. He then cruised round the XC making it all very easy to finish 9th but unfortunately the fence down prevented us qualifiying for the Novice Champs which was rather disappointing but he has such an exciting future ahead of him there will be much more to come. Hewill hopefully step up a level to Intermediate now.

Wednesday 15th July 2009 - Tweseldown
I took Sonja to Tweseldown to do the OI at Tweseldown for her first run since Badminton and Ash was going HC in the Novice for a confidence run after Barbury. Sonia performed a reasonable test, just being a little tight at times, to score 36. She then jumped a great clear show jumping. Unfortunately I dropped my whip during my round and after finishing and dismounting to pick it up I then led her out of the arena. The rule state that you have to leave the areane mounted and so I got myself eliminated. I was however able to go XC HC and she flew round easliy feeling enthusiastic and confident.
Ash did a good test, although I stupidly manage to halt in the wrong place, but still scored 27. He was a little tense in the showjumping and had the first fence down but improved as the round went on. He then cruised round the XC making it feel very easy and I am now happy to move him back up to intermediate again.
Sonja now heads to Aston for the Advanced and Ash is doing the ON at Stockland Lovell

Sunday 12th July 2009 - Barbury
I just had Ash entered at Barbury for the 2 star. He had his dressage the day before and performed a very good test for his first attempt at this level with just one mistake in the 2nd simple change to score 50.2 and leave him in 21st out of 102. The next day he warmed up very well for the show jumping and started the round well but something upset him and he spun around on the approach to the double and then got a little unsettled and had 2 parts of the combination down. I decided not to run him XC as he didn't feel as confident as he has done. I decided to take him to Tweseldown on the Monday and run him in the Novice just to rebuild his confidence as I feel he has a very bright future and don't want to risk upsetting him.

Thursday 9th July 2009 - Shipton Moyne
Merlin performed the BE100 again at Shipton Moyne. He got rather unsettled by another horse just before his test and only scored 38. He then jumped an emaculate clear show jumping. Unfortunately his inexperience caught him out XC and he had a couple of stops at a drop log but hopefully he will have learnt from the experience.
Bally was competing in the 6yr old qualifier. His dressage has slowly been improving and I felt he performed one of his best tests to date and so was really disappointed with his mark of 37. He then jumped an emaculate double clear making it all feel easy but I took him slowly as his dressage wasn't good enough to qualify. He did however upgrade to Intermediate as a result of his double clear. I feel his is now ready to step up a level and will look to find a nice first Intermediate to enter him for.

Thursday 2nd July 2009 - Stonar
I just took Merlin to Stonar for the BE100. It was very hot and I think this chilled him out and he performed an improved dressage to score 31 although I still think there is more to come. He jumped a great show jumping round being unlucky just to rub one fence and then stormed round XC with just a couple of time faults to finished just outside the places in 11th but I was really pleased with his overall performance.

Friday 26th June 2009 - Longleat sat
I took Wizard and Bally to Longleat on Sat for the Novice and NRF. Wizard performed a pretty good test for him and just got a little tense towards the end to score 38. Unfortunately he got a little over excited and onwardbound in the showjumping and had a couple down but then flew round the XC. Bally did a reasonable test for his first attempt at intermediate level but is still quite green and finds that phase quite hard to score 37. He then jumped a great double clear but unfortunately the NRF was a very competetive section and his dressage didn`t leave him in contention so I just took him steady XC but I couldn t have been more pleased with the way him went stepping up a level.

Thursday 25th June 2009 - Longleat Sunday
I just had Ash entered in his first intermediate on the sunday at Longleat. He did a good test with just a couple of wobbles in his halts to score 31.8 to leave him well in contention. He show jumped very well but just jumped in a little to big to the double and clipped the 2nd part and then lost a little concentration at the last to leave him with 8 penalties. It was however causing a lot of trouble so he was still in a very competetive position. The XC was quite strong and possible not ideal for a first timer but he coped really well just having one dodgey moment at the crocodile fence in the water that was later taken out. When I pulled up I was really pleased with his clear round but later found out that I had jumped the CIC fence at no18 and got myself eliminated. I much have got confused when I walked the course and felt really bad for the owner and the horse as he would otherwise have been placed and it is very dissapionting to have an E on his record but I really feel like I am getting to know the horse much better now and at least he has proved he is more that ready to be competetive at the next level up. He will now head to Barbury for the 2 star.

Thursday 18th June 2009 - West Wilts
Merlin the little stalion went to West Wilts to do his 2nd BE100. He was much more settled in the dressage just being a little figgity in the halts to score 32 and lie 2nd athough with more work he will produce an extremely smart test. He certainly seems to get noticed when I take him out. I was trying a new bit for the show jumping as he had been a little strong last time out and unfortunately he didnt settle as well in it and had 2 down one of which we only had as he drifted and I hit the wing with my foot. He did however actually jump really well. The penny certainly seemed to have dropped xc and he stormed round feeling realy classy and not batting an eyelid at anything. We got a few time faults as the ground was quite firm but I think he has a very exciting future ahead of him. He now heads to Shipton Moyne with Bally to do the 6yr old class.

Tuesday 16th June 2009 - Bramham
We took Diva up to Bramham for her first CCI3 star. She performed a good consistant dressage with just one mistake in the first change to score 49.2 and lie 8th just behind William Fox-Pitt. I was really pleased with her although there is even more to come when she gets stronger. The course was big and bold with lots of galloping and hills. Unfortunately we had a stop at the first water at fence 4 which was rather dissappointing having been in such a good position. I think she was just taken a bit by surprise so early on in the course having not run for a while due to the cancellation of Chatsworth. She contiuned around the rest of the course well and finished with plenty of running which bodes well for the future. The next day she seemed none the worse for her efforts and jumped one of only 7 clear show jumping rounds to finish 27th. It was a little dissappointing to have an annoying stop but overall I was really pleased with her performance and excited about her future.

Monday 8th June 2009 - News
I have exchanged Beyond Question for a new 5yr Grey mare called Zoopsie otherwise known as Zoe. We had been trying to sell Louis and the owner particulary wanted a mare. She is still very green and uneducated but has a really good attitude so will hopefuly be an exciting prospect for the future.

Monday 1st June 2009 - Pontispool sunday
We took Merlin the new stalion to Pontispool to do the BE100 (his first ever taste of eventig) along with Catherine and her horse Mahogany to do the BE90. Merlin performed a good dressage but was a little bit tense as it was his first test on grass although we were still a little bit dissappionted with his mark of 34. He jumped a beautiful clear showjumping but was still a bit green XC and was caught out at the ditch at fence 3 which I thought was quite unfair to be so early on. Hopefully with a bit more schooling he will soon get the hang of it.
Catherines horse did a much improved dressage but just clipped 2 rails showjumping although it was alot more positive and then flew round the XC.

Monday 1st June 2009 - News
We have managed to sell both Kates Touch and a 5yr we were just bringing on to sell and they have both now gone to their new homes. We are also now trying to sell Wizard as we feel he would be more suited to a junior type home and the owner is still stuggling a little with the credit crunch. I am also actively looking for a couple more horses to join our team and am trying to syndicate my very promising 6yr old Ballyfarris Flight.

Saturday 30th May 2009 - Pontispool Friday
I took 3 horses to Pontispool on the friday. It was scorching weather more suited to sitting on the beach than riding horses. The Diva was enter at the last minute after the cancellation of Chatsworth and was going HC in the intermediate. She performed a good test to score 30 and lie 2nd and jumped a good clear show jumping put I didnt run him XC as the ground was quite firm as she is off to Bramham in 10 days time and I thought it best to save him for then. Acheron was stepping up to the IN he performed a good test to score 30.5 and lie 2nd as well. He was unlucky just to clip the first part of the double show jumping but jumped very well. He was the a bit cheeky XC and had a stop at the coffin at fence 3. He hadn t run since Powderham and was a bit spooky to start with after having some time off but just got better and better as he went on. Ballyfarris Flight did what I thought was a good test except the addition of a flying change in his counter canter! The dressage judge seem to think otherwise and gave him 42.5 his worse mark ever. I think she must of been looking at a different horse although there were alot of horses with even worse marks so maybe she just got out of bed the wrong side! He the jumped another very good double clear and although I didnt push him at all due to the hard ground he still made it one second inside the time but was just out of the places. He now heads to Longleat for the NRF with Acheron for the Intermediate

Tuesday 26th May 2009 - Houghton
Unfortunately Tis Wat is injured so I had to leave him at home but I took The Wizn't up to Houghton to do the one star. He still find dressage a little stressful and got a little bit tense but still performed a fairly respectable test to score 64. The XC is much more to his liking and he stormed round not batting an eyellid at anything just picking up 0.8 of a time fault.
The next day he didnt feel in the remotest bit tired and just got a little bit onward bound just clipping the last part of the combination and double which was a shame as his is very carefull but you couldn't knock his enthusiasum. Unfortunately he will now be for sale as his owner is still stuggling a little with the credit crunch

Friday 15th May 2009 - Aston Le Wals
I just took The Wizn't and Kates Touch to do the novice at Aston. It was very much back to reality after Badminton. Kates Touch was having his first run of the season and was a little tense in the dressage but I was relatively happy with him as he hadn t been out since october. He then jumped a good double clear but I took him slowly XC as he has someone interested in buying him and he hopefully being vetted next week. Wizard was very tense in the dressage. The test didn t really suit him as you cantered early in the test which tends to wind him up but he jumped one of his best double clears and was much more settled XC so I was pleased him over all. He now heads to Houghton in the one star with Wasal for the 2 star.

Friday 15th May 2009 - The New Arrival
I have just gained the ride on a new 7yr old Stallion know as Merlin. He has previously been doing dressage with Martin Schleicher and was 6th in the Open Combined Training Championships. They feel that that he is not going to make it at top level dressage and might be more suited to Eventing so I am now going to take him on and fingers crossed he will take to it well. He is a very smart little horse and I am excited about his future.

Thursday 14th May 2009 - Badminton
After weeks of anxiously trying to keep myself and Desert Island in one piece we finally arrived at Badminton fit and sound. She breezed though the first trot up thinking it was all a bit dull totally unaware of where she was!
Thursday was spent trying to keep her sweet and walking the course. Having not ridden at Badminton for 9yrs it certainly looked big with very few let ups. Although I thought she was capable of jumping it all but I was a worried about how she would cope with the intensity as she was still pretty inexperienced.
Luckily Desert Island got out of bed the right side on friday and she was really ameanable. I couldn't have been more pleased with her attitude she really tried and stayed concentrating to produced the best test we could really hope for at this stage to recieve 56.8 and leave her in 35th place out of 81. She finds the dressage quite hard at the moment but has really improved and im sure there is lots more still to come.
Being quite late on on saturday I had plenty of time to feel quite sick and nervous. There was then a hold when I was warmed up and ready to go which only reinforced the nerves but eventually we got going and she settled into a good rythmn jumping confidently. She was a little green going over the outlander bank but kept jumping well. When she came round to the hexaganol hedges she backed off a little not having seen anything like it before and ended up dropping her back legs on it thowing me forward and then back. We ended up nearly running into the crowd with me lying on her back. Luckily we both recovered quickly and managed to jump the alternative happily. We managed to put this behind us and she carried on jumping very well. Again she was a little green and unsure jumping through the lake but was very genuine and kept getting her legs out of the way even if she was a little unsure where to put them. I decided to take the long route through huntsmans close as I thought this was quite a test for her late on in the course and our mane goal was a clear round. She then finished jumping the last few combinations very well and although she finished a minute over the time I couldn't have been more pleased with how she had coped with her first 4 star.
She finished very well and seemed to be non the worse for her efforts. Although I had had no worries about her soundness she got held on the sunday mornings trot up. I thinks she had just appeared a bit lazy as the vet in the holding box had no worries and she flew threw the second time.
She felt very well warming up for the showjumping not like she had galloped round Badminton the previous day and jumped a very good round. Unfortunately she just spoked a little at the water tray and dropped a hind leg on it leaving us with 4 faults. This was a little dissappionting as she is a very good show jumper but I couldn't be more pleased with her overall performance over the 3 days leaving me very excited about her future and looking forward to 2012.

Monday 4th May 2009 - Withington Sun
I returned on the Sunday with Tis Wat along with Diva and Wasal.
Wasal show jumped well leaving all the poles in tact but wasn' t really on form XC and stopped going into the water nearly depositing me in the process and also had an earlier run out but finished well. We will hopefully get him checked out before Houghton.
Tis performed his usual good test although he was a little more tight than last time and was quite harshly marked to get 35. He then jumped a class double clear feeling fantastic XC just picking a few time faults to finish 5th.
Diva jumped out of her skin show jumping but unfortunately just picked up one time fault. She then flew round the XC feeling class and putting my previous nerves at bay, her 4.8 leaving in 2nd just behind Nick Gauntlett and Chilly Morning but most importantly I managed to finish the weekend in one piece!
We are now frantically packing and trying to get organised for Badminton with Desert Island. My first return trip for 9 years. All fingers crossed for a sucessfull week.

Monday 4th May 2009 - Withington Sat
Unfortunately Acheron had been lame so I just took Ballyfarris Flight and The Wizn't for the novice at Withington. The Wizn't although still a bit tense did an improved dressage to score 36 and then jumped a confident double clear to be just outside the placings. Bally was feeling very bright but after a fair amount of work produced a consistant test to score 34. He then produced a classs double clear just 2 second over the time to finish second.
Wasal and The Diva also had their dressage for the following day. They both performed very well. The Diva was a little bit on edge raring to go XC but I just about managed to keep her attention to perform a good test to be amoungst the leaders on 33. Wasal had a few little wobbles but most of his test was very good and he scored 30.

Monday 27th April 2009 - Bovington
I just took Beyond Question to Bovington on sunday to do the the BE100 and my groom Catherine took her horse Mahogany to do their first BE90. Beyond Question warmed up really well for the dressage and started the test well but got a little tense towards the end. However I was reasonably pleased with his mark of 33.5. He was a little unlucky to rub one fence show jumping but jumped very well and then flew round the XC to just pick up a few time faults as the course was quite twisty which left him just out of the placings.
Catherines horse was a little tense in the dressage as it was their first time out on grass. They had a couple down showjumping but then flew round the XC clear. A really pleasing result for their first time out.
I have 6 horses heading for Withington next weekend and then with only one more withdrawel needed to get in to Badminton we are keeping Desert Island firmly wrapped up in cotton wool and our fingers crossed for the followind week

Tuesday 21st April 2009 - Powderham Saturday
With great weather good going and a beautifully built course Powderham was set to be a great weekend. All my horses seemed to appreciate this and performed above expectation. Acheron performed his usual good dressage test but I was really disappionted with his mark of 36 (8% worse than his last two) although this still held him in good sted in his section as the judge was marking very harshly. He then did a great clear show jumping and flew round the XC to pick up just 0.8 of a time fault to finish 3rd and up grade to intermediate. I was really pleased with his performance but it was really dissapionting to just miss out on qualifying for the NRF again. Fingers crossed for his last chance a Withington.
Wasal did a great test to leave him just off the leaders on 34. The show jumping was not the smoothest as he thought he might try and leave the areana whilst passing the entrance but after a bit of determind riding he carried on and managed to leave all the poles up. He then stormed around the XC feeling 100% more positive and giving me possibly one of the best rides I have had on him comfortaly making the time. He not only picked up the Baumber Cross trophy for the best intermediate XC but also won his section. This is definately his best result to date and leaves me feeling optamistic about his future.
Tis was class in all 3 phases. He did a lovely test to lie 2nd with 30.5 and then produced a foot perfect double clear with just 1.6 time faults to head a the very competative OI class and top off an amazing day.

Tuesday 21st April 2009 - Powderham Sunday
I returned to Powderham the following day feeling a little apprehesive as to whether my luck would hold out. The weather was even better and the horses didnt dissapoint either.
Bally did a good consistant test to score 34 in the novice and then produced a class double clear really feeling like he a grown up XC. He finished on his dressage score to come 2nd and is really turning out to be a very exciting prospect.
Desert Island produced possibly her best test at advanced level to score 32 and leave her 7th. She struggles with this phase and I couldn t have been more pleased with her attitude. Unfortunately she didnt really have her mind on the job in the show jumping after having to hang around quite alot and had 2 down including fence 1! This was quite dissapointing as she is normally an extremely good jumper. I was in two minds whether to run her XC as she is on the wait list for Badminton and had had an infected foot earlier in the week but we decided that as the ground was good it would help with her fitness. Luckily it went without incident and she flew round with just 9.6 time faults to finish 8th. This topped off and amazing weekend at a fantastic venue and our thanks must go out to all the organizers for putting on such a great show.

Tuesday 14th April 2009 - Burnham Market
We set off for the trek up to Norfolk with Diva and Desert Island on friday afternoon as we were stabling over night and as Desert Island was doing the 3 star we had to trot her up on the friday afternoon. I was reasonably pleased with her test as she still finds this phase quite difficult and the canter work was definately better although there is still quite a few wobbles to iron out. She then jumped a class clear show jumping and a good clear XC although we did have a small disagreement about turning between the two corners which wasted time. This aside she felt very good and tackled all questions very well leaving me feeling optimistic about Badminton should we get in.
Diva felt rather tight in her back after the journey up but after a reasonable amount of work she actually performed a very good test to recieve 32 in the advanced and leave her in a very competitive postition. We weren t sure whether we were going to run her due to her feeling a bit tight but she show jumped very well and was very unlucky to rub one pole so I set off XC feeling a little more confident. She jumped extremly well and felt very good untill the bounce into the water right at the end of the course. She slightly hit the first element going in and then stopped in the middle of the bounce but came round and jumped in the 2nd time and finished well. Over all I was pleased with her performance as I dont think she felt quite 100% after the journey and bar her one little hicup felt very classy. I will get her checked out now before her next run in the Adv at Withington and then hopefully heading to Bramham

Friday 10th April 2009 - Portman
The Novices all went to Portman on tuesday. The Wizn`t was a little excited to be out again and didnt perform his best dressage test although some of his trot work was alot better. He was also a little over enthusiastic in the show jumping and had one down but after slightly tweaking my brakes from Somerly I had a very good ride XC and just picked up a few time faults. I am beginning to get to know Acheron a little better now and he did a more relaxed test to recieve 28 and then jumped a great double clear to finish 3rd unfortunately just missing out on a NRF qualification but hopfully we can go one or two better next time. Bally also did a much improved test to recieve 32 but unfortunately was unlucky to roll a pole show jumping. He then gave me a great ride XC to just pick up a few time faults and finish up 9th.

I then returned the next day with Beyond Question for his first run of the season in the BE100 (previously called PN). You would never have known he hadn t been out since July and he performed a great dressage although he was a little harshly marked to receive 33 and then jumped a great double clear to also finish 3rd. He was a little wobbly in the show jumping but felt great XC.
He now heads to Bovington with Catherine and her mare who are doing thier first BE event whilst the Novices head to Powderham.

Friday 3rd April 2009 - Somerly
Somerly was a busy day with 4 horses but with gorgeous weather and near perfect going made it a very enjoyable one. Wasal stepped up to the intermediate. He did a reasonable test but I was rather dissapointed with his mark of 35 as there were plenty of marks in the low 20`s and he is normally up amoungst the leaders. He showjumped well and was unlucky to have one down and then stormed round the XC to finish just outide the top 10. I was really pleased with him as he seemed much more enthusiastic and confident XC after drag hunting this winter. The other 3 were all in the Novice. The Wizn`t got rather tense in the dressage but jumped a great double clear although he got rather strong XC so I might need to reassess my brakes!
I was having my first outing with Acheron a new ride from Polly Jackson. He performed a good test although there is alot more to come to recieve 28. He had one down sowjumping which I think was just down to a lack of match practice and then gave me a great ride XC to finish 6th and leave me excited about his future.
Ballyfarris Flight put his blip at Tweseldown behind him to produce a much more settled test and then jump a great double clear to finish 2nd. I couldn`t have asked much more of him at this stage.
The 3 novices go again at Portman on tuesday along with Beyond Question who is doing the BE100 on the wednesday to start his season off.

Monday 30th March 2009 - The start of the season
Well the first few events have been a rather up and done so far, quite litterly!
I took 5 horses to Tweseldown over 2 days. Desert Island who is being aimed at Badminton jumped a confident double clear to finish 8th in the OI although there was still plenty to improve on in the dressage, hopefully in time for Badminton! Tis Wat after an excellent start took exception to the corners. Hopefully this was just a blip in his confidence.
The Wizn`t and Wasal both went very well in the novice with just one down and a few time faults XC. My very exciting young horse Ballyfaris flight who was also doing the novice was a little too cheerfull in the dressge but showjumped clear and was great xc untill catching sight of the ditch in the middle of the coffin at the last minute slamming the brakes on and sending me flying over his head. We remounted and finished well and he will hopefully have learnt alot from the run.

The Diva started the season the following week at Aldon in the AI. She was very pleased to be out and was a little unsetteled in the dressage but still managed to score 34. She was a little rusty in the showjumping having not showjumped for some time and had 2 down after which I chose to turn a circle to settle her again but she then flew round the XC happily.

Tis Wat and Diva were the out again at Gatcombe in the OI. Tis performed a good test to score 30.5 and jumped a great double clear but I took him slowly XC to concentrate on him building his confidence and having a happy time. He felt as good as ever and hopefully will be able to build on this result. Diva again was a little unsettled in the dressage and did not produce her best work but showjumped clear in her customary style and stormed round the XC with just 3.6 time faults to finish 3rd. She felt very confident and now heads to Burnham Market for the Advanced along with Desert Island who is doing the CIC*** While Wasal, The Wiz`t, Ballyfarris Flight and my new ride Acheron head for Somerly next week.

Thursday 29th January 2009 - New Website
I am very excited to announce the launch of my new website.

I hope it gives you an insight into my eventing career and my hopes and aspirations for the future.

Please do come back and visit again soon, I will keep my diary up to date during the season.

Best wishes

Louisa