My Diary

I was really happy with my weekend, with both Henry (B Highland Charm) and Ash (Acheron) completing tough competitions.

Ash was first to go, and in the Novice Champs he produced a good dressage, followed by just one pole down in the showjumping, and then a clear run Cross Country in a goo...

Meike and me took 4 to Knaptoft "5's", and the star of the show was Papillon, winning the class to book his place at Burghley.

He was fabulous and really put on a great show. I am so looking forward to joining the best 5 year olds in the country at the Burghley competition!

A...

In a big field of 68 entries, Freddie (Footprints in the Sand) was the horse to excel, qualifying for Burghley Young event Horse in the 5 year old section.

Weisser Reise, Lenox IV and Papillon all made the top 20, and it was a great outing ahead of the Knaptoft 5yr old classes.

I am really pleased to tell you that (boyfriend) Niall Griffin and best horse Lorgaine have been selected for the Ireland Olympic Team going to Hong Kong!

Of course, I wish most that I was going too but I'm not ready with my best horses yet. Roll on London!

This is Niall'...

For a variety of reasons, Ash (Acheron) and I had one qualifying chance left and made the longish trek down to Tweseldown Racecourse for the final Novice Regional Final before the Gatcombe Champs.

Despite a couple of early “twitches” in trot, Ash settled down and produced a steady if unsp...

Salperton was a new competition for me and Meike and was a wonderful setting. I enjoy new venues because it keeps us and the horses fresh. We had a busy day with five horses all running in the Pre-Novice and with a member of staff away, I was also head groom for the day as Meike had 3 rides and I ha...

The first 3-day 3-star for "Henry" (Bournston Highland Charm) proved to be a great outing, and we finished 22nd in a strong field. I was hoping for a better Dressage score, but the tension of the occasion got to him a bit.

Despite losing a shoe halfway round the course, our ride Cross Co...

Catton Park was another successful outing for two of our youngsters.

Wendel (Weisser Riese) and Freddy (Footprints in the Sand) both started in the 5yr old qualifier prenovice section and simply didn't put a foot wrong. They started the day off with good dressages (maybe still a bit s...

The "Babies" are now really showing what they have been promising all winter!

With Polly having gone off to Ireland to compete at Tattersalls, Anna and Meike took the rather yellow little lorry (aptly named Spongebob Squarepants!) with Freddie (Footprints in the Sand) and Lenny (Lenox IV...

A very satisfying three days out at Brigstock!

Across a very varied series of classes, me (and Meike and Niall) had some really good performances. Papillon (Pappy) was 4th in a 5yo class, Ash picked up a 7th and another really nice double-clear in the Novice. Bournston Kylemore Conqueror...