Originally a quiet weekend was planned this weekend but there has been a sudden change of plan. I had decided to miss Bicton in favour of taking both to Treborough however the efforts Bicton are making on the ground including watering has tempted me to make a late entry. For me the most important factor in choosing an event is ground and Bicton’s efforts (coupled with some forecast rain) are truly appreciated. So Saturday we head to Bicton for the BE100 and even have lovely middle of the day times.

The focus has slightly shifted in the last week to pushing on with Ellie a little as she is entered in her first BE at Treborough in 2 weeks time. A nice gentle introduction at BE80 level so thought we had better get in gear.

Popped up to Zoe’s for the weekend and schooled Posy, Ellie had a schooling session on Saturday and Sunday we nipped down the road to St Leonards for their club show jumping.

Only her second competitive show and she was 5th in the 70 and had a couple of poles in the 80. She still at the stage that she knows it all and charges off at times but she is listening more and more now.

In fact tonight I took her cross country schooling and she remained settled to the fences throughout at least the first half of the session and jumped everything confidently. Really feel ready for our first BE80 now and be great to get her out and doing something.

Not sure I have bitten off more than I can chew by entering both horses on the same day!

Finally we have come up with a name for Sarnie’s foal! Mum had the inspiration and she is to be called Kensa which is Cornish for first.

She is certainly growing up well and looking great with Sarnie being a great Mum. I think Sarnie may be doing her a bit well as she has lost a bit of weight so getting a good bit of feed now.

I also had a great surprise in the post this week from my lovely sponsors Super X Country.

A very smart show shirt and a personalised hat bag. I am so lucky with my sponsors and would ask followers to check out Super X country’s website for their full range of products.

Best laid plans and all that never easy returning from a horse trials and then trying to get everything ready for a 3 day BS show in 4 days. To then try and incorporate a yard move into the equation it has certainly left me slightly frazzled. We moved on Monday only about 3 miles away from the current yard but by the time hay bars, mats, feed and tack were loaded it took all day to move and much of it is still dumped in piles. Have found a lovely private yard although a few minor concerns including lorry access (I have scraped it 3 times now) and a busy road that I have to hack out onto for riding. I’m sure things will settle down.

So actually didn’t even manage to ride Posy between Wilton and Bicton although didn’t seem to do any harm! We arrived in time on the Thursday to give her some work and settle both in. On the first day we had a couple of classes entered but it was Ellie that was on first doing a schooling round in the Webb arena which was really educational. Really pleased with how she is progressing although have to say the next day she clearly knew it all and tried to race round at 100 miles an hour!!

Posy jumped the 1.05 Derby that caused chaos particularly the dyke that stopped a lot of good horses. I was really pleased how honest and bold Posy was but equally I was frustrated to have two easy fences down when we could have had a chance of a good place (there were only 4 clears). I have been riding her in a Beris Pelham but she seems to have lost respect for this so a change was needed. I reverted to her cross country bit for her next class that day - the running gag with two reins. Those that know me well can tell you I sometimes struggle enough with one and certainly long term I do not want to mess around with two reins. However short term this may just be the answer. Indeed she jumped a super Newcomers round, I missed the first jump off turn but after that did a couple of good turns and a great angle to come 8th in a very large class. Day 2 was equally busy with Ellie repeating her schooling round albeit in a rather cocky manner and Posy entered in two classes a 1.05 on the grass and another Newcomers.

The 1.05 was a very competitive class and I was delighted with a 6th place. I was lucky and Posy helped me out enormously as she slipped going into the penultimate fence and lost her stride but pulled all her legs out the way for the clear. The Newcomers later in the day we tipped the first fence although I didn’t realise it had gone so had a go in the jump off and caught a rail angling a turn. The final day Ellie had off and Posy just entered the one Newcomers class. I wanted to finish on a good note and just jumped a sensible round with no jump off turns aiming to finish on a good double clear. Very pleased that this was just what we achieved! Another really enjoyable show, I have spent a fair time at Bicton this year both at BE and BS and enjoyed it every time. Always so well organised and such great facilities. Already planning the September BS show.

Wilton was well worth the 4 and a half hour drive as it is one of my favourite events, so pleased they have added a BE100 track. The effort that had gone into the going and new course was really appreciated.

The other advantage of Wilton is the close proximity to Fred Scala who has been helping with our training. We stayed with him on Saturday night and he helped me on the Sunday.

Dressage we produced a nice accurate test and more relaxed thanks to Fred’s help. I was slightly disappointed with a score of 34 but actually it was a harshly marked section and there was only one score that broke the 30 barrier. We were certainly in the top half of a strong section. Realistically Posy still has more strengthening and development so this is still very much a work in progress.

There was a 3 hour gap until show jumping so a good time to walk the course. It was a nice course the only fence that really worried me was a double of angled brushes at 9 ( a fence they use at the Badminton Grass Routes), it would be very easy to have a run out. The water was also quite bright with a mermaid going in.

Show jumping seemed quite tiny but the course was technical with some tight turns and undulating ground. I was frustrated to clip the planks in the 3 stride related. I suspect if I looked at the video (only there was a failure to press record) I may have got a bit forward and not sat up enough. So onto cross country and although we were running after 5 I was actually quite pleased for once as the day had been pretty warm. Posy was also not too impressed to see the big hill in front of her. Set off and rather propped at fence 1 but then got going and had a good jump at 2 before labouring up the hill (Posy thought it was a bit like hard work).

The first combination at 4 was straightforward and she had a good jump over the hay cart and another couple of plain fences before the angled brushes. I had discussed the line with Fred and had intended to ride for 3 strides however despite keeping very straight we popped another stride in. We kept control heading down the hill and actually had our worst jump over a simple fence before the water. This comes back to poor course walking where I had walked by as course was open rather than checked the line too the fence. On approach realised my line was poor had a awkward jump this was ok at 100 height but would have caused problems had it been bigger.

She backed off the mermaid to the water but I sat up and kept my leg on and she popped the mermaid and through the water. A few plain fences and I had time to check my watch as people were getting too fast penalties. Whilst I was unlikely to do that I was able to take it relatively steady coming home to finish 3 seconds under the time.

I’m not sure who the commentator was but appreciate the plugs he gave Shoestring Eventing and the course pictures, mum said he was very enthusiastic and complimentary.

Video shows the first couple of fences the water and the penultimate fence. Delighted that we had our second consecutive placing with 10th place. The show jump was expensive and cost us 3rd place. Really enjoyable event.

29th July

Typical me even the little mishap reported in my last blog and it turns out I have a chipped bone on my knuckle although no breaks in my wrist. I have used Arc Equine solidly and have to say wrist is vastly improved and the finger is less swollen and stiff. Have a appointment at the hand clinic on Tuesday so will see what they say. Luckily as the middle finger not effecting riding at all and preparations under way for Wilton. Have to say have my least favourite times with XC at 17.10. By the time we pack up will be at least 11pm we are home.

Monday is yard moving day, I have fortunately found a lovely yard not too much further away the main concern is the tight lorry access, I have already caught the gatepost once dropping some mats over. Think the girls will like it though.

Typical me even the little mishap reported in my last blog and it turns out I have a chipped bone on my knuckle although no breaks in my wrist. I have used Arc Equine solidly and have to say wrist is vastly improved and the finger is less swollen and stiff. Have a appointment at the hand clinic on Tuesday so will see what they say. Luckily as the middle finger not effecting riding at all and preparations under way for Wilton. Have to say have my least favourite times with XC at 17.10. By the time we pack up will be at least 11pm we are home.

Monday is yard moving day, I have fortunately found a lovely yard not too much further away the main concern is the tight lorry access, I have already caught the gatepost once dropping some mats over. Think the girls will like it though.