We have just returned from a busy but enjoyable 3 days at Bicton with both Posy and Bobby. I guess on reflection it was a really good few days to progress our show jumping and get some quality rounds together. However me being me only one frilly in 10 classes is a poor return, however competitive the classes were and well the horses went - need a change of mindset I think.

Drove up on Thursday and settled both in, although Bobby has had a few trips away this was Posy’s first trip with me and she really was very easy and settled. Friday was our first day jumping and Posy jumped a nice double clear in the British Novice, we weren’t placed but trying to get my 4 double clears for next year before our points run out.

We then entered in the 4 /5 year old handicap. It was not against the clock and a double clear was placed equal first and qualified for a final at their September show in the main ring.

We jumped a lovely round until I forgot where I was going and then remembered the planks a tad too late had to angle them causing her to tap them behind. I don’t mind mistakes but get very annoyed when they are careless jockey mistakes!

Talking of jockey mistakes poor Bobby had a lot to put up with and the end result was a dressing down from the judges!! He only did the British Novice on the first day and I was half way round when I noticed another horse in the ring, now I realise you can let other horses in early but up until this point they hadn’t been doing so. I then heard a buzzer and stopped thinking I had been eliminated - confusion ensued and it turned out the buzzer was for another ring. I eventually continued and although we had a pole (luckily otherwise would have been more pig sick) I added another 4 for a circle and 26 time penalties - lesson learnt never stop unless you are sure. (That would come back to bite me)

Next day with Bobby in the British Novice the judges were having problems with their radios. The bell went and then I started and then the bell seemed to constantly go. After yesterday’s experience I kept on going (had they announced over the loudspeaker I was eliminated I would have stopped). Anyway turns out I had heard a bell again from another arena and was eliminated, the constant ringing was them trying to eliminate me. We finished the round (4 faults) before I was summonsed to the judges for a dressing down. Luckily they put me in the idiot / simple category and after much apologising and a dressing down I left determined to make sure I heard the correct bell!!

Posy came out and jumped another double clear in the British Novice again unplaced before we had another crack at the young horse class. This time I remembered the way and we managed another double clear and qualification for the September final as well as a frilly for equal first and a share of the prize money (£10). Bobby jumped a good round in the 95cm and we were clear until the final fence of the first section which we just got a bit long to. As it was a two phase we stopped quickly as the last thing I wanted was to annoy the judges again!! Sunday we were in a different ring ( a grass ring) which meant the lovely job of studs! It was good though for both horses to see another set of show jumps and jump in a different area.

Both horses seemed to enjoy there stay and certainly Bobby was very chilled. (See right)

Sunday was my chance to get the final double clear Posy needed at British Novice and typically we were just a bit causal over the second fence and tipped it, this was rather annoying but in this case just one of those things.

Bobby jumped another good round and his style is improving all the time, he just got a bit stronger in a grass arena and we had 4 faults again. Overall though I am very pleased how he is coming on and he just needs more time and miles and one day he will totally fly.

So the final round of the weekend was Posy in the Discovery. It was a decent track and as most of the classes single phase with the jump off in the second part. I think it was one of her best rounds, the canter was purposeful and we did a few tighter turns and angles nothing stupid, our time though would have been placed. The final related distance I kicked on when I should have sat up and held for 6 strides rather than flatten on 5 and half so my last competitive jump was another sack the jockey moment. Overall I am really pleased with both horses who are now having a few days off. Lucky them they don’t have to catch up with washing, cleaning tack and lorry as well as the mountain of work that a few days off has generated - they eat grass. I am equally frustrated with my inability to be perfect but am slowly realising that maybe it is not perfection I should strive for but an understanding that mistakes will happen and it is the learning from them that matters. This always has been and will continue to be a concept I struggle to master.

Thanks to Nick Perry for the fabulous photos.

So packing for a different kind of trip away, 3 days show jumping at Bicton Arena. In an effort to really polish my show jumping skills I am hoping that 3 days with two horses jumping could finally get my eye in (or maybe not).

This is going to be Bobby’s last competition for a few weeks and we have sadly withdrawn from Millfield BE the following week. His nose rubbing that caused us such bother last summer is returning and making the poor boy quite uncomfortable at times. I have turned to an alternative therapy to try and help the problem and he is having acupuncture. The vet that is carrying out the procedure will be treating the affected nerves next week and wants him to have a few quiet weeks so we can assess the effectiveness or otherwise of the treatment. Fingers firmly crossed please.

So we head to Bicton tomorrow to get the horses settled and then have classes Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Posy is entered in the British Novice classes and some 5 year old classes that are a 1m, Bobby is entered in British Novice and we will add classes depending on how he is going.

I hope to add some updates on Facebook and Twitter but not sure if I will have the signal to add anything here until we get back. You never know next week it may be Shoestring Showjumping!! (Not likely)

This weekend was quite successful which was much needed. Been going through a phase of severe beating myself up and deciding I am useless. At least this weekend showed that the horses can cope despite my inadequacies!!

We headed to Tall Trees show jumping with Bobby and Posy. Bobby has had a very quiet few weeks mainly chilling and hacking in an effort to take the pressure off and try and chill him out. I also tried him in a new bit for show jumping, a tom thumb which can be quite severe but in his case allowed me to sit him up and then ride forward.

He was just entered in the British Novice and I have to say jumped the best he ever has with me and did two superb rounds for a double clear and 4th.

Jump off round Really delighted and hope we can maintain that standard of jumping.

Posy meanwhile jumped an easy double clear in the same class and was a few seconds faster for 3rd place.

She was also entered in the Discovery which was a decent enough track for a 5 year old. She jumped another good round and was double clear for another 3rd in a 7 horse jump off. I even did a few turns just to test out the jump off ability for the future.

Discovery first round and jump off So a pretty good day, 3 double clears and 3 frilly’s. Hopefully this will set us up nicely for a few days away at Bicton BS show where we are hoping to polish our show jumping even further.

Lets start by backtracking to last weekend and reporting on Posy’s first rail down BS with me! We did our first outdoor show on grass at St Leonard's. In the British Novice she nearly had me off before we started by spinning round at some horse eating poles that were at the side of the ring. Later in the round as we approached the poles from the other direction she dropped her front legs on the planks for our first fault BS together. Luckily we redeemed ourselves in the Discovery and despite some rain arriving jumped a good double clear for 2nd place. The jump off No prize money unfortunately as very small entries but don’t need to try for time at the moment and the jumping is more important.

Apologies for a lack of updates, just seem to have been really busy both at home and work and had a bit of a horrible bug that has been slow to shift. Off to Badminton for the day tomorrow but will catch up with updates and news Friday and Saturday.

There was a fairly last minute decision last night when some late spaces became available at the local Cornwall Trec show for dressage. Posy was thrown in the lorry and as I was unloading her I learnt the test. She was a really good girl and although this is not as natural as the show jumping she came out and went well I was very pleased. We scored 68% to come 3rd

Hoping this weekend to get out and do some jumping on grass. This is rather weather dependant as need enough rain to take the sting out the ground but it must also remember to stop as don’t want greasy ground!