2018 update

 It is hard to believe that we are at the beginning of 2018 and another eventing season is about to start.

- where has the year gone?!  I had an enjoyable 2017 season concentrating on the younger horses at the lower levels and building up to Blenheim *** with my 8 year olds having their first run at this level.  They all went encouragingly well and I am excited to have 3 good youngsters at this stage of their careers.  

It is great fun having Catherine Witt’s boys back.  They had a couple of runs before last season finished and have been kept in light work during the winter, which I don’t usually do.  Actually this winter we have been busier than usual, with more horses staying in and Kazu’s 3 horses coming in early as he is hoping to go to Portugal for the Sunshine Tour in February.  We have 11 or 12 in work at the moment which is far more than normal and the younger horses will start their work now.  

Staff wise we had all change at the end of the 2017 season.  Andrew returned to America and happily managed to buy a horse to take with him before he left.  Gwen and Miguel have also left us and both are keen to stay working in the sport.  Joining us for 2018 is Charlotte Longhurst.  Charlotte set up the University of Westminster’s Equestrian Club who I helped during the year, before coming to us for work experience and will now be staying to help Jackie with the management of the yard.  We have been very lucky to find Josh Noakes and Adam Short and they have both fitted in well.  They are very decent young riders and excellent to have in the team going forward.  

Just before Christmas we had a very enjoyable Open Day at the yard and it was great to see so many people.  We were very lucky with the weather as well.  We showed everyone around like usual and I rode Pimms in the outdoor school with Josh on Moonie (Bay My Hero).  I also showed off my three youngsters.  Crunchie, who is rising 5, is out of Lady Voltaire and by Sworn In and will hopefully be out competing towards the end of next season.  Marble is rising 4 and I have recently bought King to keep Marble company.  All 3 are very exciting for the future.