South of England

Having worked out the logistics of getting to Ardingly as Alex is away. Competing seemed like the easy bit! Pella (Wills' Mum), Will and I left for Ardingly showground at the crack of dawn, only to be greeted by a large queue on the M23. To say the lease we were not amused! The traffic was at complete gridlock and so the obvious thing to do was hop in the back and start plaiting. Meanwhile, as Will cannot plait, he was in charge of making breakfast. The aroma obviously waffed outside and soon we had people knocking on the door to ask if we'd sell some..... My new business venture?!

Finally we arrived with very little time to spare but we quickly swung into action. Steve did an ok test but initially was given a mark of 35, much to my disblief. Sadly later on it was altered to 52.8. It still left us in the lead but with very little leeway. As always, Steve jumped an immaculate double clear to finish 6th. Beated not only by Wills Goodhew..... he went like a rocket and I went like a snail in comparison. One day the results will be reversed!

Minimee, who was a late substiution, did a lovely test to score 22.3 but the show jumping was upto height and sadly he rolled 2 poles. I am not disappointed with him as recently I have hardly ridden him and so this was a hard task for him. I withdrew him from XC as it hardly seemed fair as his last run was a pre novice! All being well I hope to get a late entry in the CCI* at Weston Park with him.

Mark Ford kindly brought Get Up and Jump aka Lilly for Wills to ride. It was their first outing together and they did not disgrace themselves. The plan is for Wills to ride Lilly for the remainder of the season and then for her to be sold. For anyone interested please email me. Her details are:
GET UP AND JUMP... Bay mare 16.1hh 7yo. 10BE points.Clear xc Tattersalls CCI*.Clear xc in all intermediates. Needs to continue her training on the flat but machine xc... Scopey and will go on beyond junior and young rider level. I have owned her since 3yo.

We finally made it home on Sunday evening after a long weekend and various diversions due to traffic and road closures. Thank goodness for sat nav..... we would have been even longer otherwise!

On Wednesday, I head to Osberton with Mere Oak and Dassetts Courage. On Friday Mum and Fiona will bring up Outward Bound for the five yo class. The weather forecast look pretty dreadful so fingers crossed they have it wrong.....