Sam Penn is nearly ready…

It has been a busy month with various excursions out for sj, dressage, xc schooling and some canter work on the Downs, but now with just a couple of weeks to go before Isleham, we are about as ready as we can be. All ponies have been behaving very well, our most recent party was sj at home, Tigga won the Newcomers/Blue Chip Qualifier, Sid had his first attempt at Newcomers, a couple of baby errors resulted in 2 down but he really showed that he will be something a little bit special. Rory (Charter Party) is hopefully starting to turn a corner and calm down, as if he can then he will also be a forse to be reckoned with. New arrival Kir Royale (Kiri) is also going well having moved up to 1.10m classes which bodes well for attempting some Novices this year. Ambastor Princess has become a resident here at Golden Cross, following our successful outing at Firle last year, Hattie is here to be sold as her long time owner/rider Abbie Lloyd is now at university, however in the meantime we will do a couple of BE100’s and then have a go at Novice. Another new arrival Above Board (Archie), older full brother to Rory has settled in well, we are getting used to each other, dressage is improving although he is used to rather longer legs than mine, but jumping is going well and he is a real gentleman about cross country practice. Muffin jumped well as always, finishing 2nd in the Foxhunter, Brooke and Smurf also went well for their first party of the sesaon with just a couple of silly faults between them.

We are back out xc schooling this week at Littleton Manor, this time its the turn of Brooke and Smurf and then next week I have 2 days off for a quick visit to the Emerald Isle for my new nephew-in-law’s christening, and then it will be time to pack the lorry and go eventing, YIPPEE!!