So far a very unsettled start to the season with events being cancelled left, right and centre. Such a shame for the organisers who put in so much effort to prepare the courses. We sadly lost a run at Hambleden this month as it was abandoned at 6.15 am (we had set off at 6am)- Myrtle was a little confused!

Back at the beginning of April, Mum and I set off with Myrtle to Portman horse trials at 6am having done the rest of the yard before we left (it was a very early start!). It was a beautiful day and we were joined by some family friends who live locally to the Wiltshire event. Myrtle warmed up beautifully for the dressage and did a solid test where we were rewarded with a 30.8 dressage in the Open Novice among tough company. We had one rail show jumping as I was a little slow off the mark round the penultimate corner (so pleased to have jumped the tricky line downhill) but we went on to jump clear cross country inside the time which left us in 8th place! Myrtle was ace and gave me a fantastic ride around our first novice together.

Just as we finished back at the box the heavens opened so we sheltered just in time!

Wearing Dainese breeches and body protector from Arka Equipe.

Video of Myrtle and I at Portman ON can be seen here.

4 days later I was back to Wiltshire, this time for Larkhill horse trials with Skip. Larkhill is a lovely open and inviting course which was perfect for Skip's second ever novice. Whilst warming up for the dressage all the tanks and army vehicles drove by which didn't seem to bother Skip much. Unfortunately, the flower pots outside the arena however were blood-sucking trolls and resulted in a few un-scheduled 'airs above the ground'. 35.8 score, could've been worse! It turned wet and very cold before our show jumping and the course was causing a lot of problems as it is on quite a gradient. However it caused no problems for Skip who jumped an immaculate clear round. I was over the moon! Skip went on to finish on her dressage score leaving us in 7th place after storming round the cross country. Superstar, top ten placing at her second novice! Huge thanks to Bridget and Martin Lyne who own Skip for all their help at Larkhill.

After Larkhill we had a quieter weekend where Edward and I took the opportunity to do some fitness work with the horses as well as exploring some new country over the South Downs. The ground is always perfect and the views breathtaking.

With Chilham looming we thought it would probably be a good idea to take Joss show jumping. We have never show jumped her round a course (she is a hunter!) so I was pleasantly surprised when she jumped a lovely clear round at Felbridge the other week and was not spooky! We also took our pony Brendon (Danny) for some show jump training at Coombelands ahead of his first ever event at Munstead unaffiliated. He really is a super pony with oodles of potential for a rising 5YO. Here is a video of him training.

Myrtle has also been busy training. Last week I had a fantastic dressage lesson on her to practice the new novice test and we have also been to Pyecombe to jump a clear round around a 1.15m track. Myrtle wears Lorenzini titanium bits for both dressage and show jumping. Here is a video of her training.

Last but definitely not least is the report on Danny's debut event at Munstead UA. He was entered in the Intro (90cm) on Sunday as we were meant to be at Hambleden on the Saturday. Little baby thrown in the deep end! We were early on, fourth to go so another early start. Danny warmed up nicely for his test, a few little neighs to other horses just to let everyone know he was there! We were in the furthest arena so he really had to concentrate and not worry where everyone else was. I was so pleased that he produced a lovely, balanced and rhythmical test with just one little mistake with an over enthusiastic canter transition! He focused the whole test and this shined through with an amazing score of 27.3, to put him 5 marks ahead of his nearest rival! This allowed us one fence show jumping which he only had down at the second fence as he was a little green starting but then he totally understood what he was doing and jumped a foot perfect round. Quick change for cross country and much to my amazement he was still full of running. For his first event I was expecting him to find the whole experience quite tiring for a baby. He flew (literally) around the XC so easily that I was still shivering when I got back from the cold as I had such an easy ride! (It was a freeeezing day- luckily had my FAB Dada Sport Quismy Down Jacket from Arka Equipe to warm me up). Inside the time which meant he was unbeatable leading from start to finish. Superstar. He is such a talented pony and a pleasure to ride. Couldn't be more proud of him winning his first event, he has come such a long way since we got him last summer. He is now very sadly for sale and ready to take someone all the way.