On Sunday we were at Purston Manor competing in our first Novice of the season, Its a lovely event and the ground was particuarly good considering the lack of rain...The cross country has definately been stepped up a gear since we jumped round two years ago and it was a lovely track but technical with lots of combinations on turns and skinnies. The dressage did not go quite to plan though, it was quite windy and although he warmed in beautifully as soon as he got in the arena he went a bit wild! He could see the show jumping going on in the distance and clearly knew what was coming next and could not contain his excitement! He scored a 42.5 - his worse ever test - but I couldnt help but smile because there was nothing I could do about it and it was just his way of expressing his enjoyment! I cared more about whether we could repeat our recent showjumping form and I am thrilled to report that we did !!! another clear! he was mega. He then stormed round the cross country jumping bold and straight the whole way. We finished 8th, achieving my target of a top ten placing.  Off the back of how well he is going I am now planning to enter Osberton CCI1* in September. He really is mega.

Zorro is back after a week with Kylie and I owe her a big thank you for getting him back into work mode. Having not been schooled for so long and having put me on the deck I had to call in the professionals! He is now down the road from me and I have schooled him twice so far with a big improvement. He is now lighter and is listening to me and I am riding properly rather than politely! Progress should now be made!

Zorro has gone back to Jonathan Chapmans yard for a week to be worked by Kylie Roddy. I decided that with no-where to school him properly at home he is not going to progress and that he needs to be on a yard with a menage.   I have arranged to move him onto a yard down the road from me and thought that a week or two with Kylie first will get him back into work mode!