WET is certainly one word I'd describe the day as!!!  The rain came down in sheets but fair play, everyone who'd entered turned up to brave the tempest!  Mum provided tea and coffee and hot soup and those that could, huddled under the gazebo to shelter from the rain.  Fortunately we had enough spaces in the barn for the horses to get out of the rain too.

Luckily the rain stopped for the jumping, although there was the addition of the natural water jump!  

Well done to everyone, hope you enjoyed the day, there are some good photos in the gallery.  We hope to hold another combined training day Jan/Feb time so keep an eye out on the events calendar.

A big thanks to Anna Gallie for juding and Sarah for doing the writing!

We had 7 sprightly youngsters joining us with their trusty steeds this year. We started with flatwork and jumping lessons for one group whilst the other had a competition about  loading and travelling, swapping the groups around after refreshments.  In the afternoon we ran another fancy dress dressage to music competition with the theme being Walt Disney characters.  Everyone made a supreme effort and we had Tinkerbell,  Mrs Invincible, Pocahontes (not sure on the spelling of that!), Arial, Tigger and others!  Thanks to Madge next door for coming out in the rain to judge.  After a tidy up and putting the ponies to bed, we had tea and then some un-mounted games to just about finish everyone off before bed.  

The next day brought sunshine and each group had a turn on the cross-country course and then after lunch was the grand finale and the 'express eventing' competition.  Everyone did really well and fun was had by all, even though Sophie had a few extra lessons in flying :-), well done to Sophie for keeping on a brave face!  

After more cake and prize giving the weary souls departed with promises to return next year for more of the same.  Special mentions to Lauren who's finally got her own lovely horse Figgie, to Jodie who's now doing wonderful things with her new horse Polly and to Josh for holding out so well being the only boy amongst the girls.  We hope to see everyone next year!

Not quite the same weather as last year unfortunately, we awoke to grey clouds and drizzle which stayed with us for most of the show though we did manage to finish and clear up before the heavens opened upon us!  Well done to everyone who still made it though, we must've had twice the amount of people as last year! 

We ran the classes slightly differently this year to avoid too much hanging around.  All classes started in the morning, we had 2 dressage arenas on the go, a separate showing ring and all the jumping was held in the all weather arena. 

The show ran smoothly with the great co-ordination of Marie stewarding the dressage (with the assisstance of Rebecca calling the tests for those that wanted it - have you found your voice yet Bec?), Lynn on secretarial duties, Matt on adding up the dressage scores (now to be known as Carol Vordernan), Duncan and John on food and mum, and my Auntie Nod on cooking - what a team!  Unfortunately, as Steve was so busy on the tannoy and running backwards and forwards he didn't get chance to take any photos this year.  Next year we'll get a professional photographer to do the honours for us. A big big thanks to our showing and dressage judges who did a sterling job in the rain, I'm afraid I will be calling you in the future for more judging!

So well done to all that came to the show to make it another great success and here's to next year and more of the same!

Best wishes, Ruth and Steve.