Miss Rolo as usual was being her steady, well behaved self – looking all squeaky clean and newly polished for the camera.

The first class British Novice – one of the first times they have competed together at this height and what a corking job they made of it …

British Novice – First Round

… after storming through the first round with a definite clear round, they entered the jump off…

British Novice – Jump Off

… true to form they made an equally triumphant job of that gaining a fantastic DOUBLE CLEAR – congratulations to them both.

Not to be beaten they decided to go the whole hog and jump their biggest competition to date and enter the Discovery (this braveness has been attributed to the watching of Tomb Raider and deciding that if Lara Croft could be that brave than how hard could a 1.05m track be!!)

Much to our delight (but certainly not surprise – we knew they could pull it off easily) they made an equally fab job of the Discovery as well and claimed another clear round …

Discovery – first round – clear

So here we go the Discovery Jump Off …

Miss Rolo and Faye’s Discovery Jump Off

… unfortunately they had 4 faults but a pretty round all the same … after musc video analysing it was a unanimous decision that those 4 faults were just bloody unlucky!

She concentrated on flexing and steering today, stopping her leaning into the left rein. She did really well and the lesson was good.

She enjoyed a good clear round at the end of the lesson and as usual behaving impeccably.

Please pay attention to our strict safety procedures and dress code for hacking out …

I may look like I work for the council but my motto is 'Be Seen, Be Safe'

Also as part of my strict exercise regime he has been helping the farrier (very handy with a file and a hammer this boy!)

I wonder if heels would make my legs look longer??

He did fantastically well considering he is relatively new to the game. He took on all that was thrown at him and managed to hold his own. He jumped high and wide but didn’t manage to collect any rosettes this time catching 4 faults in a couple of his classes. He made 2 jump offs but wasn’t quite on the money. We are working on slowing him down but keeping his snappy enery that catapults him over the poles!

Plenty of time for him to shine yet though and he was definitely the most popular of our horses. There was many a show jumper wanting to take him home this weekend!

Have a look at his performance …

Gray – unlucky 4 faults

Over a 1m track he put in a lovely steady and even round (well done Matthew) to acheive a beautiful blue rosette (just pipped to the post on time). We were so pleased there was much celebrating. He paticularly enjoyed his lap of honour!

Bob’s Double Clear

Lap of Honour!

I also have to say that over the whole weekend his behaviour was impeccable, he never put a hoof out of line! Good old Big Bob!

Faye and her make the perfect team and she completed all her classes with a combination of 8 faults – pretty impressive considering she entered 6 classes in total.

Below is some video evidence of the weekends performances…

Miss Rolo bringing home the winnings – first round (90cm)

She just luuuurves bringing home the winnings – lap of honour vid …

Here is one way he has been exercising this week …

Brandy’s exercise regime on video

Looks like its going to be a white Christmas after all, well snow on the ground at least.  Thankfully in the freezing temperatures over the last few weeks the school has still managed to keep a bit of bounce for doing a at least  a bit of flat work and lunging as hacking out is obviously out of the question!  And of course the fantastic horse walker is keeping  all the horses well exercised whatever the weather!  So all in all we are well equipt for coping for whats looking like a  long winter ahead.

I feel like I have come to work in a ski resort .  It  snowed on my  first day and just as we got rid of it from the first batch in came a second lot!   All the horses have made good progress but my horse of the week has to be the lovely Poppy Palamino, she is a sweet heart ……..look out for her on Horse Mart as she will be going on the site very soon  if not by the end of the day.

here’s the video………..

Marylegs – BSJA – Church Farm