Frustrating Times I feel that my season has been one of 'nearly good' results not 'really good' ones. Blenheim was one of those weeks. Sprouty put in a much improved dressage performance for a respectable 54. He was a total machine XC and was absolutely flying around, well up on his minute markers only to have a pesky run out at the second of a very influential double of corners coming out of the water jump. So close was he to jumping it that I really thought we'd gone the correct side of the flag and off we wizzed up the hill to continue, before being flagged down by the judge and sent back for that very expensive second attempt. He cruised home for just 6 time faults despite this time consuming blip. Frustratingly he'd landed on a nasty exposed stoney patch two from home and a bruised foot meant we decided not to show jump him on the last day. I'm sure he'd have been fine, but best not to risk him particularly lying so far down the leader board. He has now joined Luke and Willy on a very well deserved autumn rest in the field and will be back in late november to begin some serious dressage as a winter project. Sprout has had a sort of teenage phase of late with the odd blip both XC and dressage. I will be using 2013 to really consolidate him in all three phases at 3* level before beginning our 2014 world games campagin in earnest. He is an incredibly talented horse and I will take my time to iron out this seasons frustrations, which are realistically the result of my ambition to get to the Games meaning Sprouty's career was a little bit fast tracked, so I will make sure I dot the i's and cross the t's in order to lay all the foundations for a medal in two years time. Gatcombe the following weekend was another case of NEARLY. Gill Watson's lovely Wellshead Munnings did the best test of his career to score 36.9 and hold the lead from his early draw on Friday morning. He then went on to jump an immaculate double clear just one second over the optimum time leaving him on a final score of 37.3 Would you believe that one second left me 0.1 penalties adrift of the mega competitive Kitty King on Persimon and I had missed out on a Spa break for two days at the unbelievably indulgent Whatley Manor!!! How FRUSTRATING! I have since had a trip to Ireland horse shopping and found a really nice one who will hopefully join the team subject to the vetting this week. The girls and I have been out XC and SJ on a few of our resident younger or more wayward ponies. Tomorrow I'm off to Little Downham with Gail Lothian's Latest Chance and then Tuesday before dawn we'll set sail for the last event of 2012 with Wellshead Munnings, Fernhill Rockstar and GT Cruise for Ligniere. No rest for the wicked but it'll be strange with no events to report on for a month or two. I'm aiming to round off the season with a win...fingers crossed.

Beyond Belief...

Wow I have just returned from my first British 4* and am proud to say both my beautiful boys completed.

Willy Do did an excellent test with a few little green mistakes, jumped the round of his life XC for clear with 20 time faults and even more impressively just one down in the show jumping. He has surpassed our wildest dreams finishing in 19th place and a bursary for best first timer. I could not be more thrilled for the Greenlees family his wonderful owners and for our future....eek look out World Games!!

My darling Luke did his best test ever for 41.7 into 7th, he then lived up to his Animo genes by putting in a bit of a naughty stop at the ditch at fence 7 after which he ate up the massive track, and jumped a super round on the last day with an expensive loss of concentration at the second last. I am learning such a huge amount from him, and sentimentally feel he really put me back in the game when i first returned from NZ. I'm sure he has a big win in him when he decides to join in the party on all three days!!!

I can't thank my amazing gang enough, I am lucky enough to be surrounded by the most supportive gang of friends and family and I am convinced I couldn't do it without them. My fabulous owners The Greenlees, The Taylors and Kathy B...THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, to Gill, Andrew Fletcher and Luis your guidance is exemplary, to Mo and D your unwavering support is beyond brilliant. I have the best team of girls backing me up Captain Frantastic, Bec/ Bev, and Bec/ Len...you are all totally ace, and my wee sister and bro are mega stars.

THANK YOU...can't wait for Blenheim now which alarmingly is already 'this week'!!