and so it begins....!!

The 2013 season has officially started. Fran and I took 5 to Aston UA yesterday and although we didn't come home laden with ribbons it was a glorious sunny day and jolly nice to be out and about doing an actual event again. The clever organisers Ann & Nigel did an incredible job as always with the ground and got through squillions of entries to give us all that important start to the year. Thank you Taylor family! Fran had her first ride on Master Rowan who did a super test and lovely double clear to finish in 9th. She jumped a beautiful double clear on Lil but she was one of a number to find dressage over the hedge from XC finish too much to bear! I had my first run on Dippyparflam and Whirlwind for the Peace Family. Their dressages were best left undiscussed, but both jumped beautifully. The Rio Syndicate's Rio de Reve had her first ever eventing start for an immaculate test of 28, clear SJ and a rather green XC round with a couple of stops at the water. She is a mega talent who lacks mileage but watch this space for her exciting future. Its been a bonkers busy week with 5 dressage lessons from Andrew Fletcher on Friday, XC schooling 6 at Boomerang on Saturday, see picture of India Wishart's lovely 7yr old The Master's Harry who i'm riding at Tweseldown while India recovers from an injury. We then had 5 at Aston, jumped 7 with Spanish wonder coach Luis Alvarez Cevera today, running through tests with Gill on 7 tomorrow, running 4 at Tweseldown on Thursday and a further 4 on Friday at Tweseldown. This time of year is so exciting with masses to look forward to but with 17 horses to get XC schooled, galloping fit, dressage practised, rounds of show jumps practised etc etc etc in shorter than ideal days its a busy old time! Here goes though, its what we've all been waiting for...2013 LETS GO!