I had another Para Winter qualifier, down at Patchetts. I just took Noki as it’s difficult to get two into a class that is usually quite small. I’d had an amazing lesson with Angela the day before, and he felt great as we warmed up. The warm up was outside and the test was up in the indoor arena, however the liason wasn’t great between the two locations so both times I ended up at the indoor five minutes early, and had to walk up and down trying to keep Noki awake enough! Thankfully it didn’t affect him, and he felt great in the tests. He won the Team test with 73% and the Individual with 72.5%. He felt fab!

Last week was busy. It began with a 3 am start and a lesson with Nicole Werner, trainer to Edward Gal and Totilas. After watching the lessons in the morning I was a little nervous, as Nicole was being quite hard on everyone, in a nice way. But I wanted to show what Reece could do and not let him down! It went really well. I thought I would get her to help on something we struggle with, his left canter, and the trot. We did a lot of counter flexion, and straightening him up. Then in trot she made him slow right down and collect a lot more, almost to just a jog, in order for him find his own balance.

We then went on to World Class squad training at the Unicorn Trust. The normal support staff were there - vet, osteopath, physio', farrier, saddle fitter, bitting experts, psychologist, performance lifestyle and strength and conditioning coaches. So it’s a lot to get through in two days, especially with two horses. The selectors also sit and watch the training sessions, so there are eyes everywhere! Some horses were down to have a gastroscopy. I decided Reece should probably be done, having not been seen before, plus he had gone off his feed, first the mix, then the chaff, then the supplements, then having it watered, so it only left him with dry nuts! He’s a stange one! Anyway, it showed he had one ulcer, so he will start a course of treatment for that. Anyway since being back he has gone off hunger strike, and is eating everything - maybe he was attention seeking as it did coincide with my new horse Tango being moved next to his stable! With any other horse it wouldn’t come into my mind as being a reason, but as Reece is such a mummy’s boy, and gets very jealous, to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised! I was really pleased with the way Reece and Noki went. They have both come on a lot in the month since the last squad training. Reece has really improved, and it’s showing in his work.

I got the results through from the last Junior and Young Rider squad Training a couple of weeks ago. Noki got the highest Young Rider score with Reece in third so I’m really pleased. I’m getting more quality in Noki’s work and Reece is coping better with stepping up a level. I have a slightly quieter time this week to catch up on everything, but it picks up again next week with possibly a Summer qualifier, then preparing for the Winter Championships.

In addition I’ll be taking Reece to Belgium in the middle of April, and because of leaving the other three horses at home, we have decided Mum should probably stay behind until we can find some permanent help at home. So I’ll be going to Belgium alone! Ahhh scary! Angela is coming, but as Development squad coach, so she will be very busy! So it might be a testing time without the normal support of Mum!