It is wonderful to have Cree Cruiser back in top form for the winter show jumping competitions.

He recently jumped a double clear to finish sixth in the Senior Rider’s Grand Prix ar Aintree Equestrian Centre Premier Show.

This is a brilliant venue and I couldn’t have asked for more and it is so nice to know I can always rely on Cree.

After his great effort at HOYS, Jonti is also jumping amazing and went double clear in the Winter Grade C to finish twelfth out of a huge class of 90.

He never had a fence down all weekend in any of the other classes we competed in and he is definitely one to watch for the future.

My sister Beth is now riding the ponies and was second on Salvador in the South View Equestrian Centre English Home Pony Grand Prix last weekend.

It was an excellent result for her first ever top-level pony Grand Prix and it could be a very interesting year for her coming up as she is very aggressive in the jump-off and really wants to win.

We have recently bought a new horse called Calmond a four-year-old Holsteiner who will be arriving from Germany early next week.

It is always exciting when new horses arrive as you start a new journey with them and gradually get to know them better.

Although excited about his development I am really sad to report that our outstanding stallion “Arkol” or Boy as we call him at home has been sold to Billy Twomey.

Billy pestered to buy him time and time again for a large sum and in the end you have to be realistic and after much discussion we decided to let him go.

The sale is in many ways sad but I have to be realistic in knowing when you just have to take the money and hope we can find another to progress again.

With that in mind we have bought Calmond and hopefully we can watch Boy go on to be the International superstar we expect him to be, especially in the professional hands of Mr Twomey.

Bye for now,

Laura….