At Brightling horse trial last weekend for the BE100, the CIC* & CIC** and now back there again for the 'Novice' which is in fact the BE90 course. This unaffiliated event is a really good chance to get horses out for their first event, especially good for the younger horses as it is so local that the travelling is minimal and therefore not too long a day. Thankfully slightly cooler than last weekend, in fact it was almost COLD!!!!

Three horses on board, first events for Flight and NT. a cross country run for Wesley who has only competed once with me before and it took him a few fences to think forward. Having three horses running in the same class, in two arenas was a logistical nightmare, being given very close times for all three phases - think they thought I was 'Wonder Woman!'

Dressage arenas were sited in the back half of the lorry park, they were very unlevel and caused a few problems, specially for those that hadn't put in studs. Flight did a fantastic test to gain a mid 20's score and was relaxed throughout. We had a slight drama, Wesley only needs 10minutes warm up for the dressage, so after presenting myself for tack check and warming up for 10mins I stood near to my arena only to be told they were running approximately 40minutes late, this wasnt going to work as that meant I would be riding NT & Wesley in separate arenas at the same time! Luckily for me the steward also realised this was a minor problem so allowed me to go in on Wesley who had by now had approximately 40minutes warm up and was just beginning to go a little flat. The car horn sounded to signal the start of the test, he picked himself up and proceeded to do a lovely test to gain a mark of 24.

Quick swap of horses, slight explosion from NT who thought life was very exciting in a small warm up with lots of horses trotting around him before I was called to my arena, couldn't delay it as I was last to go. Not an ideal warm up, nor an ideal arena for NT as he is still struggling with bending, so an unlevel arena din't help him. He made a few mistakes but I was pleased with his progress.

Three horses to jump in approximtely 20minutes, Sarah (Wesleys owner) did the practise jumps for me, whilst Andrea stayed at the lorry swapping tack over as we then had to go cross country immediately after finishing the showjumping. Flight and Wesley jumped really well and NT had an unfortunate pole dowm, he found the undulation of the warm up and in the ring itself quite exhausting.

No 'time limit' cross country so I decided to run all three horses at a schooling pace - Flight had a slight look at the ditch going down hill into darkness at fence 5 but carried on moving forward so received no penalties, Wesley felt fantastic, he was forward thinking and gave me a superb, confident ride. NT had a stop at fence 5, but I was really pleased as he did jump it second time and then gained in confidence as the round went on. Towards the end of the course he felt super.

All in all a good day, with all three horses gaining in confidence and will of learnt something from having an outing - end results: Flight & Wesley both 1st in their sections and double clear , Clever ponies.

Busy week ahead - next stop Golden Cross Derby Show!