WOW - It has always been a 'to-do on my bucket list.' The Eventers grand Prix at Hickstead is watched by thousands, you have the stands packed out, Sky TV cameras everywhere, this really is a prestigious event and I was lucky enough to be invited to compete in it!

Nervous, excited, worried, adrenalin fuelled, desperate to do it, not wanting it to go wrong, the pressure I was feeling in the lead up to entering the funnell to the main arena was evident when I felt hungry, I felt sick - a bannana soon perked me up! The heat, hottest day of the year and I'm wearing long sleeved XC shirt, stock, back protector, point2 air jacket, number bib with the sun beating down on us in the collecting ring it was certainly HOT HOT HOT!!!!

The next four minutes is a slight blur.....everything was happening so quickly, Brooke (Seven O Seven - owned by Gretchen Elkerton and her daughter Sophie Bunch) felt amazing, he came alive and gave me the most amazing feeling. I cannot of asked to of been riding a better horse, he turned swiftly and smoothly. The jumps on the cross country course come up so fast, when eventing normally you have hundreds of yards to gallop before the next fence, here the fences were coming up in less than 20 strides between numbered obstacles, plus you needed precision. The xc fences were also faultable as the top poles could all fall. Tackling the derby bank, the irish bank, the devils dyke, the open water in the main arena, Brooke was not phased by any of it!

So pleased to of finished in 10th place at this fantastic competition, the lap of honour was very exciting, Brooke thought he was going back to his roots and it was a race.

An amazing experience, a fantastic time was had and it was brilliant that so many of my friends, family, sponsors and Brookes owners were able to come  and watch, we really hope we get invited back again next year as Brooke would certainly love to do it again!