I love local events, managed to ride 2, plait 2 and muck out 8 before leaving Golden Cross at the very sensible time of 10.30am to go to Eridge Horse Trials. Eridge is only a 45 minute drive away and is in a beautiful old park land setting.

We arrived at the well-publicised ‘New Look Eridge’ to see everything other than the cross country start had been re-sited. Lots of trade stands, fun fair a true ‘country fair feeling,’ no chance of the kids getting bored here and definitely every chance of spending money!

On board today I have Pusiden (Sid) to give him a ride round, a bit of flat work and a look at the scenery as he is competing here tomorrow in the Novice Regional Finals as well as the lovely Candie. I cannot believe she hasn’t sold, nor had anybody come and look at her , for I feel whoever did come and try her, would snap her up. She is such a lovely straight mare, who is proving very consistent at all phases, always in the ribbons and ready to move up to novice. She would suit an amateur, possible mother daughter share. Candie is an ideal candidate for the Badminton Grassroots; she is currently second in the British Eventing Top Foundation Points 2013 table!

Anyway…..back to Eridge, the newly sited dressage arenas gave us slightly flatter arenas and over all a better warm up, Candie did a nice test of 29 – she felt rhythmical,  balanced and I was pleased with the mark, especially after Rackham where I felt I had been marked very harshly!

Candie warmed up well for the showjumping, which was unusually sited, with the practise fence going towards the roundabout and fun fair attractions. My horses are obviously well socialised and Candie took no notice at all. She produced a lovely clear round.

The cross country start was quite a walk away from everything else, fine for me as I was on horseback, not so easy for my owner, whose mobility scooter didn’t cope with the rough terrain which resulted in her requiring being pushed! Candie coped with the hilly terrain of Eridge Park brilliantly, she came into her own, feeling bold and straight, posting the second fastest round in of the days, no penalties to add so we finished on our dressage score.

Its not often I like coming 2^nd , but in this instance I was very happy to come behind South East Eventers League Committee member  Lisa Pilbeam who only returned to eventing last week at Rackham after having her baby boy. Congratulations Lisa on the birth of your gorgeous son and on your comeback win.