Christopher did a full circuit and didn't fall off !! - They went really fast and he kept with the pace for a couple of fences and then Cyril decided that his jockey probably didn't need to go quite so quickly, and settled into a comfortable pace for a few more fences before Christopher very sensibly pulled up - thank goodness - we were SO relieved. Phew. He was absolutely delighted as were his many supporters, who were having a classic 'point to point picnic' out of the back of their various four wheeled drive vehicles. All very jolly.

We then had three horses running one after the other, which was a serious test, but one which everyone passed with flying colours - the first to go was Laverty - it was a really hot race with 12/13 runners, the ground was far too quick for him and they went a cracking gallop, but we were astonished when he kept with the pace and ended up finishing a really good third, had he not made a couple of jumping mistakes he would have been in with a very good chance of winning so we were delighted with him. Then it was the lovely Paddy, who was so chilled out that he was very nearly dozing in the paddock - once again the ground was far too quick but we were amazed that he managed to keep with the pace for a circuit and a half, jumped beautifully but then got outpaced towards the end so Will pulled him up - he needed the run to bring his fitness on, and this was perfect for him as a stepping stone for next time where he will need more of a stamina test. Haunted House was the last of our runners (we had decided not to run Harry as we didn't want to run him on quick ground) Amy was in the Ladies race and had done a full circuit up with the pace, jumping like a stag and going really well when Aitch pecked on landing and Amy came off - Amy got straight up, but then Aitch (on his fragile legs) proceeded to gallop around with the others, then he found a fellow riderless horse and they both took off into the open country jumping whatever got in their way - this was the most worrying part, as we have been so precious about his legs and there he was galloping flat out over rough terrain, but thankfully the hunt servants eventually caught up with him and brought him back seemingly none the worse and looking as though he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Thank goodness... Fingers crossed his legs will be OK tomorrow and all in all it was a great day. Have just got back from supper with Amy's parents and it's time to go to bed...

Big Bucks winning at Cheltenham.
Big day tomorrow - we are taking five horses to Thorpe - Cyril for Christopher in the club members......., Haunted House for Amy in the Ladies or the Novice riders, Laverty and Paddy (The Irish RM) in the restricted with the hope that it will be split as we don't really want to run them against each other, and Harry (Unnoitmakessense) in the Intermediate. Harry has been doing some show jumping in the indoor school to improve his jumping, and it will be interesting to see if he can just run a sensible race without falling over and whether he has fully got over the virus that he picked up last season, which up until recently still seemed to be affecting him slightly. We have had a great day at Cheltenham today, excellent racing, and it was fantastic to see Big Bucks win his fifteenth consecutive win - He's a legend. W then e went to the Brightwells sale to see what the trade was like as we are looking for a horse for Doug's brother in law, Robert, who has got a lot of flat horses in Australia, but has decided he would quite like a jumping horse with us. There was nothing suitable but we have got a contact in Ireland who is looking out for us. VERY exciting.
Better get ready for tomorrow as we have a very early start - fingers crossed we have a slightly less 'entertaining' time than we had last week with Christopher, and that everyone (human and equine) comes home safe and sound.

Not the best day's racing - In the first race we had Christopher's debut which didn't quite go according to plan..... Poor Christopher had starved himself for months to get to the required weight of twelve and a half stone, only to find that it was a 12 stone race, he was 10 pounds over, so the first announcement over the tannoy was declaring to the general public that he was a 'fat boy'. Christopher had invited all his friends and family into a specially organised marquee with food and champagne to celebrate his first ride, and needless to say the announcement was greeted with a fair amount of hilarity, then it was announced that Christophers Padfield had a change of colours, and his cap was a different colour to the one in the race card - apparently Christopher thought that the draw strings on the cap looked a bit girly and cut them off.- (these are needed to make sure the silk cap doesn't come off the skull cap) Doug then got Christopher down to the start - We had spent some time practising the start and Doug had stressed how important it was not to get left behind and how quickly they would go into the first fence, well, the starter dropped his flag and they all set off, but fairly slowly as no one wanted to make it, Christopher thought that it was a false start and was asking the fellow jockeys if this was for real, of course they ignored him and continued on over the first fence whilst poor C went straight around it - Doug was absolutely speechless, the one thing we hadn't told him to do was jump the first fence!! C then realised that it wasn't a false start after all and joined in, jumping the second at a bit of an angle, at which point he lost his iron, and because of the high winds it blew straight over to the wrong side. By the time he came past the crowd he was sitting on the iron but frantically still looking for it - as you can imagine to the great amusement, but slight concern of all his friends who had backed him into second favourite, he then jumped the next couple of fences with only one iron and then thankfully pulled up. Oh my goodness, what a relief..... Of course he was then hauled in front of the stewards for continuing after missing a fence (more announcements) and then let off with a caution as it was a genuine mistake (Yet another announcement) I don't think there was a single person on the whole racetrack who hadn't heard of Christopher Padfield by the time the day ended!! On the plus side, he didn't fall of and we all very much enjoyed the entertainment and his hospitality in the marquee. He has seriously got the bug now and wants to have a go at Thorpe next week. Watch this space...
It was then Frog's turn and we were slightly disappointed in her, Dickie Collinson rode her as Will was riding at the Heythrop, we had told him to keep her handy but not to hit the front too soon - in hindsight it was the wrong instructions as they crawled for the first circuit and a half and Dickie was having to pull her back all the time as she was trying to get to the front, she basically pulled like a train for the first two miles and made lengths every time she jumped. but when it came to kicking on at the end she had run out of puff. Dickie said that she gave him a great feel and had he allowed her to bowl along in front nothing would have got near her. Oh well, you live and learn. Next to go was Doris with Josh Hamer on board, his instructions were to try and settle her out the back, and if she settles then to get her into the race, Josh followed the instructions perfectly and settled her beautifully out the back - second time around he just gave her a bit of rein and she cruised into the lead, it was incredibly exciting to watch, but then she lost a bit of ground at the open ditch and ended up finishing fourth. We were all delighted until we saw her nodding after the finishing line and realised to our dismay that she was lame. We were gutted, as it looked very much like a tendon injury. Luckily, we had Emma with us who owns Aitch and Paddy and she owns a rehabilitation centre and as it was on the way home, we got the vets to bandage her up[ and dropped her off there where we knew she would get the best treatment - Emma has been keeping her informed and Doris is a great patient and responding well to treatment. Very sad, but the really exciting thing was how well she settled, jumped, and how quick she is. She is only five and has plenty of time on her side, so fingers crossed she is a very exciting prospect for the future.
We were lucky enough to get a lift in Sarah's big lorry and it was such a luxury, sitting in the living area on the way home, with Lucy as 'trolley dolly' serving us drinks. As we have rather a lot of horses entered for next week-end she has very kindly agreed to drive us then as well.

Big day tomorrow...... It is Christopher's 'Big Day' and also a 'Big Day' for Doris, Frog, Jess and Whisper who are all going to try their luck at the North Carlton. It has been raining steadily there for the last two days so the ground should have eased just enough to make it perfect for them. We will walk the course when we get there and decide then, but hopefully it will be all systems go..... As long as they all come home safe and sound I will be happy.

Costa Caleta - Fuerteventura

We have had a lovely few days away - ideal for this time of year when you don't want to spend hours on a plane (just under four hours from Birmingham) but want some sunshine, added to that we had worked it out that it was cheaper than going to Cornwall, with the cost of diesel, so it was a 'no brainer'. We spent the week, walking, reading, enjoying the beautiful weather and eating far too much in lovely restuarants - Just perfect.

We are now back full of enthusiasm for everything but frustrated by the weather - we had hoped to run Laverty, Doris or Frog at Ampton, but the ground was given out as good to firm with firm patches - It's just not worth risking horses on those conditions, we just have to be patient and hope we get some rain. Added to this it was my mothers 82nd Birthday lunch and also Jay is at home but going back on Sunday night so I wasn't too disappointed about the lack of racing and it was lovely to spend time with my family.

It was minus 4 this morning and the ground was solid so the horses had an easy day on the walker and then all turned out. We have double entered for this week-end, in case one track is frozen off, so Frog, Doris, Cyril, Whisper, Aitch, and Jess are entered for the Burton (North Carlton) and Frog, Laverty, Oaka and Jess are entered for the Heythrop ( I have to say it is my least favourite track) so hoping that the Burton is on, especially for Christopher's sake having been 'in training' for the last ten months for that specific race.

I am supposed to be on Jury service this week, but having spent most of the day at Oxford Crown Court they didn't need me as one trial at been postponed, and won't need me tomorrow either so hopefully that will be it and I won't be required again. It is a massive commitment for a self employed person, plus the fact that it takes over an hour to get into Oxford and then the parking is ridiculously expensive, so I wasn't in the best of moods this morning, especially as there I was, reluctantly on my way to do my 'public duty' when I got pulled over by PC Plod as I had forgotten to put my seat belt on, a nasty fine was then added to my very expensive day - Grrrrr!

Christopher was in this morning - we are beginning the countdown until his first ride which is on the 22nd of this month - He must also be having a mid-life crisis as he is over 50 and has lost two and a half stone in the last three months, as they don't allow fat boys to take part anymore. (The weight limit is now 13 stone whereas before it didn't matter too much) We are training his horse, Cyril, who is a great schoolmaster, and today Will took Jess and they went over the big fences, then they did a canter around the round gallop and then back over the six big fences again. Jess (We Never Give Up) was giving Cyril a lead and Will came back beaming saying that she was absolutely awesome - Quite incredible for a youngster. She is quite an enigma, as you can put a complete novice on her back and she literally goes to sleep, or a 'proper' jockey and she gives you no feel at all, but then suddenly she will do a fantastic piece of work and take anything on. It will be very interesting to see how she is in a race - but at least we don't need to worry about her jumping. Christopher also did really well and him and Cyril are beginning to form a partnership, which hopefully will stay intact for the duration of the race....

While Will and Christopher were going over the schooling fences the rest of the horses were doing a piece of work around the grass field. Everyone went out except for Dolly who works every other day. The horses are all in a really good place at the moment which is very pleasing.

As there isn't an imminent race for any of them Doug and I are escaping for a week in the sun as from tomorrow - We are going to the Canary Islands and coming back on the 14th. The team are in charge in our absence and the great thing is, we know they will do a marvellous job.

Better go and do some packing - At least I've got the right date this time!! For those that haven't been following my blog for more than a year you won't know that last year I got the wrong date and told everyone we were off on our annual skiing holiday a week early - bags all packed and just about to set off to Gatwick to stay the night before the early morning flight, when I happened to phone one of our skiing 'chums' about another matter, and just as she put the phone down she said "See you next Saturday" NEXT Saturday?? I thought, horror in my heart, I trawled back through our e-mails and found that I had completely got the dates wrong. As you can imagine it was highly embarrassing and Doug was none too pleased but it caused a great deal of mirth amongst all our friends which considerably brightened up their January. Oh dear. What a plonker!

On Wednesday Doug and I went hunting with the Pytchley, Doug was on Harry and I was on Dream. We met at Ann and Mark Spicers near Staverton. There was a sharp cold wind and after almost an hour of standing on the hill with the wind whistling through me I started to lose enthusiasm. We were standing by my least favourite crop, elephant grass, where the hounds just seem to disapear into, go very quiet and nothing happens for what seem like an interminable age. It was good for both Harry and Dream to be out though, but when Harry pulled a shoe off we weren't too unhappy to call it a day and head home.
Yesterday Doug was clearly suffering from a mid life crisis and decided to school Harry over the fence in the menage - Will had been winding him up all morning and had challenged him and Harry to jump the big fences three times (18 fences) so that he could see what it was like to be in a real race. Doug had (jokingly, we thought) accepted his challenge and they were planning how much to charge people for the privilige of watching, bearing in mind that poor Harry, who isn't the brightest light on the Christmas tree, is a woeful jumper, and either falls or wins. When we got back from the gallops, Doug quietly slipped away, apparently to do a bit of practising, unfortunately, I didn't see the forthcoming 'incident' but apparently Harry was jumping beautifully, and Doug was in his best 'jockey' position, just leaving Harry to it, but then he got a bit carried away and asked for a big one at which point Harry put down, and with the forward weight of Doug (slightly more than the normal racing partner) Harry crashed into the hurdle and Doug flew over his head to land in a heap on the other side. Will was watching and tried very hard to keep a straight face until he knew Doug was OK but then he just fell about laughing. Becky came by a little later and saw Doug with the rake smoothing out a great big hole in the sand, she asked what he was doing and he said the pig had been lying on it and made a hollow in the sand!! Needless to say there was much hilarity in the yard, and poor Doug's pride is somewhat dented, as well as being £10 lighter for the drop pot.