A lovely day today - all the horses went really well. Lucy and Will were in so first lot was me on Haunted House, Doug on Jake, Will on Harry and Lucy on Frog - we did three times around the flat gallop at a fair canter. Everyone was very pleased with the way they went and I could really feel the difference with H as he is getting so much stronger and fitter.
Second lot we had me on Leon, Doug on Dream, Will on Dove and Lucy on Red - it is always a little fraught when Dove comes out with us as we never know how she's going to behave but she was as good as gold and went up the uphill gallop three times with no problem at all. Will couldn't believe how fit she felt and I was really pleased with Leon as although he feels dreadful on the way to the gallop as he has such a short choppy stride he dramatically improves once he gets galloping. When we got back Will jumped Harry, Dream and Doris with a technique he learnt at Jonjo's. It is meant to try and encourage the horse to make a nice shape over the fence and it really seemed to work. Once again, we couldn't believe how good Doris was - she was a complete natural. It's very rewarding when you buy them as a rather plain awkward youngster and they blossom into what appears to be a very exciting prospect.
Laverty and Doris went for a hack as they have both worked really hard this week. Laverty went up the uphill gallop three times yesterday and pulled hard all the way, so we know he wont be difficult to get fit. The challenge now is to get him to put on weight and lay some muscle down. Harry jumping