We were looking forward to hunting on Saturday but it was cancelled because the hounds have got a virus, so instead Lucy and Amy came over anyway and we took Red, Doris, Jake and Dream over to the round gallop for some exercise and jumping practice over the hurdles. We planned to take Leon but he had a bit of heat in his foot having lost a shoe whilst we were away so he stayed in his stable with a poultice on instead.
It was Doris's first time up the hurdles, so we intended to pop her over the tyres first and then go on to the hurdles, but there was a slight difference of opinion and Amy jumped the tyres without the horse - no-one was hurt and Doug who watched the 'incident' couldn't stop laughing - Lucy and I were miffed because we were in front and missed it! Anyway, after this Doris was great and jumped the line of hurdles with no problems. The others all went well enough bearing in mind this is their first time jumping since last season.
On Sunday, it was a beautiful day and my parents came for lunch. Dad has recently celebrated his eightieth birthday and Mum's is in January, after all her health problems it's lovely to see them both look so well.
This morning we had Will Telfor (our point to point jockey) working for us - he wasn't happy at Jonjo O'Neils and has handed his notice in, so will now be riding out for us four mornings a week and helping Doug with the fencing in the afternoons. It's great having him on board.
It was a foul morning but we managed to take all the horses out apart from Leon (who's abscess has burst and he is much better now) Up the hill went Frog, Harry, Jake, Dream and Doris. Harry and Frog were the faster pair as they are both due to run soon with the other three going a little steadier - Doris, who has only been up once before, was particularly impressive, going up three times hard on the bridle - for a three year old she is surprisingly strong and wouldn't let Jake come upsides - she just laid back her ears and went up another gear. Rather exciting...
The next lot - Haunted House, Laverty, Red, Dove, and Skye went three times around the flat circular gallop, at least it should have been three but I must confess Laverty did four as to my embarrassment he refused to pull up and did another circuit! He went beautifully the first three times, in a lovely outline and with a perfect rhythm, but when the horse in front (Dove) started to pull up, I tried to do the same - as soon as I changed my hand position, he was gone, the reins being wet and slippery didn't help, - he then got a real buzz from passing Dove and decided to try and lap Red who was bringing up the rear and had half a lap to go. I managed to bring him back before we got to her, but I can see now why the previous trainer used to run him in a dexter bit. It's great that he has got the spark back and good that he is now feeling extremely well - even though he made a Muppet of me!!