The beautiful crisp white weather has been replaced by murky grey fog and mud, mud, mud. Bring back the snow! Having said that, at least we can work the horses without being worried that they might slip and we have been making the most of the all-weather conditions.
This morning we schooled Jake and Dream over the regulation fences - both went really well, particularly Jake, who is now in love with the job and jumps like a stag. Dream has always been good over the big fences and is very quick away from the fence. Doris and Red went over the line of hurdles. Doris was really impressive and Red was good but just seems a little flat, so we have decided not to run her on Sunday. Harry, Oaka and Shade jumped in the school, with Harry and Oaka going really well but Shade was a little monkey and decided that as her brother (Oaka) wasn't giving her a lead she didn't want to do it at all. She had a real throw down and we had to take her right back to basics by just stepping over the poles (which to begin with she wouldn't go anywhere near) eventually we had her popping quite nicely. She clearly has never been anywhere without her brother and needs to be 'weaned' from him now for her to progress. Laverty and Aitch are both very good jumpers and we are still erring on the side of caution with them.
We are off to a New Year Eve party now - we have spent the last few years celebrating with the same group of people on New Years Eve and it will be nice to catch up. Should be a good night.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!