Wednesday 15 October 2014

Time has just flown by since I last did the blog - The weekend was extremely sociable with rugby on the Saturday and team chasing on the Sunday. The rugby was Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks and it was one of the best performances from Northampton I have seen - not so much that they won 43-10 but by the fact that even when they were 33 points up they still defended their line ferociously - something that in past seasons they haven't done and were somewhat inconsistent particularly in the second half.  I was very proud of their determination and courage and have to commend Jim Mallinder for what he has done to the side. Afterwards we had the normal 'apres rugby' in the bar, which then set the scene for the Pytchley team chase the following day - A great day and fabulous to catch up with our old friends from that area. It was also great to see our boys, Dickie Barratt (who works for Doug) win with his team and Phil Nicholls do a great round on Boddington Lad, who has now retired from racing and is awesome across country.
These last couple of days have been a bit damp for riding out, but the rain has softened the ground beautifully in the big grass field which we have been using for trotting and canter work. We now have Kerry full time and she is a godsend - because of her event and dressage background she is brilliant at making a horse work in the right outline and encouraging them to use their hindquarters. Toby and Peter are now in every Wednesday and Friday and Will and Phil are in three times a week. We also have Holly to help Lucy with yard work. Thank goodness that after a very difficult two weeks with lack of staff we are now back to a full and very happy team.
Today we rather decadently slipped away for some lunch in the Carpenters Arms as two new syndicate owners, Libby and Sarah very kindly treated us. They took a liking to Velvet Cloud at the open day and have leased a share of her for the season. I have to say that she is one of my favourites - tiny but with a heart of a lion and is so full of enthusiasm. I am sure she will give them a lot of fun.
Cloud