Who could be the naughtiest horse?

On Sunday, we went to our Riding Club's show jumping day. My back has been a bit sore and Rachel had been riding Sonny through the week to give it a chance to get better, and so I suggested she maybe could work him for 15 minutes to settle him down a bit without pulling on my back. She tried her best but he had other ideas and just proceeded to go at the speed he felt appropriate, so he was brought back to the horse wagon in disgrace and a stronger bit put in and I got on. After a serious battle of wills, he decided to give in, not grunt on the way in to a jump and actually go at the speed I wanted to. He had a clear round and a knockdown in the jump off of the 85cm class. Meanwhile, Fizz was trolling round with Rachel, looking very angelic. Sonny and I jumped clear in the first round of the 95cm and then it was Fizz's turn. Well, I nearly fell off with shock - he cantered steadily round to fence one and then the touch paper was lit! He jumped it really big and babyish and nearly got rid of Rach, then did the rest of the round like a quad bike cornering on 2 wheels before hurtling out of the ring and dropping in to stand beside Sonny looking totally innocent again. We all burst out laughing, including Rachel, but I do think Fizz won the prize for being naughtiest! He did redeem himself by steadying up and jumping a couple more classes in a more refined style, and Sonny was very proud to win the style jumping (but the judge did say he had a soft spot for greys).

Today we have been to Hexham, cross country schooling. The weather was lovely and the ground conditions excellent and they both jumped everything we wanted them to so a good day was had by all.