The horses are getting quite fit now after a month of walking and trotting. They have both had a full clip (except for Fizz's head as he wont let us touch that) and are working for up to an hour a day. Fizz had not been out since late November due to an injury and being on box rest until that healed. We find it difficult to know what to do for the best with him as he behaves terribly in the field and this is usually where he injures himself, but after 3 months, he needed to go out as he was becoming too excitable and a bit scary to ride. He was quite stupid and galloped round like a nutcase for about 10 minutes, at times the speed was hair-raising, and yes, he tweaked something as he came in slightly lame. However, on Sunday morning he was not noticeably lame, so he will continue with a couple more weeks walking to let it settle down, and Sonny will go to the Pony Club rally this week.

Sonny will be for sale this summer as he has the potential to go further than I have the time and money to take him. This will be sad, if he goes, but if he has the ability to succeed at higher levels, now is the right time to give him that chance.

Rachel is returning to university in September to do her PGCE as she wants to teach primary school, so time will be at a premium as she will not be around to help me much over the winter.

We have been introducing Buster to riding (see pic) and this will need to be carried on through the winter, and in the spring when he is four years old, he will be able to do his first ridden classes. Rachel has said that I can ride Fizz next year if Sonny has been sold -thanks Rachel!