Hi guys.
 
Its been a fairly constructive week. Most jobs are finished and my jumps have arrived. I haven’t put them out yet as they are so heavy. I am just waiting on a gang of people to show up to take a few out to the field. Surprisingly the ground is still good. We are on clay here so it can get very hard in the summer, but now its been pretty wet its actually pretty good. I think we may get one month of riding in.
 
Nik will pop back next week to help strim my Derby Bank and put some pebbles in the ditches.
 
I jumped Pegasus yesterday although I haven’t done much with him lately regarding jumping a big track as his owner jumps him a lot, so it can be difficult to get on one when your not familiar with its technique. I find he is not soft enough through his back and neck when on a waiting shot, which makes him loose impulsion, therefore giving a flat jump. I will try to improve this by teaching him to stay rounder with a bit more engine. Its important they can come on a waiting shot, but if they loose softness to do so it will effect the jump and can later cause a fence down. I had hoped to jump a bigger track to feel it, but he doesn’t do it so much on the flat anymore.
 
I will take Sky, Sky Junior and Vanilla to Addington on Tuesday. It will be an early start which I don’t like, but I guess I have to start somewhere with this little horse otherwise he will be five very soon.
 
I have managed to make a lot of logs for the fire at home, and Berni has turned my garden shed into a log room, which is great as they take up a lot of room. I realised you need to start collecting them through the summer for this.
 
Where we did so much fencing I have many tops that Nik topped off. He was about to throw them away when I realised how useful they would be.
 
It has rained each morning although it is still warm and quite pleasant but I guess tougher times are to come shortly. My preparation has been good with the drainage and hard standing.
 
I am hoping to sell Daker this week. The people buying him are not in any hurry and its been going on since August. If it was not for a good friend involved I would have no faith in this sale but I am pretty sure she wouldn’t mess me around. He had a strong vetting and the vet strongly recommended him, which is good to know. I have decided to sell Vanilla too, as she is simply not my type. I prefer Dakar to ride, he has a lovely attitude and I like his automatic engine.
 
I think Vanilla and I don’t really suit each other so next week I will advertise her and hopefully a nice amateur rider will come along.
 
Its a shame Anna my livery doesn’t have the money because she rides her so well.
 
Anyway, i will keep you posted.