I was extremely busy the week before Tattersalls, people knew that I was going to be away so it was a bit hectic trying to cram in lessons and getting horses ridden. Unfortunately, Bonnie had a bit of an incident in the horsebox and a cut that needed stitching meant that we were unable to fit in our last jumping practice. The chaos did not stop there either, I was trying to get all of my gear packed so that I would be ready to leave on Tuesday and to add to the pressure, my pony was going to the sales on Monday the day before I was due to leave and this made me quite anxious. Luckily, the pony ended up selling.

I got up early on Tuesday so that I could ride and wash Bonnie before double checking that everything was in the lorry and we could hit the road. Later on that evening Joyce Gaynor, a massage therapist came out to look at Bonnie for which I was very grateful as his carry on in the horsebox had caused him more problems than I had previously thought. He settled in well to his new stable for the week though and he was nice and relaxed.

The trot up on Wednesday went quite well apart from the windy weather; I had my fingers crossed that I would get Thursday for my dressage test and luckily I did. On Thursday morning I was run off my feet, I made sure that Bonnie was lunged before his test so that he could let off any steam. He warmed up even better than usual and got a great score of 58.4.

Friday was a rather laid back day, Bonnie did a bit of jumping and then grazed for most of the day. I could feel the pressure beginning to creep in for the cross-country on Saturday but knowing that my time was not until 6pm meant that I could really think about how I was going to tackle of some of those fences.

We had a brilliant clear on Saturday and only a few time penalties so I was really pleased. Bonnie relaxed in his stable for the rest of the evening and I went to have a well-earned drink and chill out. I got up early on Sunday for the show jumping and Bonnie had a fantastic round but rider error at a double meant four faults which was disappointing for us. Overall, it was a wonderful week and qualifying Bonnie to 3* was a great achievement too.

Our next trip will be to Hartpury in England for another 2* event, I’m also hoping that Stonehavens Smartie, our four year old, will be able to do the Dubarry Young Event Horse Class. I’ll keep you posted!

We’ve had a nice spring season eventing so far. Ballinaclough was a nice confidence building round. With relaxation improving in the dressage things are all starting to come into place finally!!!!

Following Ballinaclough we decided to back to Ballinenisk to do a CCI before Tatts. The dressage could have been better as Bonnie boiled over somewhat, but that is one of the joys of having a blood, fit horse in dressage!!! In the showjumping he was as good as ever, giving a lovely clear round. Cross country was a different story, however, and has raised a few issues regarding bits!! He is so bold XC, nothing fazes him and a steering issue meant that a fence caught us out. This was majorly disappointing, but at the end of day with horses you have to take the good with the bad.

From now our run up to Tattersalls will be spent working on our dressage!!!! With more time in the field and less food I’m hoping his frame of mind will be better. Joyce and Ruth Gaynor will be down soon to make sure all his muscles are loose and in working order. Our next outing will be Glandoran, just for the dressage and jumping. The last thing we need is a silly bump XC before we head off to Tattersalls! Wish me luck!

Stonehavens Another Prince was placed 5^th in Monart in Open 1 Star class in March 2011 his first run out showed that all the hard work with the dressage is now paying off. As always he was his usual self going clear cross country and doing a lovely clear round in show jumping. His next day out is Ballinaclough in the 2 Star class as a warm up for the CIC in Ballindenisk. Thankfully he is qualified for Tattersalls so he won’t need many runs. He has been doing extra fitness work which he never minds as galloping is his favorite speed!!! We have been competing in 1.20m show jumping in Ballinamona training shows so fingers crossed that he stays sound and fit in the next couple of weeks….