What a brilliant morning with so many owners and friends managing to come during the morning for a Champagne Breakfast and to watch the horses on the gallops. The weather behaved too….although a little overcast to start with, the sunshine arrived by 2nd lot and it was mild and dry for the rest of the morning. So good to see so many people and thanks to Mary Cull for her wonderful cooking and to her able assistants ‘gorgeous Dave’ (her husband!) and to Phoebe too.
Lots of extras in to ride out and great to see them all. Ollie Garner (who supplies our shavings and hay) plus Andrew Tinkler, John Nicholson, Mark Caswell and Belinda rode Champion Court 1st lot too. That meant that Freddie was in action on Arthur 2nd lot!
What a fun morning and by the amount of empty Laurent Perrier bottles in the Grundon – plenty of fun was had by all!!
Belinda and I had a great day yesterday at Sandown Park too where we were lucky enough to be invited for the Grand Military Lunch. Always lovely to catch up with The Princess Royal too and we had a fun table and turned back the years with Peter Deal and his delightful wife reminiscing about all of our days with The Duke. Their daughter Michelle rode in the York Charity race two years ago that Belinda is riding in this year so Belinda is keen to catch up with Michelle for some advice.
Then on to the main event. We were delighted to see Guy Disney’s parents, Dr John and Fiona, at lunch and we all hoped and prayed that Guy could do the Grand Artillary – Grand Military double …. AND HE DID…..! Wow! Well done Guy, not a dry eye in the house and so many proud people full of admiration. Our son Harry, aged 6, born without fingers on his left hand, but who finds nothing isn’t possible…may well also be able to race ride now …if he wants to. A fine example has been set and what an example. They can also proudly say that their Mum beat Guy in a North Cotswold Hunt Race that both jockeys will never forget….not printable I’m afraid but both laugh about it now!!!