Half term has flown by and Halloween has come and gone too and into November we go. The weather tomorrow looks to be absolutely awful – the Team have decided to start at 5am so they can have the horses mucked out and ridden out before the Rugby. We are all off to the pub and we’re treating them to breakfast – should be fun!
Pinnacle Peak won the best turned out prize yesterday at Stratford which is a feat in itself as he was one of the only unplaited horses as I’m not one for letting my horses be plaited. The Duke would say ‘they are racehorses not show horses’ and I know the Team like to try and win some extra cash, if horses look well in their coats then a decent pulled mane is harder to prepare than a plaited mane. Full marks to Paddy Berkins who looks after him and Richard Walters who led him up yesterday. He ran a much improved race but is a big baby and, as with children, they all develop at different times and he’ll be a nice horse in time I’m sure. He won’t be rushed.
Paul Davis, Jon & Jack Hughes and Steffan Hibbert all here this morning to see their horses, the yearlings and then go on to Batsford Stud which they were all very much looking forward to. Alan Johns in this morning to ride out and Warren Marston too. We worked Brillare Momento, Anaan, Mozzaro, Robsam, Reve, Ben Buie, Raving Bonkers, Debden Bank, Dreamsundermyfeet, Samtara and Miss Antipova.
Yesterday Samtara and Lucky Circle went to Jon Trice-Rolph’s Todenham yard for some jumping in his school and over tyres in his paddock. Harry Stock came back in to school and it was great to see him and Patrick Cowley also went and I was very pleased with how they schooled.
Freddie’s Bingo fundraiser at The Coach & Horses in Longborough was a great success thanks to Wendy & Joe and all the team there. Thanks also to so many people coming to support and help raise money for The Bob Champion Cancer Trust – we raised an amazing £575 on the night! Brilliant. We have one more fundraiser – a Pie & Pint night at The Fox Inn at Broadwell thanks to Ed & Dominique Simpson on Tuesday 12th November. We have tickets for sale in the office and they are available at the pub too – £15 each. More great raffle prizes on the night so come along and get involved.
An amazing weekend of sport ahead!