Whilst the Team are working as hard as ever, without many runners due to the wet or frozen ground, I’ve not been blogging as much as normal as not to bore you talking about nothing! However, we are as busy as usual although it’s sad we can’t have visitors at the moment. I’m aware, via social media mainly, that a few other yards are accepting visitors however it is our interpretation of Boris’s Rules that in this Lockdown visitors are not allowed. One of the most important things for me is to keep my Team safe too – they obviously have to be here so, jockeys, rider outers, farrier, physio & vet aside, we are currently not accepting anyone who doesn’t need to be here. All our owners have been very understanding and we really appreciate that.
We are shocked that Chepstow has survived it’s morning inspection as we were all expecting it to be another lost fixture however it goes ahead and Capricia heads there to run over 3 miles for the first time. Obviously there is a big question mark over whether the heavy ground will suit her. She didn’t enjoy the sticky soft ground at Leicester in November but ran a blinder under James Best at Bangor the time before. James is elsewhere today so Sean Bowen takes the ride, we are happy with her at home and will be delighted if she ran into a place.
We worked a few this morning and James Best, Kai Lenehan and Harry Stock were all in to ride out. Those working on the grass included Miss Antipova, Robsam, Pinnacle Peak, Ten Past Midnight, Be Thankful, Eclat Des Mottes and Debden Bank. Big Nasty, Lovingit Lovingit, City Never Sleeps, Witness Protection, Hogan and Duke of Luckley all did swinging canters up the grass.
I’m quite enjoying having the boys at home and around for more of the time …. but then I’m not the one home schooling! Belinda is juggling that on top of doing her secretarial work and coping mostly! Freddie’s work is all online and he’s very self sufficient and self motivate this lockdown – he loved riding out in Lockdown 1 when the horse were fat and unfit but they are mostly race fit and just too strong and fresh for him at the moment so he’s not riding out. He has to be at his desk for Tutor at 8.50am anyway. Harry is online at 9.30am with the rest of his class & Belinda aims to be back from riding out to listen in and hear what he actually has to do for the day rather than relying on what he tells her he has to do! We know how fortunate we are that the boys can go outside for a run/play football whenever they wish to – I just don’t know how so many others are coping. Back to normality soon please.
Yesterday we collected our new Horsebox from Totally Equestrian in Swindon. They have done a superb job and we are very pleased with it. It’s heading to Chepstow today…..Paddy & Anna may need oars on the way home!