Schooling morning and we are able to school on our grass as I’ve been watering the grass strip with the help of our yardman, Lucjan, who came in early this morning to continue watering so that we could school today so huge thanks to him.
Jo Stainer in 1st lot to watch Lord Condi school and he pleased us. We also schooled Chequered View, Twentyoneblackjack, Hartshorne Abbie, Solstice Star, Buckle Street, Cul De Poule and Mister Valentine. They all jumped well and it is great to get the out on the grass after we’ve been doing plenty of schooling around our carpet loop.
2nd Lot we took Raving Bonkers (Paddy Berkins) and World War (Harry Stock) to Jon Trice-Rolph’s Todenham yard for schooling in his outdoor arena. World War hadn’t left the ground before and pleased us with a very willing attitude and he seems very athletic. Raving Bonkers has been jumping before but just needs a bit more time so it didn’t do him any harm to go again and he was good too. Freddie took his pony Bubbles and acted as lead ‘horse’. They all went out and jumped the selection of different tyre jumps in the field and I couldn’t have been happier.
Not only does it do the horses a lot of good but the jockeys benefit hugely too which can only be of benefit to us as a yard. Jonnie remarked how much Harry Stock has improved in the year since he’s been with us and I’m sure Paddy will learn lots from taking different horses to Jonnie’s too. The lads here are fortunate that Warren Marston rides out regularly and watches schooling too and is very generous with his advice, as is Andrew Tinkler who is in here a few times a week too.
Vet Charlie McCartan was in covering Jeremy Swan whilst he’s been away and it’s been good to catch up with Charlie over the last couple of weeks. He is due to retire in a month’s time and he’ll be sorely missed by many. Belinda has known him since her childhood when he was David Nicholson’s main vet.
Dinah Nicholson called in late morning to deliver a selection of coloured browbands that she has made for us to match new owners’ racing colours. She used to make them for their horses when they were training and it is a tradition we have carried on. They are very smart and it’s exciting times.
Last night Enforcement ran an improved race over hurdles to finish 5th. He jumped well but still needs to learn to settle as he pulled too hard for the early part of the race. An encouraging run nonetheless though.