Considering that we only have a handful of horses in work life seems to be particularly hectic at present! A lot of time spent on the road, with sales and eventing, its been interesting fitting everything in!

As always everything also falling on the same day! A wedding, a pre-race talk & a runner testing the organisational skills! Harriet went to the wedding, (many congratulations to Chloe & Sam Joyce!), Robin did his pre Stratford talk, then went on to the wedding and I got to go to Uttoxeter for the 8.50 on a Saturday night!! 

Actually, as beautiful as the wedding was - seeing Twycross Warrior storm 14 lengths clear up the run in at Uttoxeter was a thing of even more beauty!! Winners have been hard to come by lately but 'Boris', who has been fragile to train, has been improving all the time, and we were quietly hoping for a very decent run - we were not disappointed. Given a lovely ride by Charlie Price, we did think he had hit the front too soon, but Boris jumped and travelled so well the result was never in doubt. 

Brilliant to train a winner for Graham & Lynne Knight, who also bred Twycross Warrior, so a particularly special day for them. Much shouting from two out & Poppy & I certainly had sore throats on the way home!!

Up 9lbs for the win we had to take a chance on a quick follow up at Southwell, under a 7lb penalty. Charlie Price booked to ride again, but then stuck on the M50 after a bad accident. having won with a 7lb claim we had to claim again, or in effect we were going up a stone, so Ceris called into action and making a very quick dash to Southwell to replace Charlie. She did a good job and finished a close third, certainly neither of the pair were disgraced and great to have Twycross Warrior confirming his promise. Holidays for him now!

Also holidays for Ceris who is off to Gordon Elliots' for a month to see what she can learn, a super opportunity for her, and we hope she has a great time and brings back plenty of tips!!

The end of a major chapter for us and Thomas Crappers' loyal owners last Friday when we hosted his retirement party. Crappy came along too - never one to miss an occasion! Lots of incredible memories, stories and refection on his career. He took all of us to places that we could only dream of, and will never ever forget.

A few sore heads the next day, and looking at the bottle count I'm not surprised!! Great to get so many together, but also missing a few which was a shame. plans to be made going forward though & the next 'Crapper' also at the party! Watch this space for news on that front!

Doncaster was the next sales venue, and a busy & productive day spent assessing, and trying to afford some future stars!

Also news from the maternity ward with Timons Tara producing a cracking colt foal by Dartmouth. Dreams for the future already starting, and TT going to Scorpion this time. Her field mate Suzie Bell (Harriets eventer) still hanging on to her large bump at Batsford stud, now a month overdue I confess to be feeling somewhat impatient!!

Our other two brood mares are in Ireland to be covered by Axxos, a very smart stallion by Monsun. Thats' not going swimmingly well at present and neither in foal yet! Fingers crossed!

The team all getting some well deserved holiday in, and we are very sad to be losing Alice at the end of the week. She is off to do some track riding in Australia, which will be an amazing adventure for her! we have loved having Alice as part of the team & will miss her immensely, but wish her all the very best for the future & hope that she has a fantastic time down under! 

Poppy is also off to pastures new this summer, so the 'dream team' getting split up rather. Poppys' family live in Somerset & her boyfriend has got a bit fed up with the commute up the M5 every weekend!! Poppy is going to re train as a vet nurse, and we think she will do a very good job. Both girls have been fantastic to have here, and we wish them all the very best.

Some new faces lined up to start in July, as June will be pretty quiet for us, however already looking forward to the new season with some exciting new horses as well as the old favourites!