Having not run in Portugal, I had to quickly reroute to other Spring events, and with its reputation for superb ground in March, we headed off to Great Witchingham with Master Rory - who had just had his Badminton entry accepted!- in the Open Intermediate, Celus D’Ermac Z in the Intermediate, Calling Card in the Novice HC as I was too late with his entry for the Intermediate, MJM Bobby Dazzler HC in the 100, and Homme D’Hotot M also in the BE100.

I have not missed the 2am alarm clock, but off we set with five horses for a very long day to Norfolk and back. Given that the snow had only thawed a week before, it was a miracle that we were actually going at all!

Rory put in a polished performance for a steady double clear and 3rd in the OI, a nice way to start the season. Bond was running HC but also gave me a great ride, double clear and on a 17 Dressage! Bobby was very excited to be out and felt great but was also HC in the 100, and JJ finished the day with a WIN on his first outing of the year!

The disappointment of the day was for poor Celus. After a good Dressage and clear SJ, he was pinging around the Intermediate, when he got a leg stuck in the tacky going three strides after the third last fence, and over reached badly and fell heavily. It was a pretty nasty fall as neither of us were expecting it and he really didn’t deserve it -just one of those things. He sliced his heel and the vets on-site did a great job in stitching him back up but it looks like he will need a few weeks off to recover. It was so unfair for him as he is an incredible jumper and was making the track feel so easy. But at least he will be fine to fight another day, and as it wasn’t at a fence, his confidence should not be affected. He was my second ride of the day and with three more to go I was very glad to have some strong nurofen in the lorry and even more glad to get into a hot bath at home that night!

Next stop Burnham Market with a full lorry and another busy weekend!