Finishing the year strongly.

VA Horse Trials was my last for the year and I rode 5 horses in three divisions. Collection Pass showed his class by winning a big intermediate division, Sunset Hill farms Civil Liberty ended up 7th. This was his first intermediate and I was extremely happy with how he jumped. Both of my intermediate horses showjumped the only clear rounds in Open Intermediate, which I was super happy with! That trend continued with my next three horses, all five horses show jumped clear. Tracy Ryan's Fine Art continued his excellent run for the year by placing second in Training. This horse is new to this level and I am very impressed with how he has handled the step up. Beth Sokohl's Charmer made up for her rather tense dressage with two double clears in the Training. Sunset Hill Farms Tremendous finished with yet another ribbon in the Novice.

The last competition of the year is a bit like the last day of school: leaving the start box on your last horse of the day is like going into the last class of the term, a mixture of joy to be on a break and sadness that the year is over! This year I started 79 times on 12 different horses, some very successfully, some a little less successfully and the odd tumble to check whether or not my air vest was in working order. Regardless of the degree of success I tried my best each and every start and I am very lucky to have supportive owners and clients who allow me to train these wonderful horses. The biggest thanks though go to my support crew headed by barn manager Heather Pettit. It is Heather's job to look after 30 horses day in day out rain, hail or shine. This year I have had some wonderful working students without whom I would be no where near as productive . Now it is time to have a beer and start preparing for our open house next Saturday.

Liberty jumping out of the second water.