Read Zoe's earlier blogs HERE

This month has been a month of long journeys, and serious jumping. We started off by rolling out of bed at 3.30am to travel to Weston Lawns for the first of the Pony Newcomers 2nd rounds. It was certainly the furthest we have ever travelled in one day for a show. As usual we were running late, and it wouldn't be a normal journey of we didn't get lost, which we did. So annoyingly missed the course walk for the warm up. But thankfully some friends we on standby to teach me the course! We ended up finishing 6th, and sadly had a pole in the Newcomers 2nd Round, but overall we were really pleased.

At Bicton Arena at the weekend after, Rue was a star, winning her Discovery 2nd round on the first attempt. Sadly Herbie didn't qualify, coming 11th, partly due to me losing my reins in the first round! The lap of honour with Rue was epic, our own personal round with every one cheering, was the best feeling ever - but as usual I landed back down to earth with a thump, as I was sent back into the ‘massive’ arena to find a Rue’s missing shoe! My next class was the Newcomers which didn’t as well as the Discovery, and I sure felt small as I traipsed round amongst the seniors!

Next we travelled up to South View Equestrian for another attempt at Newcomers. I have never travelled that far up north in one day and by the time we arrived, 6hours later, I was just a little bit bored! We arrived to a packed showground and a man on the gate groaning as he realised that he was going to have to find some where to park a trailer and a caravan. So after a bit on musical chairs we were set up, and I was about as far from the main ring as you could be! We got into the second round of the Newcomers, which was the biggest course we've jumped, but had a couple poles. 

I returned to the caravan to find a great, grey, gloop of goo covering the armpit and upper sleeve of my show jacket. It took a while to work out what had happened – It turned out my jacket had melted on the cooker, and was ruined! So dad cut a gaping hole in the arm and I dissolved into tears, as I had saved for months to buy it. I sure had a lot of weird looks the next day, as I rode in what mum called my 'ventilated' jacket. The moral of the story is what they say on the label is true! 

Herbie made up for the jacket disaster by picking up a 5th in the Discovery, definitely his best jump off yet! 

The following week produced yet another 4am start and a long journey to Crofton Manor. We were rewarded by getting into our first Newcomers jump off, but had poles - I just need to work on a stronger canter and we'll be flying! 

Overall this month has been one of travelling incredible distances and attempting new heights - It’s been epic, and I can't wait until Bury Farm for our next Newcomers second round attempt. Hopefully next time I'll reach the jump off, but even if we don't, Rue is feeling confident at her new height and that’s the main thing. While Herbie has only got one double clear left for discovery, and a British Novice 2nd round soon..

Fingers crossed!

If you'd like to read more about my journey please feel free to check out my own blog - CLICK HERE

Thanks for reading, speak next month! :)