We’ve settled down into summer jumping now and while there are no star horses about, I’m still busy riding most days. Having said that I had a day off yesterday and today (Wednesday) I’m not due to ride until this evening, and as it’s half term that gives me some welcome extra time with the children and their ponies.
Winners have been in short supply in the last week, which is frustrating. Philip Hobbs’s stable has gone quiet, but he doesn’t normally have too many runners in the summer anyway. Most of the best horses are out at grass.
That gives some of the smaller trainers a bit more of a chance at this time of year. For me, it’s just a matter of getting on the right horses and if the races cut up that’s a bonus. I’ve got one good ride at Warwick this evening, Shufoog, and in the next few days I’m off to Ffos Las, Market Rasen, Worcester on Saturday and Fakenham or Perth on Sunday.
I mentioned last week how interested I am in the breeding side of things. One of our mares foaled last Friday, and that’s the last one for this season. We have five new foals altogether. Hopefully in about three years time they’ll be sold to go into training.
I don’t completely rule out training myself – never say never – but it’s a big commitment and if I was going to do it I probably should have started a few years ago.
