Noahs Ark

Setting off on Friday the 8th of August heading to Scotland to Sophie Manners house for a huge spread and a bit of a party. However the best laid plans were not to be fulfilled! Half way up the M6 we lost power in the Horsebox and had to pull over onto the hard shoulder. After calling recovery and sitting waiting, the very nice man from the Highways Agency then knocked on our window. ' Why are you parked on the hard shoulder?' he asked, after explaining that we werent all having a little rest and that we had actually broken down, he then asked 'How many horses have you got on board?' We replied '7'.  'and how many people do you have on board?' he asked. We replied '7'. He said 'What is it? Flippin noahs ark ?'

After the first recovery van couldn't help us, the 2nd BIG TOW arrived. The guy was great but couldnt fix us either and decided that we had to be towed to Scania Carlisle and they were all still puzzled over what was wrong. Meanwhile the children were in the back of the horsebox having a party, apparently totally oblivious to the fact that we were stationary!

Anyway arriving at Kelso showground at 3am, no party at Sophies, no amazing dinner at Sophies and no stables at Sophies, we parked up for a fantastic 3 hours sleep! Next morning - guess what, lorry wouldn't start! Anyway into the ring and all hoping that the nightmare we had gone through would be worth it. And it was ......

First of all Julie leading our new lead rein Cosford Veronique owned by Amelia Taylor from the Isle of Man, who couldn't make it across with Sophie because the terrible weather had meant the crossing was cancelled. With stand in jockey Amelia Newby on board, Mouse was pulled top and stayed top and qualified! We called Amelia in the Isle of Man and they were absolutely ecstatic that they now had their first ticket to HOYS. Into the Championship and Mouse came Reserve Champion. Well done to Myles Cooper who took

the Championship and beat Julie - Well Done Myles, told you that you would get a mention for taking Champion!!

Next in the ring Chloe Renshaw-Smith riding Chaseford Aloof in the First Ridden. Chloe did a fantastic show and came up to 2nd and qualified! We called Karen and Simon to tell them the good news and they cheered so loud we actually heard them in Scotland, not through the phone!

Poppy Duncalf had to stand in for Alexandra Hollings, when she had an awful accident with a boiling hot cup of coffee and wasnt able to ride. So Poppy on Parkhill First Edition went into the HOYS 128cms Show Pony class and pulled it off for Alison and Tony Georgakis and Alexandra - she came 2nd and qualified. Making her the 25th combination on the team to qualify!!! 

We headed home tentatively with the horsebox and thankfully arrived safely . Well done lorry for holding out. Shes now off to the Scania garage for a spa break!