Hello, everyone,

Well, it seems a very long time since we were on holiday. We didn’t bring a lot of sunshine back with us, just the odd , unfortunately. 

All the horses are well, the youngsters seem to be having a growth spurt, and Dido now at five months has grown out of her first foal slip, so that’s a headcollar on the shopping list. 

I’m Lizzie Blamire – a new EquiGlo brand ambassador.  I live on our farm in Cumbria with my husband Steve and our animals, including two yearlings and a 3.5 month filly foal, a broodmare, a stallion, a 32” mini-Shetland, Jazz, who is worth her weight in gold and she’s a great companion to Anthony aka Another Touch, who previously had a successful racing career on the flat.

What a busy and exciting few months we have had with the girls. We made a return visit with Gwen to The Royal Welsh Show this year where we had a fantastic time. Gwen ran her heart out in a super- strong class and couldn't have gone any better.

After a long three months with my broken jaw, I'm excited to say things are on the up and I've finally been given the all clear to get back riding, which has been amazing and just in time for summer.

Well, August has been rather a busy month with Rodger and Jack. Our lovely young lad Jack has gained his qualifying scores for the Catago Associated championships in October and he’s also been to the NAF British Riding Club National Championships at Lincoln showground where we finished 5th as Tickhill Riding Club team and 8th individually. I'm so proud of how he is coming along and taking everything in his stride. 

After a rubbish last couple of months things are looking better! Rodger and I have been back out competing and having a good time. I think the time out while I was ill has done him the world of good. 

Wow! Haven't we all been super-lucky with the warm weather until recently. Thankfully, with work as busy as ever, with lots of new babies arriving, I've been able to leave Johnny out 24 hours a day. This has been a Godsend, giving me time to ride rather than do the dreaded winter task of mucking out. 

The past few weeks have been really busy getting Johnny fit for this coming Saturday! No surprises for my excitement, as the opening meet has finally arrived. Until today, the weather has been pleasant and dry enough to be able to school and lunge him on grass at the farm. This has been a godsend as I have no facilities unless I travel. My work commitments take can take up to 14  hours a day and the dark morning and even darker evenings mean that I'm now limited to a ride over my lunch break.

I was asked to join a racehorse trainer over in Ireland at the end of July for the tattersalls store sales. Having never been, I jumped at the chance to view over 500 horses across two days, all with the potential of being the next big name in the racing world. My knowledge and experience of thoroughbreds was put into action and after two extremely long days viewing horses, three were purchased, two geldings and a filly. These are now being broken and ridden away with the plan to race next season. 

My October blog, I’ve decided, will be about Bella. Bella turned 10 this year. I got her as a four year old and to say we’ve had our ups and downs is an understatement! She was a horse that constantly pushed me to my limits, we parted company more times than with all the other horses put together and, in all honesty, I didn’t really like her…..It was hard to admit it, but I eventually decided selling her was best.

Where has the summer gone? We’ve had a fab year so far with the gang and have enjoyed last rides of the season in Cornwall, Wiltshire and Wales. Bella has had a great time, qualifying as Advanced after competing 2x40 mile rides and 1x 50 mile ride. This means that she’s allowed to race ride now, something which will be pencilled in on next year’s plan.