well...

I'm not sure what to make of tonight.

She did one walk away from the mounting block, don't know what that was about as she hasn't done that for ages

Then we went into the arena and worked on halts - which actually were going ok, she wasn't setting her jaw.

A different story when we tried to LEAVE the arena - me, go out there? no way! set her jaw, twisted on, phooey.....got someone to open the gate wider and she went through. went roundthe 20 acre again but it gets her out, with jackie on piper. half way round she started setting herself again and trying to twist round to go back, but then decided, happily, to continue.

I left Jackie at the ford as she'd said she was going for a blast up holme hill (don't think we're ready for blasts up there yet!) and had some nice trot back along the lane.

Couldn't move for pheasants though (the estate is now all stocked up for the forthcoming shooting season) and we kept putting them up as we rode past. Actually the horses couldn't care about the pheasants, they're so used to them appearing from wherever on no notice, I think they startle us riders more!

This morning was trip to hairdressers with no breakfast (got up with about 3/4 hour to get there, it's a 1/2 hour drive!) so went ot have breakfast out afterwards but by that time people had stopped serving it! then to a tack/feed store as i'd discovered in the paper they were having a sale this weekend. Partner got a wonderful winter jacket at a really good price. They had one my size - but we don't like wearing the same colour so I couldn't have one. and i spotted them first, just didn't make my mind up .... might go back though. got a nice top, very smart, from the real bargain bin at £3!

and then went to a restored walled/terraced garden, also part of the heritage open days this weekend....photos will follow once i get them off the camera...

then cleaned the saddle, not before time!

and forgot my reading glasses when i went out to ride - fair enough, you might say, but i ended up in the supermarket afterwards to rather regretted not having them!