We took 5 horses down to Bicton for some British Showjumping last Saturday; 3 babies at their first jumping show, a hunter-turned-showjumper and Myrtle (In Vogue II). They all jumped really well and I was thrilled with how the young horses all went. They had a really good day out. Having jumped 2 classes each, I think they were mentally tired more than anything, but they had certainly earnt their day off on Sunday.
The star of the day was the hunter-turned-showjumper, Joey, who didn’t touch a pole in either of his classes and picked up some welcome prize-money. He is sadly for sale being just slightly on the small side for my 6ft 2in brother to hunt all day. He is a cracking jumper and would love to go to a showjumping/hunting home, but in the meantime I am having lots of fun jumping him.
Myrtle had a good tune-up round the 1.10m ready for her novice run at Portman on Tuesday.
We had a good day at Portman with Myrtle. We were first to go in our section and I felt slightly harshly marked in the dressage for a 35.4. We then jumped our showjumping round in thick fog, just hitting a pole for a silly 4 faults.
By the time we went cross-country the sun was thankfully back out and she gave me a great ride round, coming home clear inside the time (pictured) to finish in 8th place. It was a great second run together and she now heads to South of England next weekend for another novice.
I took 2 babies, Archie plus one I have in for schooling, on the lorry too for a day out and a ride around on grass ahead of their eventing debuts at Tweseldown unaffiliated next weekend. Thankfully they were both very well behaved and Archie is now entered up for his first British Eventing events at the end of the month so lots to look forward too.
I have a quiet weekend at home with no eventing, which means I will get to watch the Grand National coverage from start to finish so I am very happy!
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
I have had a small bet on The Package, but I have never yet picked the winner so I have probably just cursed him…
Rosie
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rosie Fry has been blogging for Horse & Hound since shortly after she left university to concentrate on eventing full time in July 2013. She is the sister of National Hunt trainer Harry Fry and helps school and exercise his horses when time allows.