I bought ANOTHER

The second version of the jumping saddle was spot on and I bought it before she could change her mind about the price. The flaps are new and so are the panels. The seat is a tiny bit faded but unmarked and will oil up fine. It's two-tone black and brown, very, very attractive. It fits me superbly and I feel great in it, the best jumping saddle I've ever sat in. Tia loved it too and we will try the farm ride in it tomorrow.

Tam and Em have been here this afternoon. Em rode Tia. She gave her more contact than I do and is used to riding a bendy mare of a similar temperament. I think I will change my riding a bit to try to ride her more like Em did becuase Tia seemed to respond well.

Tam rode Tetley and did half pass in walk, trot and canter. I tried to show off his lengthened strides but of course you don't get them properly when you try too hard! But I also tried a canter pirouette for the first time and got a really credible effort, probably a 3 metre circle. He is such a lovely boy.

It was great to see the pair of them ridden by other people. I'm normally in the saddle and I can't see how lovely the pair of them look (Tia and Tetley, not Tam and Emma :-). In particular it was great to see Tetley look so bouncing sound on his back feet. Farm ride next week when I have more time.

Tomorrow we are off to do the farm ride with Tia to remind her about cross country for Malpas on Saturday. I shall be using hoof boots on the back because on a hard concrete yard today there was a strong suggestion that she is not quite happy on her hind feet on gravel. She is fine on the arena and on the field, so I wouldn't have thought it was concussion, just a bit of a sensitivity to standing on stones at the moment. I bevelled her back toes yesterday and I may have gone a tad too far, perhaps.

Just off to stare at my beautiful new saddle again.

C