The equestrian calendar is now in full swing. We have seen some amazing achievements at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials; Michael Jung winning this prestigious event to secure the Rolex Grand Slam, one of only 3 people so far to do so. Ben Hobday who has suffered Cancer in the last year had us all in tears during Claire Baldwin's interview after completing the gruelling Badminton course. Riding the unusually bred Clydesdale x Thoroughbred, Mulry's Error and carrying around Wilberry the Wonder Pony strapped to his back all three went clear across country. Sponsored rider Jodie Amos and Wise Crack were lying in 27^th place out of 77 after the dressage, sadly a fall on the XC course put an end to their Badminton.

Unfortunately the first day of The Royal Windsor Horse Show had to be cancelled due to inclement weather creating doubt as to whether the remaining days would go ahead. Luckily the weather did stop sulking and all the hard work and effort saw some worthy winners and deserved champions. Celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen's 90^th birthday started well with her Majesty's very own RoR, Barber's Shop, securing the RoR Tattersalls Thoroughbred Ridden Show Horse Championship. Our sponsored rider Lynn Russell riding Cappa Sham was pulled in top in the Coloured Horse, Ridden Native/Traditional/Cob and finished a worthy second, a great result as this was his first show on grass. In the Novice Cob, Jovian, having never run on grass and this being his first major outing behaved to earn a respectable 5^th placing. The pair also did the side saddle class where they were pulled in last due to him being a bit spooky, however giving the judge a good ride meant he was pulled up in to 5^th place.

At Heathfield Show Lynn Russell and Volantis took Champion Cob and Jovian won a strong Maxi Cob class. Surrey County saw Volantis win the Coloured class and he was then Reserve Champion in the Cob class whilst Cappa Sham was Coloured Champion and won the Maxi class. The South of England Spring Show was also a successful outing for Lynn, Volantis took the Cob Championship after he won the heavy weight class, the coloureds and was Reserve Champion the following day. Cappa Sham won the Maxi Cob class and was third the following day in the coloureds, whilst Tarvos and Jovian were both second in their classes.

Following on from his fantastic win (72.46%) in the Superflex Intermediate 1 Music Freestyle at the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships with Super Blue; sponsored Rider Charlie Hutton has carried on with his successful run. Charlie and wife Abi had an "absolute blast" doing the dressage demonstration at Badminton, Aliano was a little overcome by the whole thing but managed to do an excellent Grand Prix freestyle. The Hutton Team had an incredible day at West Wilts, three 1sts, a 2nd and two 3rds. Charlie and Abi had a husband and wife rivalry wager on who would be more successful in the elementary, Charlie was "beaten by the wife, half hour massage to me!" laughed Abi. This successful couple also had a great day out at Summerhouse. Arty was a little spooky in the indoor arena but "fabulous" coming a respectable 3rd in a big 5yr olds with 81% …"he found a new gear in trot in the lap of honour!" Then Smartie went and won both her elementary tests with 69% and 75%, the judge commented on how she loved their harmony and trust, what a lovely comment.