Finally our show season has started in earnest 😀 Had a great start at the Northern Stallion Showcase which is held at Newton Rigg College’s fantastic equine centre. This show is always a lovely first one, to get me up and running before the Eventing season gets under way, and this year did not disappoint! Lots of beautiful boys to watch, and this year had the added bonus of Arko making an appearance 😍 He was gorgeous and had a queue of people wanting to meet him and get a selfie – ever the pro he was polite and patient with his adoring fans 😁 I highly recommend this show if you have any interest in breeding, and the shopping isn’t too bad either 😉

Next up was the first Cumbrian BD Quest Competition of 2018 on 15th April. I am again supporting the series and will be presenting prizes to the highest placed Cumbrian Team Question team at the end of the series. Set in the beautiful Warwick Hall grounds it was great to catch up with friends and customers old and new. I always enjoy presenting the new stock designs and putting together matching jackets, stocks and pins together. The second hand tweed hacking jackets were most popular as competitors were wanting to freshen up their wardrobe.

Last weekend was the first BE show – feels like it is late to get started, but with all the abandonments it was just great to get out there. And very exciting for it to be a new venue – with stunning views of the Lake District in the distance and the nearby Brougham Castle. Frenchfield, Penrith was a huge success and the weather was reasonably kind to us – dry but a bit chilly! I definetely suffered with a touch of windburn – a rather common occurance at my local Cumbrian events! Being on the top of a hill I can imagine it can be a bit bleak in the winter, but great draining sandy soil means that events can be held here early and later in the season – a real bonus this far north!! It was a very busy show, everyone seemed so happy to finally get a run and were all very complimentary about the course. Thoroughly recommend a visit to this picturesque event.

Finally it was a trip back to Frenchfield today for the 2nd BD Quest competition. Another thoroughly enjoyable day and the sun shone all day 😊

Next in the Top Stocks diary is Floors Castle International horse trials 11th-13th May. This is my favourite event in the calendar – every year it gets better and better. With classes from BE90-international level there is so much for Eventing enthusiasts, plus ROR, BYEH and PC team showjumping it is a very busy show. Set in front of the stunning Floors Castle it really has a big competition feel. Can’t wait to get on the road on Thursday! Will let you all know how it goes 😀