After a lot of packing up and a few minor crises, water pipes,fans and ramp not working in the lorry, Claire James and I set off for Spain ar 3.30 on the first of February. Luckily we had an uneventful journey. Just getting slightly lost finding the stables in Le Mans and the new microwave being too much for the electrics in Dax. We arrived at Olivia mid afternoon on Friday and with the incredibly helpful stable manager the horses were bedded down, drinking and eating in no time. The lorry was quickly sorted and parked and hooked up in a good space and I trundled off with my suitcase to find my apartment by the golf course.

I worked the horses quietly on Saturday and Sunday visiting the beach and settling them in and monitoring their temperatures and general health. Monday was trot up day for me and a day iff for Claire. All good and Catokyo had a little jump to prepare for her first competition on Tuesday. Luckily the course was small as she was very spooky, just having the 2nd fence due to lack of concentration.

On Wednesday she jumped a lovely double clear and on Thursday just made a babyish error at the first and completely ran out of energy to the last. Thursday was a good 1.25, so much more than she has jumped and she was her usual brave, springy self. Emma jumped her first class on Thursday and finished 8th jumping a neat round in the 1.35 speed.

Emma and I were wild in the 1.35 speed on Friday, a reminder to ride better in the Grand Prix and Benny jumped really well in the 1.30 for 4 faults. Grand Prix day on Saturday and after a very long wait Emma jumped two fabulous rounds in a full up 1.40 Grand Prix to finish 9th.

Benny finished a very good day with a speedy double clear in the 1.30 for 13th. Only Benny jumped on Sunday - just as I went in the stewards found he had a minute bald patch under my spur (he is pink!) so I took my spurs off, but unfortunately I was slightly rattled and rode like an idiot for 8 faults. Week 1 finished. They all trotted up well yesterday and thank goodness I just finished riding before the heavens opened. Pity I found the time to hang the washing in the garden! A lot of the evening was spent spinning it all again.

Catokyo starts her second week in the 6 year olds this morning. Many,many thanks to Claire James for looking after the horses beautifully and making Benny white every morning and to David Simpson and Trevor Breen for their help.

Olivia Nova Mediterranean Tour Week 1