The year is coming to a wintery end... snow has arrived, not too much for us so far, thank goodness. As part of the horses' fitness and wellbeing I usually hack out twice a week and I'm lucky to have the farm for this. On the schooling front, my new surface, cushion track from Equestrian Surfaces, has been brilliant. Even when it started snowing we were still able to ride as the wax element stops the snow balling in the horses' feet. We haven't had one day that freezing weather has stopped play which is fantastic. I'm very grateful they came and did some maintenance on it recently and it rode like new. 

We have had a fab year with the horses, with William coming on board and being a lovely addition to the yard. With his gentle elephant like nature he is so lovely to have around. Reece and Jorge have had a fantastic season and both have stepped up to new challenges.

As always I'm very grateful to my ever loyal sponsors who continue to help me and my boys, as well as Jackie and Neil Walker, Charlotte Hogg and Valerie Woolford for being wonderful owners. And of course the rest of my team who keep the horses fit and well, and attempt to with myself as well! My new website is obviously a welcome addition too, I hope you like it - I love it! Thank you Jayne.

I wish you all a fabulous Christmas spent with loved ones (especially the four-legged variety!) and all the best for 2018. A new year and new challenges for all!

Soph x

(Thank you to Julie Priestley for the lovely winter photo shoot as part of Horse & Country's 'Rudall Rides' - can't believe it's already a year ago!)