Debbie won first prize in a group and passed her grade D pony club test and got a ‘felt backing’ for her badge
Debbie won first prize in a group and passed her grade D pony club test and got a ‘felt backing’ for her badge

Our preparations for the day went well and especially those with Sundance with whom we spent some time training to enter the trailer without reluctance. As Debbie left with Fiona for the pony club event at Brampton racecourse, I spent this morning packing and organising my planned purchase of Heronshaw. The good news was Debbie winning first prize in her group and passing grade D pony club test, providing her with a felt backing badge.  The journey back to Horning went well and Debbie and I enjoyed the packed tea which I had made and we got back to the family by 8pm. Sir Geoffrey Howe got a popular reception in the House after his harsh treatment from Thatcher; but the rail and dock strikes are crumbling and will soon end as the Stock Exchange rises again.

I was late to bed again and very reluctant to rise when my alarm clock went off at 6:15am. We washed, dressed and got to the riding stables by 7:30am and then spent some time with Sundance trying to get him to enter the trailer more willingly. We tried all sorts of things until I eventually removed the central petition and got Fiona to lead him in together with Peppermint as a pair.

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Then we gave him his pony nuts and hay, groomed him in the trailer and left him in there until it was time to go. Later we fed them in the trailer at lunchtime and by this evening, he went in on his own which was a great relief. I waved Fiona off with Debbie from Offord and spent the rest of this morning packing up our things home ready to leave directly from Norfolk after the Pony Club event. I did return one phone call to the Broadland Estate Agency, where Mr Golden had made a good effort to reconcile the price between me and the vendors for Heronshaw. I’ll be meeting him in Horning tomorrow, and I think we can do a deal. Off to join the happy throng at Brampton (Huntingdon Racecourse) where I was able to join in the barbecue and see Debbie win first prize in a group and passed her grade D pony club test and got a ‘felt backing’ for her badge and a certificate to treasure with which she was very pleased. Then when Sundance went straight into the box, it completed a good day! The journey back to Horning was very smooth. We took the direct A11 route which lacked the bends and bumps and I made a packed tea, which was fine for us both. We got back at 8pm, early enough to chat to the family before retiring quite tired. The news today was of Sir Geoffrey Howe is getting a popular reception from all sides in the House of Commons after his harsh treatment from Margaret Thatcher. The rail and dock strikes are crumbling and will soon end, and the Stock Exchange is on the way up again.