Why do so many of my work-related events and connections start with a B? Badminton, Burghley, Burnham Market… and now there are more…
It’s been pretty full on for the last few weeks, with some great news on the work front. I did get the job as press officer for Blaston, a lovely country show near Market Harborough which runs on the last Sunday of June. It’s something a bit different for me and I am really looking forward to it.
On a rather bigger scale (I am the master of understatement) I have also been appointed press officer for Blair International Horse Trials. I have huge shoes to fill, taking over from the super-efficient and lovely Bridget at JB Promotions, but fortunately the ‘dream team’, aka Ellie and Nina who I work with at both Badminton and Burghley, have agreed to join me in the Highlands. I appreciate Alec Lochore‘s faith in me, good to know that despite holding the same role at both Burnham Market and Houghton Internationals he isn’t sick of the sight of me!
On the subject of Burnham Market, Sam has signed a fabulous title sponsor, Barefoot Estates, a new boutique estate agency on the north Norfolk coast. Meetings and plans for Burnham Market have been ramping up, and we are really pleased to be hosting the first leg of the Shearwater Insurance Tri-Star Grand Slam. Regular 3* Burnham winner, and Manners Media client, Oliver Townend, has four horses entered as he bids for an early advantage towards that £50,000 top prize.
Web-wise I dropped in to see Brook & Kathy Staples when I was last in Sussex, to discuss a new site for them – they have moved yard so it’s time to get everything back on track. Neil has moved the Blair site to our servers, and we should have a new interior design site on line before too long. And best not forget, huge congratulations to Piggy French and Tom March on their impending addition to Team French (I’m talking 2-legged not 4 here – due in August I think).
I’m loving the longer days and getting out on George, albeit still in walk. I think we may be looking at another steroid injection to try and resolve the problem – he is not impressed when I hack around the main Burnham Market cross country field (off the course obviously!) and don’t let him ‘play’.
My event season starts this weekend when I head off to Isleham for Horse & Hound – I don’t think I have missed an Isleham since around 2002 which is rather scary. And how is it March and I have yet to finish painting my kitchen – which I started last April? It’s not that big!