The recycled event horse is on a diet and even his athletic 16.3hh greatness is residing on a "fatty track”; where a system of electric fenced avenues are designed to encourage movement; by day and in his stable from teatime. His timetable is dictated on veterinary advice by the fact that here are more fructans in the grass in the evening. Soon we will change this 'health farm like' routine to ‘in’ during the day and 'out' at night to avoid the flies. Thankfully this superbly sunny and dry May/June has seen a delay in those horrendous filtering beakers getting going.

It has been lovely for hacking recently and particularly for recycling a good natured event horse into a hack. We always manage to fit all three phases into our rides. The fire brigade have been around our country lanes and written huge white M&H letters on the road to locate all the main hydrants. (it will be something to do with T in the Park - everything in Strathearn is to do with T in the Park).

Every time we come across the offensive white letters we leg yield beautifully out and in as a sensible precaution as the letters (which might just be a trap) were not there before. The timing and rhythm and balance of the show jumping phase has been adapted into a polished gate opening routine and the XC happens as we neatly drop down the bank of the River Earn for our customary paddle and osprey watch while the odd incidental log is tackled with all the aplomb of Malcolm's lochan at Blair.

Our XC capabilities were put severely to the test recently under attack from a male swan, but the eventer kept his cool and we were rewarded by Mrs Swan sailing by with two newly hatched signets on her back between her wings. I feel real jumping may be on the cards and a slight sense of sympathy for which ever BHS Accredited Professional Coach who delivers our first jumping lesson once the ground softens.

The joys of horse ownership are many and when the weather is as good as it has been they increase one hundred fold. With the summer in full swing it is great to see the events taking place in superb conditions. Our Balmoral sponsored ride was epic this year with the sun cracking the tiles on the castle roof from dawn to dusk making the hallowed grounds of this gorgeous estate literally sparkle for us. It was a privilege to raise funds for Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance and we are so grateful to our patron The Queen for the support she shows BHS.

The newly introduced BHS Accredited Professional Coach system, set to replace the Register of Riding Instructors offers such value for money to our coaches and provides new resources including a useful on line hub filled with information akin to membership of any modern business professional membership.

We had a great day with Becky Johnson looking at 'blending the coach with the instructor'. There was much discussion about the human centred UKCC and the horse centred BHS exams and we concluded that both together are vital to preserve the safety and welfare of our sport.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Royal Highland Show, this year we are keen to gather everyone's access to the countryside stories as we prepare for our access conference, so come and be filmed on our stand and tell us your experience of Part 1 of the Land Reform Act.