Well often I speak about the ups and downs of racing but this week has been a diaster – Amanda, who has worked for us for two years now, had a terrible accident on the gallops on Thursday morning. It was very foggy and the young horse she was riding jinked and threw her into a stone wall. Jamie and the rest of the staff were amazing, confronted by this awful scene. The Air Ambulance could not land due to the fog but the Newcastle ambulance was quickly with us.

She has a fractured skull and has had a successful op to remove bone fragments from her brain. Jamie reports she is out of the high dependency unit and talking much better – I am sure we all wish her a full and speedy recovery – for those of you who would like to send a card her home address is Amanda Mossman, 10 Grace Street, Gateshead NE11 9NT. I will keep you up to date on her progress.

Just when you think it can't get worse – we lost Jimlis Island at Newcastle – quickly pulled up by Nathan but sustaining a fracture that the vets could not guarantee would mend – even tho the group were keen to try the operation. I took the decision to have him put out of his pain. He has been a great horse - winning 2 and second twice – who could ask for more? That apart he was a lovely character – no bad in him and a favourite with us all.

I decided – in case the watered ground lost us Jimli - to wait for proper soft ground for the rest of the horses. Watered ground can be soft on top and very firm underneath – we will never know if it was that but it could have been a factor. As Nathan said we have a yard of good horses and a long season ahead. So the Carlisle runners wait and we watch the weather.

In other news – the foals came in today for the rest of the winter and the rest of the horses have been rugged up and will also come in shortly. Did I say Josh is also off with a broken hand sustained while playing rugby?

However, we have people coming in to ride out until Josh and Amanda are fit again – a new girl from Menzies is in tomorrow for a trial – Rebecca highly recommends her as does Nathan. Ben Smith came in for the first time yesterday – he is Olly Murphys conditional – and has ridden Wee Alki in his bumper.

What a charming young man who follows all of our horses and was very impressed to ride ' the legend that is Velasco!' Les Legacy had his wind checked out with an Overground scope and is clear so he progresses to his next race. So life on the yard goes on........

Dates

20th Hexham maybe Pinot

22nd Catterick maybe Atomic Angel......

14th Dec – Menu this week..

Best wishes

Susan email:girsonfield@outlook.com Tel: 7713651215

Photo: Amanda prior to her accident