Quote of the Day: The Wall Street Journal

"What are we to think of his loyalty to his father, other than as a proverbial case of the dog returning to his vomit? Nothing much I suspect, except as a fresh reminder that tyrants are not just tortured souls or over-zealous ideologues or misunderstood dreamers, and that evil is never banal and often self-conscious. The essence of tyranny is lust for power. and people will sacrifice for their lusts."

Bret Stephens #The Libyan Apprentice: Seif al-Islam Gaddafi

Long Time No....

Just back from a 9 day summer break in Cannes (that's where my family lives and where i grew up). Its hard to believe that I didn't quite literally fall off the face of the earth, what with the London riots, US debt ceiling fiasco / credit downgrade for the government, and Europe's worsening debt crisis consuming every minute of the real world. What a novelty to truly shut oneself off and simply live in immediate surroundings; beach, sun, sea, nightlife. What is it they say? Ignorance is BLISS.

Back in the real world, Francis was given a place to compete at the CSI5 in Dublin so I was thrilled for him to take both Heracross and Merlins Magic and represent the Highfort Stud family. An unlucky weekend overall, one down and one down and one down, but my boys certainly held their own against the competition, it was just one of those weekends of tiny touches. Heracross was placed 8th in his first 6-bar competition, and beyond that what an experience for him to jump in front of such a crowd!

He continued with Heracross at Millstreet Horse Show the following weekend, racking up an impressive 2nd place in the GP qualifier, 1rst place in the 6-bar (he obviously learnt a thing or two in Dublin!) and a 3rd place in the 1m55 GP. Not a bad weekend's work.

And now, for myself, its back to business. I'm in London for a few days sorting out all the admin (i'll spare you the details) awaiting my return. Off to Waterford Friday morning, getting the horses ready for the trip - heading to Italy in just under two weeks time. So far I've planned for CSI3 Arezzo, CSI3 La Bagnaia - hoping to find other shows in between and after: tricky. With Merlin and Curly in toe (and perhaps a third....) Pamela O'Rourke and John Scarff once gain prepare to brave the open road.... all i can say is: here we go again :-) .

p.s. a little fun fact: remember the Jumping Follonica Tour I did at the start of the year? Well, they've used my picture (and Merlin's) for their promo (see link below):

http://www.jumpingfollonica.it/foto.html

I remember them telling me that they would use it on next year's ads that's why I had to sign it - first autograph ever! what a picture hey..... hahaha...