'I must say I'm run off my feet'

Laura Tomlinson on lessons from abroad and the London International

- Laura Tomlinson

I RECENTLY had the pleasure of competing on the Continent at two well-run shows in the Netherlands. I enjoyed being back out on the international scene but the one thing that still makes me nervous throughout a big weekend of competition is the vet check. If a trot-up is badly run it can feel quite scary.

At the second show, there was a huge backlog of competitors waiting in one indoor arena, to cross into another for their turn. The horse before me got loose and there was complete carnage.

Although Full Moon couldn't quite stifle a squeal each way I was grateful that he kept his front legs to himself and both my enormous beasts behaved very well.

The tack check post-test also varies from show to show. I think the stewards at British competitions seem to be the strictest, both from the way of riding they want to see in a warm-up to checking tack after a test, and also their organisation of the trot-up. Though I have often been one to smirk at their seeming pedantry, I now rather appreciate it.