Nicola Latham's latest blog: A long hard winter...

Its been a long hard winter this year. All the horses that were being produced came home for a well earned spell of R&R (rest and recuperation). Its not been an easy year at Windsor Wood Yard. Tough decisions have been reached regarding horses and riders for the next year partly due to the current financial climate.

Tommy Tucker (lightweight cob) has been sold to Martin and Janet with the condition that he retires back at Windsor Wood once his showing career is over and that he comes back during the winter months for his R&R. A heartbreaking decision for Paul as this horse was his pride and joy and a firm favourite with all who know him and his cheeky character.

Beconsall Pickpocket (Munch), the large hack, sees a change of rider for the forthcoming season and we are honoured to have Alistair Hood on board. Both parties are very excited at this prospect and hope for great things this year. Munch arrived in Alistair’s yard on Sunday 31 January and has settled in straight away. Alistair rang Paul on Monday 1 February having already ridden Munch and forming a plan for the coming season. We think Alistair must have been like a child waiting for Christmas morning waiting for the morning to arrive so he could ride Munch straight away. This enthusiasm is infectious and we are all eager to get going again now.

Kingswood (Alf), large riding horse, remains at home with Suzanne Hibbard keeping the ride for the upcoming season. Freshly clipped out and trimmed up, Kingswood is looking the picture of health and contentment. We seemed to be dogged by the weather at the moment but hopefully he will return to work and fitness over the next month or so with a first show aimed for April.