Monthly diary — October

Health and safety regulations have not dulled their survival instincts. With mud everywhere — even in the dressage arenas — people battled on and had to ride with more skill and awareness.

Judging by the last two seasons, I think it's vital riders do not jump principally on surfaces. Wet weather brings many withdrawals at one-day events. The horses can do it — they are brilliant — it's just a case of practice.

Burghley produced a course as tough as last year but with more flow. Fence seven was very difficult, as it was hard to focus the horse, and it lead to many run-outs. It was a good competition which underlined the superiority of our two Olympians, William Fox-Pitt and Mary King.

Cry Freedom managed his best ever dressage at Blair, despite me losing the way twice. Then I caused his first ever error cross-country when I broke my own number one rule and didn't give him time to see a corner fence on a turn. He ended up wearing it and I fell off. We were both OK but I paid the price, under the new rule, not being allowed to continue — 24 hours driving for nine fences.