At last, Baby Horse makes it to a show! And what better place for his debut than our home ground at Gargrave? “My, oh my!” exclaimed Baby, stepping out of the trailer in the Sheep Section on Saturday morning.

He eagerly took in the sights and sounds of a bustling village showground – cows lowing, castles bouncing, flags flapping and commentators booming.

Baby marched in the sunshine to the Clear Round ring with Jack. Jenny and Steve walked either side in case he inadvertently trampled a family of six.

It took us months to relax with Daniel at shows. We were terrified he might take out three toddlers and Granny until the day he bent his striped head to be stroked by an enchanted tiny tot.

Baby amazed us all in the Clear Round ring by cantering over a 2ft 3in course with coloured fillers. He had just one stop and the last fence down.

As Steve rode him towards the exit to hack home, Baby was pleased to meet a Diary fan chatting to Wendy.

Daniel and Mrs Horse arrived at the show later for the Main Ring jumping. Mrs H was in unco-operative mood, stopping with Jack and missing out on the Intermediate jump-off with Esme by anchoring up at the final fence.

In time of need, step forward an unlikely hero… Daniel astonished us all by getting into the Novice horse jump-off with Esme, heaving himself over a challenging 2ft 9in course – having already successfully completed four Clear Rounds.

We hardly dare look as a terrified Esme trotted into the ring for the 3ft 3in jump-off. “Flippin’ ‘eck! They’re bigger’n me,” said poor Daniel.

The pair hopped doggedly over the first four obstacles before facing the mighty red and pink double. Daniel sagged at the knees at the prospect of his 49th fence of the day.

“Do I ‘ave to?” he gasped. “Do I?” said Esme, too exhausted to kick on any more. “Right, let’s call it a day and get some grub,” Daniel decided.

Sunday saw all three horses travelling to Broomhill for cross-country practice. Readers may wonder how the hefty and non-portable Baby is suddenly flitting hither and thither. It is thanks to the Boss’s technique of propelling him into the trailer by heaving on a fixed lunge line. We are copying it and Baby’s empty diary is now bulging – like Steve and Jack’s muscles.

After Baby had completed the cross-country course, he inexplicably span and bolted while waiting for a changeover of rider. He bashed Jenny on the side of the head, knocking her flying, and trod heavily on Jack’s foot. Just as oddly, he trotted back on his own to survey the damage. “Cripes, what happened?” he wondered.

Esme, out of danger on Mrs Horse, saw Baby lumbering off. “There always seems to be a Boy on the loose,” she sighed.

Jenny Loweth & Steve Wright