Daniel was a star at his first show in almost six months on Sunday. It seemed an age since the Land Rover blew up at the Indoor Hunter Trials at Broomhill in November as it breezed up the steep hill to Eldwick.

It was our first visit to this long-established riding club showground high above Bingley. After our recent shocks and disappointments, we dared not build up our hopes.

The showjumping ring was inviting and the fences for the Clear Round a modest size. But the wooden “fillers” at two of the jumps were robustly illustrated with super-sized bugs.

Fortunately, the organisers allowed both horse and rider into the ring to take a look. Tentatively, Sophie approached a pair of enormous wasps.

“I’m not bovvered about them. They’re not live insecks,” said Daniel, who was more concerned about the burger van. When he was a stroppy youngster, everyone threatened to turn him into pies and a meaty aroma still upsets him.

Daniel jumped two clear rounds, collecting a yellow and a green rosette, and the decision was made to enter him in the Novice Horse class.

The fences were raised and a challenging purple spread added as a final jump for those who had entered the Clear Round competition.

A foot-perfect Daniel earned his place in the jump-off, along with eight other riders. With places to sixth, could Daniel, who hadn’t showjumped all winter, rise to the occasion?

Five bigger fences, including the double, had to be jumped against the clock. A determined Sophie, soaked to the skin by a freezing downpour, trotted in first. Again, the pair were clear as they cut in to the daunting purple spread. They flew it to come fifth and complete a lap of honour with their purple rosette.

On Saturday, Steve and Daniel tackled some of the bigger fences at Craven Country Ride, now open for the summer season. They leaped the “stable block” event training obstacle and mastered “skinny” logs and barrels. The pair finished in fine style by flying over The Gigantic Hedge.

After a busy weekend, Daniel was treated to a substantial hot supper of rolled oats, mix and nuts. He is now taking a well-earned rest.

Meanwhile, his dippy younger brother, Baby Horse, has been shuffling about his stable with a dead mouse under his foot. We saw the tail sticking out but were unable to remove it because Baby had a duck perched on his back.

Steve was at first disappointed by his “Jodphurs from Heaven”. “They’re a foot too short” he said, not realising they were breeches!

Steve Wright & Jenny Loweth