One whole week without internet!! This is a strange feeling of complete disconnection and it's as though the planet has got smaller. We arrived a week ago to an unbelievably wet ‘Sunshine’ Tour and felt very sorry for the competitors as the weather had been even worse before. A nightmare car journey from Gibraltar to Vejer del la Frontera was in endless fog and sheet rain. We were finally met by the key holders for our replacement apartment (the first one had seen its bedroom ceilings collapse with the rain) and fell into bed. The bed was soaking wet… it was as though the bedding had been washed and put straight back on without drying. There was one electric fire (we found another later) and the temperature was around 5 degrees. What a terrible start.

Since then, we obviously brought the good weather with us, the sun has shone most days and it has gradually become warmer. I have to confess that the cold overtook some of the enjoyment of the horse events and this was clearly a big disappointment for all concerned. There is a very jolly British contingent out here with the dressage and I am sure also with the jumping. I think for all these very busy riders, it’s a huge bonus to have these weeks to concentrate on their horses and training with so many different competition programmes. Carl Hester, of course, is still training everyone and must be thrilled with his ride Uthopia who has fulfilled his promise and won every one of his classes at Grand Prix. His expression is that which one has come to expect from a ride of Carl's. Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin have also triumphed and he looks stronger and stronger with greater self carriage and is impeccably ridden. There have been really great classes too for Henriette Anderson with Louis D’Or. I met her delighted owners proudly clutching their rosette. It is a lovely environment for owners with easy access to everything and a very laid back atmosphere. It has also been nice to see Lisa Hopkins on her two rides also well supported by owners.

We came of course to see Rocky and Rosie and they have shared the number one spot for each of their classes. The score is 4:2 to Rocky at the moment who is so established in his work now. He has however been challenged by the natural obstacles of the event, which included tractors entering the arena during his test and horses galloping past on the canter track next to the arena. I think that this will be a growing up experience for Rosie and she will benefit when she returns. In her first win, the German judge told Michael Eilberg that he "loved his dressage Porsche". We had hoped that Rocky would finally do his first Prix St Georges out here but Ferdi decided that we should stick to the owners’ classes as he is still a bit strong on a long diagonal of changes and it is not in the style of the Eilberg family to 'wing it'.

Evidence that this is a good policy has been Michael’s performance on Monet, Torino and Marakov. He won his first Inter II with Marakov who then succumbed to an infuriating lameness which was very hard for them all. With Monet, Michael was 4th in the Grand Prix and, I hope I am right, the Special and with Torino he has also had great success. I feel very guilty that I have not kept note of the exact results but I have witnessed first hand this amazing team in action. A special mention for the redoubtable Tracy who has cared for the six horses throughout.

Maria has had great success with Rocky and Two Sox although it is clear that mystery judging takes place the world over. In the first GP that I saw she was given an incredible 61% by the French judge who was clearly out of synch with all the others who were between 68 and 70% plus. What was going on there? He was also out of synch with the French horse… this time in the opposite direction, when his colleagues had it on 60 and 61% and he had it on 64%. I know that this is a sport but it is a competitive and professional sport and it is hard to be philosophical when there are such glaring issues with judging. Let’s hope some sort of appeal system will come along.

Yesterday Maria did a technically brilliant test in the GP Music but was pipped by 0.4% courtesy of another big drift in the technical marks. I have to admit to adoring the winner, a Portuguese Lusitano called Rubi who had caught my eye the first day. As a breeder, I am fascinated by the development and selection of these ‘high school’ breeds for competitive dressage. Rhythm and submission seems often to be a problem with very active front legs and rather slower hind legs… or maybe it just looks that way. This Rubi was special and piaffed for a 10! The music makes it possible to play to the strengths of the horse with the ground plan but it is harder for these breeds in the GP and the non freestyle classes.

The day was lovely, the sun shone but I had to leave Dave at the apartment with a stinking cold. He always says that he never gets colds, so this was his comeuppance. Today we shall have a day off from horses and go to Tarifa which looks great. I can drink a toast to the Spanish gin and tonic where the formula is two large ice cubes, gin to cover them and then try and fit in the tonic water!