The first objective for 1997 has got to be to earn a living - not an easy matter in showjumping, especially in this country. However, with Guy climbing up the ranking list it should become a little easier.

We hope to be able to keep our existing string of horses, four of whom are capable of jumping a Grand Prix. They are Sagrat, CaraS Electrik & Tinto. We also have the old prey mare, Fiorella, who is still fantastic in speed classes.

The International horses will rest during January and February. They will come back into work in March and will start the new outdoor season possibly in Spain at Oviedo, Jerez & Seville in April. They will then return to the UK for Royal Windsor, which has been upgraded to international status this year.

They will, of course be available for selection to Nations Cup Teams when required. We will fit in as many of the county shows as possible and obviously any of the special selection shows that we can. Having finished the year in 10th place on the UK riders ranking list, Guy is hopeful he can improve on that this year. He also made his first appearance on the BCM World ranking list during 1996, coming in at 250 in July and finishing up at 140 in December. He is confident of getting into the top 100 this year.

Sagrat, the 9 years old son of Sandro has proved time after time that he has the most superb temperament and technique for conquering the puissance wall and thrilling the crowds.

His approach is calm, quiet and slow, as he climbs high in the air usually clearing the top bricks by a generous margin. Sagrat was entered in his first puissance at Wembley in 1995 where he was the equal winner with Robert Smith riding Gold.

Since then he has been outright winner at Olympia in 1995, defeating World (champion Franke Sloothaak) and jumping 2m25 which was acclaimed as a record for Olympia.

He won outright in Madrid, in 1996, where he was brave enough to make an attempt on the world record which is held by Franke Sloothaak at 2m40. Sagrat took the uninviting wall on at a height of 2m42 and just failed by a small margin. Guy believes he can do it and the way in which he went on to win again at Olympia and Mechelen in 1996 jumping 2m25 with ease shows great promise for the future.

Sagrat made his debut in the Hickstead Derby in 1996 and was in great company to finish equal second at this his first attempt at the formidable Hickstead fences. He failed only at the bottom of the famous bank and going into the Devils's Dyke.

Here again, Guy is confident that he will improve on this result next time. Sagrat has gained a lot of experience in his first year on the international circuit, coming 3rd in the Grand Prix of Barcelona as well as jumping a clear round for Great Britain in the Nations Cup at Gijon in Spain. He has proved that he is a versatile horse ready to take on anything! The bigger the obstacles get, the better he looks. We are all looking forward to seeing what he achieves in 1997.

In the stable, Sagrat is the loveliest most affectionate horse that you could imagine, He demands attention, so it's a good job we take our Equimats everywhere with us. These protect him from the effects of stamper his feet every time some one walks past his stable door.