Daniel sensed a frosty atmosphere as he was loaded into the trailer. He peeped from under his eyelids and his chin trembled. “Seems like no one’s talkin’ to me,” he said.

His fear that his family was less than happy was confirmed when he was packed off to his field with no tea.

Daniel was in disgrace after throwing Sophie at the Helsinki Steps fence in the hunter trial hosted by Craven Country Ride on Sunday.

He began in fine style in the pairs class, following Jack and Mrs Horse. Disaster struck at fence 8 when he abruptly refused and span away, flinging Sophie off.

She bravely picked herself up with a bleeding nose and the shock and disappointment of not completing the popular event she was very much looking forward to.

The day had got off to a rocky start. Jenny and Steve arrived at the yard in separate vehicles, both thinking the other had brought Daniel’s saddle.

We loaded the horses and Jenny, anxious to get the ordeal of towing safely out of the way, trundled off – with Steve’s keys. He was forced to call on the good nature of a Lady at the Yard who gave him a lift to the event, collecting the saddle on the way.

He and Sophie arrived just in time to see Jack set off at his first competition.

He and Mrs Horse galloped round the novice course, thundering over the daunting palisade and charging over the finish line to pick up fifth place.

Jack proudly collected his orange rosette and three stunning photos of his round.

The family repaired to the pub to toast Jack’s success and commiserate with Sophie. From the window we could see Daniel grazing alone in his pasture by the canal.

“Word must a’ gorrout,” he muttered as his mates, Benson and George, turned their backs on him.

We regaled Sophie with soup, sandwiches and Daniel horror stories.

Jenny was an early casualty when he was first ridden, knocked out in a dramatic fall when a pheasant flew in his face.

“Riding Daniel is a steep learning trajectory,” said Esme, thrown in the working hunter ring at Silsden Show when he span away from a log.

Three St John Ambulance men ran to assist, but Esme was already on her feet in enraged pursuit. “Come back here, you little *******,” she shouted, sprinting along in grass-stained jodhpurs, brandishing her whip.

Steve recounted being hurled head first through a jump wing at Broomhill Equestrian Centre when Daniel failed to share his full commitment at the double.

Jack’s triumph prompted Jenny to suggest a Mrs Horse Commemorative Dinner Service for Esme’s 21st birthday next year, with pieces printed with competition photos.

“I ‘spect my piktur woun’t even gerron a side plate,” said a sulking Daniel. “Too right,” we replied. “You’ll be served up on it!”

Jenny Loweth & Steve Wright