Everyone, it seems, is going on holiday. Even Jenny and Steve cadged an almost unheard of weekend away. They set off for the Lake District on an all paid for break, leaving Esme and Jack to care for the animals.

Meanwhile, the livery yard had taken on a holiday atmosphere of its own. It was hosting a Le Trec weekend, complete with barbecue and games, including Daniel’s old enemy, the trampoline.

Last year, Steve was almost flung off in the school when Daniel shied violently at an airborne child. The youngster vanished, only to bounce back into view almost immediately.

“Flippin’ ‘eck! ‘Ow does that work?” said poor Daniel, in genuine terror.

When Esme rode him into the school at the weekend, the trampoline was again proving popular. One helpful Dad suggested she rode a goggling Daniel up to it to “settle him down”.

“No thanks. It’ll bury me,” said Esme, warning Daniel that the next yard barbecue could be him.

Daniel worked well on his schooling and jumping while Baby, with Jack, puffed along practising his circles.

Meanwhile, Jenny and Steve were settling into their suite at a themed lodge. Jenny was puzzled by the spa bath while Steve did not relish the prospect of organic prunes, nuts and seeds for breakfast. To cheer him up, Jenny pressed various buttons to get the bath to bubble. She poured in the shampoo by mistake and set a glass of chilled wine invitingly on the side.

Steve peered suspiciously at an increasing amount of gurgling foam. “Steady on,” he said. “I haven’t unpacked my flannel yet.”

Steve, who had complained of “a queer tummy” made short work of his evening meal and helped himself to a generous portion of dried apricots and sunflower seeds the next morning. “Yum,” he lied. After a boat trip on Lake Windermere, also free of charge, the pair headed for Kendal and a night with Jenny’s parents. The stay got off to a challenging start because her mother is very deaf and her father had lost his voice. Difficulty in swallowing some sort of patent pill the previous night had left him speaking in a barely audible whisper.

Steve stepped in to translate and the cheerful break was complete when Dad handed Jenny a birthday cheque. His generosity means the Land Rover will now be fixed and we can compete again. Gargrave and Malham shows are coming up fast, along with several hunter trials. Will Baby Horse be ready to make his debut at Broomhill at the end of this month? Probably not.

“When’s my ‘oliday?” demanded Daniel on our return. “I want a week at the biggest food store in Brittun.”

We haven’t told the little chap yet, but his holiday is already booked. Two demanding days jump training at Somerford Camp in Cheshire early next month.

Jenny Loweth & Steve Wright