EVENTER Mary King is pleased with the progress of her string of horses as they begin the build up to the major events of the season.

EVENTER Mary King is pleased with the progress of her string of horses as they begin the build up to the major events of the season.

This weekend she will be competing at the first Gatcombe horse trials, followed by Somerleyton midweek and then Burnham Market, where the top horses will have their final run out before Badminton at the end of April.

Imperial Cavalier and King's Temptress both had a solid run out at Aldon last weekend where the King family were out in force with Emily, 14, riding two horses, Everys King and Mr Hi Ho, both sponsored by local companies.

Mary said: " The ground was pretty holding at Aldon so we just went quietly, but they all had a good work out and I am pleased with how they are coming on.

The advanced horses will have more of a serious test at Burnham ready for Badminton, which will be a selection trial for the World Equestrian Games team. Mary's grey Fern Hill Urco had an upset earlier in the season when he fell in the water at Tweseldown.

Mary said; "We went a right purler and both went underwater, but we have done lots of schooling since and he jumped happily enough at Aldon.