RUBY'S party was a great success, Ruby being a bit of a party animal even at the tender age of one. A lot of children find being the centre of attention a bit too much - not Ruby, she loves it.

Daisy and I had plenty of fun too, even (perhaps especially) when she crept into my bed at 6am the following morning "for a chat".

We chatted and chatted, had breakfast and read stories until it was time to get up properly.

I couldn't help remembering all the secret times I had with my grandmother when nobody else was about. It was - and is - a very special relationship.

Now back home, I'm on with my next project - the Harcombe Horse Show - a very small and exclusive affair by invitation only.

When my children were young a group of friends and I had lots of fun organising little horse shows where the most unlikely people won prizes and those who expected to win, didn't.

Seeing a child and it's much loved pony going home festooned with rosettes for the first time in their lives is a very heart-warming feeling.

So when Sabine, who has kept her horse with us for the last four years, announced reluctantly that she was returning to live in Germany but that she had never realised her ambition to take part in an English horse show, I needed no more persuading.

For ages I'd being toying of holding a little show at Harcombe, just for the livery girls, the family and those with horsey connections to the farm. Now was my big chance.

Louise got on the internet and ordered rosettes, we both drew up a schedule which made sure that there would be rosettes for all and Malcolm offered to dress up in striped suit and bowler hat to present the prizes.

More practically, he made himself available with tractor and trailer to help the girls construct a little cross country course in Harcombe Wood.

I've appointed two friends who are nurses to be on duty in case of accident (I hope they have a quiet day), invited Christopher who takes pictures for my horse column to come with his camera and made sure that my vet will be on call.

Jane and Pat, who I've persuaded to do some light hearted judging, were part of the team at those shows we put on more than 20 years ago and Em has agreed to come down with the family and help with the catering, as she always used to do.

And when we've finished with best turned out, best veteran and horse the judge would most like to take home, the gymkhana, jumping, handy pony and fancy dress, there'll be a barbecue among the bluebells in Harcombe Wood. I can hardly wait.