The Diaries:
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Horse: Charlie Chaz - May 4th, 2011
On a dark April night at 11.30pm we hit the road, trailer attached with a lead rope and headcollar to pick up the newest addition to the yard… ‘Charlie Chaz’. A 13hh, chestnut pony with a mane equal in fluffiness only to Jigsaw’s was winging his way to us from Ireland – picked up that afternoon we were to meet him at a service station at 2am.
As 2am came and went we waited in nervous anticipation of our new little friend. Soon he arrived in a 7 horse red wagon, his first touch onto English soil went like a dream – he behaved impeccably and got straight into the trailer (thank goodness – we did not relish the thought of chasing a pony up the M6 at 3am!) and we were soon home.
He went straight into his brand new fluffy bed and slept for what was left of the night. Next morning he was introduced to Jigsaw and Murphy in the field and they had a great time! There was a little frolicing and a lot of chomping as he took in the English view.
The next introduction was to Lottie his new superstar owner – who’s only words since he arrived have been ‘I love Him’ – armed with several carrots/polo’s/apples/grass/general titbits, they made friends instantly.
Since he arrived they have had a great time he’s been out everyday (due to the fact we are having the driest April since – well forever!), he was lunged, ridden in the lunge pen, schooled – flatwork, schooled – jumping, been to an organised ride, been to shows, and generally been made a big fuss of !
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Horse: Gray - May 4th, 2011
24t h April was a very special day for lane End … it loomed bright and sunny, the first one of our local Area 14 a british Showjumping shows. It was a nice casual set off (for once ) as our classes didn’t start until about 1pm – there was even time for a specially barbecued (in the new special gas-that-attatches-to-the-wagon-barbecue sausage buttie before we began.
Mr. Grey was on top form he was chilled, had a pleasant, relaxed journey and was as clean as a whistle (always a novelty for mr. Grey (NB. ‘note to self: NEVER buy a grey horse!’)).
He stood like a gentlemen to have his studs fitted - a first time for him to our knowledge and performed well in the collecting ring – jumping well clear of his 90cm target.
Into the ring he went and managed a lovely, steady clear round …
Mr Grey and Matthew Mayvers – British Novice
Thinking that it would be fab to come home from our first outdoor show with a double clear they went into the Jump off and made a sterling effort with another lovely round …
The Winning Jump Off!
only to go and win pulling in the first Lane End red rosette of the outdoor season …
Before the next class Mr. Grey went and had a bit of a chill in the wagon a well earned pint (of water).
Coming into the collecting ring for the second time, before his Discovery class, he naturally took it in his stride andnd again was jumping well clear of his 1m target – what a little star!
Mr Grey and Matthew – Discovery First Round
Into the ring – same old jumps different order and height he did exceptionally well and put in a second lovely clear round …
Mr Grey and Matthew – Discovery Jump Off – Winning Manouveres!
Much to our extreme delight the prize money was theirs again pulling in the second Lane End red rosette of the season
fan-flipping-tastic!
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Horse: Jellybean - Unique V - April 1st, 2011
Times are so exciting Jellybean looks superb – in fact blossoming …
She is now 315 days pregnant and her baby looks huge (from the outside obviously) he is now the size of a, well actually still a german shepherd, but in 5 days time he will be the size of a proper foal and will be no longer classed as premature if born early – how fantastic!!
She’s not due till May 7th but we won’t be surprised if we have an early arrival. Preparations are underway to put her in her Penthouse birthing suite (foaling box- we are shipping Bob out of it!) and we are very very very very very very very very very very very very very very excited. (well i am anyway … !)
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Horse: Toddy - April 1st, 2011
It has to be said we are mising our Toddy …
… but, we are ever so pleased to report he is dong fantastically well in his new home. He has already taken his new rider around a couple of competition tracks AND managed to pull in the rosettes – good old Toddy!!
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Horse: Poppy - April 1st, 2011
Being a star as usual Poppy wenet for her very first dressage lesson last week. Despite the fact we usually take her on her travels i the wagon she loaded/unloaded and travelled in the trailer – much to our delight she behaved impeccably.
It was a half an hour journey and when she arrived she stood in the trailer and waited quietly while gray was having his lesson – probably had a little snooze knowing Poppy!
She did really well in her lesson and both rider and horse were quite shattered! She is learning to go forward more and took on all the challenges that were thrown at her really well.
She has been for a couple of hacks out in glorious sunshine (unfortunately that has changed!) and loves it – she is now confident enough to go out by herself which is great.
She’s been up in the school quite a bit and is learning to combat trotting and cross poles – a little uncertain at first she is soon learning to take it in her stride.
She had a day out in the field with Jigsaw and had a great time (well she must have done she came back in mud from head to tail!).
The last few days the weather has been rubbish for going out in the field so she has spent time going in the horsewalker, being ridden, eating and sleeping (in both of the latter she is definitely a proffessional!)
All in all Poppy has had a varied couple of weeks and is still doing really well considereing she is our baby …
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Horse: Hero - Fizzy Charlie - March 18th, 2011
It was a sad day when had to wave goodbye to the trusty steed who was our Hero.
We’ve had some fab times with him, he never failed to bring home a rosette and he taught me to ride! He will be sadly missed, good luck to his new owner …
One of my favourite moments watching Hero …
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Horse: Jellybean - Unique V - February 23rd, 2011
Jellybean is 253 days pregnant today and is looking very happy and healthy. She is definitely the sort of mummy who ‘blossoms’(and that doesn’t just mean is getting fat!)
She had her feet trimmed today by the farrier and is looking ready and set.
Jellybaby is currently the size of a lamb, measuring approximately 24 inches and weighing in at about 45 lbs. There’s no wonder she’s developed a bit of a waddle! The foal has hairs on its throat, chin and muzzle.
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Horse: Bob - B. Grandeur - February 23rd, 2011
Last weeked we seized the opportunity between rain showers (which is always the case in the Lake District) set up a lovely course of jumps and took the horses up to the school.
They all seemed to be on good form and enjoyed the idea of jumping at home.
Bob was mainly practising getting a nice steady rhythm around a nice course. He did plenty of turn backs and was looking at getting the right leg. He did really well and it was a fab afternoon.
Bob goes clear
Up up and away...
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Horse: Gray - February 23rd, 2011
Last weeked we seized the opportunity between rain showers (which is always the case in the Lake District) set up a lovely course of jumps and took the horses up to the school.
They all seemed to be on good form and enjoyed the idea of jumping at home.
Gray concetrated on slowing down especially between the doubles and getting a nice clear round out of a lovely course.
Gray in the school
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Horse: Miss Rolo - February 23rd, 2011
Last weeked we seized the opportunity between rain showers (which is always the case in the Lake District) set up a lovely course of jumps and took the horses up to the school.
They all seemed to be on good form and enjoyed the idea of jumping at home.
Miss Rolo concentrated on getting the right leg changes after the fence and managing all the turns. They did fab together and she didn’t touch pole (another successful day for Miss Rolo).
Miss Rolo and Faye strut their stuff!
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