jumping

Well today has been a great day......well it was more spectacular at the end of the day. I finally got jumping and had a blast. At first I couldn't catch my horse. Trix didn't like my flapping coat so used it as an excuse to gallop like a mad thing around the paddock. Finally she let me put the halter on and followed me like a lamb to her stable where I tacked up. I figured she was well and truely warmed up already so we went straight into flat work then I thought what the hell and popped over a jump. It wasn't flash but then after a few more I was a little braver so we added in more and then I was looking for my stride and away we went. Ok the height wasn't huge....we're talking 70 -80cm but what a great start. She didn't falter (and not a buck to be felt!!!!!!!) and happily put up with me hugging her like a mad woman. I'm on cloud nine.

sunny day

Today I spent time with a friend who has just bought a new horse. Since Rosie has arrived Sonya hasn't been on so today was the day. With kids flying about kicking balls and generally being kids she was fine. Sonya hopped on and after a while we went down the road for a hack ....me on foot. I thought it would be a good way to stretch my legs after yesterday. Rosie went so well and Sonya was thrilled. Meanwhile my Trix had a day off in the sunshine.

The other day I did an amazing ride to a trig point ....it was the day my camera wouldn't work. Anyway today I took a shot to show the type of land we were riding over. It is quite spectaular riding

tired legs

I'm sitting at the kitchen bench with the lap top and a glass of wine typing away .......with tired legs!!!!!!!!!. Trix and I went to the welsh pony and cob society open ribbon day. It was about half an hours drive from here and a beautiful day despite the temperature being about 16 degrees. In the wind it was even less.( my supporters froze their butts off!!!)

I had put an amazing effort into getting the white bits white and everything sparkling. We were in a good size class. There was one horse that was just beautiful and her rider did look amazing and all credit to her she deserved the wins. We got 5 2nd places to her. We also got a third and a fourth. I was thrilled with the day although my poor pony did feel like rowing a boat......very sluggish. Its funny she seems to do one amazing show and one not so good and so on. We now have one possible show in December which is the all breeds ( a whole new world as its all in hand- I have to dress up all poncy .......hmmmmmm). Then for me its nothing until after Christmas. I'm actually not bothered as I'm looking forward to nice summer beach rides and hacking around the farm.Today is also a great day as I have finally got my sister in Australia blogging .......go Pip!!!!. Pip has the most beautiful bay called Charlie Brown and her new horse Sylvester. Her horsey day includes deadly brown snakes .....kids ( which is worse?) .....and of course horses.She has just started eventing and is heavily involved in a jump club in Scone -Hunter Valley.

Any way ......the wine has gone to my head .....my legs are killing me ......and bed sounds like the answer before I dribble on any more. Tomorrow = no horse riding .....loads of gear to be cleaned ....washing .....entertaining kids .....housework......

show time

Boots polished, jacket cleaned, stock pinned ready, horse semi washed ready for final wash and plait in the morning and we are off to another show. Fun fun fun ......will post more after

new shoes

Wow its been a while since I've written anything. I have done some nice rides and managed to venture around the farm for the first time since my major fall. I must say it was quite nerve wracking and I was incredibly nervous. Trix was a good girl and that was to lead to a new ride last weekend. Karen and I trailered the horses to a start point and met up with another friend and rode for 2 hours up a steep track to a trig point. It was through native New Zealand forest and very tropical in appearance. Each side of the trail was lush with Nikau Palms. I went to take pictures but my camera wouldn't work. So I was a bit gutted about that. The ride went up over a vast property that I once worked on when I was home from University many years ago. I had a summer job managing a horse treking business. All the horses were Quarter horses and we used western saddles. I even did a stint at barrel racing. Anyway it was quite cool to ride the tracks once more. Trix had a few moments which I didn't trust her. The tracks were so narrow and steep in places that I admit I decided to get off and walk until I felt her settle. I just didn't feel like bucking on that terrain. You would need a parachute should you fall off the edge.
The weather is still really cold here. Summer just seems like this mystical time that never comes. My horses are still in winter rugs at night and many days. The wind is icy and the temp sitting around 15 at the best. I think my legs are destined to be white for ever.
This weekend I have another show .......will be interesting. It could attract big crowds. I will hopefully get the camera fixed.Trix also got new shoes today. I'm really interested to know what other people out there pay for new shoes ? .....is it the same nation wide ....internationally? I pay $120 ....what do you pay? ( you imagine our wardrobes if we had new shoes every 6-7 weeks!!)

rain again

Today has been a busy day racing around organising projects for Ella. She has pet day tomorrow. The weather has been terrible again so it looks like the pet lamb will be going to pet day in the rain. Today started terribly with the neighbours alsatian dog attacking the lamb. It was 6am and I was mixing the lambs bottle . I wasn't showered or dressed ...jus wandering around in my dressing gown and I saw the dog attack. I ran outside screaming at the dog and was fully prepared to attack the dog myself. Thankfully it ran away. The poor lamb is ok but is very stressed. The poor little thing has been nervous all day. I have moved her to a safer spot and have rung dog control to complain. The worst part is the dog has also growled at us many times and I really worry about the kids as its not behind a fence and roams up and down the road. It hasn't bothered the horses yet but still I dont trust it. Something will have to be done......so that is my mission this week to sort that out.
On a horsey note The local hunt club is organising a show with classes on the flat and classes over jumps. I'm helping organise it so have been getting onto different organisations for sponsorship. I have already got two major sponsors in the last half hour so am on target. I spent years on the Hunt club committee and made good friends. Its nice to be back in the social network and catching up with old friends.
Time with horses today was just a quick check to make sure rugs were all good in this pouring rain. I mucked out and fed some hay ......happy horses. Trix came over in the rain for a wee talk and asked for a head scratch. Then it was on with eating. Meanwhile I hope some people out there are enjoying some sunshine.

show thoughts

I had a thought last night .....not sure where it came from but was based around expressing where I'm coming from in my showing endeavours. When I was a small girl I ate, slept....and breathed horses( as did my sister). We dreamed of owning our own pony and did every job that came our way to save up for what we wanted. It was a difficult dream to have with a mum that hated horses. She still does!. Anyway we were so focused and got what we wanted. As the years past the ponies became naughty horses that no one else wanted as that was all we could afford. We never went to pony club.....never to shows ....just rode around the farm or where we could go within riding distance. We got to know every square mile for miles. Pip and I had dreams of showing and its only now in my thirties that I have found a horse suitable and have the time and means to do it. My sister in Australia has just started 3 day eventing and is finally realising her dreams. Its a funny thing to see all the kids we rode with when we were little not riding anymore. Perhaps it was all too easy for them and it wasn't enough of a passion. My horses are a passion and have been a life long journey for me , and one that is still defining itself. I'm still not sure where I'm heading but on Sunday my first ribbon was a red one .....my first 1st place. I could have stopped there. It would have been enough of a moment. The others where an added bonus. So now in my life I have done 3 shows, and its more about realising that childhood dream. The icing on the cake is the fact that my Mum (who still hates horses) has realised that both her daughters simply love horses and it was never a passing fad ......and she was thrilled for me when I told her how I went.
Trix and I are still sussing each other out. I hope the show experience will move into hunting....treking.....and hopefully showjumping. The ribbons are gorgeous but not all important. Its all about that relationship between horse and owner and where you take it. So as we head into summer we have a show on the 31st then lots of hacking .....beach rides ....treks .....where to after that who knows .....hopefully a wonderful partnership
P.S Happy birthday Ferngrove Farm blog. We have been going for a year