We didn’t exactly win enough to pay for the whole trip, but managed at least to take the sting out of it, and, more importantly learned a lot more about the horses – both in their management and their riding. Being able to concentrate solely on the horse without the distraction of feeling that one ought to get some other job done without delay, is the only way to really get to know the horses, so these trips are almost always worth it.
The homeward journey went pretty well until the last day which ended up much longer than expected as a result of roadworks between Calais and Dunkirk, causing us to miss our intended ferry. Poor Eric, who doesn’t, for some reason, stand ‘four-square’ in the truck was really tired by the time we got home. However, a magic potion from Andre soon had him bucking round the field again, just like the other two!
With a really busy summer schedule looming ahead of us, it soon became clear that it was going to be a pretty busy time trying to get through all the jobs that we had promised ourselves, whilst we were away, that we would do – which mostly involved getting rid of the various things that folks have left with us over the years and which have now basically turned into rubbish!!!
However the most important job, that of getting Bill going again, has been going well and he is proving himself to be brave and careful, if a little spooky about things at the side of the ring. For example, he struggles with the idea of people on the bank at Towerlands. He is now ready, though, to start joining the other boys at stay-away shows. So our summer schedule starts this coming weekend at one of our favourite venues, Weston Lawns. Followed by Bicton, followed by Suffolk County – what could be better!!!!
23rd February 2010
The journey south
Snow joke for the ice road truckers.
Our journey to Dover and passage through customs etc... all went smoothly enough - better than usual in fact. But then we had to cross the Channel which was rough enough to make a certain person feel uncomfortable, but didn`t appear to affect the horses.
We were greeted with a dusting of snow at Dunkirk which steadily got worse through the night. By morning there was a good 3 inches, including on the motorway. So the first hour of our journey was done in the dark at a max speed of 40mph - scary and tedious because it made a long journey even longer. However, the peace and tranquillity of the stables near Bordeaux is what we were really looking forward to. Great that we had booked a night when they were having a raucous `ho down`! Luckily the horses soon got used to it and it finished in time for us to get a good sleep. Bordeaux to Palencia is a nice short day, and now that they have finished the new road through the mountains, if felt like a piece of cake.
Feeding at 4am, we found two small figures curled up in a stable looking after a horse that had spent the night on a drip - the poor things were so cold that they couldn`t manage to change the bag. There but for the grace of God etc... It can happen at anytime. The last leg is long but the excitement of getting to the show stops us from feeling tired. Until, that is, we get nearly to the end of unpacking! Nothing however that can`t be fixed by a swift visit to the bar - well, one should always make the effort to be sociable, shouldn`t one!!
The Monsoon Tour
Although it as rained every day and every night, it has at least be warmer than at home! We have so far managed to work them every day without getting soaked, so I would be lying if I said that it had rained non-stop. Anyway, they have all worked really well all week, and we gave them all a little jump on Wednesday - all sparky but good.
On Thursday night we had even more rain, making the arenas look a little like paddy fields, but by 9am the top arena was not so bad so we decided to jump Skinny in the 1.40m. As it was a speed class it was not huge, but Skinny was really fresh and set off with an enormous buck, which mean`t either go with him or fight. Considering that he won the class by nearly seven seconds, you can tell that there was not much fighting!!!
The lower ring never really improved all day so Eric and Pablo had to wait until Saturday. The following day brought much better weather which made the rings much more respectable (although we are still not on the grass). Skinny jumped really well again, and fast, but just tipped one off. Eric stormed round to be 11th in the 130m speed, clear but so fast thet the turns were a little wider than intended! Hopefully he will settle down a bit, otherwise we shall be looking for stronger brakes! Pablo was his usual speedy self, but clipped one as he tried to turn before he had landed.
He is so willing that he gets ahead of himself sometimes. Saturday night and Sunday morning, rain, rain, rain and the day is cancelled - so frustrating, but we wouldn`t have jumped anyway on that going as it`s just the sort of ground that breaks them.
News Flash
January 2010
Congratulations to Jemma and Adrian Dyter on the birth of their third son on 29th January 2010. Mum and baby both doing fine – only 2 more to go for a ‘five-a-side’!!!
Whilst he might be the smallest new arrival, the yard has seen many new faces over the last few months. Keely with Lady, Jade with Luna, Alice and Jackie with Binnie and Jordie, Jason and Sarah with Smartie, Lizzie with Monty, Sam with Peanuts, and we have also seen the return of Emily and Tricia with Fandora, and Hannah with Quila, Verdi and Narla. So a warm welcome to all.
So, as you can probably guess from the above the yard is very busy, both socially and competitively. Ann and Nic have continued to run the dressage series throughout the winter. Although somewhat blighted by bad weather, they have continued in a stalwart manner.
COWPASTURE DRESSAGE
POINTS TOTAL
(SEPT, OCT, NOV)
RIDER
HORSE
POINTS
NIC
CARVIN
33
CHLOE
TAMMY
27
STEPH
DEALER
24
JANE
TOPPER
23
ANNE
BALLY
18
JO
LUCAS
17
NIAMH
CLAYTON
9
LIZZIE
JOOP
9
CARRIE
SILVER
8
KEELEY
LADY
7
CHLOE
WHISPER
7
SARAH
MAISIE
6
LAUREN
OSCAR
6
ANN
BLOSSOM
6
CLAIRE
BLOSSOM
4
LAURA
SPOTTY
3
There are three more shows in this accumulator still to run