Stennett Equestrian News

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 29^th 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)

There are three more shows in this accumulator still to run

 Along with most of the country, Cowpasture was hit badly by the snow and most horses remained unworked for almost three weeks. We all coped well under the pressures, keeping at least one tap unfrozen and keeping the barn and feed sheds stocked, even when we were using twice as much of everything. However this is becoming harder because of the severe shortage of good quality hay throughout the country, with many local suppliers running out before Christmas.

The Christmas Dinner Party, held at The Alex and organized by Stacey, was a great success. Nearly forty people attended, ate well, danced until we got thrown out and then a few of the hard-core hit Felixstowe Night Life!!        

The Barn Party held on 23^rd December was also great fun, although inches of ice outside caused mayhem on the roads during the day and evening – so well done to all those who made it, including Megan, who came from Surrey, and Sam, who provided the space heater – he had an hour and a half journey from just the other side of the Orwell Bridge! Big thanks to all those who made and brought festive nibbles for the evening.           

It is with great sadness that we have to report that poor old Keldy passed away just before Christmas. She was a great character, and having lived in Felixstowe, with her owners David and Linda, for almost thirty years, many of us have fond memories of her.

Gemma Lewis (Fleur) has recently secured a job at Allen & Page, the well established Norfolk based feed manufacturers and suppliers. Congratulations to her and we look forward to an informative evening from one of their nutritionists in the spring. We will soon be stocking a range of their feeds – have a chat with Gemma if you need any advice. We would like to thank Allen & Page for their support this season.

**Feedback please**

We have been considering doing worm-counts on each individual horse and then dosing according to the results – instead of routine use of drugs without the proof of their necessity. This will, however, be time consuming and not necessarily cheaper. Please let us have your thoughts on this.

We will try to keep you updated with our news from abroad. The clock is counting down all too fast ahead of our departure to the Sunshine Tour.