No video yet.
I might of said last night, in the midst of a Barn Party, under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or 3,(well maybe more) that in the unlikely event of finding an English saddle that would fit my butt, and Enzo, I would be willing to give it a try.
Coach pipes, “I have one that might work”
Watch this space
The granny is currently on a long vacation, having to live through her Granddaughter, because no where around where I am will let someone my size ride.
GD has made such progress in the last year, from passenger to rider, not the most confident but a tidy little rider. I was very pleased with her trot work
And her canter is really coming on, helps to have a willing ride, makes a difference for her.
H and I went for our second annual ride together, back to Ayr Equitation centre, great place to be. This time she got to ride a cute pony called Pepsi, speed somewhere dead slow and stop, and I had Sky, a lovely ex police horse. Found out that even a couple of weeks of laziness and Christmas treats make a person struggle to get the best out of a lazy type horse. Oh well, time to start getting fit for the year!
In other news, the 2025 show schedules are out, and I excitedly put all the dates in my diary, then remembered that Enzo’s owner wants to show him as well, so will have to negotiate as to who does what.
As usual, I am jealous of your life!! Sky looks absolutely adorable with those dapples. I look forward to more Enzo and Kath adventures so I can live vicariously in WE through you. As we age, we have to find ways to stay active and engaged and horses absolutely do that! (I was off for 2 months while my mare worked through some soundness issues…oh, my lord…the first few rides back were exhausting for me (and her!)
Keep us up to date-- we all love your riding adventures.
Things we do to ride, or in this case get Granddaughter to her lesson…
It was worth fighting the floods, she has a fantastic lesson in the rain. Thank goodness she has found her voice, and was interacting with her instructor better than I have ever heard before.
The years of my banishment are passing slowly, though the accommodations and company are pleasant, and the food is too good.
I went for a whole 3 weeks without getting in touching distance of a horse, I could my soul dying
Taking H to a group lesson was the tonic I needed, seeing the black and white cob parade, the little grey who kicks if you crowd her, and the small older pony who works on his terms, and the lovely big grey. I fell in love with Custard, and spent much time just exchanging scratchies with him. Side note he was in the ring working the next time we went, 
what a hunk he is.was laughing at the lack of use corners in the arena, sent a video to my trainer, as an excuse why I STILL struggle to get in there.
Warning, pity party below…
I get scared everytime we come back from a long break, while we are away you visualize everything staying the same, and just dropping back in, but the reality for me is that is rarely the case.
This year I came home to find there has been some barn churn, excited that some old friends are returning, but gutted that my latest lease horse has gone. So here am I, a rider in search of a horse, again, and while I have had a couple of offers, it all feels a bit carpy
Every time something happens I ask “am I too old for this” and everytime the thought of stating a new relationship is less scary than being alone. So sigh, watch this space, let’s see what happens next. I have to believe that there are always opportunities ahead.
Oh dang it, Kath!! Not the update I wanted to read. I’m sorry you lost your big guy. Patience and persistence will pay off I bet. You are NOT too old!! A new opportunity will come soon I bet. Fingers crossed for you!
Drats. I liked that horse and was looking forward to updates. I am sorry to hear this. Keep your chin up!
There is another horse waiting for you just around the corner, try not to get too discouraged. I am sure right now it doesn’t feel like it, and you have certainly weathered some ups and downs in the pursuit.
You have a lot to offer as a rider, especially if you are willing to share a horse. That can really benefit a well meaning but short on time owner.
Hang in there! It’s just starting to warm up and the opportunities will come, especially if you put your positive energy feelers out there.
The Universe has a funny way with things.
I had kind of a surprise today, it was Working Eq training at the barn, and I was given a little Cadillac to ride. Misty is an Arab x Appaloosa, she isn’t a horse I ever thought about riding, she looks darn small, then you sit in the saddle and she feels a lot bigger. It also occurred to me that, apart from the ride in Scotland, I haven’t ridden a mare in forever. I also have not ridden a horse with more go than whoa in FOREVER. It was simply fantastic, she was light, forward, effortless, I haven’t stopped smiling yet.
Seems I have another mare lined up to play with, her owner is having health issues and needs someone to restart her after a break. I will go get hands on her during the week, and see how we gel.
Oh, I love me a good mare!! (I’d better, mine is made of gold and demands her rewards for her excellence). I am so, so happy to hear your update. Yay!
Oh dear, I seem attached to another object by an inclined plane wrapped helically around an axis
I met the red mare, who doesn’t want to be caught, who pins her ears every time she is touched, generally miserable. I have ground worked her three times, ridden her twice, just walk and a little trot while we build her up, and yesterday I was in tears. She reminds me so much of Fergie, the red head I always regretted selling, she has stolen my heart straight away. I’ve had initial talks with her owner about a half lease, I said I would decide at the end of the month, but I am hooked, I’m in. The only conversation to be had is long term plans maybe, I really don’t want to get even deeper in and have her taken away.
I mean who can resist this face, admiring herself in the camera.
IMG_3427
Or this view.
Post workout roll
I don’t know how I get to be so lucky, that new challenges keep popping up, but this is the first one since Braam that really captures my heart.
Those pictures say it all! A good red mare is worth her weight in gold (and the cookies you’ll feed to keep her happy, or is that just my big brown girl??)
I brought Polo mints from the UK, not all horses here like thin, but I think she might sell her soul for one. I might have to get emergency supplies bought over:joy:
For my girl it’s any peppermint, mini cupcakes, or oreos. She’s pretty indiscriminate in her treat choices: pancakes off the griddle are a particular favorite (we learned this at a show that had a breakfast food truck. I spent way too much money supplying her that day!)
Well it’s either a blessing or a curse. Red mare was re-shod all round on 2nd March, went to catch her 9th March, she has lost a front shoe. Contacted the owner, she contacted farrier, but he couldn’t get here until end of that week, then that got pushed again until this coming weekend, because of the farriers curse, back trouble. Caught her in to do some groundwork last Sunday, had to ask BO to pull her off hind, because it was so loose. Now we wait and hope he is fit again soon.
But no time working with a horse is wasted, we are coming to understand each other a lot better. This was what we achieved in todays session
Carrying the Garracha pole.
Carrying the pole while stood on the bridge.
Carrying the pole, while stood on the bridge, with no halter.
Yes there was a point, not to be worried about the pole around her. And definitely learning to just stand still.
What a gorgeous mare! And I agree, just learning to stand still and relax is a huge deal.
Well of course I ended up leasing the red mare, it wasn’t in much doubt! Her owner doesn’t see herself doing too much with her this year, just low key, having fun and hanging out with her, so I get to show her, and take any clinics I want.
She has surprised everyone, except me, at just how nice she is, I kind of knew.
IMG_3918
It’s been a week from hell, toothache, tooth pulled, worse toothache, not a happy bunny, now on second round of antibiotics and living on pain pills.
But, had fun at a barn challenge evening, where Showmanship was the task of the night, and we sucked at it, so I decided to do a liberty run, that worked a lot better.
IMG_3946
Tried dropping her out of her curb, back into a a snaffle, single joint was all I had, I like her better in it, but she wasnt happy. Next up, a Myler with a small port.
Yesterday there was a play day at the barn that Enzo had moved to, a bunch of friends were going, so I went over and rode Enzo
I enjoyed it, all of that big power, big horse, he is great to ride…BUT
It seems that ratty red heads are my thing.
Next ride, after the snow stops 
I will try my snaffle with a bean in it, she hated the Myler, so we keep looking.
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