Very excited

[RustyMary]

Spice is going to be my lease pony! :D:D:D

Our barn has a scheme where you can lease one of the school horses, whichever one you happen to be getting along with, and ride THREE TIMES A WEEK :D:D It's only ten euros more than I was paying for two lessons a week, including lessons, but I don't have to pay any other bills. One of the things that I was worrying about when I was thinking about leasing was whether I'd have time to ride 3 times a week, but I didn't realise that some days/times are set aside for leasers so hopefully it won't be a problem. We're going to try it in September and see how it goes - RI is very flexible, if it's not working out I can drop back to lessons and then pick up leasing again at a later date. If we agree I should change horses I can do as well - I'm not committed to only riding Spice for ever and a day.

I'm so excited - I didn't ride for 5 weeks in July as we were away, and it's been so great to be back on board for 2 lessons this week. How much will I be able to learn in 3 lessons a week!!

Here she is again - isn't she gorgeous?

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/IMG_1870.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k53/RustyMary_06/IMG_1848.jpg

[antonia :)]

Congrats! My yard has a scheme like that but my favourite horse has a owner and shes not up for lease but when she is ill get my grubby mits on her lol! Very pretty horse spice is!

[fairlady]

congratulations, very exciting for you, what a super scheme:)

[vonandiz]

Thats brilliant news.

Am really pleased for you - I'm sure you'll find the time from somewhere to squeeze in the extra ride.:)

[NicP]

She is lovely, I remember you posting about her before. It sounds like a great scheme.

[LindaAd]

She is lovely, I remember you posting about her before. It sounds like a great scheme.

She is lovely, and you look really good and happy together ... Your red hair and her chestnut are brilliant!

I wish my yard had a scheme like that ...They just seem to work on the principle that however many times you ride a week it's still a lot cheaper than owning your own horse.

[muddyjods]

congratulations!! she's a lovely horse. The scenery round your way doesn't look too shabby, either :D

[domane]

Oh how absolutely wonderful for you RM!! :D

Spice is so lovely and I think you will have a fabby time with her and she will boost your confidence no end. Smaller ones tend to make you feel safer, don't they? :p Does this mean that you won't be riding Ginger at all for a while? Or have you decided to step away from her completely for the time being?

I'm so thrilled for you.....

[Sammii]

She's gooooorgeous, good luck. Hope you both have great fun together :D

[Belle1]

That is good news. Our yard does a similar scheme and the school ponies really benefit from having a special person of their own. It is an excellent stepping stone into ownership too - my OH started off leasing his horse in a similar way and then decided to buy him :D

[wanabe]

Spice is nice!

I'm doing the same thing -- half-lease of my lesson horse. I get to ride on my own twice a week and then one lesson. It's certainly good for one's riding. When you're on your own it gives you time to practice things and work things out without always being corrected by your RI.

[RustyMary]

Wow - thanks everyone for the lovely response!

The scheme is very flexible - all the school horses and most of the private horses have leasers - it means that the horses' workload can be spread nicely through the week, and gives us a small taste of the responsibility of owning (if I cancel, she might not do anything that day, etc). RI is very good at recognising that many/most people won't ever own their own horse, and this is the next best thing. She said she used to do full leases, but found that this 3 times a week really suits people and doesn't overload the horses. I'm just a bit nervous that I might not have time for 3 rides a week - often twice was quite difficult, but the increased flexibility over times, meaning I could ride early or late or in the background of another lesson, will hopefully mean I can manage it.

Jane, I haven't forgotten the beautiful Ginger, and I do miss her - I still take carrots for her! But I'm learning a lot from Spice's foibles at the moment (different from Ginger's!) and as you pointed out Spice is giving me LOADS of confidence, so I'm going to stick with her at the moment. I can go back to Ginger or on to another different horse whenever it seems like a good idea, or even just ride Ginger occasionally if I want. But as I watched her spook wildly mid-canter the other day, with a rider who handled it really well, I thought sticking to Spice for a bit might be a good idea...

[Chinarider]

YAY Great news RM, do you have to do some horsey shopping for the new beastie?? must have your own matching boots n saddlecloth, she deserves it :p

[Skib]

Lucky you - we dont seem to have these schemes in UK.

[Whatanejit]

Brilliant RM!

How amazing!

Dx

[Ladyknight]

Wow very nice! I agree, I wish there was a scheme like this at my riding school. Spice is beautiful, and I love the colour coordination between you two!:D






Sorry, Spice is so cute, just had to tell you again.:)

[cazrider]

Great news RM.:D Lovely horse. I'm sure you will find the time and enjoy her.:D

[elaine@dow-evan]

What a fantastic idea..I hope you will both be very happy:D

[Brandy Snap]

thats great!

she's absolutly gorgous!! How big is she?

[Trewsers]

She is gorgeous! You look over the moon - and sound it too! How fab - what a good scheme from your yard.

[Crazy Mare]

The lease scheme sounds like a great idea, and Spice is absolutely stunning.

You lucky thing you :D:D:D

[EquusRider91]

So I guess I'm not really familiar with UK/British English because when I read scheme i was like "oh no.." but then.. it ended up being good. ahhaa. so strange.

But anyway, congrats!! Your horsie looks like a mini-version of the horse I leased last year. He was kind of a beast, though.. ehhehe. I hope you have tons of fun!! It's so worth it! :)

[fitz]

Brilliant news... Hope you have lots of fun on the lovely spice...