We did it

[Miriam]

We successfully survived the 10 and a half mile drive (although I'm still not sure it was that long). We set off at a good pace to get to the 'Pluogh' (pub) which is just down the road. Got there and Rhi though all her birthdays had come in one. Lots of horses and carts. I think I was more nervouse (?) than she was. We decided that we would tag onto the end of the drive and discovered we had three riders tagged onto the end of us :D Set off at a fair pace which I thought was just nice. Then went onto the by pass :eek: Rhi decided it was time for a canter. Pulled her up and got her to trot. Half way round the cart in front of us decided it was pulling out and going another way. Poor Rhi did not know whether to follow them or follow the others. Got her into a cracking pace and some one came up beside us and passed us. So let them in. Came to a stop at one point (don't know why) and the horse two in front of us decided it would go backwards not forwards. Rhi was good and held her own. Got moving again at a cracking pace and then she did another canter. Most of the route we had done before but never thought anything of how far we we were doing till now. Came back down our front street passed the farm and we decided rather than pull off we would complete it and then bring her home. Err at which point can I ask Do you think we can be done for going through a red light? Because due to the road works the lights changed as half of the group were through, so the rest just followed. Hasten to add the drivers of the cars waiting were brill even if Rhi was not sure if she was going to go into the side of one tryong to avoid the nasty sign lying on the road. However she was very responsive and moved over when I asked her too. Once back to the Plough it was back home, untacked and put to bed for the day whilst Gem and I went to the pub for a drink with the rest of the drivers and some buffet lunch.

Iamso proud of my girl :D :D

Three cheers for Rhi she was such a star. Only down side was Shammy was going to come too but he has had a knock in the field and is getting better for the show in a few weeks time.

[Esther.D]

Brilliant - good for her! See she does have the makings of a trials pony - if she can survive that she should be ok for most things:D

[Miriam]

Thats the marathon side ok. We have to do the rest now :D Slight problem wont we get penalised for cantering :eek:

[Esther.D]

I think they have lifted the no-canter restriction off the marathon now, they were certainly talking about lifting it a few years ago.

Still think its a good start to work from...

see how she does at Fencehouses, if she can cope with that too then she ought to be fine

[Miriam]

I'll let you know.

By the way did steve get my text yesterday? Its good to know that you are speaking to me and we did not change the venue so you could have come ;)

Oh and the other thing is Gem and I have had a good chat about Kito's future adn we are hoping to buy a private carriage and do private driving. Can you recommend anything for him.

[Esther.D]

yes we got the text...tried to reply but we have v.poor reception in the house here (we are in a valley) so couldn't send the text..

keep an eye on sites like carriage-link and carriage-sales as there are often nice second-hand shetland gigs in there. However I would wait until he is fully grown before choosing anything as he might grow out of it and also you want to get going thoroughly in the exercise vehicle before you risk trashing something nice ;) You know that you can't compete him until he is 4 or 5 (not sure which) so if you are thinking and saving up pennies.....
http://www.carriagelink.com/
VS654 a nice flat cart if you fancied trade classes

VS706 nice norfolk cart for private driving

some quick ideas.......

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Esther.D
yes we got the text...tried to reply but we have v.poor reception in the house here (we are in a valley) so couldn't send the text..

Good hope you did not mind. Anth did offer to take me home for the phone but I thought I would not have needed it :rolleyes:

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Esther.D

keep an eye on sites like carriage-link and carriage-sales as there are often nice second-hand shetland gigs in there. However I would wait until he is fully grown before choosing anything as he might grow out of it and also you want to get going thoroughly in the exercise vehicle before you risk trashing something nice ;) You know that you can't compete him until he is 4 or 5 (not sure which) so if you are thinking and saving up pennies.....
http://www.carriagelink.com/
VS654 a nice flat cart if you fancied trade classes

VS706 nice norfolk cart for private driving

some quick ideas.......

Yep I know and thanks for the links and advice. We are saving the pennies and are getting him going in the exercise cart first. Wanting to hit the heights :D May be next year or the year after even before we could do it. Have talked to our YO as I don't want to be leaving a possible £600 carriage outside in the rain

[Anth.P]

I'm going to act like a little brat now... :D


...I want a Shetland!!! :( :( :(


:D

[Esther.D]

Hello Anthony:D

[Anth.P]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! :D :D :D

Kito was giving me kisses yesterday! :D

[Miriam]

Don't set him off Esther. he is eyeing Kito up

[Gill]

Well done Miriam, sounds like you had a good day.

[Wally]

Hello Anth. P too!

[Wally]

Well done, I remember my first marathon, well, show drive, it was a 6 mile job, but great fun in the end.

She's coming along in leaps and bounds isn't she?

Well done:D

[Anth.P]

Oooooooooooooooooh!!! Is that the whiffy-mobile Wally? :D

It's now progressed from wanting a Shetland to needing a Shetland Thank-you-very-much... :o :p

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Wally
Well done, I remember my first marathon, well, show drive, it was a 6 mile job, but great fun in the end.

She's coming along in leaps and bounds isn't she?

Well done:D

Thanks Wally. This was not a marathon it was a memorial drive for a young up and coming driver who tragically lost his life last year in a car accident. My groom knew him and his family so asked it I could do it with Rhi. I think though by the time Fri arrived we were both getting nervous as Esther will confirm when I rang her as Gem asked if I really wanted to do it as she did not want Rhi overfaced. Took Esthers advice and gave it a go.

Anyone know of any marathon only that we could do. Not sure where I could get practice in for obstacles.

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Anth.P
Oooooooooooooooooh!!! Is that the whiffy-mobile Wally? :D

It's now progressed from wanting a Shetland to needing a Shetland Thank-you-very-much... :o :p


Ok ok I give up. if you want one of Kito's breeding Gem says she will look after it for you and you can visit every weekend :D I'm sure one of us shetland ladies can give you some tips :D

[Anth.P]

A Shetland? For little old me? When can we go find one? :D

[Miriam]

When ever you want. Of course you have to find somewhere to put it first. Who is looking after it and what are you going to do with it? Do you want it broken or will you have it broken (not in half either)

[Wally]

Pants and Charlie's Bro is for sale once he's weaned.

Mum is a good 42-42 inches dad is a 38 inch outside convenience!
He's black and already has the cheek of the devil.

SHe will not want a huge amount for him, £20 on the boat and about £100 to you in transport fees if you go in with the transporter after the sales, it might well be even less depending upon how many folk there are sharing transport souoth.

Andy's breeder is the best person to speak to as she shipps ponies all over the place after the sale day.....if you are interested, only problem is he's only a baby.

[Anth.P]

I don't think I'm ready for a baby just yet sadly Wally, thanks for the offer though, the thought of having a relative of Andy and Charlie is a great one! He sounds lovely too. :D

[Miriam]

Originally posted by Anth.P
I don't think I'm ready for a baby just yet sadly Wally, thanks for the offer though, the thought of having a relative of Andy and Charlie is a great one! He sounds lovely too. :D

Are you serious about one now or later? If now how old wouldyou be looking for

[Anth.P]

How old was Kito when you got him? I'd love one as soon as possible to be honest. I'll discuss it more with you later Miriam, and decide what I'm looking for maybe. :)

[Miriam]

2 and half. Ok no probs

[Anth.P]

It depends what's available of course. Knowing me I'll come back with a herd full of Shetlands lol. :rolleyes: :D

[Miriam]

Only one allowed on our yard thanks. Dont know what you think I am. I'd have to move my sleeping bag over and live in the field. No colts and grass livery only.

[Anth.P]

I was only playing. :D Besides, Kito and the new acquisition can start their own mean, cool Shetland herd. :D

[Miriam]

Are you getting my PMs. If not hoping to go to Yorkshire show on tomorrow. When were you going

[Anth.P]

Last PM I got from you was from last night Miriam.

[Miriam]

That was the one. Then went on to find your thing on Pm system. Also got told off by OH as he had 11 things in MSN sayingmy PM box was full :eek:

[Anth.P]

Popular Miriam! :eek:

I bet you're looking forward to the Yorkshire Show. :)

Did you look at the schedule for tomorrow?