Saturday Afternoon Exploits....

[domane]

So today I was in the mood to "play ponies" so I borrowed daughter's purple hair bands and plaited Cherry's mane into braids and plaited her tail. She looks like she has dreadlocks now so we have nicknamed her "Cob Marley". My Saturday-hack-buddy was in tears so she became "The Wailer"....

Anyway, enough with the jokes...

My aforementioned S-H-B is a very nervous rider so on a Saturday Cherry and I chaperone a walking hack somewhere around for about half an hour (she was crying because she lent someone her boy and he had bolted off with them and she (a) feels responsible and (b) this is her BIGGEST fear) Anyway our hack out was uneventful as usual and I think it helped to restore her dented confidence...

When I got back to the yard decided to do some schooling as Cherry seemed quite fresh and I was bored with just walking (:o ). Bumped into a lovely knowledgeable lady who has years of experience and because of circumstances she no horse to ride at the mo (has two TBs, each unrideable for the foreseeable) so she asked if she could have a go on Cherry and she rode her BEAUTIFULLY..... was working hard to get her to stay on the bit (and winning most of the time!) and I have never seen my horse move so gracefully or smoothly. I had a lump in my throat just watching.... anyway I asked said lady if she fancies a "summer project" and she replied "Well I have nothing else to ride" so my girl may get some PROPER schooling at last instead of my inexperienced bumblings!!! Left them both in the school with her promising to muzzle and turnout when finished... I am so pleased...... Now I know Chez CAN do it, I have something to aspire to myself.... :D

Perhaps dressage will be our "thang"????

[Whatanejit]

Yeah! That is great Jane. Especially if it is a 'free' project!

Good girl Cherry. Isn't it amazing how they change when someone who is a talented rider gets on their backs?:p

Maybe this lady would give you lessons on her too.;)

There must have been something in the air - I was playing ponies too - and had a plait frenzy - problem is I had to stand on a box to get as his mane - plenty of pics tomorrow.

And where are your pics of 'Cob Marley' then madam???!

Great name.

xx

[domane]

Tomorrow, if she hasn't rubbed them all stupid! :p

We have a whole set of new jumps at our yard (lots of money-raising activities through the winter) so tomorrow is the first outing for them so the jumping classes are all free entry... thought I'd put Cherry in for the 2ft round..... so camera will be on hand.

:confused:


:confused:


Not ME riding her of course :eek: Oh no, no, NO!!! Teenager-friend at the yard. I get more pleasure from watching Cherry at that kind of thing.... :D

[Whatanejit]

Gosh your yard sounds great fun. Aren't you great letting others ride her. I guess I wouldn't mind someone riding Cooper as long as they were good and I was there. It is nice to see them perform well when you are not capable of making them do it yourself.

Loadsa pics missus;)

Can't wait to see the dreads tomorrow. I only got half of Cooper's done as OH doesn't have the patience to wait around for that sort of thing so I'll finish him off tomorrow.:rolleyes:

xx

[domane]

I only let people who are competent and soft-handed ride her (well it gives her a treat after me :D ). I did make one mistake with another teenager but I have now learned from that :mad: I get such joy watching how she responds to others...

Our yard is GREAT.... there is hardly any bitchiness and there are loads of activities on. YO has a big cattle truck which doubles as a 12-horse transporter so those of us with no means can hitch a ride to events and shows and we all split the cost of the fuel. The horses travel really well in it... they are seasoned and used to it .... bit embarrassing at unloading time with them all clonking along the metal floor of the truck... it's *cough* "no frills* but as I said, the horses are used to it and YO drives incredibly carefully...

[katieB]

Your yard sounds great, is it a riding school?
Sure you cant be convinced to pop round the course? ;)

[domane]

It WAS a riding school but turned livery only about 4 years ago. They auctioned off all the horses and ponies.... got silly money for them but some are still there as liveries now. We have two outdoor schools, one of those is floodlit for winter and the smaller one has a canter track round the outside. There is a small indoor (lit) school and the fields with the cross-country course have just been opened for the summer. We also have a horse-walker. There are approximately 40 stables within 3 barns and there is also a communal boys's barn and pony barn (which is cheaper livery) ... for some reason all the mares are stabled!! They open the barn doors in the morning and let the "Barn Boys" out into their own paddock and when they call them in the evening, it's a sight to see - the stampede as they all canter over en-masse to get back into the barn.... even with the spring grass!

PS No I can't be persuaded.... couldn't bear a crowd to be watching!!!

[katieB]

Wow, sounds like a great yard. We've got one outdoor school and a couple of jumps we made ourselves :o I love my yard but it would be great to have access to the things you have.

[Imp]

*psssst* that lovely lady... wouldn't like another cobby project in the Garden of England would she? (worth a try :rolleyes: )

I agree your yard sounds lovely. I've only been a horse owner for 3 months but the politics are getting worse than at the office :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Rips]

*snigger* cob marley! :D