Tuscany

[fourlegs]

Not really one for Scully's diary as she managed to throw a shoe just as I was going to ride

So here are a few shots of Zara and I doing our best in the arena last week.

1. Trot



2. Canter



3. Shoulder in

 

[Jessey]

Looking good, and what lovely scenery from the arena there, looks like the weather was kind

 

[Toz]

Lovely!

 

[fourlegs]

Thanks, yes the weather was mostly perfect for riding - not too hot, though we did have some rain.
The scenery is breathtaking - the photos do not do it justice! Riding out early in the morning with the mist in the valleys is magical - this photo taken around 7am gives you an idea

 

[fourlegs]

Scully confined to barracks after throwing her shoe



and Cristina leading the PRE stallion Engreido

 

[fourlegs]

Slowly working my way through 100s of photos - I got told I was riding like John Wayne in this session!

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

Is the hacking good there? I have no idea how bridle paths work in Italy. If you can ride out off road it must be just beautiful!

 

[fourlegs]

The hacking is superb - they don't have bridleways .... you just ride through the vineyards, the olive groves, the quiet little villages, along almost traffic free roads, the woods, down old roman roads and across / along streams, canter up hills, etc. - as long as the ground is not fenced off you can go.

We have a guided passeggiata of one hour around the farm roads for novices - no road work at all and a 2 hour which crosses roads and takes in the local countryside. It is also possible to ride out to the local winery for a wine & local produce tasting and back again - takes about 5 hours and includes a history of the region and of the vineyard and how they are reintroducing the old vines and methods.

See a glimpse here -

 

[fourlegs]

Just back from the latest visit - rode 6 horses over 5 days - more cantering on Zara, got to ride Scully too

Especially for Jane&Ziggy - pics from our sunset ride out - Oscar riding Usignol and me on Vagabund, Merens horses from the Pyrenees.

 

[fourlegs]

In the menage -

Dido



Sacha



Scully

 

[fourlegs]

Couple of videos - the first I took a few years ago of the Friday afternoon quadrille - great fun
Zara leading, then Tempo, Sacha, Squib, Marcoz and Nina.

The second is a video taken by a parent from kids week even longer ago but it gives an insight into this magical place - I find it quite emotional to watch, but that is probably because of all the great times I have had there ...