Horses & I
A little bit about me and my personal involvement with Horses…
Well I did say I started to ride young didn’t I? My mother used to team chase on May Whiskers so, as I wouldn’t stay still / be confined by a playpen, my mum used to put a blanket in front of her saddle and then I would sit! So it made sense that when at a team chase I was safer on May than the ground!
Good racing position don’t you think?
I had a 12h-2″ pony called Lara who was a real sweetheart and then Pluto (13h-2″) came along when we were looking for pony for a friend. I believe in love at first sight and between us it was!
I was really lucky as my parents are not stuck into 1 horse discipline and I got to try many things with the Pony Club. I particularly enjoyed Polo and had 6 fun seasons, whilst hunting, eventing, showing and jumping, as well! Who says you have to specialise???
I started riding out at a Adstock Manor stud when I was 14 (after having had such fun doing the Shetland Grand National) and was lucky to work with George Cook. He had been at Adstock since he was 14 and was old enough to have saddled the boss’ horses when he was racing, experience like that can’t be gained at college in my humble opinion.
Castor Sugar was a very pretty but hot headed pony bred by my mum and unfortunately it was decided she was too hot! That and the inevitable fact of growing!
So after a massive search Rocky 1/4 fjord 3/4 TB was found. Mum and I got up early and went to see him, ringing once we were in the locality (he was 100 miles away!) Well love at first sight – so rang Dad to warn him went home get the trailer. Swapped driver and went to fetch him. The only snag was he wasn’t a good loader! So we hacked to the opening meet the next day!
I still have him now and he is enjoying semi retirement at 30!
I have always enjoyed starting young horses and had much fun as my parents bred 2 or 3 horses a year that were usually kept until 4 or 5 years of age and had done there 1st XC or outing suited to there ability.
Tamaris also has a special place in my heart for, although sadly not with us now and always AM’s horse, I new him for 10 years!
Mushy is Jupiter’s 1/2 sister and they are complete opposites. Midnight has been with AM for a long time and is enjoying a long retirement.
I had always wanted a Shetland and when AM saw a plea for help from the owners of a young Shetland colt just before Christmas one year; she new just what to buy me! I want to start driving him soon!
I also have a hankering for a fjord mare for a little project I have dreamed up!
