NEWS
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A very happy volunteer Lynn ventured on her first fun ride in nearly 20 years on Wild Sky, accompanied by Carrick Troop and Loop the Loup. All three were impeccably behaved and the weather held off with the need to seek shelter under a tree only once.
Lynn's husband and son had to endure hours of excided banter regarding how much fun she had whilst trying to concentrate on the Wimbledon men's Final. No different from many ladies having to put up with a total re-run of a football match.
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After completing a feed trial for Winergy Equilibrium Trooper is now looking a lot better, coping with flatwork, and is a natural with jumping, although as we have found with others doubles are a bit of a problem as he prefers at least a furlong in between, he is now ready to find a home. His old companion Maceo has already found a new home and now resides with Judith. He settled very quickly and apart from a few glitches they are getting on fine.
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Surprise Continues to Surprise everyone. We are all delighted to see Surprise competing at Chard Show, the first time ever in a show ring and coming 4th in the ex-racehorse class. And WINNING Riding Horse class getting himself and Holly a very nice cut glass trophy.
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Surprise Encounter
Surprise has at last found his niche in life, as is heading for great
things. His first dressage competition resulted in a well deserved second
placing with a very delighted Holly, scoring 7s and 8s in the majority
of the test. Holly and Surprise's first outing was delayed for some
months after a freak incident whilst hanging a hay net resulted in Holly
loosing the tip of her finger. She was overjoyed at Surprise's performance,
and we share her delight and were only too pleased to go and support
them and video the occasion. He is a horse who requires a serious amount
of varied work which Holly is more than happy to do, and regularly has
lessons in SJ and XC Jumping, delighted in the fact that 4ft + is not
a problem to this once upon a time successful Flat racer.
Now we look forward to him succeeding in eventing.
Balmacara
Sadly had to be returned to us through no fault of her own, but after
the Christmas Lull quickly found a new carer in Louise. After a tricky
first couple of weeks, things have settled down and Louise reported
that they had both enjoyed a Cross country schooling day which boosted
Louise's confidence. Connie apparently jumped everything that was
asked of her but reports have it that a parting of the ways did occur
over one of the obstacles, well we all have to fall off at some point.
We always knew that Connie would be a great all round talented little
lady and with any luck we will get photos very soon of the pair enjoying
a new life together.
Midnight Spur
Also now on
his second home came back after Christmas but very quickly went after
only 1 month to Tracey. Tracey was delighted with Spurs tolerance
of small children and loved his laid back attitude to life, his affectionate
nature and unflappable character. Until she came face to face with
her local drag hunt, and then he came to life, not knowing which way
to go Tracey and Spur inadvertently ended up staying with them for
a short while, (because she had no option). Still unfazed by the other
side of Spur, Tracey and her daughter ventured on a pleasure ride,
quietly taking in the scenery at a leisurely pace, Spur had other
ideas. Tracey reported back that the word Pleasure was not on her
mind at the time. Last reports were that they were going Cross Country
Schooling!!!!!!!!!!!
Maceo
Recent addition 14yr old, Dental neglect was quickly rectified by
a visit from Ross making him a lot more comfortable in his mouth.
So far proving to have a bit of a stubborn streak but otherwise a
pleasant horse to deal with.
Carrick Troop
15 yrs old, and 17.1 + Had been unshod for a considerable amount of
time and was extremely foot sore showing great distress on walking
on stony ground. A full set made the world of difference to him and
now what was first thought to be a condition call " shivering"
is now a minor affliction of stringhalt on one side. Dental problems
again were sorted out by our Dentist Ross and both Troop and Maceo
will need to be monitored regularly. So far fitness is coming on nicely,
a little spooky but a very biddable horse.
State Performance Goes Hunter Trailing
Shrek resides
only 3.6 miles away according to his new carers Jill and Nick. Within
a very short space of time they have taken him on pleasure rides, hunter
trailing, fun show jumping and a show. All of which they and he are
thoroughly enjoying.
Although we did get a report that Nick had parted company from him while
trailing for the first time, but rumors have it, that it was not equine
inflicted more like, Rider forgetting to tighten the girth. A mistake
you SHOULD only make once.
Volunteer Andy's ambition has been for a long time to go Hunter Trailing
on Boxing Day. So with a little bit of intense training before hand
on how to handle a keen TB in a field of approximately 100, the keen
TB being Deep Space, He and daughter Heidi on Royal Imp successfully
negotiated the melee on boxing day. Royal Imp because of his pensioner
status made the meet and then when home.
Andy and Tessa continued on for a few hours, Andy getting the hang of
how to master the technique of handling the lovely Spacey was loving
the fact that despite first thoughts of not being in control, found
that, HE WAS.
We are very grateful to Kate Edser Equine Editor from the Western Daily
Press, who did a nice article at the end of February about the centre
and a couple of horses that were looking for homes. Subsequently both
horses plus another found new carers very quickly.
Kate Also ran a article in early March about our wonderful old pony
Royal Imp now a staggering 44 and enjoying life to the full.
