Looking ahead to the Spring and Summer and thinking of all the
COOL stuff we can hopefully get up to !!
I thought it would be quite fun to make a bucket list of FUN THINGS. And also a list of Jobs and projects i would like to do over the coming few months. I am ever hopeful for some
FANTASTIC SUNSHINE'Y' DAYS!
BUCKET LIST (HORSES)
Picnic ride to the river
Try archery on horseback
Trip to the Seaside
Cross country schooling
Jump a course of showjumps (75cm)
Find a new hack
More dressage and maybe a score above 60% would be nice and with alot of work well deserved (achievement)
Do more liberty. BONDING TIME
Pass my stage 2 CARE exam (will do blog post next on my DREAMS and my AMBITIONS and the journey so far)
Have weekly lessons
Join the riding club
Do more clinics! LEARN, LEARN, LEARN!!
STUDY LIKE CRAZY (At least 2 hrs a day!)
Get better at riding and prepare for STAGE 2 RIDE.
Keep teaching Z 'Get better at lesson plans. Get creative. See results. HAVE FUN!!'
Start a beginner and get them to Novice stage
Take Viv to the Durham hydro spa
Take Viv to the gallops
Make time for cartooning (I like to draw horse cartoons!)
My last blog post was written just after christmas (I forgot to publish it until now) so I thought I would do another post to update on how our first winter as full time mummys to Viv has gone!
It has been AMAZING! We have loved the jobs and the snuggles on a night under the lights. The MUD? Maybe not so much haha!! We got off lightly weather wise right up until January. But then BOY did the snow come! And it stayed for a very long time! It was not only cold and wet. But Icy and dangerous. Viv didn't get out hacking much for a couple of weeks as it was just two icy most days to risk it.
BUT we have been blessed with a nice warm snap this last week. It has been into double figures at times. Still cold on a night but much warmer during the day. PLUS SUNSHINE! Oh how we all love a bit of sunshine! The only problem with that is MUD and layers on, then layers off! But the hacking has been AMAZING :)
Here are some pictures of our adventures!
The end of our third lockdown is almost HOPEFULLY OVER!! And we are looking forward to some DRESSAGE (ME) LESSONS (US BOTH) and lots of ADVENTURES WITH FRIENDS . . . Staying safe, of course. I think social distancing will be around for a long time yet! BUT we can at least breathe now knowing there is a breather in sight. Time for a 'LITTLE' bit of normality in a very NOT THAT NORMAL WORLD!!
We have been blessed with some stunning sunny days where the sun shines through the trees and the yellow and orange tones light up like flames. The beautiful carpet below our feet. Crinkles as we walk. Natures music. The song - Winter is on it's way!
The horses are also getting VERY VERY VERY Fluffy. Each day I'm sure they grow an extra half inch of hair! Viv is like a teddy bear. I love her FLUFFY COAT.
She is getting clipped this week. I love it when they get their first clip of the season. She needs it! Every ride she comes back soaked bless her. Imagine trying to run in a thick coat?!
We having being making the most of the dry weather and riding when we can. I have been without a camera for some time (My phone fell into water, it never regained consciousness) Ans as my ownly other camera is a DSLR (Certainly not made for riding one handed capturing canters) I have unfortunatly not been able to capture any phtos of our hacks.
UNTIL NOW!!
Meet 'OLD SAMMY' as i used to call it - Samsung PL170
(New Sammy is my samsung DSLR NX2000) I LOVE IT . . . I wont take it hacking!!
Old Sammy died, about three years ago. When it died I was lucky to be gifted my DSLR from my beloved other half. OMG I was over the moon. But the only problem with DLSR is it's not something you wanna just take everywhere. ESPECIALLY HACKING.
SO . . . Desperate for ANY camera that would fit in my pocket and go for hacks until I can get a new camera phone. My very patient other half took it all to pieces and rebuilt it. WOOHOO. IT WORKED. It's working. I cant use Zoom or it turns off. BUT IT IS WORKING WOOOHOO!
The best thing is it is small enough to fit in my pocket, or hand when holding reins. It has a wrist strap so i dont drop it. And I havent used it yet but i just re-discovered it has a front view camera which will be ideal for selfies in the saddle and vlogging! Let the photography fun begin again!
So where did 'old sammy' go for it's first adventure??
CHOPWELL WOODS! OMG. The Autumn colours were AMAZING. Like fire above our heads and beneath us. On top of that we were blessed to have two Red Kites fly above us. Swooping and gliding so gracefully as we rode below them. I feel privalaged to live so close to such natural beauty. The Derwent valley is incredable!!
We had some lovely long canters and navigated our way around some lovely walkways up and down hills and between trees. I had an amazing time and I'm sure the horses did too.
And here is a video of our ride ~
I hope now to be able to keep my blog updated with our adventures. I cannot live without my camera!! Pop back to see some poodle ponies when they get clipped!
The weather has been on our side right up until recently.
This has meant LOT'S of fun,
heaps of adventures and MANY precious memories!
There is just too many things to list, but there are a few that are so AMAZING I would love to share them with you.
TRIP TO THE BEACH
OMG !!! I was over the moon when i received the call asking if I would like to go to the beach with Viv. I jumped at the chance and couldn't wait to get out in that fresh sea air on horse back.
ALSO ~ Fun with the kids! Oh what fun we had this summer!! (L) came to play, he hasn't ridden since we sold our first pony. He was put off by Vivs size in comparison to Sparky who was only 12hh. But once he was on and realised Viv was the best teacher ever and so gentle with him. He loved it. After practicing a little off the leadrein he sharp gained enough confidence to pop a couple of small jumps! Super proud. And Viv was a diamond as always!
And the pets have had fun too!!
We even got a SECOND TRIP TO THE BEACH!!! After (S) owner had fun on the cross country little (Z) got to ride on the beach and I had a ride on appoloosa 'B' all 17.2hh of her!! She is very forward going but comfy. Its only the 3rd time riding her and I am nervous when on her i think because of her size and also she is very forward going. BUT I am getting more confident on her and one day i hope to take her on a nice hack to really show my nerves I am made of stronger stuff!! (Z) LOVED the beach, she paddled in the water with Viv and enjoyed a hack along the beach off the leadrein with B and Dekota. Such a good day :)
Autumn is in full swing now. The horses are getting FLUFFY Awwwwww!! And soon it will be clipping time! The leaves are beautiful, all the different colours and tones. Walking to school kicking the leaves . . . PERFECT END TO A PERFECT SUMMER!!
We have 17 days where Vivs owner is away on safari . . .
. . . I KNOW, I am jealous too!!
How lucky, 17 days with wild animals, i've insisted on lots of photographs to inspire me to create them in acrylics. I cant wait to paint a giraffe in its natural habitat just chilling, eating, doing whatever it is giraffes do hahaha!!
While (S) Owner is away (S) ME - Loaner is in charge with Mini human. This is exciting. We have so much planned. I HAVE MANY HACKS PLANNED. A picnic may be needed! We need to keep her fit for her owner. Plus well loved, groomed and cared for. We simply cannot wait!! We love our mare!
Our day will be. Finish school, then tea quickly made and eaten. When daddy is home from work to look after mini (L). Me loaner (S) and mini human (Z) will enjoy a couple of hours at the yard with our favourite girlie. Lots of grooming. Lots of love, some exercise and lots of cuddles !!
And also LOVE for this girlie too, who will be missing her mummy so much !! She is such a sweety!
Summer is in full swing. The weather is breezy, at times cold. BUT IT IS DRY!! WOOHOO!
I sit here tonight reflecting on the last few weeks. So much has been achieved. Both me and Mini me have had a blast. Overcome some of our demons. Expanded on our skills.
Mini me (Z) has been practicing hard on her balance, today we had a lunge session where she trotted with her arms out to the side. We started with one arm at a time and then built up to two. I didnt get any photos. I was too busy doing the mam thing and getting ready to signal that halt and the instant of a unplanned dismount. Thankfully that didnt happen. Z managed to let go of the saddle and be the steadiest aircraft in the sky. No turbulance in these skies!!
Going back a few days i had a hack out with a friend and her beautiful appoloosa Bee. We enjoyed a trip through woods and we had some long trots and good canters. Including a down hill canter OMG OMG OMG . . . I DID IT.
I sat back, i sat deep, it wasn't a mountain, it wasn't a mountain,
OMG! ANYWAYS.
I made it.
Thankfully AND we stopped before a steep decent. I make it out like it was a mountain. In theory it was steady decent. I must admit, after shitting myself i actually enjoyed it. Hooves below, trees above. the noise, the adrenaline, the need to be HERE . . NOW . . . IN THIS MOMENT. There is something special about the bridleways around us.
A) You have to find them
B) you have to navigate them.
There is always a challenge. But we cannot complain. Its mainly offroad.
Maybe next time the farrier is out i shall ask for off roading tyres??
Viv is looking so good. Her summer coat is in full swing. She is positively gleaming. Inside and out.
We have loaned her now for about five month. WE LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!
We are privalaged and so happy to have her in our lives!!
