Whirl wind of a summer

It has been a whirlwind of a summer! 

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!!

17 days of full time love

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!

Lesson - first jumping lesson in many years

I bit the bullet, faced many a demon and we did it!!!
I love this horse !!

Summer in full swing

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!!

I literally couldnt imagine her not being there!

Catch up soon xxx

Goals and dreams

We each have goals or dreams. However small or large they may seem, they are indeed part of us. They are what makes us 'who we are.' 

Even if they, at the time feel un-achievable. Or too far in the distance. 

They are what they are. Something we long to be. To do. To become. 

And it's within these dreams, goals, ambitions that we see who we truely are!

We have been having lots of fun with Viv this last week. It has been the school holidays so after the OH finished work Me and Mini Me (Z) have been able to go and spend time with Viv and not needed to worry about times to be home for baths, and bed for school. Mini me (L) also had a day with us at the stables and he seemed to really enjoy it. He used to be very keen but now he is a tween (Eeee that rhymes hahaha!!) Anyways, im ever hopeful he comes back to it. I wont force it, i just suggest and hope.

You can see our fun on our You tube channel ~ 

YOUTUBE.COM/ABOVESTANDARDADVENTURES 

Just enjoying the SUN

The weather has been GLORIOUS . . . Summer is HERE :)

(L) Had a ride on Viv this week. He used to ride but lost interest. Seeing him smiling as he plodded about in walk and trot made me really happy. He says he wants to ride again . . . That makes me 

SMILE  . . . 

 . . .  LOTS!!

Even Zeus came for the adventure

Deli delights . . . Spring time is full of yummyness Viv says!!

Near the stables are horses with long ears . . .  DONKEYS. SO CUTE!!!

Catch up soon 'S' xxx

Hacking into Summer

Lots of hacking kept company by good friends and Mr Sunshine 

We have been on many an adventure, listened to many a tweet of a birds sing song and had a JOLLY GOOD TIME!! Of course always helped by MR SUNSHINE!!