Wednesday 16 December 2009

Thank you Dunstan - You have made my Year!!

At a little before midday today I received a phone call from Campbell Stent, the Director of Dunstan Horse Feeds in NZ. He asked me if I remembered entering a competition that they were running and I did have a vague recollection that I had done so but could not remember specifics. He then told me I had won! That was quite a buzz but the real buzz came when I asked to be reminded what exactly it was that I had won and Campbell told me ... I have won $5000!!!!

Thank you SO MUCH Dunstan Horse Feeds for making this coming Christmas even more of a celebration for my family than it already was - Tonight we break out the bubbly and toast Dunstan Sugarbeet!

Monday 14 December 2009

Meg the Megastar is back!

Well she never actually went anywhere but, because she is such a baby, she was turned out some months ago to grow/mature/fill out and chill out. I am bored and missing riding so her holiday ended today! Mwahaha! I think she enjoyed it as much as I did - tomorrow we will venture out down the road I think. I can't wait!

Evil donkey eating Clydesdale
Walking
Conference
Good girl
Through the hay paddock
Posing (no I am not pregnant - cruel T shirt!)
Up the race
Along the race (evil mare with foal in nearside paddock)
Happy
Trot
More trot
Walking
And whoa.
Ahhh, that was so nice.

Sunday 13 December 2009

Two Photo Blogs Today

Masses of Ata photos today because it was his last day here. He might be back for the winter, he might not so I had to go out and take some 'see ya later' photos. I am so thrilled with this foal. He's everything I think a modern sport horse should be. Strong of bone, athletic, handsome, powerful, good natured, intelligent and eye-catching. I wish Keryn and her boy all the very, very best for the future!

I think I mighta woken him up!
Eat him up cute!
Over the shoulder pose
Weeee!
Yummy!
Who da man?!
Self carriage
Spotlight in front
Frolicksome
Upsy daisy
What goes up ...
keeps going up, haha!
Mum and her boy
I am really going to miss this spunky little guy!

My Marvellous Megan

Big day for Ata today as his human mummy comes to pick he and his mum up and take them home. She's very excited and it's so rewarding for me, as a breeder, to be sending a foal to a home where I know it is much wanted and will be much loved and cared for. I am beginning to get people asking me to breed foals for them now and even have a queue of people waiting for foals from particular mares. It's nice to know that what we are doing here seems to be working and whilst what we breed might not be for everyone, we seem to be getting something right. I look forward to seeing Ata out and about in the coming years.

It's about time that Meg started to do something. She's grown rather wide in the last few months and is only getting wider with the embarrassment of grass we have this season. I think she agrees she is ready too. I just brought her in to the shed today for a quick brush and an introduction to the lunge. I can tell you now, trying to take photos of your horse whilst lunging her at the same time is not easy!

She was very good and even popped over a couple of tiny crossrails I put up. The first time she kinda fell over them but after a couple of goes, she was sighting the jump and taking herself over. OK, so I don't think she will ever reach the dizzying heights of Grand Prix but I am sure we will be able to have some fun - After all, my limit seems to be around the 80cm mark these days. After her lunge I let her have some free time in the paddock - she thought that was lots of fun!

So, today's photos are of Meg, who is growing more and more like her mum with every passing day. Please enjoy.

Flying Clydesdale
Blurry girl
Ears up
In the shed, waiting patiently
Really impressive (NOT) lunging photo, ha!
Footnote: Today I learned that sometimes it is just easier to swallow your pride and let someone think they have won than continue to fight a battle that you are never going to win. It feels surprisingly good - Lets hope it lasts!