Tuesday 11 December 2012

Bernie's Baby & Brennan's Dressage Results

I must say that being so busy is great but the 60 hour weeks are kind of getting in the way of my blogging a bit! Whilst I seem to have a moment to draw breath, I had better update you all on the latest happenings around here ...

Last Friday, in the early hours, Rei-Huia Bernadette (Hifalutin x Shannon/Laughtons Legend) foaled a beautiful leggy chestnut filly with four stockings and a big splat on her head. The foal was a total surprise to me when I went out on Friday morning to muck and feed out as Bernie had given NO indication that she was anywhere near ready to foal and the foal was a couple of weeks earlier than expected. Fortunately mum and baby were both healthy and strong and my foaling season was done! Just like that!

This filly is a very close relation to my gorgeous Ailbhe, being by Brennan and out of a Laughtons Legend Granddaughter. I think this makes them something like 2/3 siblings but don't quote me on that! She's a tall/leggy filly and very much a feminine version of Ailbhe. In other words, stunning! How lucky am I?! She's supposed to be for sale but I am so sorely tempted to keep her. Argh!!

Here are some photos. Not up to my usual standard but I am finding it hard to get out with the camera in the right light as I am so rarely home at the moment. I am sure I will be able to manage better soon tho, it's Christmas after all and in NZ that means SUMMER HOLIDAYS! Not sure I am actually getting a holiday this year but I should at least get some summer evenings.








 Yes, she IS straight!






On Sunday Brennan had his first starts in affiliated competition at Level 2. He did not perform as well as we know he is capable of and the heat seemed to take a lot of the wind from his sails. In other words, he was pretty flat! Poor Karen was as red as a beet after the first test, I think she felt like she had flapped her way through it like a kid on a Thelwell pony. I assured her that it did not look nearly as bad as it felt for her and the judges must have agreed as they still gained two perfectly respectable scores and placings [2.2 - 61.613% (4th) & 2.4 - 62.308% (3rd)]  - The only pony in the competition, again. We even won money, more than half our entry fees back! Woot! And yes, I took some photos:





















Good boy Brennan - Well ridden Karen!

Tomorrow Ailbhe and Tora are gelded and, on that note, I should go to bed because we have another early start tomorrow! Good night :)