Border Union.

Bob's big horse Barney went to the Border Union for the Working Hunter and jumped clear over a course that seemed to cause a lot of problems. Unfortunately he wouldn't even consider picking up the right lead for the judge and so ended up unplaced (... and he's still looking for the hounds!)

Many thanks to our farrier David who leant Mark a harnessed hat as its not actually something he owns!!

Chamfron Kukri was in one of the other rings at the same time, so I dashed over in time to see him place sixth in a strong yearling class with Gemma.

More +ve scans

Shesa Perfect Zippo is scanned in foal to Exbury Ghost due the 10th of June 2011, this cross has already produced Chamfron Marco Polo, Chipita and Caramia.

Sue Ellen scanned in foal to Arrayan Numa (yes, he did need a step!) due on the 18th of June 2011, I'm hoping this cross will produce a really smart small hunter.

Chris's leaving pressie!

One of our neighbours is escaping to the sunnier climes of Devon so as a leaving pressie it was suggested he might like a photo of us all, now you wouldn't think seven (and a quarter) people and a few fluffy hounds would be that difficult to get looking in the same direction at once would you? Well despite wanting to be on my usual side of the camera I was encouraged to hand over the camera to Jo and to grin and bear it, so here it is, the final effort which will no doubt grace Chris's downstair Loo...!

Then we have the "not quite" versions - Arrayan playing "splat-a-basset"!

And then this one - "Camera? Anyone... Camera?!!"

Foals July 2010.

A few snaps of the furry children on a nice July evening, isn't Wanda turning into an absolute tank?

Cactus thinks he may have caught a fox, but is concerned as to where the rest of it went...!!!

Viscacha away.

Viscacha has been delivered to her new home with vet Jo in Newton Stewart today. She was a bit shell shocked but she already knows Rupert and Jo's broodmare Fru and seemed to be settling in well. No great hurtling about as they all just wandered off to the bottom of the field and grazed!

"Ruby" - Exbury Ghost filly at Willacy's Stud.

Popped out to Omar's today to take (hopefully) the cover shot for his book and had a good cuddle of Ruby who is by our appaloosa stallion Exbury Ghost and out of a bay sabino cob mare called Beannie (a daughter of Omar's cracking coloured cob Ketchup.) Ruby is nearly eight weeks old and is really lovely, she will be retained and will be aimed at a dressage career.

And another eleven!

Quick chicken update, "Amy's mum" has raised her five and seems to have weaned them (or at least sneaked off successfully!) The white chicken's chick seems to be doing OK despite casual parenting and now the light brown chicken has appeared with her brood, hatching all eleven eggs into a brood of multi coloured fluff balls.

Oh yes DONUTS....

Quick jaunt down to Edleston Academy in Cheshire to take some photographs for their up and coming website.

The Spanish horses in the photos are all for sale.

Had to stop on the way down AND the way up at Knutsford services as they now stock Krispy Kreme Donuts - bonus!!!

Investiture at Holyrood Palace.

Mark's mum Muriel received her MBE from the Queen at Holyrood Palace today.

Chamfron Soutra Brae - 13 months old.

Yet another chicken update.

A few are getting mums tufty head!

Aguacero at fifteen weeks old.

Very clearly shedding out bay roan and a real character!

Caramia at five weeks old.

"Little Miss I know I'm Beautiful" chasing the dogs, doing her best arab impression and pulling faces!

Scarfell Pike.

In a fit of keenness, Mark (brother) and Mark (boyfriend) went and climbed Scarfell Pike by "not the easy" route today.

Mum and I went to the garden center and ate cakes...!

Commandeering the tractor for three weeks...

... Sitting on eleven eggs and eventually a great unveiling of one very totty chick, who looks just like a bumble bee!

Updated foal photos.

Time is flying by! Aguacero is three months old and (of course!) roan, Wanda five weeks old and growing into those legs. The visiting mare Gypsy has a lovely three week old bay filly at foot who is an absolute poppet and look at the backside on Cactus! We are thrilled with this years foal crop (obviously including Caramia who I didn't get a snap of today!)