Sunday 30 August 2015

Butterfly Bush

I planted a Buddleia last year then promptly forgot about it, in fact the garden hasn't had much love this year at all so I was thrilled to walk round the corner today and see it was covered in butterflies.  Proving that the garden isn't a pit of neglect but actually a wonderful haven for wildlife... my story and I'm sticking to it!



Saturday 29 August 2015

Chamfron Chipita - 6 years old

Breaking Update - Mac

Mac was backed in his stable today then had a walk and trot in the indoor pen.  



Thursday 27 August 2015

Chamfron Conquistador - 3 months old

Making light work of the heavy going.


Where we are up to!

Like a lot of Northern studs we've found this a long and tedious breeding season, we got Harmony in foal early in the year and then nothing for weeks so in some respects we've finished up OK.  Eight mares scanned in foal To Arrayan, with Ellie a possible - she had tone when we scanned her but the vet couldn't quite reach (she's a big girl)!  Bridget and Fatima are having a well deserved, planned year off in 2016, unfortunately Yaya, Ruby and Pitufa didn't play ball and are empty as well.  That's a bit disappointing.  The weather has, to put none to fine a point on it, been shit.  Nothing is taking any harm from it but coats are starting to thicken up, we have a bountiful supply of mud and even if the tractor was fixed (hopefully not long now) we wouldn't be able to top the weeds which lurk in my photos and irritate me greatly!

We are still busy with horses for breaking and schooling, despite the weather Mark has been working very hard with them and without blowing our own trumpet (well only a little) I think it shows.  I've heard good reports on the ones that went home earlier in the summer which is always lovely.  Rio went home today leaving a spare box for my three year old to come in to soon and Mac is doing well, he's still a little unsettled (first time away from home) but he's been tacked up, stirrups down and leant over.  




Monday 24 August 2015

Breaking and Schooling Update

Zeus has been here nearly three weeks and is happily cantering 20m circles and hacking down the drive past the mares and foals.  I had a sneaky wee shot on Rio and Mac our latest arrival for breaking arrived.





Sunday 23 August 2015

Cumwhinton Horse Trials

We had a nice relaxing morning diddling about the yard, Arrayan snoozed off his exertions yesterday and everyone got a new salt lick.  Rio helpfully kept his in position while Mark tied it up for him.  Then this afternoon we headed off to Cumwhinton Horse Trials to see Gemma and Chamfron Kukri.  Cumwhinton is just off the motorway at Carlisle, Gemma had very civilised start times and as an extra bonus the sun was shining.  The dressage arenas had suffered from the torrential rain last night but the show jumping and cross country seemed to ride well and Jackson fairly powered round and (as always) looked fantastic.






Saturday 22 August 2015

Arrayan at chukkas

Arrayan was very bright eyed and bushy tailed at chukkas today!





Friday 21 August 2015

Schooling Update - Rio

The fields are too soggy to ride on today so Rio had his first jump and seemed to really enjoy himself.  He's a lovely happy smiley little horse.

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Schooling Update - Rio

Rio is starting to carry himself nicely and is working well in open fields.

Syd and Elley Arab headed north yesterday with Seth Douglas (Douglas Horse Transport) and Kitty is leaving us tomorrow so the yard is really quite quiet.  Marks at a loose end with only five to ride!


Sunday 16 August 2015

Isle of Whithorn

We had a run out to the Isle of Whithorn in the sun today.  As normal we behaved like three big kids, playing in the park, having a go on the swings and skimming stones.  After we'd worked up an appetite we ordered our chips at Isle Sea Foods, within five minutes we were humming the tunes from Deliverance and it only got more surreal.  Never mind, we got two thirds of our (paid for) order after thirty minutes and trust me that was more than enough...




Saturday 15 August 2015

After the rain...

Horses, chooks and foals all looking well despite the soggy summer.  Ned and Harmony have turned into the sweetest couple always pootling about together.  I imagine them as humans, trundling out for a drive on a nice night, probably in an elderly Rover with a tartan rug on the parcel shelf.  

I wonder what secrets Chaco is sharing with Zamba?








Thursday 13 August 2015

Kitty - 4yo by Arrayan Numa

Kitty has been on the stud for six weeks polo schooling