Chamfrons out and about

You need to be fairly eagle eyed but Chamfron Firefly is in the Horse and Hound!  Chamfron Cactus Jack has been at pole clinic.  Chamfron Chaco has been for a hack around Eglinton Park to see the standing stones and Chamfron Agata de Fuego had an endurance outing at Ae Forest, 18km with a heart rate of 38. 

Keep Moving - Week 8

Sunday was another almost spring like day, the boys did a five mile hack together in the morning and I had Gosford estate to myself for a few more miles on foot in the afternoon.  Monday I timed another 5km "run" (that's the loosest definition of the word!)  The last quarter was up a very muddy slippy track but a slightly improved time of just under 44 mins (I need to get faster before I run out of excuses!). Tuesday I did a four and a half miles walk along the railway line from Haddington to Longniddry, I do it once a year to remind me it is the most soulless boring walk in East Lothian.  Walk up to the main yard for the farrier on Wednesday and a quick hack for Spider on Thursday. 

Saturday we had a short stroll at Polkemmet before my first lesson with Lorraine at Equine Translation Team, hugely interesting, the hour flew past and I can already see big differences in the before and after photo.  Will definitely be going back as I think it will take a while for me to convert my bad habits into less slobby riding on the real versions.  Managed another 5km run, still over dressed, still blowing my nose every thirty seconds and quite a flattering route as probably more downhill than not but sub forty - 38.18.

Chamfron Results

February is the season for SERC award ceremonies, Kirstin and Chamfron Agata de Fuego (Dumfries) won the Nimrod Explorer Award which is the highest kms any other type 15 hands or under and the Megan Memorial Trophy - the most kms with unshod horse.  They were second in Fenny's Cup - highest points combination not ridden above 50km and third in the Golden Fayre Savanna Trophy - highest number of SERC golds.

Rebecca and Chamfron By Dand (Tayside) won the Scottish tourist board Senior Points Quaich - Highest points over four rides, were second in the Golden Blaze - most gold awards, third in the highest distance, fifth in the Jacobite Warrior - Highest milage in 30km classes and got their 750 and 1000 km rosettes. Rebecca also got the Endeavour trophy for helping at rides. 

Keep Moving - Week 7

Started the week with a walk out with Julie, Marissa and Spider.  The sun was shining on Monday so I clocked off early and went to hack, suspiciously despite having new hay bales the ponies were nowhere to be seen, not learning from the hedge cutting debacle of the other week I go and get Spider from the furthest reaches of the field.  As we walk back down the steep hill the rest of the gang do a fly by, Spider bounces and half heartedly tries to leg it, except that the mud is like an oil spill, I have no traction and I'm gaining speed as I ski down the slope.  I let go, because obviously they will just stop at the hay.  They hit the bottom of the valley, do a token loop of the bales and all head off to the other end of the field.  I remind myself we are both too portly and trek back up the hill and gather the pony, he tries to go again but luckily I'm on the flat this time and we make it down to his tack.  My brushing was definitely a three out of ten at this point and would have won no awards for horsemanship but out we go.  There are Moto-X bikes everywhere, the riders are brilliant if they see you, stop immediately, turn of engines and wait until you are well clear before they restart but Spider isn't thrilled that they are about.  I decide to hack home via the village, away from the bikes, not sure we were suitable for public view, we looked like we'd been mud wrestling pigs. 

A day in the office on Tuesday and as it is a glorious day a few of us climb "the small Eildon" (Eildon Wester Hill) in our lunch break.  Julie and I had been talking about Parkrun on Sunday, now I can't run, at all, so I've never considered it.  However I did a 5 mile walk on Wednesday and added a few jogs to the initial "5km" (parkrun distance) - I did put trainers on but was otherwise massively over dressed, I think it was also all up hill...!  So first measured 5km in just short of 48 mins, can confirm this would have me in the last handful of finishers in every local park run.  It did get my heat rate up though.  Room for improvement.  Just when you think Spider has reached peak filth he surprises you but we had the arena booked on Thursday so we walked up and Marissa practiced steering, stopping and trotting, Spider was positively saintly.  Friday I did a few miles around Lauder at work then hacked out small fluff (the nights are fair drawing out!)

Finished the week with Spider's first trip in the new trailer, we went to the end of the railway line and rode home.  He was thrilled to meet his favourite treat dispenser at the totem poles and trotted along behind the bike.  Craig has dredged the burn so it is now considerably less wide and deep.  We also had a small stroll at Dalkieth park before the rain came on.  Not much Cactus activity this week but his new saddle has been dispatched so his time will come!

Keep Moving - Week 6

On Sunday I walked up to the dressage and back with Cactus and then we have extremely rare evidence of me riding Spider in the rain!  Hacked Spidey on Tuesday and Cactus joined us for a bit of mountain goating up the Bing on Wednesday, walked three miles home reminding myself this is supposed to be fat fighting February.  Short stroll round a dreich Edinburgh on Friday, the visiting french rugby fans all looked particularly underwhelmed, before heading to Six by Nico for lunch.  Both horses absolutely dripping with mud on Saturday so Spider went out for a short cheery walk with Megan and then I headed up Trapain. 

Chamfron Updates

Rowena and Chamfron Mojito had their first jumping lesson of the year with Alan Davis at Lomondside Stud.  Rebecca and Chamfron Firefly had another great day out drag hunting and Julie and Chamfron Cactus Jack had their dressage debut.  Chamfron Campeador is looking fairly clever over a fence.

Keep Moving - Week 5

Quick walk around Big Saltoun woods on Sunday, one deer spotted otherwise an unexciting plod, I feel like I am struggling to find anywhere new or interesting on the door step at the moment.  Tuesday was the best day of the week weather wise so I took the afternoon off with the plan of getting both horses hacked out.  Best laid plans and all that!  Arrived to see all the horses vanishing at speed around the valley, then they galloped up and down the hill snorting.  I caught Spider, dragged him over and tried to part him from his filth, like wrestling a greased ferret, there was a lot of feet stomping (him) and shouting (me) before I declared his ears and girth acceptable and threw his tack on anyway.  On leaving the field I noticed the hedges had just been trimmed...  Didn't get Cactus ridden but did walk three miles home to get my step count up.  Managed a walk around Lennoxlove on Thursday, the snowdrop star is starting to show.  Then a quick stop at Scone Palace on Friday, including a whizz round the Murray star maze.